Explore St. Catherine and Climb Mt. Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh)
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
From USD 0.00
Explore St. Catherine and Climb Mt. Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh)
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt





Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Take a hike! Join this day tour from Sharm el-Sheikh that waves goodbye to the resorts of the city and leads you around the ancient lands of Egypt, from the UNESCO World Heritage site of St Catherine, to the biblical sites such as the Burning Bush. Top it all off with a jaunt up Mt Sinai with dazzling sunset views at the summit, and you’ve got yourself one serious Egyptian adventure.
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Highlights
- Climb to the top of Mount Sinai and be blown away by the sunset views from the summit
- Discover the ancient lands of Egypt with a local guide
- Enjoy a traditional lunch with members of the local Jebeliya tribe
- Visit the biblical sites of the Burning Bush and Well of Moses
- Learn all about the incredible history of this captivating part of Egypt
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Schedule details
- Duration: 16 hours
- Pickup location:
Pick up from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.
- Pickup time: 6.30 AM
- Drop off location:
Drop off at your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, transfers, traditional Bedouin lunch, entrance to the monastery, visitor centre, Bedouin fees and licensing.
Exclusions: Additional drinks, camels on Mount Sinai, souvenirs, tip / gratuities for your guide.
We’ll kick off this day tour from Sharm el-Sheikh by picking you up from your hotel at 7.30am, and whisking you away in a mini bus to St Catherine, which is a 3-hour drive away (so yes, you can have a snooze on the drive over!). Our first stop will be at St Catherine’s Monastery, where you’ll get an introduction to this fascinating site from your local guide, and then have the chance to take a peaceful walk around the grounds. Make sure you take a peek inside the chapel, where you may well see some monks milling around. Your local guide will also take you outside the grounds to take a look at some infamous sights such as the Burning Bush, Well of Moses, and the Peace Treaties of all the conquerors and crusaders who have taken control of the Monastery throughout history. This spot has recently been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a testament to its beauty and incredible history.
Next up on this historical tour in Egypt, we’ll take a short drive to the Protectorate Visitor Centre, a group of 5 rooms set into the mountains, camouflaged by the stone they were made in, which matches the mountains themselves. The Rangers at the centre will give you a tour and talk, explaining each building’s significance: Bedouin Heritage, Flora & Fauna, and St Catherine’s Protectorate, to name a few. This is a great opportunity to really get to grips with the local history of the area, and with locals to fill you in you’ll get the very best information at hand. We’ll also stop by the Bedouin Handicraft Centre, where you can have a browse (without pressure to buy) and learn all about this EU project designed to empower local women and their ancient craft.
If you’re hungry by now, you’re in luck – it’s lunchtime! You’ll be invited into the home of a member of the local Jebeliya tribe, a group of people that have been living in the St Catherine area for 1,400 years. Here you’ll be treated to a plethora of local dishes, and plenty of Bedouin tea. This is a special experience that you might not find on many Egypt tours, so it’s definitely something worth savouring.
Lunch will be a leisurely affair, as we give you time to rest and digest, before we take on the trek up Mt. Sinai! This hike can be a little challenging, but with your local guide to help you and the reward of the views at the top, we promise it’ll be worth it. If you’re not confident on your trekking skills or would simply like a rest, you can hop on a camel to take you up part of the way, which will be an additional charge.
We’ll enter the hike up to the summit of Mt. Sinai from Wadi el Arbain, which is more of a scenic route than others. We’ll hike for 2.5 hours, taking in the views beyond and eventually reaching Elias Garden, where you can rest and buy refreshments. Then it’s time for the final push, up the 720 Steps of Repentance, after which you’ll be able to give yourself a big pat on the back – you’ve just reach the summit of Mt. Sinai! And if the personal glory wasn’t enough, the land of Egypt will congratulate you further by treating you to an epic sunset view.
We’ll take a little while to breathe in the views that surround us, then we’ll head back down to the bottom of the mountain, where your transport will await to take you back to Sharm el-Sheikh. We can stop off on the way back at a market for snack or drinks of you like, and we’ll drop you back at your hotel between 10 and 11pm. No doubt you’ll want to rest your legs after your Mt. Sinai adventure!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, transfers, traditional Bedouin lunch, entrance to the monastery, visitor centre, Bedouin fees and licensing.
Exclusions: Additional drinks, camels on Mount Sinai, souvenirs, tip / gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Both men and women must have covered shoulders, arms, and knees to enter the monastery. Suitable footwear for trekking must be worn, with rubber soles and suitable clothing as it can be cold on Mt Sinai in summer and winter. In the winter months jackets are a must.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at your hotel for pick up. Please check your hotel details are correct on the voucher. If your details are not correct, it is very important to please email us to confirm your correct pick up hotel using the contact details on the voucher. If you prefer you may also phone the change through to us during business hours.
Additional Information: This Sinai tour has been designed along the guidelines of the Travel Foundation UK to create and promote greener excursions. We bring various elements into each trip to create a maximum benefit to the local community to reach multiple families. Within this trip we liaise and employ from 4 families within the community.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
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