Hurghada: Discover Red Sea Monasteries in Private Tour

WHAT EXPECT

Curious about the story of Coptic Christians in Egypt? There’s no better way to learn than by visiting some of the oldest monasteries around! Early in the morning, someone from our team will pick you up from your hotel in Hurghada, and you’ll set off on a cool trip to the famous Red Sea monasteries. Get ready for a day full of adventure!

St. Paul’s Monastery

First stop: St. Paul’s Monastery. It’s about a three-hour drive north, right next to some huge cliffs in the desert. This place is really important because a hermit named St. Paul once lived in caves here, and you can still see them! The churches inside are decorated with awesome paintings, and a friendly monk will show you around and tell you all about the history.

St. Anthony’s Monastery

Next, you’ll head south for about half an hour to St. Anthony’s Monastery. This place is super old—built way back in the 4th century! It’s actually the oldest monastery in Egypt, and people still live and pray there today. You’ll see beautiful churches, a library, and even a tiny cave where Saint Anthony lived all by himself on top of a mountain. If you’re up for it, you can climb the 1,420 steps to see where he stayed!

After exploring, you’ll have lunch and enjoy the amazing desert views. By the end of the day, you’ll head back to Hurghada with lots of cool stories and memories from your adventure!

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

• Visit Saint Paul Monastery: Explore this sacred site nestled against the cliffs of the Eastern Desert. Discover ancient caves once inhabited by the hermit Saint Paul, visit beautiful historic churches, and see vibrant, ancient frescoes.
• Guided Tour by a Monk: Receive a rare, intimate look into Coptic history as a resident monk guides you through the sacred grounds of Saint Paul’s.
• Explore Saint Anthony Monastery: Visit the oldest functioning Christian monastery in Egypt (and one of the oldest in the entire world), dating back to the 4th century.
• See the Cave of St. Anthony: Tour the ancient churches, explore the historic library, and see the tiny mountain cave where Saint Anthony lived a life of isolated prayer.
• Scenic Desert Dining: Take a break between your historical explorations to enjoy a traditional lunch at a restaurant in Zafarana, taking in the stunning desert landscape.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Schedule: Everyday
• Duration: 11 | 12 hours
• Types: Private
• Pickup Time: We’ll let you know what time we’re picking you up from the hotel the day before the tour!
• Our Tourism License Number: 1569. Check our Travel License here

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INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSION

Included:

• Private, round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Dedicated multilingual guide (and monk guide on-site).
• Traditional lunch in Zafarana.
• All service charges and local taxes.

Excluded:

• Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Travel insurance.
• Gratuities.

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ADDITIONAL INFO

• Not wheelchair accessible.
• Travelers can send their own pickup location.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

You can cancel up to 24 hours before your experience for a full refund.

• To receive a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before your experience begins.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before your experience starts, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience start time will not be accepted.
• The time limit is calculated according to the local time of the experiment.

Take a minute to check out the Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policy before you book.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What days is the Red Sea Monasteries tour available?

A. The private tour runs every day of the week. You can book for any date that fits your travel schedule.

Q. Is this a private or group tour?

A. This is a 100% private tour. You will have a private air-conditioned vehicle and dedicated service for just you and your group.

Q. Is hotel pickup included?

A. Yes. Round-trip transportation with direct pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Hurghada is fully included.

Q. What time is the pickup?

A. Because this is a private tour, pickup times are coordinated specifically for your group. We will contact you the day before your tour to confirm your exact hotel pickup time.

Q. Can I provide a custom pickup location?

A. Yes, travelers can specify their preferred pickup location when completing their booking.

Q. What will we see at the Saint Paul Monastery?

A. You will explore the ancient caves where the hermit Saint Paul lived, tour historic churches featuring vibrant, centuries-old frescoes, and receive a guided walk from a resident monk.

Q. What makes the Saint Anthony Monastery special?

A. Built in the 4th century, the Monastery of Saint Anthony is the oldest functioning Christian monastery in Egypt and one of the oldest in the world. Highlights include its ancient churches, the historic library, and the tiny cave where Saint Anthony lived.

Q. Are the monasteries accessible for wheelchairs?

A. No, due to the historic and rugged nature of the desert terrain and cave access steps, these sites are not wheelchair accessible.

Q. Is lunch included in the price?

A. Yes, a traditional lunch at a restaurant in Zafarana is included in the tour package.

Q. What is the cancellation policy?

A. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour start time are non-refundable.