Mount Sinai Night Climb & St. Catherine Monastery Day Trip4.9(3,513 Reviews)15 hours
From€49.79per person
Listing ID : 41872
4.9(3,513 Reviews)
Mount Sinai Night Climb & St. Catherine Monastery Day Trip
15hDuration
Max 12 peopleGroup Size
Arabic, EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration15 Hours
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtSharm El-Sheikh
LanguagesArabic, English
Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Mount Sinai and St. Catherine Monastery Tour from Sharm El Sheikh
Climb Moses' Mountain by night, witness the sunrise, and explore one of the world's oldest Christian monasteries at dawn.
This overnight journey takes you deep into the Sinai Peninsula for a Mount Sinai sunrise hike followed by a guided visit to the ancient St. Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has stood for over 1,500 years.
Departing late from Sharm El Sheikh, you travel through the dark Sinai desert to reach the base of Moses' Mountain, where your ascent begins under a canopy of stars. The climb is steady and manageable, rewarding those who reach the summit with one of the most breathtaking sunrises in the Middle East.
After descending at dawn, the tour continues to St. Catherine Monastery, built around the site traditionally identified as the Burning Bush. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a martyr venerated across multiple faiths, and its ancient library and sacred grounds draw pilgrims and historians from around the world.
The return transfer to Sharm El Sheikh completes a full overnight circuit that covers roughly 15 hours from pickup to drop-off. The pace is steady but accessible, making it suitable for travelers with a moderate level of fitness and a genuine interest in history and spirituality.
Tour Highlights
Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai, one of the most iconic vantage points in the region.
Climb Moses' Mountain in the early hours of the morning under a clear desert sky.
Visit St. Catherine Monastery, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world.
Stand near the site of the Burning Bush, a sacred location referenced in both the Bible and the Quran.
Travel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle with door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh.
Discover the historical significance of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and the monastery bearing her name.
Tour Itinerary
1
Hotel Pickup in Sharm El Sheikh
A Sun Pyramids Tours representative meets you at your hotel lobby for the start of your overnight journey. You board a modern air-conditioned vehicle for the approximately three-hour drive toward the Sinai interior.
2
Arrival at the Base of Mount Sinai
You arrive at the foot of Moses' Mountain and prepare for the ascent. The trail begins in darkness, and guides are on hand to lead the group safely up the rocky path toward the summit.
3
Summit and Sunrise
Reaching the top of Mount Sinai, you settle in to watch the sunrise unfold over the surrounding peaks and desert plains. The light gradually reveals the dramatic landscape of the Sinai Peninsula below.
4
Descent from the Mountain
After sunrise, the group descends from the summit back to the base of the mountain. The descent follows a well-worn trail and takes approximately two hours at a comfortable pace.
5
Visit to St. Catherine Monastery
The tour continues to St. Catherine Monastery, where you explore the sacred grounds, view the site of the Burning Bush, and learn about the history of this ancient institution and its patron saint.
6
Return Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh
Following the monastery visit, your driver transfers you back to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. The full tour concludes approximately 15 hours after the initial pickup.
What Is Included
Included
Round-trip hotel transfer from Sharm El Sheikh in an air-conditioned vehicle
Guided night climb of Mount Sinai
Visit to St. Catherine Monastery
Professional tour representative throughout
Not Included
Entrance fees to St. Catherine Monastery
Camel ride on the mountain (available locally at own cost)
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities for guide and driver
Food and beverages
Important Information
This tour involves a night departure and a multi-hour mountain climb. Participants should be in reasonable physical health and prepared for cool to cold temperatures at altitude. Modest dress is required to enter St. Catherine Monastery.
Duration
Approximately 15 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including a 3-hour drive each way, the mountain ascent and descent, and the monastery visit.
What to Bring
Warm layers for the mountain summit, comfortable walking shoes with good grip, water, snacks, a torch or headlamp, and modest clothing for the monastery visit.
Cancellation
Cancellation policies vary. Please review the booking terms at the time of purchase for applicable refund conditions and deadlines.
Accessibility
The mountain trail involves uneven rocky terrain and is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility limitations.
Age Range
Suitable for participants of most ages who are in good general health. Children should be able to manage a sustained walk over rocky terrain in the dark.
Reserve Your Spot
Places on this overnight tour are limited. Secure your experience on Moses' Mountain and at St. Catherine Monastery by booking in advance.
The main trail to the summit is a gradual ascent of approximately 7.5 kilometers that takes two to three hours at a moderate pace. It is classified as easy to moderate and does not require technical climbing skills, though sturdy footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended.
What should I wear for the overnight climb?▼
Temperatures at the summit of Mount Sinai can drop significantly even in summer, so warm layers are essential. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip are also strongly advised for the rocky trail.
Is St. Catherine Monastery open to all visitors?▼
The monastery is open to visitors during set hours, though access to certain areas is restricted. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required for entry, and visitors should respect that it remains an active place of worship.
Is food available during the tour?▼
Small refreshment vendors operate near the base and along the trail, but availability cannot be guaranteed. It is advisable to bring your own water and snacks for the climb.
Can I hire a camel to ride up the mountain?▼
Camel rides are available locally at the base of the mountain up to a certain point on the trail, at the visitor's own cost. The final ascent to the summit must be completed on foot.
How far is Mount Sinai from Sharm El Sheikh?▼
The drive from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Catherine and the base of Mount Sinai takes approximately three hours each way through the Sinai desert.
Mount SinaiSt. Catherine MonasterySharm El Sheikh ToursOvernight ExcursionSinai PeninsulaSunrise HikeReligious Sites EgyptMoses MountainEgypt Day TripsUNESCO World HeritageDesert AdventureCultural Tour Egypt
This tour operates from Sharm El Sheikh, a resort city on the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula along the Red Sea coast. The destination, Mount Sinai (also known as Jebel Musa), is located near the town of St. Catherine in the South Sinai Governorate, approximately 3 hours inland by road. The area sits within the Saint Katherine Protectorate, a protected natural and cultural reserve recognized for its extraordinary biblical, geological, and ecological significance. St. Catherine Monastery lies at the base of the mountain at an elevation of roughly 1,570 meters, while the summit of Mount Sinai reaches approximately 2,285 meters above sea level. The region is one of Egypt's most visited cultural and pilgrimage destinations, drawing travelers from across the world for its spiritual heritage and dramatic desert landscapes.
Location: Sinai Peninsula, Egypt | Region: South Sinai Governorate | Departure City: Sharm El Sheikh | Key Sites: Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), St. Catherine Monastery | Tour Type: Overnight Cultural and Religious Excursion | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Duration: 15 Hours
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