Johnson University: Biblical Egypt Trip

View The Iconic Wonders

Stand before the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. From exploring the gleaming halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum to riding a camel in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza, this is your chance to experience the sheer majesty of Egypt’s golden age. Come face-to-face with the Great Sphinx, walk the ancient capital of Memphis, and let the monumental legacy of the pharaohs take your breath away.

Explore the Heart of the Nile

Drift through centuries of history on the legendary Nile River. Board our private river cruiser and step ashore daily to uncover the ancient world’s most magnificent treasures. You will wander through the colossal columns of Karnak, descend into the vivid, painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and explore beautifully preserved sanctuaries like the Temples of Edfu and Philae. It’s an immersive, floating journey into the heart of ancient Thebes.

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Journey to the intersection of history, faith, and natural beauty. Travel deep into the rugged Sinai Peninsula to visit St. Catherine’s Monastery—the oldest continuously occupied Christian monastery in the world—and enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner under a canopy of desert stars. Whether you choose the unforgettable sunrise ascent of Mount Sinai or simply want to unwind in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, you will find the perfect balance of profound exploration and restorative rest.

Daily Itinerary

Jan. 22, Day 1 – Travel Day
Depart the USA on your transAtlantic flight.

Jan. 23, Day 2 – Travel Day
Arrive in Cairo and be welcomed by your tour representative, who will help you obtain your entry visa. Transfer to your hotel for rest, dinner and overnight.

Jan. 24, Day 3 – Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza
Wake up to breakfast and an orientation meeting in the hotel. In the late morning, travel to the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to explore the museum galleries, shops, and restaurants. After lunch on your own in the museum, travel to the nearby pyramids of the Giza Plateau. Visit the Great Sphinx and ride a camel in the desert (cost included) with the pyramids as a backdrop! Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Jan. 25, Day 4 – Luxor, Temple of Karnak, West Bank, Temple of Luxor
Take an early morning flight from Cairo to Luxor (flight time may affect the program for the rest of the day.) Remembered as ancient Thebes, Luxor served as the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and the time of Moses. Visit the magnificent Temple of Karnak with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns. Board your cruise boat and settle into the cabin that will be home for the next few days. Take a ferry across the Nile for a series of experiential engagements. Make bricks in a mud-brick factory and hike through bullrushes and papyrus reeds along the banks of the river. Return to the cruise boat for a rest and early dinner. After dinner, enjoy a nighttime visit to the Luxor Temple. Overnight aboard our cruise boat anchored in Luxor.

Jan. 26, Day 5 – Luxor, Balloon Ride (optional), Temple of Hapshepsut, Valley of the Kings
An optional excursion for early-risers will be available on this day: a hot-air balloon ride over the Nile. The cost of this unforgettable sunrise experience will be announced. Return to the hotel for a clean-up and breakfast. Travel to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Some believe Hatshepsut may have been the daughter of Pharaoh who drew Moses from the water. Make a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These statues are the massive frontispiece of the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. They were built during the 14th century BC, at the height of Egypt’s power in the New Kingdom. After lunch, visit the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of pharaohs and nobles for nearly 500 years. Here, the famous tomb of “King Tut” was discovered. Return to the cruise boat in time for tea and embarkation from Luxor. Enjoy dinner and overnight onboard.

Jan. 27, Day 6 – Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
Arise and disembark to visit the Edfu Temple on the West Bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of the falcon-god Horus. It is one of the most beautiful of temples, blending ancient Egyptian and Greek architecture. Return to the boat for lunch. Sail on for a visit to the temple at Kom Ombo. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the centuries before Christ to facilitate worship of the falcon- and crocodile-gods. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls showing surgical tools, bone saws, and dentistry tools. Nearby, view mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel. Return to the boat for tea, an evening lecture, dinner, and overnight.

Jan. 28, Day 7 – Aswan, Philae, Small boat excursion in the first cataract
Arise in Aswan and travel by small ferry to visit the Temple of Isis at Philae. Return to the shore and experience Archangel Michael’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Aswan. Learn about the deep roots of Egyptian Christianity in this stunning structure, the second largest Cathedral in all of Egypt. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation—or—an optional water excursion. Explore the hidden corners of this ancient cataract by small boat, including Elephantine Island, a fortress and temple from the late Biblical period. Dinner and overnight aboard our river cruiser.

