Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Approximately 7 to 8 Hours
Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Customizable upon request)
Pickup & Drop-off: Alexandria Hotels or Alexandria Cruise Port (Private Round-Trip Transfer)
Tour Type: Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Cultural Pilgrimage
Tour Highlights
Journey south from the Mediterranean coast into the quiet desert depression of Wadi El Natrun (ancient Scetis). Celebrated worldwide as the cradle of early Christian monasticism, this desert valley once sheltered over 50 active monastic communities established in the 4th century AD by Saint Macarius the Great and his disciples. Traveling in a modern, climate-controlled vehicle with an expert private guide, this full-day tour explores the four surviving, continuously inhabited desert monasteries.
- Deir al-Baramus (Monastery of the Romans): Explore the oldest surviving monastic foundation in the valley, established around 335 AD by Saint Macarius, featuring high fortress-style enclosure walls and ancient medieval chapels.
- Deir Anba Bishoy (Monastery of Saint Bishoy): Tour the spiritual center of the Coptic Orthodox Church, where the relics of Saint Bishoy remain preserved incorrupt, alongside historic keeps and defensive drawbridge towers.
- Deir Abu Maqar (Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great): Visit the intellectually rich monastic complex home to subterranean crypts preserving the relics of Saint John the Baptist and the Prophet Elisha.
- Deir El-Suryani (Monastery of the Syrians): Marvel at the most compact and artistically intricate sanctuary, famous for its 8th-century Annunciation fresco, ivory-inlaid wooden screens, and the prayer cell of Saint Bishoy.
- Mediterranean Corniche Photo Stops: Enjoy optional scenic photo stops along Alexandria’s coastal promenade upon return.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
07:00 AM: Alexandria Hotel or Cruise Port Pickup
- Your private Ramasside Tours Egyptologist guide and driver greet you in your Alexandria hotel lobby or at the passenger terminal of Alexandria Port holding a personalized name sign.
- Settle into your modern, air-conditioned vehicle for a scenic 1.5-hour drive southward along the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Highway toward the valley of Wadi El Natrun.
- En route, your guide introduces the foundational history of the Desert Fathers, the Holy Family's traditional journey through the area, and how the monasteries evolved into fortified desert keeps.
Deir al-Baramus (The Roman Monastery)
- Arrive at the northernmost and most ancient monastery in the valley, founded circa 335 AD.
- Walk behind massive defensive walls erected to protect early Christian ascetics from desert raiders.
- Tour the Church of the Virgin Mary, the communal stone refectory where monks dined in contemplative silence, and the 5th-century fortified defensive keep (qasr).
Deir Anba Bishoy (Monastery of Saint Bishoy)
- Continue to the expansive complex founded by Saint Bishoy in the 4th century.
- Enter the historic main church to view the shrine and preserved body of Saint Bishoy.
- Explore the ancient monk cells, peaceful courtyard gardens fed by natural desert springs, and the modern papal retreat residence.
Deir Abu Maqar (Monastery of Saint Macarius)
- Visit the most architecturally layered monastery in the valley, founded by Saint Macarius the Great.
- Discover subterranean crypts holding the traditional burial relics of Saint John the Baptist and the Old Testament Prophet Elisha.
- Examine ancient timber ceilings, Byzantine-style dome frescoes, and preserved libraries that have protected theological manuscripts for over 1,600 years.
Deir El-Suryani (The Syrian Monastery)
- Conclude your pilgrimage at the Syrian Monastery, historically inhabited by Syrian monks during the medieval era.
- Admire the Church of the Virgin Mary, featuring an exquisite 10th-century ebony screen inlaid with ivory panels illustrating church history.
- Inspect vibrant 8th-century wall paintings, including the famed fresco of the Annunciation, and view the legendary "Tamarind Tree of Saint Ephraim."
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Return Journey to Alexandria
- Reboard your private vehicle for the return drive back toward the Mediterranean coast.
- Enjoy optional scenic stops for photographs along the coastal Corniche before returning directly to your Alexandria hotel or cruise ship dock.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Private round-trip transfers from Alexandria in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide specializing in Coptic and Egyptian history
- All admission permissions and entrance arrangements for the four monasteries
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
- All highway tolls, parking fees, service charges, and municipal taxes
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt
- Optional lunch at a local seaside or desert restaurant (available for $15 per person)
- Special donations or private monastic museum contributions
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Personal expenses and discretionary tipping
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your desert road transit to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, and onboard Wi-Fi.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a dedicated vacation photographer to capture your visit through the ancient brick archways, peaceful courtyards, and monastic gardens for $50 per day.
Monastic Dress Code & Etiquette
- Modest dress is required within all monastery grounds: shoulders, upper arms, and knees must be fully covered for both men and women.
- Photography inside certain interior chapels and near prayer cells may be restricted; please follow your guide's guidance.
Shore Excursion Assurance
For cruise ship passengers docking at Alexandria Port, this tour includes guaranteed terminal gate pickup and prompt return scheduled safely ahead of your vessel's departure time.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge
- 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
Recommended Alexandria & Egypt Day Tours
- Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo: Discover the classical Mediterranean capital on a full-day private journey from Cairo covering the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, and Fort Qaitbay.
- Cairo to Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: A dedicated historical expedition from Cairo covering the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, and sunken Roman ruins.
- Alexandria City Highlights Day Tour: A classic 5–6 hour guided orientation exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, historic downtown quarters, and the royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
- Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: An in-depth Greco-Roman circuit within Alexandria covering the underground tombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Kom El Dikka, and the coastal citadel.
- Alexandria Historical Tour with the Graeco-Roman Museum: Explore over 40 renovated galleries of classical antiquity masterworks alongside major coastal landmarks.
- Alexandria Scuba Diving Adventure: Explore submerged ruins beneath the Eastern Harbor, including Cleopatra’s sunken palace and the ancient Pharos Lighthouse blocks.
- Alexandria Ghosts & Mysteries Tour: An evening storytelling walk exploring illuminated coastal citadels, royal garden lore at Montaza, and the infamous alleys of Raya and Sakina.
- Day Tour to Cairo from Alexandria: Travel from the Mediterranean coast to the Giza Plateau to marvel at the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.
- Alexandria Shopping Tour: Combine modern retail therapy at the seaside San Stefano Grand Plaza with traditional craft bargaining in historic Mansheya souks.
- Alexandria Food Tour: Taste authentic Egyptian coastal flavors, street snacks, freshly fried Ta'ameya, Kebda Iskandarani, and Mediterranean seafood.
- Alexandria Airport Layover Tour: Maximize transit waiting times at Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) with a chauffeured private city excursion.
- Alexandria by Night Tour: Experience evening coastal charm with a traditional horse carriage (Hantour) ride along the Corniche and Stanley Bridge.
- Cairo Tour from Borg El Arab Airport: A same-day private express tour from Alexandria's airport directly to Cairo's Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum.
- Overnight Cairo Tour from Alexandria: A 2-day private excursion covering Saqqara, Memphis, the Giza Plateau, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Egyptian Museum.
- Overnight Desert Safari to Siwa Oasis: A 2-day desert expedition from Alexandria visiting El Alamein, Marsa Matrouh, the Shali Fortress, and the Great Sand Sea.
- Rosetta (Rashid) Cultural Day Tour: Visit the Nile delta port where the Rosetta Stone was unearthed, complete with an estuary boat ride and Ottoman brick mansions.
- El Alamein World War II Battlefield Tour: Pay tribute at the WWII Military Museum, Commonwealth War Cemetery, and German and Italian coastal memorials.
For bookings, customized departure schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
