Day

Day Begin with pickup at your Cairo hotel, then travel to Wadi El Natrun, a roughly 2-hour trip through desert scenery. Once home to approximately 60 Coptic compounds, just a few of Wadi El Natrun’s historic monasteries remain, and the area has been added to UNESCO's list of tentative World Heritage sites. Make the first stop of the day at Deir al Baramus, the oldest of the surviving monasteries: pass through the fortified exterior wall built to protect the monks against desert raids, and explore the interior, which includes churches, chapels, and a baptistery, as well as refectories and a keep. Continue to Deir Anba Bishoi—the monastery takes its name from Saint Pishoy, who founded it in the 4th century—where five churches are protected by a 5th century keep. The final stop of the day is at Deir el Suryani, the smallest of the three monasteries. This monastery is used by Syriac monks, and is the home of several important Coptic relics, including the body of Saint Pishoy. After visiting the three monasteries, you'll have the option to stop for lunch (own expense) before making the return trip to Cairo, where this tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.