Private Half Day Tour to Garbage City and Cave Church

Highlights

The Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, is located in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo, Egypt, in an area that is known as ‘garbage city’ because of the large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there. The Zabbaleen are descendants of farmers who started migrating from Upper Egypt to Cairo in the 1940s. Fleeing poor harvests and poverty they came to the city looking for work and set-up makeshift settlements around the city. Initially, they stuck to their tradition of raising pigs, goats, chickens and other animals, but eventually found collecting and sorting of waste produced by the city residents more profitable. The Zabbaleen would sort through household garbage, salvaging and selling things of value, while the organic waste provided an excellent source of food for their animals. In fact, this arrangement worked so well, that successive waves of migrants came from Upper Egypt to live and work in the newly founded garbage villages of Cairo.

Summary

The Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, is located in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo, Egypt, in an area that is known as ‘garbage city’ because of the large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there. The Zabbaleen are descendants of farmers who started migrating from Upper Egypt to Cairo in the 1940s. Fleeing poor harvests and poverty they came to the city looking for work and set-up makeshift settlements around the city. Initially, they stuck to their tradition of raising pigs, goats, chickens and other animals, but eventually found collecting and sorting of waste produced by the city residents more profitable. The Zabbaleen would sort through household garbage, salvaging and selling things of value, while the organic waste provided an excellent source of food for their animals. In fact, this arrangement worked so well, that successive waves of migrants came from Upper Egypt to live and work in the newly founded garbage villages of Cairo.

Tour info

Duration

5 hours

Why take this tour?

Manshiyat Nasser, or as it is more popularly known, Garbage City, is a slum settlement with a population of around 60,000 on the outskirts of the Moqattam Hills, within Cairo’s sprawling metropolitan area, who have retained their Coptic beliefs and established the largest Christian church in the Middle East at the Monastery of St. Johns. Simon.

What’s included?

All taxes, fees and handling charges
Qualified Egyptologist guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Private tour
Bottled water
Snacks
Gratuities
Lunch

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 5h
Mobile tickets accepted
Instant confirmation

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Operator Website

Operated by:

Cleopatra Egypt Tours

About operator:

Cleopatra Egypt Tours one of the most respected and successful names in the Egypt travel industry, with a long experience spanning 15 years in this industry. Our reputation has been built on credibility, integrity, and proven performance. With the many year's experiences in the travel business, we can provide the most competitive rates available in the market, also offer the best tours in Egypt and tailor-made tours in all the destinations of Egypt. No matter what your dream is we just make it come true. we offer The best tours and packages in Egypt with the best quality of service and the best price and the best service