Day Trip to St. Simeon Monastery

Aswan Tours

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Overview

Day Trip to St. Simeon Monastery Explore Ancient History in Aswan Embark on a Day Trip to St. Simeon Monastery, a 6th-century fortress-like structure opposite Elephantine Island. Originally named Anba Hatre Monastery, this historic site offers a glimpse into Egypt’s early Christian heritage.

Why You’ll Love This Trip to St. Simeon Monastery

Hassle-Free Camel Ride: Avoid bargaining with camel drivers your ride to the monastery is included! Traverse the desert like an explorer en route to this 7th-century marvel.
Uncover Hidden Treasures: Explore ruins, monks’ cells, and rock caves, and admire partial frescoes in the church.
Expert Guidance: Learn about the monastery’s 6th-century origins and 11th-century rebuild from an Egyptologist.
Comfort & Convenience: Hotel pickup/drop-off in Aswan, air-conditioned transport, and bottled water included.

Tour Highlights

Your Day Trip to St. Simeon Monastery includes:

A scenic camel ride to Elephantine Island’s southern tip.
Visits to the keep, courtyards, and ancient church.
Insights into St. Simeon’s history (also called Anba Hatre), a bishop inspired by St. Antony.

Included/Excluded

Pickup/drop-off, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, bottled water.
Personal spending, tipping, extras not mentioned.

Itinerary

Join a camel ride to the southern tip of Elephantine Island where you will find St Simeon’s Monastery, an ancient, abandoned fortress monastery mostly built during the 7th century and located near Aswan. The monastery was given the name St Simeon by archaeologists and travelers, but earlier Arabic and Coptic sources called it Anba Hatre (Hidra, Hadri, Hadra), after an anchorite who was consecrated a bishop of Syene (now Aswan) by Patriarch Theophilus (385-412 AD).Anba Hatre married at the age of eighteen. Tradition says that just after the wedding, he encountered a funeral procession which inspired him to preserve his chastity and later become a disciple of Saint Baiman.After eight years of ascetic practices under the supervision of his teacher, he retired to the desert and applied himself to the study of the life of Saint Antony. He died during the time of Theodosius I.

Finally your Luxor and Aswan Travel tour guide will escort you to your hotel in Aswan.