Friday, April 26, Day 11: BORDER CROSSING ISRAEL – EGYPT
This morning we depart Netanya driving to the border with Israel and Egypt. We overnight near Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Desert. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight near Mt. Sinai. (B.L.D)
Saturday, April 27, Day 12: MT SINAI – ST. CATHERINE MONASTERY – CAIRO
For those who wish to climb Mt. Sinai, we wake up around midnight and travel to Moses Mountain, where a Bedouin guide accompanies us to climb the sacred mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. From the summit of the mountain, we can see the sunrise. Then descend and return to our hotel for breakfast and check out. Next, we visit St. Catherine Monastery, an ancient Orthodox Christian monastic complex considered one of the most famous religious sites in the world. The monastery was dedicated to St. Catherine, who was tortured to death for the sake of her new faith. Afterward, we depart for Cairo. Mass will be celebrated. Arriving in the early evening, we settle into our hotel for dinner and a well-deserved night of rest. Overnight in Cairo. (B.L.D)
Sunday, April 28, Day 13: ANCIENT CAIRO – DINNER CRUISE ON THE NILE
Today we travel back to ancient Egypt with a full day of touring the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years before Abraham. We explore Old Cairo to visit the Hanging Church – the most famous Coptic Church in Cairo – named so, as the Nile River built it over the Roman Gate of Babylon. During a walking tour of the old city, our guide will point out the route taken by Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and the family of Jesus – an inspiring thought. We stop at the Coptic Museum to better understand Christianity in Egypt and the Coptic Cathedral, where we see the relics of St. Mark. We celebrate Mass and have time to shop in the local Bazaar, which dates back to the 14th century. In the evening, we take a dinner cruise on the Nile River. Overnight in Cairo. (B.L.Special dinner)
Monday, April 29, Day 14: ANCIENT CAIRO – THE PYRAMIDS & LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW
Following breakfast, another fascinating day awaits us as we visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, consisting of 3 million tons of granite and 150 meters high. Nearby is the Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one block of limestone. It remains a charismatic figure, standing 22 meters high and 50 meters long, representing a man with the body of a lion. Mass will be celebrated. Tonight, we return to the Pyramids to see the fascinating Light and Sound Show. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. (B.L.D)
Tuesday, April 30, DAY 15: RETURN TO USA
Today our fascinating tour comes to an end. Transfer to Cairo airport for our return flights.