May 13 to 24, 2026 (12 days / 10 nights)
Experience a group pilgrimage accompanied by Monsignor Gilles Lemay and Maïlys Carlin in Egypt in May 2026.
Price range: 3,129.00$ through 4,998.00$
NEW
CULTURAL TRIPS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGES
Follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family and the early Christians on an unforgettable pilgrimage to Egypt, in collaboration with Novalis. From Cairo to the desert monasteries, via Alexandria and Mount Sinai, discover an exceptional spiritual and historical heritage. Celebrate Mass in holy places, explore the ancient pyramids, pray at the foot of the Burning Bush, and meet vibrant Christian communities. A journey rich in meaning, beauty, and encounters to nourish your faith and your sense of wonder.
*Trip organized in partnership with Novalis / Prions en Église.
Highlights
The plus
Mgr Gilles Lemay was born on February 24, 1948, in Sainte-Emmélie, (Leclercville), in the Lotbinière region. He is the second of seventeen children born to Adrienne Guimond and Jean-Marc J. Lemay. He completed his classical studies at the Petit Séminaire de Québec from 1960 to 1968. That same year, he entered the Grand Séminaire de Québec and earned a master’s degree in theology from Laval University. He was ordained a priest in his native parish on June 18, 1972, by Mgr Laurent Noël, then Auxiliary Bishop in Quebec and now Bishop Emeritus of Trois-Rivières. He spent the first ten years of his ministry as curate in the Saint-Eugène de Vanier parish. Subsequently, he served as secretary-facilitator for the Lotbinière / Bois-Francs Pastoral Region for two years. From 1984 to 1999, he was successively a member and superior of the team of priests from the Diocese of Quebec working in mission in Paraguay. After his return to Quebec, from August 15, 1999, until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop in Quebec, and Titular Bishop of Eguga, he served as parish priest for the parishes of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Nicolas, and Très-Saint-Rédempteur. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of the Diocese of Amos on February 22, 2011, and was enthroned by Mgr Roger Ébacher on April 15, 2011. On June 25, 2019, Pope Francis entrusted him with the responsibility of Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda, after accepting the resignation of Mgr Dorylas Moreau for health reasons. He ceased to perform this function upon the taking possession of the diocese by the elected Bishop, Mgr Guy Boulanger, on March 21, 2020. On September 16, 2023, Pope Francis accepted Mgr Lemay’s resignation due to age. Mgr Lemay now lives in the Diocese of Quebec, where he exercises a fruitful ministry.
Maïlys Carlin is the Human Resources Director at Bayard Canada (Novalis/Prions en Église). With over 10 years of experience in this field, she nurtures a deep interest in listening and personal development. She enjoys putting her expertise and kindness at the service of others to support them in their professional and human journey. Married for a year, she deeply believes in the power of love, sharing, and authentic connections.
International flight to Cairo.
Arrival in Cairo, check-in at hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Breakfast at hotel. Departure for the Giza Plateau. Exterior tour of the Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Sphinx. Lunch during the tour. Partial tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Mass, dinner, and overnight stay at the hotel in Cairo.
Discover Old Cairo and the Coptic quarter at the heart of Egypt’s Christian community. Visit Saint Sergius Church, built on one of the sites where the Holy Family is said to have stopped after fleeing King Herod. Then visit the Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the Orthodox Church of St. George. Visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Lunch during the tour. In the afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Mass, dinner, and overnight stay at a hotel in Cairo.
In the morning, departure for Sinai. The Sinai Peninsula is a Holy Land: it is where a founding episode in the history of the people of Israel took place, namely the liberation from slavery, the Exodus, led by Moses. Pass through Suez. Lunch at a restaurant. Arrival at the accommodation located in the heart of the Sinai Mountains. Check into rooms. Dinner and overnight stay at St. Catherine’s Monastery.
Early morning departure for the ascent of Djebel Moussa (Mount Moses or the Mountain of God) at dawn (optional). Visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery: the basilica, the icon exhibition in the narthex, Jethro’s well, and the Chapel of the “Burning Bush,” the holiest place in the monastery where pilgrims must take off their shoes before entering, in memory of God’s word to Moses. Lunch at the restaurant. Drive towards Ras Zafarana, a small port on the Gulf of Suez, dinner and overnight.
