CARAVAN invites Episcopalians to the Holy Land of Egypt

Caravanners to Egypt – Spring 2026

“I am gushing about Egypt and the amazing journey we went on. I cannot thank you enough for the experience. It was magical. I learned so much.”  -The Rev. Lori Walton, Rector, St. James’ Episcopal Church, Fremont, CA

Explore the wonder of Egypt, a Biblical “Holy Land,” through the lens of its artistic culture, ancient history and contemporary spirituality.

Looking to 2027, CARAVAN invites Episcopalians to join one of its journeys to the Holy Land of Egypt. Like a “gallery without walls,” these once-in-a-lifetime journeys introduce you to the culture, art and spirituality of this ancient and living civilization, a country foundational to the Christian faith story – that sheltered many, from Abraham to Moses and the Holy Family, to St. Mark and the Desert Mothers and Fathers.

These CARAVAN journeys explore the Nile River cities of Cairo and Luxor, and travel down the Red Sea coast to the Arab desert to stand in the sand of ageless time, taking you from the Great Giza Pyramids, to magnificent mosques, Pharaonic temples and all the way to St. Anthony’s Monastery, the oldest monastery in the world, the first desert father. Alongside the life-giving waters of the legendary Nile River, you will experience historic and contemporary spiritual traditions – Pharaonic, Islamic, Sufi, Coptic, Jewish, and desert spirituality.

Participants on these CARAVAN journeys to Egypt include both Episcopal clergy and laity from around the country – from Hawaii to the East Coast. Reflecting on her experience this last April, the Rev. Paula Walker of St. Mark’s Church in Los Angeles, says, “I was continually amazed that we were walking through history that in many cases dated back 4000 or more years.  I felt held in the depths of a culture like no other culture I have visited. CARAVAN did a wonderful job of bringing the history, culture, art, and people of the differing communities together.”

Church musician Marcia Hood from Alabama, shared her enthusiasm about her experience on CARAVAN’s journey to Egypt: “I cannot express adequately how much we enjoyed the tour of Egypt. The Egyptian journey by CARAVAN was the experience of a lifetime.”

Curated by CARAVAN, a non-profit that has served the Episcopal Church since 2009, participants float on the life-giving waters of the great Nile River, smell the aromas of exotic spices piled high in the bustling souks, savor flatbread freshly baked in a clay oven, visit a Bedouin tent-shaped cathedral, hear the Muslim call to prayer from over a thousand minarets, swim in the Red Sea, experience the Sufi dancing of whirling dervishes, explore whale bones in the Western desert and so much more. To enhance the transcendent dimension of the journey, as CARAVAN is known for its artistic initiatives, art is woven throughout – Coptic, Islamic, Ancient Pharaonic and contemporary Egyptian art. This includes visiting the new Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau, marveling at the architecture of Pharaonic temples, seeing rock carvings in a church amphitheater carved into a sandstone mountain, contemplating ancient monastic frescoes and Coptic iconography, admiring Islamic calligraphy, and visiting with some of today’s premier Egyptian artists.

After her return from Egypt, the Rev. Sally Bub of Wyoming, shared her gratitude and amazement: “The Caravan trip to Egypt is a fascinating journey back into ancient Egypt while being surrounded with modern roads, communities and people. We met contemporary artisans and wandered through centuries old artifacts on an amazing adventure back into the past! I am still dreaming of mummies and the Nile – incredibly wonderful! It was such a blessing to be in Egypt!”

While these CARAVAN journeys are adventures into the multifaceted wonders of Egypt, the highlight for most is their transformational aspect. Lorrie Erno, a recent participant from Oregon passionately expressed her experience: “Egypt will ‘rock your socks,’ challenge your worldview and expand your aesthetic taste! Prepare yourself for a journey back in ancient time. Temples and tombs, bubbling with art once buried now uncovered, will dazzle your imagination of an ancient world found only in Egypt. Join this adventurous caravan to explore the origins of the ancient world and other religions, and open your heart to a beautiful land and people. It was an amazing journey!”

These Egypt journeys also contribute to building bridges, making a difference in our world. Pilgrims will encounter a wide array of people and experiences, opening doors into a deeper understanding of others and themselves. With a deep knowledge of Egypt, from years of having lived and served there, the journeys are led by CARAVAN’s president, Paul G. Chandler, providing valuable insider perspective.

CARAVAN’s 2027 journeys to Egypt provide an inspiring opportunity for an enriching adventure of a lifetime. As recent participant Frank Malinowski of Los Angeles encourages others, “If you are interested in the spiritual and cultural history of Egypt, a tour with CARAVAN is far superior to any other group.”

Church organist Becky Peal-Sconce from St. Christopher’s Church in Dallas, Texas expressed what almost all participants experience on these journeys to Egypt; “It was the trip of a lifetime.”

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Has Egypt been on your bucket list? You are invited to join CARAVAN’s “Cradle of Civilization” tour to Egypt April 18-28, 2027 (9 days, 10 nights). See a brief glimpse: https://tinyurl.com/egyptjourney26

To register for CARAVAN’s next “Cradle of Civilization” pilgrimage tour (April 18 – 28, 2027) visit www.oncaravan.org/tours/egypt or email: tours@oncaravan.org

ORGANIZER

CARAVAN is an international peacebuilding non-profit that has served the Episcopal Church since 2009, focusing on building bridges through the arts between diverse cultures, peoples and spiritual traditions. CARAVAN does this through art exhibitions, journeys and creative engagement. For more information about CARAVAN, visit www.oncaravan.org.