Mount Sinai and St Catherines Monastery Day Trip Tour4.8(464 Reviews)16 hours
From€69.34per person
Listing ID : 35979
4.8(464 Reviews)
Mount Sinai and St Catherines Monastery Day Trip Tour
16hDuration
English, RussianSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration16 Hours
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtSharm El-Sheikh
LanguagesEnglish, Russian
Sacred Sinai Experience
Mount Sinai Climb and St. Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh
Ascend one of Egypt's most sacred peaks and witness a sunrise above the clouds
The Mount Sinai climb from Sharm El Sheikh is a challenging overnight excursion that takes you to an elevation of 2,285 meters, where the desert sky transforms into a canvas of color at first light. This is not a standard sightseeing trip — it is a physical and historical journey through one of the most spiritually significant landscapes on Earth.
The trail begins well before dawn, guided by experienced local guides who know every turn of the rocky ascent. Travelers who prefer not to walk the full trail to the base of the final 700 Steps can arrange a camel ride for a portion of the journey, making the experience more accessible without diminishing the sense of achievement.
Following the descent, the tour continues to the Monastery of St. Catherine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has stood at the foot of the mountain for over fifteen centuries. The visit concludes with a traditional breakfast at a local restaurant in St. Catherine City before the return drive to Sharm El Sheikh.
Tour Highlights
Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai at 2,285 meters above sea level.
Trek the historic pilgrim trail used by travelers and worshippers for thousands of years.
Explore the Monastery of St. Catherine, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world.
Travel through the dramatic Sinai Peninsula landscape on a guided round trip from Sharm El Sheikh.
Follow the 700 Steps path to the summit, with optional camel transport available for part of the route.
Enjoy a local breakfast in St. Catherine City after descending from the mountain.
Itinerary
1
Hotel Pickup — Sharm El Sheikh
Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby at the arranged time. An air-conditioned vehicle transfers you to the Mount Sinai area, a journey of approximately three hours. A valid passport is required for checkpoint crossings.
2
Night Ascent — Mount Sinai Trail
The climb begins at approximately 02:00 am under the guidance of an experienced local guide. The trail follows a well-worn path that rises steadily before meeting the 700 Steps leading to the summit.
3
Sunrise at the Summit
Reaching the top by around 05:00 am, you will witness the sunrise spreading across the Sinai mountains from one of the highest points in Egypt. The panoramic view at dawn is the defining moment of this excursion.
4
Descent and Monastery of St. Catherine
After descending, the group visits the Monastery of St. Catherine at the base of the mountain. This ancient monastery is one of the most significant religious monuments in Sinai and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5
Breakfast in St. Catherine City
A traditional breakfast is served at a local restaurant in St. Catherine City, giving you time to rest and reflect after the climb before beginning the return journey.
6
Return to Sharm El Sheikh
The vehicle departs for Sharm El Sheikh after breakfast, with arrival back at your hotel expected between 01:30 pm and 02:00 pm.
What Is Included
Included
Round-trip hotel transfers from Sharm El Sheikh in an air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Guided night climb of Mount Sinai
Visit to the Monastery of St. Catherine
Breakfast at a local restaurant in St. Catherine City
Not Included
Camel ride (available locally at an additional cost)
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities for guide and driver
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Important Information
This is a physically demanding overnight tour. Participants should be in good health and comfortable with sustained walking on uneven, rocky terrain in darkness. Warm layers are essential as temperatures at the summit can drop significantly before dawn.
Duration
Approximately 16 hours including transfers, climb, monastery visit, and breakfast.
What to Bring
Warm clothing and a jacket for the summit, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, a torch or headlamp, water, and your passport.
Cancellation
Please review the cancellation policy at the time of booking. Contact the operator directly for rescheduling requests.
Accessibility
This tour is rated challenging and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. A camel ride is available for part of the ascent but does not replace the final 700 Steps on foot.
Age Range
Recommended for participants in good physical condition. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Very young children and elderly guests should consult their physician before booking.
Ready to Climb Mount Sinai?
Secure your place on this iconic overnight journey from Sharm El Sheikh and stand at the summit as the sun rises over the Sinai desert.
The climb is rated challenging. The trail involves approximately 3 hours of walking on rocky, uneven terrain in darkness, finishing with a steep 700-Step ascent. Participants should have a reasonable level of fitness.
Is a camel ride available during the climb?▼
Yes, a camel ride can be arranged locally at the base of the mountain to carry you to the start of the 700 Steps. This is an optional service available at an additional cost and does not include the final steps to the summit.
What should I wear for the climb?▼
Warm layers and a jacket are strongly recommended as temperatures near the summit can be very cold before sunrise even during summer months. Sturdy, comfortable closed-toe shoes are essential for the rocky trail.
Is my passport required for this tour?▼
Yes, a valid passport is required and must be presented at checkpoints along the route to the mountain. Please ensure you carry it with you on the day of the tour.
What is the Monastery of St. Catherine?▼
The Monastery of St. Catherine is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world, situated at the foot of Mount Sinai. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most historically significant religious monuments in the Sinai Peninsula.
What time will I return to my hotel in Sharm El Sheikh?▼
The tour typically returns to Sharm El Sheikh between 01:30 pm and 02:00 pm, following the monastery visit and breakfast in St. Catherine City.
Mount SinaiSt. Catherine MonasterySharm El Sheikh ToursSinai PeninsulaOvernight ExcursionEgypt Day TripsSunrise TrekReligious Sites EgyptChallenging HikeUNESCO HeritageDesert TrekkingEgypt Adventure
This tour operates from Sharm El Sheikh, a major Red Sea resort city located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The destination, Mount Sinai (also known as Jebel Musa), rises to 2,285 meters in the South Sinai Governorate and is widely regarded as one of the most sacred mountains in the Abrahamic traditions. The nearby Monastery of St. Catherine lies at the foot of the mountain and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is accessible via a 3-hour overland drive from Sharm El Sheikh through the interior of the Sinai Peninsula, passing through desert landscapes and military checkpoints that require valid passport identification.
Tour Type: Overnight Guided Excursion | Region: South Sinai, Egypt | Key Attractions: Mount Sinai Summit, Monastery of St. Catherine | Difficulty: Challenging | Duration: 16 Hours | Theme: Religious Heritage, Adventure, Hiking, UNESCO Sites
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