Private day tour to Coptic Cairo, Cave Church and Virgin Mary's Tree

Private tour

Bestseller

Sightseeing Lovers

Location: Egypt

Activity: Sightseeing

Languages spoken: English

Duration: 8 hrs

Difficulty: Easy

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More information

Highlights

Discover the crypt where the Holy Family was hiding during their stay in Cairo
Visit the Church of Abu Serga, Saint Barbara Church, and the Hanging Church
Explore the famous Cave Church of Saint Simon carved into the Mukattam Mountain
See the Tree of the Virgin Mary and hear a legend that goes with it

All about the trip

Start your day with a private pick-up from your hotel and drive to Old Cairo also known as Christian Coptic Cairo which is among the most important locations visited by the Holy Family. Their spiritual impact can be still felt in the area. Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus were hiding in a cave, above which in later years the Church of Abu Serga was built. This, and the whole area of the Fort of Babylon, is a destination of pilgrimage not only for the Egyptians but also for Christians from around the world. There you will be able to visit and enter the Church of Abu Serga and St. Barbara and the Hanging Church.

Continue the tour to the famous Cave Church of Saint Simon. There are seven cave churches carved into the nearby Mukattam Mountain. The Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner is the largest and has an amphitheater with a seating capacity of 20 000. It is worth a visit if you are interested in seeing something different in Egypt.

Then visit Virgin Mary's Tree in the Cairo district of Matariya. Christians believe that this sycamore tree is holy as it once sheltered the Virgin Mary, her son Jesus and Joseph when they fled into Egypt from the forces of King Herod who had given the order to kill Jesus. The story goes that the Virgin Mary rested under the tree and a spring spontaneously appeared for her to wash the baby Jesus. When some troops passed by, it is said that the tree grew branches to hide the Virgin Mary and her son until they were gone. It is believed that the Virgin Mary also threw water from the spring on the ground as she washed Jesus and a balsam tree subsequently sprouted.

Lunch is provided in a local restaurant. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

What Wikipedia says about Coptic Cairo

What is included in the price

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cairo
All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle
Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites
Lunch served in a local restaurant
Bottled water during your trip
Shopping tours in Cairo
All taxes and service charge

What is not included in the price

Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary
Tipping

Instructions

What to take with you?

A small bag or rucksack
Comfortable clothes and shoes
Personal ID or Passport
Additional drinking water
Energy snacks
Pocket money
Sun protection, e.g. a hat or sun cream
Camera

Where do we meet and where will the trip end?

Meeting place:

We arrange hotel transfers in Cairo.
Please let us know the name of your hotel during the booking process.

Final destination:

Same as the meeting point.

Cancellation Policy - Benevolent

Cancellation more than 4 days prior to the starting date. Clients are automatically refunded the full booking price.
Cancellation within 48 to 96 hours prior to the starting date. Clients are entitled to a 50% refund of the booking price.
Cancellation less than 48 hours prior to the starting date. No refunds.

The full Terms and Conditions are available on our website.