1 day
Coptic Cairo is a historic quarter in Cairo, Egypt, known for its stunning Coptic architecture and religious sites. It is home to some of the oldest churches in Egypt, including the Hanging Church, Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church, and the Church of St. Barbara. The area also boasts an ancient Coptic museum that showcases a rich collection of artifacts and artworks from the early Christian era in Egypt.
The Cave Church, officially known as the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, is a unique Christian worship site located in the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo. Carved into the rock of the mountain, the church provides a breathtaking view of the city below. The Cave Church is a popular pilgrimage destination for Christians in Egypt and around the world, attracting visitors with its stunning architecture, colorful murals, and peaceful ambiance.
A felucca ride on the Nile River is a must-do activity for visitors to Cairo. Feluccas are traditional Egyptian sailboats that have been used for transportation and trade for centuries. A quiet and peaceful way to explore the Nile, a felucca ride offers stunning views of the city skyline, historical landmarks, and local life along the riverbanks. Whether you opt for a daytime excursion or a romantic sunset sail, a felucca ride provides a memorable and relaxing experience on the iconic river.
Absolutely not! We make it completely seamless for you. The tour includes convenient private hotel pick-up and drop-off services. Our representative will meet you right at your hotel lobby around 9:00 AM, and you’ll be returned there comfortably at the end of the day. All transfers throughout the day are handled by a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
This tour is packed with incredible history and spiritual wonder! You will spend the morning exploring the ancient churches and historical sites within Coptic Cairo, including the famous Hanging Church (Al-Mu’allaqa), the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), and the Church of St. Barbara. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the magnificent Cave Church (Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner) carved directly into the Mokattam Mountain, which is a truly unforgettable sight.
Yes, it is! A memorable part of your day is a relaxing one-hour ride on the Nile River. We use a traditional Egyptian sailboat called a Felucca. It's a wonderful, peaceful way to see Cairo's skyline and enjoy the iconic river just like Egyptians have for centuries.
We've taken care of all the important details so you can just enjoy the day! Your tour price includes:
Yes! Lunch is definitely included. We make sure you get a flavorful, authentic experience by providing a delicious meal at a well-regarded local Egyptian restaurant during the day.
Absolutely. The tour thoughtfully includes time for a dedicated shopping tour in Cairo. Your guide can take you to appropriate local markets or shops if you wish to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
You will be traveling with a professional, private Egyptologist guide who is deeply knowledgeable about the history of Coptic Cairo, the significance of the Cave Church, and Egyptian culture. They are there to answer all your questions, provide rich context, and ensure your entire experience is both educational and highly enjoyable.
This is designed to be a fantastic full-day experience! It typically lasts around 8 hours in total, starting from your scheduled hotel pick-up at 9:00 AM. This gives us plenty of time to thoroughly explore all the amazing sites, enjoy a relaxing lunch, and take our time on the Nile felucca ride.
While the tour involves a reasonable amount of walking as we explore the historic churches in Coptic Cairo and visit the sprawling Cave Church complex, the overall pace is comfortable and adapted for a private tour. We highly recommend wearing your most comfortable walking shoes so you can fully enjoy every moment of exploration!
This incredible experience is available for booking year-round! The historical and religious sites are always ready to be explored. We recommend checking the local weather forecast for the day of your booking to help you decide what clothing to wear.
Yes, as we will be visiting active religious sites in Coptic Cairo and the Cave Church, we highly recommend respectful, modest attire. For both men and women, it is best to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. This ensures a comfortable and respectful visit to all the beautiful holy places on our itinerary.
While gratuities (tipping or Baksheesh) are not mandatory, they are a customary and deeply appreciated way to acknowledge excellent service in Egypt. If you feel your guide and driver provided you with an outstanding and memorable experience, your guide can discreetly offer you advice on the local practice for tipping.
We understand that travel plans can change! We aim to make the booking process worry-free. We offer generous cancellation terms, which typically allow you to cancel for a full refund if done a specified number of days before the tour date. Please refer to the "Terms & Conditions" section on our website for the precise details that apply to your booking.
One of the great benefits of booking a private tour is the flexibility! While the standard start time is 9:00 AM, if you have a special request, such as a slightly later start or a small modification to the itinerary, please communicate this when you book. We are always happy to do our best to accommodate your wishes and ensure the day is tailored perfectly for you.
Your comfort and safety are our top priorities! All transfers throughout the day are conducted in a high-quality, private, and modern air-conditioned vehicle. We use professional, experienced drivers familiar with navigating Cairo, which ensures a consistently smooth, relaxing, and secure journey between all the stunning sites.
