Cost (not including international airfare):

$5900.00 per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $1400

Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: $200 (pre-registration is required)

Optional Visit to Nubian Village: $55 (pre-registration is required)

Includes:

- Airport Transfers

- In-country Transfer Flights

- Top Rated Accommodations

- 4 Night Cruise on the Nile

- Some meals & beverages (as indicated in the itinerary, including bottled water and juice)

- Entrance & Speaker Fees

- Transportation by private bus

- Expert English-speaking guides

- All Tips/Gratuities (for guide, driver, hotel staff)

- Dedicated Tour Host from Sunlight Tours

Does Not Include:

- International Airfare*

- Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride (additional $200/person, pre-registration required)

- Optional Visit to a Nubian Village (additional $55/person, pre-registration required)

- Some meals and beverages (3 dinners not included, as indicated in the itinerary)

- Any added Tips/Gratuities

- Incidentals/Personal expenses

- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary

- Travel insurance (can be purchased through Sunlight Tours)**

Trip Notes

Other things to know before you go...

Registration Deadline is June 1, 2025

Note about activity levels: While we make every effort to accommodate mobility needs, please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, travel by boat/cruise rides, etc. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at/depart from Cairo International Airport (CAI). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

**Travel insurance highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through their trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.

A non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: first half payment is due by July 15, 2026 and final payment is due by October 15, 2026. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

*meals provided listed in ( )

Day 1: Friday, January 15

[Depart the US]

Today begins your pilgrimage to the waters of new life and the lands of the faithful; where God’s people once lived as strangers, where pharaohs reigned, where God met people in the wilderness, and where the Holy Family found refuge. The same sun that rose on Moses and Mary will shine on you.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” -Psalm 121:8

As a note: We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI) depart from Queen Alia International Airport (Amman, AMM).

Day 2: Saturday, January 16

[Arrival in Cairo]

Welcome to Egypt, the Gift of the Nile as described by Herodotus in 425 BC! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our Sunlight Tour representative in partnership with On Trip Egypt. We will assist you through the visa process and customs formalities. You’ll then be transferred in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel in Cairo for check-in. Overnight Accommodations in Cairo. (no meals included)

Egypt was once the mightiest empire of the ancient world — in the Scriptures, Egypt is a paradox — both refuge and oppressor. The same Nile that carried baby Moses to Pharaoh’s daughter also flowed past the streets where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus walked.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” -Hosea 11:1

Day 3: Sunday, January 17

[Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum Tour]

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your expert Egyptologist guide to begin an unforgettable day of exploration. Start the day with a visit to the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explore the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and the majestic Sphinx. Enjoy panoramic views and plenty of photo opportunities. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, offering authentic Egyptian cuisine.

Continue your tour with a visit to the newly opened and awe-inspiring Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where you will discover an unparalleled collection of ancient artifacts, including the full collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures displayed together for the first time. After a day immersed in ancient wonders, return to your hotel to relax. Overnight Accommodations in Cairo. (B, L)

Echoing the universal human hope for life beyond death, the pyramids once rose as tombs for kings who believed they could cross into the afterlife through ritual and achievement. Ancient Egyptians believed a righteous heart would pass the judgment of Osiris and live forever. Tombs and their splendor stand in contrast to the Christian narrative of the empty tomb and the gift of eternal life.

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other.” -Isaiah 46:9

Day 4: Monday, January 18

[Fly to Luxor, Embark on Nile Cruise, Explore East Bank Temples]

After an early breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, our representative will assist you with your transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you’ll be welcomed by your tour guide and transferred to embark on your Nile Cruise. After check-in and some time to settle into your cabin, enjoy lunch on board or some time to be still.

In the afternoon, begin your exploration of Luxor’s magnificent East Bank. You will visit the largest religious structure ever built, the Karnak Temple Complex, as well as the as the Luxor Temple. Luxor and Karnak were the centers of worship of Egypt’s gods, like Amun-Ra, “king of the gods.” The Exodus story directly confronts these powers, each plague targeting a specific deity, revealing the supremacy of the God the deliverer and foreshadowing the King of king’s victory over death. Return to the cruise for a relaxing evening and dinner. Overnight accommodations on board cruise in Luxor. (B, L, D)

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” -Exodus 14:14

Day 5: Tuesday, January 19

[Visit Luxor West Bank & Valley of the Kings, Sail to Esna]

Optional Add-on Activity: Early this morning, you may choose to experience an unforgettable Hot Air Balloon Ride over the majestic landscape of Luxor. Soaring above the Valley of the Kings and the Nile at sunrise is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. (pre-registration required, $200/person)

After breakfast on board, your day begins with a guided tour to explore Luxor’s legendary West Bank as you walk through history at the Valley of the Kings, the royal necropolis of the New Kingdom. Explore several tombs of pharaohs including the tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamen. Vivid wall paintings of visions that have survived over 3,000 years are painted with visions of an afterlife where only the worthy could pass through judgment. In these painted halls, we also remember that Christ has passed through death for us, opening eternal life not through our deeds, but through His grace.

Visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, one of the most striking architectural masterpieces in ancient Egypt, honoring the powerful female pharaoh. Finally, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood guard for millennia at the entrance to his once-glorious temple. Return to the Nile Cruise for lunch and prepare to set sail. In the afternoon, relax on the sun deck as the cruise ship glides smoothly along the Nile River, offering breathtaking views of rural Egyptian life, lush date palms, and timeless riverside villages. This is the perfect time to unwind, reflect, or enjoy a cup of tea as the golden sun sets over the water. Dinner and overnight accommodations on board near Esna. (B, L, D)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” -John 11:25

Day 6: Wednesday, January 20

[Visits to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples, Sail to Aswan]

After breakfast on board, we set out by horse and buggy to visit the Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, a divine avenger who triumphed over chaos. The temple is one of the best-preserved temples and is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture. With its towering pylons, detailed hieroglyphs, and sacred baroque sanctuary, the temple offers a vivid look into the religious life and mythology of ancient Egypt.

Return to the cruise for lunch on board, then enjoy some time to relax as you continue sailing south along the Nile. In the late afternoon, we disembark to visit Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to both Sobek (the crocodile god of strength and fertility) and Horus the Elder. Admire its symmetrical design and explore the nearby Crocodile Museum, home to mummified crocodiles and artifacts related to Sobek worship. Edfu’s Horus and Kom Ombo’s Sobek show humanity’s deep need for a protector and healer. Enjoy a delightful evening onboard. Dinner and overnight accommodations on board while sailing toward Aswan. (B, L, D)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?” -Psalm 27:1

Day 7: Thursday, January 21

[Explore Abu Simbel Temples, An optional visit to a Nubian Village, Arrive in Aswan]

Start your day early with breakfast on board before departing for a guided visit to the world-renowned Abu Simbel Temples, carved directly into the rock by order of Pharaoh Ramses II, with massive seated statues and intricate carvings that honor both Ramses and his beloved queen Nefertari. These statues were aligned so that twice a year the sun illuminated his image inside, linking human kingship to cosmic power through Ra’s blessing. Whether it was Ramses II, or another, we remember here the pharoah of Exodus. The relocation of these temples to avoid submersion by Lake Nasser remains one of the greatest feats in archaeological engineering. Return to the cruise ship in time for lunch on board. In the afternoon, take some midway rest onboard.

-or- Optional Add-on Activity: Take a scenic boat ride across the Nile to a charming Nubian Village, where you’ll have the chance to interact with local families, learn about their unique culture, visit colorful homes, and maybe even meet a crocodile. This optional tour offers a beautiful blend of nature, tradition, and hospitality. (pre-registration required, $55/person)

Head back to the cruise ship in the evening to relax and enjoy dinner on board. Overnight accommodations on board in Aswan. (B, L, D)

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” -Psalm 113:3

Day 8: Friday, January 22

[Tour Philae Temple & High Dam, Fly Back to Cairo]

Enjoy your final breakfast on board docked in Aswan. After disembarkation, your guided tour begins with a visit to two of Aswan’s most iconic landmarks. The Philae Temple, majestically located on Agilkia Island, is dedicated to the goddess Isis, a mother-goddess who was seen as a healer and protector of life. You will take a short motorboat ride across the Nile to reach the temple, where legends and beauty intertwine. Then continue to visit the High Dam of Aswan, one of the largest engineering projects in the world, which controls the Nile’s annual flooding and created Lake Nasser, the largest man-made lake on Earth. Marvel at the power of water to give life. After your sightseeing, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight accommodations in Cairo. (B)

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” -Proverbs 18:10

Day 9: Saturday, January 23

[Sakkara, Memphis & Carpet School Tour]

