Best of Egypt: Faith, History, and the Nile - Love of Christ Lutheran Church

Day 1 – January 5: Departure from the USA

Depart the United States on an overnight flight bound for Cairo, Egypt, leaving behind the familiar and stepping into a land where ancient history and living culture meet. Relax and settle in as your journey to the land of the pharaohs begins, crossing continents toward a destination that has captured imaginations for thousands of years. An unforgettable adventure awaits along the legendary Nile.

Day 2 – January 6: Arrival in Cairo

Arrive in Cairo and be warmly welcomed by our local staff, who will assist you through arrival formalities and ensure a smooth start to your Egyptian journey. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and time to rest after the long flight, soaking in your first impressions of this vibrant and historic city. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and your first night in Egypt.

Day 3 – January 7: Cairo – Pyramids of Giza

Begin your day at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and stand before the Great Sphinx. Explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu and take in sweeping views across the Giza Plateau. Enjoy lunch nearby before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Tonight, reflect on standing before the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World.

Day 4 – January 8: Cairo – Grand Egyptian Museum

After breakfast, visit the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum and explore its world-class collections spanning more than 5,000 years of history. Discover the treasures of King Tutankhamun and countless artifacts that tell the story of Egypt’s pharaohs, gods, and daily life along the Nile. Enjoy lunch in Cairo before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight. This evening, savor the feeling of having walked through humanity’s earliest chapters.

Day 5 – January 9: Cairo – Luxor (Nile Cruise Embarkation)

After breakfast, fly to Luxor and transfer to your luxury Nile cruise ship, your floating home for the next four nights along the world’s most famous river. Enjoy lunch onboard before visiting the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor, where towering columns and sacred avenues reveal the glory of ancient Thebes. Dinner and overnight aboard your 5-star Nile cruise as you fall asleep to the gentle rhythm of the Nile beneath your window.

Day 6 – January 10: Luxor – Esna – Edfu

Explore the West Bank of Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the towering Colossi of Memnon standing guard over the desert plain. Return to the ship for lunch and begin sailing south through the Esna Lock, watching life unfold along the riverbanks with villages, palm groves, and fishermen passing by. Dinner and overnight aboard the cruise as you dock in Edfu, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Upper Egypt.

Day 7 – January 11: Edfu – Kom Ombo – Aswan

Visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu after breakfast, one of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian temple architecture. Sail onward to Kom Ombo to explore its unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder, dramatically set along the Nile’s edge. Continue sailing south toward the timeless city of Aswan for dinner and overnight aboard your ship.

Day 8 – January 12: Aswan – Philae Temple & Nubian Village

Visit the stunning Philae Temple on Agilkia Island after breakfast, reached by boat and surrounded by the peaceful waters of the Nile. Enjoy a visit to a colorful Nubian Village, where warm hospitality, vibrant homes, and rich traditions offer a glimpse into local life along the river. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight in Aswan, reflecting on a day filled with beauty, culture, and connection.

Day 9 – January 13: Aswan – Cairo – Coptic Cairo

Fly back to Cairo this morning and explore the heart of Egypt’s ancient Christian heritage in historic Coptic Cairo. Visit some of the oldest churches in the world, including Abu Serga, built over the cave where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed after fleeing Bethlehem. Enjoy lunch before checking into your hotel for dinner and overnight, carrying with you the spiritual depth of this sacred journey.

Day 10 – January 14: Departure to the US or Amman 

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your return flight home, bringing your Egyptian adventure to a close. Arrive back in the United States later the same day with memories of temples, rivers, deserts, and prayers. Your journey through Egypt will stay with you long after you return.

JORDAN EXCURSION - OPTIONAL (+$1,490 per person double occupancy)

Day 10 – January 14: Cairo – Amman – Petra

Depart Cairo on your short flight to Amman, Jordan, where you will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport. After meeting your local guide and driver, begin your journey south through the beautiful desert landscapes of Jordan. Enjoy the scenic drive of approximately 2.5 hours along the historic Desert Highway toward Petra. Along the way, take in views of Jordan’s rugged hills and vast open landscapes that have connected civilizations for thousands of years. Upon arrival in Petra, check in to your hotel and settle in for the evening. Enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel and prepare for tomorrow’s exploration of one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world. Overnight in Petra.

Day 11 – January 15: Petra – The Red Rose City – Amman

After breakfast at the hotel, begin a full exploration of Petra, the legendary “Red Rose City” carved directly into sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago.

Enter the ancient city through the narrow canyon known as the Siq, a dramatic natural passageway that gradually reveals Petra’s most iconic monument—the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Continue your guided walk through the ancient city, discovering impressive structures such as the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and the Roman-style Theater carved into the rock. Learn about the Nabataean civilization that controlled the spice and incense trade routes and transformed Petra into one of the wealthiest cities of the ancient world.

After time to explore and take in the breathtaking scenery, depart Petra and travel north to Amman, Jordan’s vibrant capital city. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Amman.

Day 12 – January 16: Amman – Madaba – Mount Nebo – Dead Sea – Amman

After breakfast, depart Amman for a day exploring some of Jordan’s most meaningful biblical and historical sites.

Your first stop is Madaba, often called the “City of Mosaics.” Visit St. George’s Church, home to the famous 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land, one of the oldest surviving maps of Jerusalem and the surrounding region. Continue to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land before his death. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and on clear days even Jerusalem. Visit the memorial church and admire its beautifully preserved mosaics. From here, descend to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Arrive at a relaxing Dead Sea resort, where you will enjoy lunch followed by free time to experience the unique sensation of floating in the mineral-rich waters or relaxing by the pools and spa facilities. In the afternoon, return to Amman. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Amman.

Day 13 – January 17: Amman – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight. Depart Jordan with wonderful memories of Petra’s rose-colored cliffs, the breathtaking landscapes of the Jordan Valley, and the rich biblical history of this remarkable land.