A fascinating day outside Cairo
It was our first visit to Cairo. We had booked the usual trips, pyramids, museums, citadel, etc. We wanted to see something outside Cairo so we booked a day trip to the monasteries of Wadi el Natrun. We were not disappointed.
It was a long day. We were picked up from our hotel in Central Cairo at 7.30am, as arranged, and arrived back at 5.30pm. Our driver, Essam, and guide, Hosni, both spoke excellent English and were very helpful.
We visited four monasteries. In each one an English speaking monk led the tour. We were always with other groups who did not speak English, so each tour was slowed down by the need for translation of the commentary.
The drive to the monasteries through the desert and some small towns was a very interesting part of our day, as we had hoped.
Highly recommended.
783hrw · февр. 2025 г. · через Tripadvisor
Day trip to ancient monasteries
It was truly a wonderful and very special trip. It is a nice way to experience the richness and diversity of Egyptian history and culture. The monasteries are so calm and beautiful, and it is amazing how long they have stayed in use. The frescoes and icons are still very clear and colourful despite being many hundreds of years old, and the different buildings also bear witness to the not always easy life there in pre modern times. The guide, Henry, made it a very special tour for us - he introduced us to many different monks and we got to hear about their experience living in the monastery and why they chose this way of life. It was also nice to hear how they, despite their quiet and secluded lives, are involved in society both through agriculture, academic studies and charity. Truly a wonderful experience.
954frejad · нояб. 2024 г. · через Tripadvisor
Good times at 4 monasteries
Good tour. Beautiful views and interesting places that show an interesting side of Egypt's history and present. The Guide Mahmoud B was knowledgeable about the region and helpful for showing me around the monasteries (all 4) and getting me in touch with interesting and helpful monks there. He speaks good English and was invested in the tour going well. The driver, Arabee, was on time and a smooth driver.
Thomas_W · май 2024 г. · через Viator
Good time seeing 4 different monasteries
The trip to the monasteries was very beautiful! We went to a unique part of Egypt's history and present, and covered all 4 of the active monasteries in Wadi el-Natrun. Mahmoud Badr the guide was knowledgeable about the area and history, and helpful to meet Monks and show me around the monasteries. The driver Arabee was good. He drove smoothly and arrived on time. It's definitely a good way to spend some of your time in Egypt to see the monasteries.
thomaswP1297FB · май 2024 г. · через Tripadvisor
Wadi el Natrun
Was ever good in this travel.
Also the driver ( Omar) and the guide ( Mahmoud Badr ) are very friendly and gentle.
Just I did’t understood why we didn’t visit others 2 monastery around there how was in the online description of the tour.
Anyway was everything fine and smooth with guide and driver.
Quest47894065704 · апр. 2024 г. · через Tripadvisor
Great way to end and Ancient Egypt tour.
We took this trip at the end of an organized tour of ancient Egypt (we had an extra day). These Coptic (Christian) monasteries are indeed a link between the antiquity and the present day. The guide, Mahmoud Badr, was very responsive and entertained us with many stories aimed at helping us understand the context of what we were seeing. Thanks Mahmoud!
A special note for our driver, Omar: for some reason it was decided to "cut" in between two ring highways using the neighbourhood's streets ... amazing driving (I've been driving for many years, in many countries, and I don't think I would have got myself out of there)!
Raluca_D · дек. 2023 г. · через Viator
Fabulous and safe experience
Zizou, my guide, was utterly amazing and very knowledgable. He made it very easy for me to see the monasteries as a solo female traveller. I would highly recommend it!
lilyo536 · нояб. 2023 г. · через Tripadvisor
Highly revommended
I really enjoyed my tour with Zanati, who was my guide, that day. He was warm, friendly, jovial and very informative.
Travel54465798898 · нояб. 2023 г. · через Tripadvisor
Very interesting
This is an excellent trip special for ppl who like to envision the early days of Christianity .
Abla and Ahmed were very nice they went the extra mile and took me to the salt lake .
Fearless57800879764 · дек. 2021 г. · через Tripadvisor
Very nice visit to the these monastries
Amazing day with Emad the guide, Mahmoud the driver. We visited very nice monasteries, the guide the monks were very knowledgeable. We took Many photos. The guide again is very nice as well as the driver. Thank you very much. We couldn’t do it without you.
Ambassador753390 · янв. 2020 г. · через Tripadvisor
