Practical Information

Just about the only way to reach Wadi an-Natrun from Cairo is by a blue bus which leaves from the station behind the Egyptian Museum, north of Tahrir Sq. (2hrs., runs hourly 6:30am-6:30pm, except at 11:30am and 2:3Opm, LE2.75). It’s unnecessary and usually impossible to purchase tickets in advance; your money will be collected after you board the bus. Buses returning to Cairo or continuing to Alexandria stop at the Wadi an-Natrun Rest House frequently luring the day. Ride the bus past the Rest House into Wadi an-Natrun town; from ^ terminus you can ride with pilgrims in a pick-up truck to Deir Anba Bishoi Alternatively, from the Rest House you can hire a taxi for the trip to the mon asteries (one-way about LE4).

It may also be possible to rely upon the kindness of pilgrims-Copts flock here by the busload and are often willing to pick up strag.glers. Start your journey early if you plan to return to Cairo or Alexandria in the evening. There are no places to stay in Wadi an-Natrun town.Deir Anba Bishoi alone is open every day of the year; Deir as-Suryan, Deir Anba Baramus, and Deir Abu Maqar (in order of decreasing accessibility) close for various feast and fast days. To avoid spiritual and physical frustration, verify open dates and times with the Coptic Patriarchate in Cairo (tel. 91 79 71 or 91 44 48) or Alexandria (tel. 546 05U). The monks receive foreign tourists with alacrity, and hand out free, informative booklets. Man doth not live by bread alone, and visitors to Anba Bishoi can partake of God’s bounty in the form oifuul, pita, and tea-it’s on the Deir.