Pilgrimage Tour to Egypt & Greece

Arrive Dubai and connect with onward flight to Cairo. Welcome to Egypt. On arrival, prior to immigration, your local representative will assist with your pre-paid Egyptian visa formalities. They will arrange your visa and assist you to your transfer. Transfer to your hotel ideally situated at the Pyramids, where you are reserved for two nights. Remainder of your day is at leisure. A Welcome lunch at a rooftop restaurant is included this afternoon .

Cairo is a vibrant, exhilarating, exotic, fascinating and welcoming city. Home to some of the best Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic sights in Egypt, this city is where you never know what incredible, half-forgotten monument you might stumble across while wandering around. Wander down to Islamic Cairo. View Giza’s famed pyramids, visit the capital's medieval markets by Khan El-Khalili, or simply sit at a café terrace while watching the life of the city whirl past as it has for eons.

Explore the most illustrious sites of ancient Egypt, with your personal Egyptologist guide – the Great Pyramids of Giza and the legendary Sphinx, the iconic monuments. The Great Pyramid of Giza (which is also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three Pyramids in the Giza Pyramid Complex. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one to remain largely intact. Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. At 146.5 metres the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years.  

This afternoon visit Memphis and Sakkara. Your tour begins with a visit to Memphis which served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt some 5000 years ago during the First Dynasty. Continue to Sakkara one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser this was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt preceding those at Giza by many centuries. Lunch is included today at the 9 Pyramids Restaurant, providing spectacular views over the pyramids plateau.  

Travel via the Alexandria Desert Road to El Alamein, located 105kms from Alexandria. Visit the Allied cemetery near the famous battle site of World War II, where the legendary conflict between Rommel and Montgomery took place. Also visit the El Alamein Museum which holds many fascinating exhibits relating to the period. Continue to Alexandria for two nights at the Cecil Hotel located on the corniche in the centre of Alexandria. It was here that Field Marshall Montgomery was based for part of the war. The historically restored Monty’s bar remains open today.   Dinner tonight is on the rooftop at the historic Cecil Hotel, with spectacular views of Alexandria

Visit the Library - Bibliotheca Alexandria which was once the cultural centre of the ancient world. The library was built near the Ptolemaic Royal Palace. First damaged by fire in 47AD and then destroyed in 642AD. In 1988, the Egyptian President Mubarak laid the first stone in rebuilding this great library. The library was inaugurated in 2000 with 800,000 books. Shaped like a massive, partly hidden, tilted disc rising from the Mediterranean, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina evokes the image of a rising sun, a source of light and enlightenment. Continue with a visit to the Citadel of Qaitbay, 15th Century defence fortress. Continue to visit St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the first church of Africa, founded by the disciple, St Mark, in 49AD. Dinner is included this evening at the Windsor Hotel.  

Depart Alexandria this morning and travel south. En route visit the El Natrun Monasteries, established in the 4th century, which remain open today. Visit two monasteries and meet some of the 400 local monks, before continuing to Cairo Airport. Lunch is included. Transfer directly to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan for two nights at your Nubian Hotel.  

Seeing the Nile for the first time one can understand the words of Herodotus ‘Egypt is the gift of the Nile’. Today visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old Dam (completed in 1902). You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction. Overnight in Aswan.

Sail to Kom Ombo and view its famous temple completed during the reign of Ptolemy during 181-146B.C. This temple was shared by the two Gods, Sobek and Haroeris. See the beautiful murals, bas relief and fine views of the river.

Continue to Edfu where remains from the Old Kingdom can be viewed as well as the Temple of Horus and houses of the Byzantine period (travel by horse drawn carriage to and from the Temple). Sail to Esna and cross the lock. Continue to Luxor for overnight.

This morning cross the Nile to the West Bank. Today is full of highlights including the Necropolis of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, which includes the tombs of the Theban rulers, including Tutankhamun. Tour the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. See the famed Colossi of Memnon facing the Nile.

This afternoon in an unforgettable excursion, explore Luxor Temple, built by two kings, Amenophis III and Ramses II.  
(An upgraded Entrance ticket is included to Tutankhamen’s and Ramses VI Tomb, which has flatter access)

Disembark from your cruise ship and continue touring to Karnak Temple, the main centre of worship in ancient Egypt and the Temple of Luxor, built by one of the kings of the 12th dynasty & completed by the well-known Pharoah, Ramses II. Transfer to your hotel for overnight (Sonesta St. George or similar).  

This afternoon visit Luxor Museum which houses many Christian and Pharaonic antiquities, and the Mummification Museum. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening.

This morning transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo where you are reserved for two nights in a guesthouse. This afternoon learn about the Guesthouse Church. Possibility of a church service.

Embark on a full day tour of Coptic Cairo, Mosque, Citadel and Bazaar. Continue to the Cave Church (also known as the Monastery of Saint Simon, the Tanner Monastery). Final dinner in Egypt is included this evening at the Guesthouse to reflect on your journey.

Transfer to the airport for your onward Egyptair flight to Athens. Fly Cairo/Athens. Welcome to Greece. On arrival at Athens Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for two nights.

