Desert monastery and camel ride - The two of us had a tour with Memphis Tours which took us by boat from the Aswan Korniche across to the West Bank then on a 10 minute camel... read more ride up to Saint Simeon. It was February so it wasn't too hot. I am not a natural camel rider by any means but coped OK with the ride up. I had hesitations about riding down because I was sure I would feel like I would fall off over its head. I definitely did feel that way (though it didn’t happen) and had to accept that you can’t stop the camel on a slope. It is possible for some people to ride camels and others to decide to walk. It is only a short distance and the camel drivers are walking anyway. If you do feel uncomfortable then walking down is the best option.

Anyway, onto Saint Simeon Monastery itself, this large stone and mud brick complex is an interesting diversion into later Christian architecture. Most of the roofs are gone though the core section still retains its curved ceiling and the church retains some frescos. You can work out the kitchens, stables, bedrooms, etc but it really useful to have a guide explain what you are seeing because there are no signs. He pointed out the secret hiding places the monks would hide in when attacked. There are good views across the desert from the top half and you can even see the Nile from the very top. There were only a few people visiting when we were there but the ticket office was manned.

Take the camel ride!!!  - It is very hot in Aswan when we were there

The first mistake we made.. we didn’t read the reviews second mistake we made, was... read more not taking the camel ride!!

Since we never take the animal transport options, as we think it’s cruel.. particularly when hot.. well firstly the animals in Aswan are very well looked after, and secondly and most importantly, the camels handle the heat a hell of lot better then we do.

We walked up to the tomb of the nobles which was excellent, it was early in the morning.. our boat captain then took us to the location to walk up the hill to the monastery.. that’s when everything came
Crumbling down, it’s hot, and it’s a long walk in 40 degree heat

So in a nutshell, TAKE the camel ride!!

Awesome historical place - few tourists  - Huge monastery in the desert. few tourists Definitely worth going although location has faced significant destruction.

Very well preserved. Nice to see  - This monastery even though it sits in the middle of the unprotected desert. Is very well preserved. You can climb stairs. See the views that they... read more had and envision life a thousand years ago. We like it.

Worth a camel ride back in time.  - Visited as an optional extra as part of small group tour from UK.
Access via little boat from Aswan over the Nile,then short walk until I mounted my camel for... read more the 45 minutes to the monastery (10 minutes back as they take a different path to where the boat had travelled to embark for return)
Never one to pass up a ride on a camel and such a good way to approach this edifice. One could walk ..but why?The camels know the way ,even without the young lads "leading" them
The guard/guide showed us around with little English but expansive arm signals.
For anyone who loves a semi ruin ,great place.
This side of the Nile,opposite Aswan ,is on the edge of the desert ,worlds apart from the modern hotels on the banks of the Nile at Aswan.
Small antidote visit if "over Pharoed!"

Consider traveling by camel to this site  - Traveled by water taxi, then by camel across the desert to the monastery. Used a local guide who walked us thru the site and shared its history and significance.... read more Nothing set up for tourists to read so you either need a local guide or a guidebook in hand. No other educational aides present. Camel ride to site worth doing for the experience, though it seems some were able to arrive by jeep. No one at the site during our visit. May be either luck or this site is not well visited which gave us time to roam and explore without the crowds. Uneven paths and one person stumbled, so mind your footing.