Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAlexandria

Wadi El Natrun Monasteries Day Trip from Alexandria: St Bishoy, the Syrian Monastery and Baramus

About 8 hours, private vehicle and guide, three Coptic monasteries and lunch.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private 8-hour road excursion from Alexandria or its cruise terminal to three Coptic monasteries in Wadi El Natrun: St Bishoy, the Syrian Monastery and Baramus, with a guide, driver and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Alexandria · Wadi El Natrun · Monastery of St Bishoy · Syrian Monastery · Monastery of Baramus
Includes
Private collection and return at your Alexandria hotel or the cruise terminal · An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only · A private English-speaking guide · Visits to three monasteries, none of which charges admission · A midday meal at a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is the most comfortable for walking between buildings. Opening depends on the monks' timetable and on fasting periods in any season.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

02Overview

A first look

Wadi El Natrun is a quiet desert valley between Alexandria and Cairo, and it has been home to Christian monks for a very long time. This private day takes you to three of its working monasteries: St Bishoy, the Syrian Monastery and Baramus. You are collected at 08:00, drive south for around an hour and three-quarters, and are back in Alexandria at about 16:30. These are living communities rather than museums, so the pace is gentle and your guide will explain what you are seeing and how to behave inside.

Background

The facts

Wadi El Natrun is a desert valley of working Coptic monasteries, about an hour and three-quarters by road from Alexandria.

Named in this entry

Coptic Christianity

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers in Alexandria who want a quiet, cultural day out in the desert rather than a busy city itinerary.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to anyone who cannot manage a long drive, steps and uneven ground, or who prefers not to cover shoulders and knees.

What lingers

  • 01The Monastery of St Bishoy, with its old church, keep and refectory
  • 02Deir al-Suryan, the Syrian Monastery, where the church walls are painted
  • 03Baramus, the monastery furthest north in the valley
  • 04A private English-speaking guide and a driver for your party only
  • 05A private air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel or the cruise terminal
  • 06Lunch at a local restaurant, with no admission charged at the monasteries

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Three working monasteries in one private day
  • No admission charged, and lunch is included
  • A shorter day than the Cairo excursions from Alexandria

Things to Consider

  • Around three and a half hours on the road
  • Which churches are open depends on the monks on the day

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  5. 5

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  7. 7

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Private collection and return at your Alexandria hotel or the cruise terminal
  • An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only
  • A private English-speaking guide
  • Visits to three monasteries, none of which charges admission
  • A midday meal at a local restaurant
  • Drinking water during the day

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Anything you drink with your meal
  • Spending money for your own purchases
  • Any donation you choose to leave at the monasteries

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Wear shoes that slip off easily for the church floors

  2. 02

    Bring a little cash in case you wish to leave a donation

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and count towards your party size. The day includes roughly three and a half hours of driving and quiet visits to places of worship, so it suits calm, patient children. Please tell us their ages when you book.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Where does this excursion begin and end?
    In Alexandria. Your driver collects you at 08:00 from your hotel or the cruise terminal, and you are returned to Alexandria at about 16:30.
  2. 02How do I book, and how is the fare worked out?
    You can book online. The excursion is private, so the fare is shared across your party: the cost per person falls as the group gets larger. Choose your date and party size and the fare is shown before you pay.
  3. 03Will all three monasteries definitely be open?
    Not always. These are working monasteries, so the order of visits and which churches are open depend on the monks' timetable and on fasting periods. If one monastery is not receiving visitors that day, your guide will substitute another in the valley where possible.
  4. 04How should I dress?
    Cover your shoulders and knees. You will take your shoes off inside the churches, so slip-on shoes are easiest. A light layer is useful, as the buildings can be cool.
  5. 05Is there an admission fee, and can I leave a donation?
    No admission is charged at the monasteries. Donations are optional and are not included in the fare, so bring a little cash if you wish to leave one.
  6. 06What if I need to cancel, and can I join from a cruise ship?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-ALX-043113

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