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, meet your Egyptologist guide to explore more treasures of ancient Egypt beyond the city. Begin the day with a visit to Sakkara, the vast necropolis that served as a burial ground for nobles and royals. Marvel at the iconic Step Pyramid of King Djoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure, designed by the legendary architect Imhotep during Egypt’s Third Dynasty. This step pyramid is one of humanity’s earliest attempts to bridge earth and heaven. You’ll then visit an Egyptian carpet school where you will see and learn the way they make the oriental carpets which is one of the most famous hand craft in Egypt. Next, we head to Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt, founded over 5,000 years ago. Here you’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II, one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, and other remnants of this once-mighty city. The fallen statue Ramses reminds us that all earthly empires and idols fall. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After a full day of discovery, return to your hotel in Cairo for an evening at leisure. Overnight accommodations in Cairo. (B, L)

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it.” -Jeremiah 6:16

Day 10: Sunday, January 24

[Visits to Coptic Cairo and the Citadel, Departure to Jordan]

Here the stories converge: Egypt as a place of exile, refuge, and faith. After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, meet your guide for a final cultural journey through historic Cairo, exploring the city’s deep spiritual heritage. You begin in Coptic Cairo, where you’ll walk through the heart of Egypt’s early Christian community. Visit the Church of Abu Serga, built above the cave believed to have sheltered the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt. Next, you explore the iconic Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), suspended above a Roman gatehouse and adorned with beautiful icons and woodwork. You then continue to the nearby Ben Ezra Synagogue, a historic site once believed to be where baby Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter. Then finally, you drive to the Citadel of Saladin, one of Cairo’s most famous landmarks. Explore the grand Mosque of Mohamed Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, offering panoramic views of the city and impressive Ottoman architecture. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the Cairo airport for afternoon flight to Amman. Dinner and overnight accommodations in Amman. (B, L, D)

“When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses,“because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” -Exodus 2:10

“Out of Egypt I called my Son.” -Matthew 2:15

Day 11: Monday, January 25

[Explore Petra]

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and start driving to Petra. We will have lunch along the way and visit Petra in the afternoon. Petra is a famous archaeological site in Jordan's southwestern desert. Dating to around 300 B.C., it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. The Nabatean people believed their gods dwelt in the mountains. Accessed via a narrow canyon called Al Siq, it contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the "Rose City." Perhaps its most famous structure (thanks, Indiana Jones) is 45m-high Al Khazneh, a temple with an ornate, Greek-style facade, and known as The Treasury. Dinner and overnight accommodations in Petra. (B, L, D)

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” -Psalm 118:22–23

Day 12: Tuesday, January 26

[Wadi Rum, Aqaba]

After breakfast, you will drive to the Wadi Rum to visit the unique, other-worldly landscape of this desert. A jeep ride lets you view the rock formations and the vast expanses of sand dunes that has been used as a filming location for many movies. And more importantly, the site of some of the 40 years of the ancient Israelites wandering in the wilderness where God provided manna, You will finish the day in Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea, remembering the parting of the waters as the ancient Israelites walked on dry ground into the wilderness. Enjoy the Red Sea aboard a dinner cruise. Overnight accommodations in Aqaba (B, L, D).

“The desert and the parched land will be glad.” -Isaiah 35:1

Day 13: Wednesday, January 27

[Visit the Dead Sea]

You will take your time this morning on the shore of the Red Sea with breakfast and a later check out. We will then make our way through the wilderness to the Dead Sea. This unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times. Ezekiel once envisioned these waters made fresh, teeming with life (Ezek. 47:8–9). We will rest and remember the living water that heals the deepest thirst (John 4:14). Float in the water, experience the rich, black mud, and relax after many days of travel. Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Dead Sea. (B, D)

“He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.” -Psalm 23:2–3

Day 14: Thursday, January 28

[Visits to Mt. Nebo and Madaba, Depart from Amman]

This morning, you will visit Mt. Nebo, where Moses stood and looked into the Promised Land after 40 years in the desert. It was here that God told him that he would not be entering the land, and it is here that he died. You will then travel to Madaba to see an ancient mosaic which depicts the holy sites of this region. After lunch along the way, you will visit one of the area refugee camps to hear about the work of the church in this area with those who are still finding themselves in the Exodus story. Our final stop will be at the banks of the Jordan River, where we will renew our baptismal covenant. After an evening farewell dinner, you will proceed to the airport for a late-night flight home to the US. (B, L, D)

“Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo… There the Lord showed him the whole land.” -Deuteronomy 34:1

Day 15: Friday, January 29

[Return to the US]

Arrive in the United States with hearts full and perspectives widened, carrying stories of deliverance, refuge, and hope.

“The Lord bless you and keep you….” — Numbers 6:24–26