Cave Church

Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour

Duration
Approx. 5-7 Hours
Route
Cave Church, Garbage City, City of the Dead
Style
Private Cultural / Off-Beaten Track
Schedule
Available daily

Overview

Discover a different side of Cairo on a private Cave Church and City of the Dead tour. Travel through Garbage City in Manshiyet Nasser to reach the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, commonly known as the Cave Church, then continue to the historic City of the Dead. With your private guide, learn about the communities, religious heritage and history connected to these distinctive parts of Cairo. For travelers interested in the city’s classic landmarks, our Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Citadel tour offers a more traditional sightseeing route.

Highlights

Cave Church
Garbage City
City of the Dead

Tour Itinerary

Tour Itinerary
Your private guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and travel toward Mokattam to visit the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner. The complex contains several churches carved into the limestone mountain, including its impressive amphitheatre-style Cave Church. Explore the monastery while your guide explains its history and importance to Cairo’s Coptic community. The route passes through Manshiyet Nasser, widely known as Garbage City and home to the predominantly Coptic Zabbaleen community. Learn about their long-established role in collecting, sorting and recycling much of Cairo’s waste. Continue to Al-Qarafa, commonly known as the City of the Dead, a historic cemetery district containing mosques, mausoleums and family tombs from different periods of Islamic Cairo. Explore the accessible areas with your guide and learn about the religious, architectural and social history of this distinctive part of the city. After completing the tour, your private driver will return you to your hotel.

Experience Highlights: Two Hidden Worlds

FeatureGarbage City (Manshiyat Naser)City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa)
CommunityIndustrious Zabbaleen (Recyclers)Families Living Among Tombs
Key LandmarkSt. Simon Cave CathedralAncient Mamluk Mausoleums
AtmosphereBusy, Unique Urban LifeQuiet, Historic, Spiritual

What’s Included

Included

  • All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Pick up services from your hotel & return.
  • Private Egyptologist guide.
  • Bottled water during your trip.
  • All taxes & service charges.

Not Included

  • Any Optional Tours not mentioned.
  • Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites.
  • Tipping.
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cave Church of St. Simon?
The Cave Church, or the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, is the largest church in the Middle East. It is carved into the limestone of the Mokattam Mountain and features an amphitheater that can seat up to 20,000 worshippers.
Where is the Garbage City located?
Garbage City, locally known as “Manshiyat Naser,” is a settlement located to the southeast of Cairo at the base of the Mokattam Hills. It is the route one must take to reach the Cave Church.
Who are the “Garbage People” mentioned in the tour?
They are the Zabbaleen, mostly Coptic Christians who immigrated to Cairo in the 1930s. They are affectionately known as the “Garbage People” because they sustain themselves by collecting and recycling Cairo’s waste, living in the neighborhood known as Garbage City.
What can I do in the evening after this tour?
Since the tour typically ends in the afternoon, you have a wonderful opportunity to experience Cairo by night. We highly recommend attending the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show for a magical storytelling experience under the stars.
How much are the entrance fees to the sightseeing listed in the itinerary ?
Entrance fees in Egypt generally range from EGP 200 to EGP 1500 (4 USD to 30 USD), depending on the site, and all major attractions accept credit card payments or online booking. You can learn more details by reading the following article: Egypt Attractions Entrance Fees Guide.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
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From
$75 /pp