Yes, absolutely. We aim to ensure a great dining experience for everyone. We can certainly accommodate most common dietary requirements, including vegetarian and potentially gluten-free or other special options. To ensure the best meal for you, please make a detailed note of any dietary needs in the "Special Requests" section when you make your booking!
Traveling privately means the entire day is catered exclusively to you and your party. This provides a huge benefit: you get the undivided attention of your expert Egyptologist guide, allowing for deeper conversations, more personalized historical context, and immediate answers to all your questions. You also set the pace, which guarantees a much more relaxed, comfortable, and personally tailored journey through Cairo's history.
Yes, to ensure the most serene and enjoyable experience, the entire tour is designed to be private, including your tranquil one-hour felucca ride on the Nile. This allows you and your party to fully relax, soak in the beautiful views, and capture photos without being crowded.
Yes, photography is generally welcome throughout the exteriors and most public areas of the sites, so you can capture the beauty of the architecture! Your guide will advise you on any specific rules at each location, as certain historical sections or museums inside the churches may prohibit flash photography or require a small fee for using a professional camera.
Absolutely. Your dedicated guide is highly experienced and familiar with the route. They will ensure that clean and accessible restroom facilities are available at appropriate stopping points, including at the local restaurant during your lunch break and near the major historical complexes.
The fee for this exceptional experience is typically calculated per person. However, because it is an exclusive private tour, the price often offers significant savings and great value as you increase the size of your group. The final price you see during the booking process is guaranteed to cover all the specified inclusions for each person in your party.
While the tour is often booked using international currency, we highly recommend carrying Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for any optional purchases during the shopping tour and for gratuities. Having the local currency ensures the most straightforward and friendly transactions at markets and with local staff.
Absolutely! Coptic Cairo is known as a pilgrimage site specifically because of its strong connection to the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. Your expert Egyptologist guide will dedicate time to sharing the deeply historical and spiritual significance of this journey, especially at sites like the Church of Abu Serga, which is built over the cave where they are said to have found shelter.
Your pick-up will be easy and completely stress-free! Our representative, who is also your guide, will be clearly identifiable. They will usually be holding a sign with your name or the company logo and will meet you directly in your hotel lobby at the scheduled 9:00 AM start time.
Yes! We want to ensure your day is as comfortable as possible, especially in the heat. Your private vehicle will be stocked with a generous supply of complimentary and chilled bottled water to keep you refreshed and hydrated throughout your entire sightseeing day.
Absolutely. The awe-inspiring amphitheater at the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner (the Cave Church) is one of the most unique aspects of this visit, with a massive seating capacity carved directly into the rock. Your tour specifically includes time to explore this remarkable structure and marvel at its sheer scale and breathtaking interior murals.
Not at all. This is the convenience of an all-inclusive tour! All entrance fees are fully covered and included in your tour price. Your private guide will seamlessly handle the acquisition and presentation of all necessary tickets at each location, allowing you to bypass the ticket lines and walk straight into the historical sites without any hassle.
While our priority is reliable, air-conditioned comfort, we cannot always guarantee Wi-Fi access due to signal variability across Cairo. We recommend enjoying the scenic views and using this time to chat with your private guide about the history ahead!
Absolutely! This tour is very suitable for families. The private vehicle and customizable pace are ideal for traveling with children, and the stunning murals of the Cave Church and relaxing felucca ride often capture young imaginations. Just let us know the ages of your children during booking so we can plan accordingly!
Your standard pick-up time is 9:00 AM. However, we will send a final confirmation email or message to your preferred contact method (usually the evening before your tour) with the exact time and meeting point details to ensure everything runs smoothly.
We pride ourselves on offering a truly personalized experience! When you book, you simply specify your preferred language (e.g., English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc.), and we ensure your private Egyptologist guide is fluent in that language, making your historical discussions and entire journey deeply comfortable and engaging.
While the entire ride is picturesque, the best photo opportunity is often during the late afternoon. Your guide will coordinate the timing to give you the most magical experience possible, ideally catching the "golden hour" light reflecting off the water and the Cairo skyline, providing breathtaking views!
We understand that things happen, and because this is a private tour, we maintain a comfortable level of flexibility! If you anticipate a slight delay to your morning, please contact us immediately. Your private guide will do their best to adjust the schedule seamlessly to ensure you still enjoy a wonderful, complete day without feeling rushed.
Descend into Cairo's ancient Christian history at the Hanging Church and the miraculous Cave Church before ending your day with a serene, unforgettable felucca ride on the Nile.