Coptic Cairo & Alexandria Program

Day by day

Day 01 : 

• Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport
• Arrival to Cairo International Airport, your gate to Egypt, the Land of the Pharaohs.
• Minerva Travel Representative will be waiting for you just after you get your luggage and clear customs. He will be holding the Minerva Travel Sign,, and will then escort you to your hotel.
• Day 02 : 
• Cairo, Giza Pyramids Tour
• Breakfast at hotel then meet with Minerva Polish speaking guide at Hotel lobby..
• Drive to Giza Plateau, home of Egypt signature attractions, the Great Pyramids, proclaimed by the Greeks to be among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The largest among these is the Great Pyramid of Cheops, probably built more than 2,600 years B.C. Standing 480 feet tall. this is the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Little is known of Cheops, you`ll also see the inscrutable and mysterious Sphinx, known in Arabic as Abu al-Houl ("the Father of Terror") and carved almost entirely from one piece of limestone.
• Back to your hotel and overnight .
• Day 03 : 
• Coptic Cairo, The Hanging Church, Abu Serga, Ben Ezra & St. Simon “The Tanner “ monastery
• Discover the historical treasures of the Coptic Christian community on this 3-hour private tour of Coptic Cairo. Travel into this captivating neighborhood, also known as Old Cairo, with your guide, and visit a medley of early, icon-adorned churches, including the Hanging Church and Abu Serga, where the holy family is said to have found refuge. Learn about Egypt’s rich Coptic heritage, and visit the Coptic Museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts that tell the story of this Christian community, one of the world’s oldest.
• Next, after a visit to the Monastery and Church of St George, an early 20th-century church that is the only round church in Egypt, call at Abu Serga, a 5th-century Coptic church. View the 24 interior columns and 12th-century icons on the walls, and learn how the church stands where the holy family is thought to have stayed during their flight into Egypt from Israel’s King Herod. Then, take a look at Ben Ezra Synagogue, once a Christian church, before finishing your tour at the Coptic Museum, located in one of Coptic Cairo’s oldest areas. See some of the 16,000 ancient artifacts on display, including precious icons and books that illustrate the history of Egypt’s Coptic community. Before your tour ends, take the opportunity to visit a papyrus institute to see artisans paint on this natural material, and perhaps purchase some artworks.
• St. Simon “The Tanner “ monastery
• Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church of Zabbaleen [Garbage Collectors] ,It is located in the Mokattam Mountain, a short drive through the so called “Garbage City’ – a large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there.
• The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
• Drive to visiting The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization The main Exhibition Hall show the four main crafts that shaped the Egyptian civilization :pottery, wood, Textile and ornaments You can see over there the oldest prosthetic toe all over the world, the skeleton of a man dates back to 30000 years ago, the Kaaba Cover (kiswat Al kaaba) which was the last one made in Egypt during the time of president Nasser and the “Mahmal” which it used to carry the Kaaba cover from Egypt to Saudi Arabia every year in a great parade. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is considered the first museum all over the world exhibits a comprehensive view for the Egyptian Civilization through the history from prehistory till the modern history.
• Day 04 : 
• Breakfast at hotel then drive to Alexandria passing by Wadi El Natrun monasteries are still an important place of pilgrimage for Egypt’s Coptic Christians. Make the first stop of the day at Deir al-Baramus, the oldest of the monasteries, which is surrounded by high fortifications that once sheltered the monks against desert raids by Berbers and Bedouins. Explore the sanctuary, keep, and refectories, where you’ll find colorful frescoes that date back to medieval times. Continue to Deir Anba Bishoi, a monastery with exquisite art and architecture that houses the remains of several important Coptic saints. Visit the five churches contained within the monastery walls, then head to a nearby local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, tour Wadi El Natrun’s two remaining Coptic monasteries, Deir Abu Maqar and Deir El-Suryan.
• Then proceed to Alexandria, the second largest city
• Alexandria uncover the Greco-Roman origins of this beautiful, laid-back Mediterranean city and see its stunning highlights. Descend into the eerie Roman catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa; see the Roman amphitheater and Pompey’s Pillar; and visit the awe-inspiring contemporary library: a spectacular, disc-shaped building that echoes its forerunner, the once-great ancient Library of Alexandria.
• Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern and is famous for its Roman remains. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 312 B.C., and was the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt. Your first stop in this historic city is the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, a Roman burial site whose family tomb reveals the merging of Egyptian and Roman art and architecture. Descend below ground to visit the tomb and Caracalla Hall.
• Over Night Alexandria

• * Pompey's Pillar Back above ground, continue to Pompey's Pillar, an 82-foot (25-meter) granite column built to honor Emperor Diocletian, who freed the besieged city and brought food to its starving people.

* Bibliotheca Alexandrina After lunch (included) you will visit the famous Alexandria Library. In contrast to the ancient architecture found throughout Egypt, the Norwegian-designed building is a striking piece of modern design.

A copy of every book published in the world is kept in the library, making it one of the great literary sites in the world. The library also houses several exhibitions relating to the history of Egypt and a display of rare antique books (additional cost).

Visit to Ancient Roman Amphitheater

 Day 05 :  

Then drive back to Cairo  . 

After breakfast, you will meet our representative for your private transfer to Cairo .

Arrive to CairoWhile transferring to the hotel you will visit the historical traditional Khan El-Khalily bazaars, where you can enjoy watching skilled craftsmen working with gold, silver, brass and where you can buy handmade souvenirs  overnight at Cairo .

Day 06 : 

• This Morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you check out and meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Cairo Airport, where you will connect with your scheduled departure flight.

         End Of Our Services…

     Wish You A Nice Trip

Inclusions

Price Include :  

• 5 Nights in 3 Star Hotel with Breakfast
• All Sight Seeing mentioned on the program

Exclusions

Price Not Include :

• Any extras
• Tipping

Group Size

    Price For Group 15 Person Minimum

Accommodations

1 * Cairo Cleoptra Hotel Or Simelar 

Located within 200 m of Cairo Museum and Nile Hilton Shopping Center, Cleopatra Hotel offers rooms in Cairo. Featuring on-site dining, this 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. AUC Main Campus is 300 m from the hotel and Sudan Embassy is a 9-minute walk away and has subway access.

The units at the hotel are fitted with a seating area. Each room is fitted with a flat-screen TV, and selected rooms also offer a river view. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property.

Staff at the 24-hour front desk can help guests with any queries that they may have.

Popular points of interest near Cleopatra Hotel include El-Ahly Sporting Club, New Cairo Opera and Azbakeya Park. The nearest airport is Cairo International Airport, 11 mi from the accommodations.

Hotel surroundings *