Private Wadi El Natrun Coptic Monasteries Tour from Cairo

Overview

Around 100 km northwest of Cairo, in a desert depression off the road to Alexandria, Wadi El Natrun has been a centre of Christian monastic life since the 4th century. Hermits first moved into the desert here to escape Roman persecution and founded a way of life that shaped monasticism worldwide. On this private day tour your guide will take you into the four oldest working monasteries that still stand in the valley. You will enter fortified compounds with thick walls and ancient churches where monks continue to live and pray. As you move through the sites you will see frescoes and relics, and explore keeps and defensive structures that were built to withstand raiders. Much of what you see has been in use for around 1,600 years, giving a tangible sense of the longevity of monastic practice here. The visit is calm and reflective, and the desert drive to and from Wadi El Natrun is included, offering a quieter side of Egypt that relatively few visitors reach.

Highlights

• ✦Wheelchair accessible

What's included

Frequently asked questions

How long is this experience?

6 hours

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes — you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before it starts.

What's included?

Bottled water · All taxes and fees · Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo hotels · Private air-conditioned vehicle · Licensed egyptologist guide with Coptic history knowledge · Entrance fees to Wadi El Natrun monasteries

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