Jan. 29, Day 8 – Memphis, Saqqara, Dahshur
Disembark your cruise boat to fly to Cairo (flight schedule may affect the program for the rest of this day.) Possibilities include Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur. Stop in Memphis, the first capital of Egypt. See there an enormous statue of Ramses II. Continue to Saqqara and witness the Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest stone pyramid. Finally, stop at Dahshur and contemplate the Bent and Red Pyramids, key witnesses to the evolution of pyramid technology. Return to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Jan. 30, Day 9 – Sinai Peninsula, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Bedouin Dinner
Board a motor coach and travel east. Dip under the Red Sea (Gulf of Suez) on a modern highway and remember the parting of the sea described in the Bible. Enter the Sinai Peninsula. Travel deep into the southern desert to St. Catherine’s Monastery, the oldest continuously occupied Christian monastery in the world! Enjoy a tour of the monastery and a Bedouin dinner under the stars at the Morgenland Village.

Jan. 31, Day 10 – Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), Sharm El Sheikh
Early risers awaken in the dark for an ascent of Jebel Musa (the traditional location of Mount Sinai). This is a strenuous and optional excursion. For those who prefer, relax in the village until the climbers return mid-morning After a brief rest, clean-up, and lunch at the hotel, drive from St. Catherines’ to the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh for dinner and overnight.

Feb. 1, Day 11 – Sharm El Sheikh
Enjoy a day of rest and rehydration at your Red Sea resort. Swimming, snorkeling, and shopping will be available in this resort village. Lunch on your own. Before dinner, meet for fellowship and teaching time. Dinner and overnight at the resort.

Feb. 2, Day 12 – Historic Cairo, Church of Abu-Serge
Fly from Sharm back to Cairo (flight schedule may affect the program for the rest of this day.) Upon arrival, visit “Old Cairo,” a historic area of the city. This location was once marked by a Roman stronghold (known as the “Babylon Fortress”). It was home to early Christian and Muslim worshipping communities, as well as sites related to the visit of Jesus as an infant. Tour the “Babylon Fortress” and the Church of Abu Serga. After lunch, stop at a spice shop to delight the senses of taste and smell, and grab that last-minute souvenir! Head to the hotel near the airport for resting and packing.

Feb. 3, Day 13 – Travel Day
Rise early to meet your USA-bound flight or continue your stay in Egypt with an Alexandria extension.

Alexandria Extension

Feb. 3 – Alexandria, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Kom El Shoqafa
For those extending their stay in Egypt, rise in the morning and board your coach to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria, a modern structure built in commemoration of the great Library of Alexandria. Remember the story of the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world! After lunch, go underground for an exploration of the catacombs at Kom El Shoqafa. This fascinating archaeological site features a well-preserved mix of different ages with Pharaonic, Roman, and Greek dedications to the dead. Explore chambers, mixing tombs with feasting rooms, where families of the deceased would sit and gather in respect of their lost ones and eat. The site is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Feb. 4 – Pompey’s Pillar, Amphitheater, Qaitbay Fortress, St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral
Rise in the morning to visit “Pompey’s Pillar.” This striking feature was once believed to be the burial site of Roman General Gaius Pompey, but it is actually a remnant of Alexandria’s ancient acropolis. Afterward, step into a Late Roman amphitheater, used for performances and gatherings from the 4th to 7th centuries. Go for a stroll along Alexandria’s waterfront. Learn about a series of ports built here that served this city in the Greek and Roman periods. Climb into the Stronghold of Qaitbay, a medieval fort built on Pharos Island. Somewhere within sight of these stones, the Greek translation of the Bible known as the Septuagint was born, and Alexandria’s lighthouse once stood. The lighthouse was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! Finally, visit Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. This magnificent structure is the seat of the Pope of Alexandria, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is believed to rest on the site of a first-century worshipping community founded by Saint Mark. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Feb. 5 – Greco Roman Museum, Return to Cairo
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Ride to the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, a treasure trove of antiquity. This newly renovated museum has only recently reopened after decades of restoration. Stroll through the exhibits and consider this city afresh as a commercial hub of the eastern Mediterranean world. Learn how Alexander the Great’s vision is reflected in the fusion of African, Asian, and European cultures. After lunch, board your motorcoach and return to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Feb. 6 – Travel Day
Transfer to the Cairo airport for a return flight home. Breakfast (or a box) is provided in the hotel.

Biblical Egypt Trip: January 22-February 3

View The Iconic Wonders

Explore the Heart of the Nile

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Come visit Egypt with us! January 22-Feb. 3, 2027

What's Included

Schedule (January 22-February 3, 2026)

Daily Itinerary

Enhance your journey (February 3-6, 2026)

Alexandria Extension