Egypt · Religious & Spiritual

8-Hour Wadi El-Natrun Monasteries Tour from Alexandria

8 Hours Round trip from Alexandria Easy pace

Monastery of Saint Mary El-Sourian in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover the historic monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun, known for their stunning architecture and religious significance
02 Take a guided tour of monastic churches, chapels, and relics to immerse yourself in the ancient traditions of Coptic Christianity
03 Experience the calm and tranquillity of the desert oasis, surrounded by palm groves and serene landscapes
04 Gain insight into the daily life of monks who live in solitude and contemplation amidst the wilderness
05 Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the desert horizon and learn about Wadi El-Natrun's history as a center of Christian asceticism

Drive to Wadi El-Natrun, considered the birthplace of Christian monasticism, on this full-day tour from Alexandria. Visit some of the surviving monasteries from the nearly fifty once established here, including Deir al-Baramus, the oldest and most secluded monastery. Learn about the Desert Fathers of Christian monasticism, then continue to Deir Anba Bishoi and Deir El-Suryani.

Get picked up from Alexandria and travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Wadi El-Natrun, the birthplace of Christian monasticism.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Cities Alexandria, Wadi El Natrun

Languages Arabic, English, French, German, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Wadi El-Natrun Monasteries Tour from Alexandria

Get picked up from Alexandria and travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Wadi El-Natrun, the birthplace of Christian monasticism. Initially, there were around 50 monasteries in the area, but only four have survived.
Your journey begins with a visit to Deir al-Baramus, the oldest and most isolated of the four surviving monasteries.
From there, proceed to Deir Anba Bishoi, where the body of Anba Bishoi is still kept.
Your trip ends with a visit to Deir El-Suryani, the smallest and most compact of the four monasteries.