This afternoon visit the Acropolis, the crown jewel of Greece, Mars Hill and the Ancient Agora. Visit Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul confronted the idolatrous beliefs of the “Men of Athens” and delivered his famous speech about the identity of "the Unknown God." (Acts 17). Return to your hotel. A welcome briefing with your local tour director and a welcome drink is included this evening on the rooftop of your hotel.

Meet with your tour director and proceed with your tour of Athens which includes a panoramic tour and a visit to the Acropolis Museum.  

Depart for Ancient Corinth via the Corinth Canal for a photo opportunity. Visit ancient city of Corinth, the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters, 1st & 2nd II Corinthians. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as you walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked.   Free time for lunch.

This afternoon travel to the Ancient Port of Kechries in Corinth, where St Paul departed Greece for Syria. Later return to Athens. Dinner is included this evening in the Plaka area at a local restaurant.

Morning at leisure.

This afternoon transfer to the port for your ferry to Patmos (Inside cabins are included - dinner is included on board).
Arrive Patmos at approximately 10.20pm. On arrival transfer to your hotel for two nights.

This morning embark on a tour of Patmos Island. Start at the Port of Skala and drive halfway up the mountain to the Cave of St John to visit the most important site of the island. Here is where St John the Theologian wrote the Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.
Continue to the Monastery of St John. Saint Christodoulas, Servant of Christ, built the Monastery in 1088. Its castle-like structure crowned all around with battlements has a total of eight chapels inside. Once inside the courtyard you can see the intricately designed frescoes adorning the main chapel entrance. Return to the hotel.

This afternoon walk into the Old Town of Chora with Mike.  
Dinner is included at a local restaurant this evening. Late transfer to the port for your return ferry to Athens.

Overnight ferry to Athens (inside cabins - breakfast included on board.) Arrive at Piraeus Port and depart by coach to Delphi.

After lunch (own expense) visit the picturesque Arachova Village or spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is at your hotel this evening.

Today discover the centre of the Ancient World - the "Omphalos" (Navel of Earth) - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. From the 4th Century, Delphi had its own bishop. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. After lunch (own expense) continue to Thessaloniki for overnight. Dinner is at your hotel this evening

Embark on a full day tour to the UNESCO archaeological site Phillipi and the beautiful Kavala in Northern Greece on the Aegean Sea, the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia. The Apostle Paul founded the first Christian church in Europe at Kavala. It was here that the first Christian women in Europe, Lydia was baptised. Overnight in Thessaloniki. Dinner is your own arrangements this evening.  

This morning is a sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki, one of the early centres for Christianity. Whilst on his second mission journey, the Apostle Paul visited the city’s chief synagogue on three sabbaths and sowed the seeds for Thessaloniki’s first Christian church. Continue to Meteora for an overnight stay. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

This morning, visit the area of Meteora, where the world-famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on top of rock pinnacles. These are built directly on the rock's surface without foundations as such. Religious life, starting in the form of hermits’ dwellings, can be traced to around 1,000 AD. The first monastic community emerged in the 14th century and was most successful during the 15th and 16th centuries. By the 17th century, the monastic population had dwindled to one-third of its original size. The monasteries represent a unique example of monastic life since the 14th century. You will have an opportunity to visit two of the monasteries.  
Return to Athens for overnight. Tonight is a farewell dinner at your hotel to reflect on your travels.

Day at leisure. Late checkout from your hotel and a last chance for strolling around the Plaka area and any last-minute souvenir hunting. Transfer to the airport for your Emirates flight to Dubai. Depart Athens.

Arrive Dubai and transit for your flight to Christchurch or Auckland. Depart Dubai.

Welcome back to New Zealand.

• Tour Hosted by Reverend Mike & Patsy Hawke ex New Zealand
• Economy class airfares on Emirates Christchurch or Auckland/Dubai/Cairo & Athens/Dubai/Christchurch or Auckland
• Meet and assist on arrival and departure
• Egypt visa on arrival
• All transfers airport - hotel return (group transfers only)
• Transport in air-conditioned coaches
• English speaking guide throughout in Egypt
• English speaking tour director and local guides in Greece
• Accommodation with private facilities – a combination of 3* and 4* hotels
• Sightseeing as specified & entrance fees
• Breakfasts daily
• Welcome lunch at roof top restaurant on arrival day in Cairo
• All meals on Nile Cruise
• Two additional lunches in Egypt
• Dinner at Windsor Hotel in Alexandria
• Three additional dinners in Egypt
• Farewell dinner in Cairo
• Welcome dinner in Athens
• Three dinners at hotels in Greece
• Three dinners at local restaurants in Greece
• Porterage
• Partial Group tipping
• The support of local regional offices in Egypt and Greece 24/7
• Egypt and Greece Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• Personal Expenses
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Early check in / Late check out
• Local hotel taxes in Greece
• Meals not specified & minibar
• Fuel surcharges
• Abu Simbel excursion - optional ($280 per person by road)
• Additional group tipping of approx. USD150 per person - to be pre-collected prior to departure
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above