In the morning, visit the Coptic monasteries of the eastern desert. The monastery of St. Anthony the Great, father of monks in the East and West, located a short distance from the Red Sea. Followed by the monastery of St. Paul of Thebes. Lunch at a restaurant. Return to Cairo, dinner, and overnight stay.
Visit the Virgin’s Tree (Arbre de Marie). Lunch at the restaurant. Mass and meeting with a Dominican friar. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Alexandria. Visit to the catacombs and library of Alexandria. Lunch at a restaurant. Mass at St. Catherine’s or St. Mark’s Cathedral. Drive to the monastery of Anaphora, dinner, and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Wadi El Natroun. Visit to an ancient Coptic monastery (e.g., Deir Amba Bichoï, restored in the 14th century, whose high walls surround convent buildings, superimposed churches, and gardens). Lunch at a restaurant. Return to Cairo, dinner, and overnight stay.
Visit to the Church of Saint Samaan (Simeon), carved into the rock to commemorate the miracle of the displacement of the Moquattam hill in 975 by Saint Samaan the tanner. Lunch at a restaurant. Mass, dinner, and overnight stay in Cairo.
Transfer to Cairo airport for return flight to Montreal.** Itinerary subject to change – Exclusive tour, all rights reserved **
PRICES
Early bird price*:
*$200 discount if you register before January 13, 2026.
Regular price:
Subject to availability, limited quantities.
*Spiritours offers the possibility of pairing, but Spiritours cannot assume the additional costs for single occupancy if we are unable to pair you. You will be billed for the difference between 30 and 60 days prior to departure if Spiritours is unable to pair you.
* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on July 30, 2025.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Conditions for customers purchasing a package without international flights
REGISTRATION
Registration deadline: March 13, 2026
(60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It may be possible to register after this date, but a surcharge may apply.
To register:
You can register on our website (see top right of the trip webpage) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your $750 deposit. Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited. Please include a photocopy of your passport and proof of travel insurance with your registration.
Travel insurance:
For travel insurance, contact us to find out your premium.
Number of participants:
Minimum 25 – Maximum 45
Required documentation:
All Canadian travelers to Egypt must have a passport valid for at least six months after their planned return date. A visa is required to enter Egypt.
For more information, please contact:
Eric Ramirez
(514) 374-7965, ext. 202
eric.ramirez@spiritours.com
1. Do I have to buy my own ticket to get to Montreal if I am coming from another region of Canada?
Yes. Participants not departing from Montreal must organize their own flight to join the group. This allows you to choose the schedule and airline that suits you.
Important: Plan to arrive in Montreal at least 4 to 5 hours before the departure of the international flight, in case of delay.
What types of meals are included during the trip?
Meals are generally served as international buffets, including:
The buffets are all-you-can-eat and offer an excellent variety to satisfy all tastes.
3. What is the cost of the travel insurance offered by Spiritours?
Spiritours offers Blue Cross insurance, at the same rate as if you purchased it directly.
The price depends on your age and health status. A medical questionnaire is required.
Options for getting a quote:
4. What currency should we bring to Egypt?
The US dollar (USD) is widely accepted. You will often receive Egyptian pounds (EGP) as change.
It is advisable to spend this currency locally, as it has little value outside the country.
All these details will be explained during the pre-departure meeting, organized 2 to 4 weeks before the trip.
5. Is the situation safe for travel in Egypt?
The safety of our travelers is our priority.
The safety of our travelers is our priority.
The Government of Canada currently recommends exercising a high degree of caution, a level similar to that for many tourist destinations. The areas to avoid are excluded from our itinerary.
The group will be escorted at all times by a private guide and driver. If the situation evolves unfavorably (advice such as avoid all non-essential travel), the trip will be canceled and covered by your insurance and/or the Travel Agent Client Indemnity Fund, as applicable.
Travel insurance is undoubtedly a PEACE OF MIND that allows you to live and fully enjoy your trip. It allows you to deal with the unexpected without finding yourself with a financial burden. Travel insurance allows you to travel in complete SAFETY. Did you know that when you take a group trip with Spiritours, you automatically get a 10% discount on your insurance? Check with your agent for more information, or click below to shop for an individual insurance premium with Blue Cross.
Avant de partir, n’oubliez pas de vérifier votre panier d’achats, réserver le voyage de ressourcement de vos rêves aujourd’hui avant qu’il n’y ait plus de place. / Before you leave, don't forget to check your shopping cart, book your dream retreat today before it sells out.
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