Private Full-Day Red Sea Monasteries Tour from Cairo

• Start your private tour with a hotel pickup in Cairo or Giza. Meet your driver-guide and then travel east toward the Red Sea coast by air-conditioned minivan. Gaze at Egypt’s Eastern desert on route, and hear about the history of both St. Anthony's and St. Paul's monasteries on route. Two of the world’s oldest Coptic Christian monasteries, these holy retreats were founded in the 4th and 5th century respectively, and lie nestled in the Red Sea mountains. After roughly three hours on the road, stop to visit the monasteries in turn, enjoying free time to explore their churches, buildings and gardens independently. Walk into walled St. Anthony’s Monastery, thought to be the world’s oldest working monastery, and discover how it was established by disciples of the saint, who lived as a hermit in a cave above the site. Wander through the churches and library, and admire the wall paintings of holy knights and hermits that date to the 7th and 8th centuries. Stroll around the gardens among the working monks, and if you wish, make the climb to Anthony’s cave, high up in the mountains. Travel through the hills to St. Paul’s Monastery, built around a cave inhabited by the hermit saint. Set off independently to explore the refectory, mill, tower and churches, one of them carved underground to incorporate St. Paul’s cave and burial place. View the frescoes, icons and manuscripts, and learn the story of St. Paul, including how he was fed bread by a raven during his years in the cave. After visiting the monasteries, enjoy a tasty lunch and then relax on your return journey, ending your trip with a drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel.

Start your private tour with a hotel pickup in Cairo or Giza. Meet your driver-guide and then travel east toward the Red Sea coast by air-conditioned minivan. Gaze at Egypt’s Eastern desert on route, and hear about the history of both St. Anthony's and St. Paul's monasteries on route. Two of the world’s oldest Coptic Christian monasteries, these holy retreats were founded in the 4th and 5th century respectively, and lie nestled in the Red Sea mountains. After roughly three hours on the road, stop to visit the monasteries in turn, enjoying free time to explore their churches, buildings and gardens independently. Walk into walled St. Anthony’s Monastery, thought to be the world’s oldest working monastery, and discover how it was established by disciples of the saint, who lived as a hermit in a cave above the site. Wander through the churches and library, and admire the wall paintings of holy knights and hermits that date to the 7th and 8th centuries. Stroll around the gardens among the working monks, and if you wish, make the climb to Anthony’s cave, high up in the mountains. Travel through the hills to St. Paul’s Monastery, built around a cave inhabited by the hermit saint. Set off independently to explore the refectory, mill, tower and churches, one of them carved underground to incorporate St. Paul’s cave and burial place. View the frescoes, icons and manuscripts, and learn the story of St. Paul, including how he was fed bread by a raven during his years in the cave. After visiting the monasteries, enjoy a tasty lunch and then relax on your return journey, ending your trip with a drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel.

• Lunch

• Driver/guide

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

• Drinks

• Gratuities