Egypt Discovery
ExcursionSharm

Sunrise on Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery from Sharm

17 hours overnight, shared with up to 16 guests. Night climb, summit sunrise, breakfast and St Catherine's Monastery, with hotel transfers.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

An overnight trip from Sharm El Sheikh, with a 3-hour drive, a night climb of about 3 hours plus 750 steps, sunrise at 2,285 metres and a visit to St Catherine's Monastery.
  • New
  • Small group

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Sharm El Sheikh · Mount Sinai · St Catherine's Monastery
Includes
Collection from, and return to, your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba or the Old Market area) · An air-conditioned minibus, shared with other guests · An English-speaking trip guide · A Bedouin mountain guide for the climb · Breakfast once you are back down the mountain
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Spring and autumn give the most comfortable climbing temperatures. Winter summits are close to freezing and need real warm clothing, while summer nights are milder but sunrise is early.

  • Egyptian tour operator since 1988, with an office in Sharm El Sheikh
  • ETAA Licence 718, Category A

02Overview

A first look

This is an overnight trip from Sharm El Sheikh to climb Mount Sinai and watch the sun rise from the 2,285-metre summit. A minibus collects you at about 21:00 and drives for roughly three hours to St Catherine. At about 01:00 you start climbing with a Bedouin guide, and the last 750 rock steps lead to the top. After sunrise, you walk down and have breakfast, then visit St Catherine's Monastery if it is open. It is a hard night, cold at the top and without much sleep. The minibus is shared with up to 16 guests, and children must be at least 8.

Background

The facts

Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery stand in the mountains of South Sinai, around 3 hours' drive from Sharm El Sheikh. The summit is 2,285 metres high and the trip takes around 17 hours.

Named in this entry

South Sinai·Sharm El Sheikh·750 steps

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Fit walkers aged 8 and over who want to see sunrise from Mount Sinai and visit St Catherine's Monastery.

Maybe not, if

  • Anyone with heart, knee or breathing problems, or who cannot cope with cold, steps and a night without sleep.

What lingers

  • 01Sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai at 2,285 metres, reached on foot with a Bedouin guide
  • 02A climb of about three hours by night, finishing with the last 750 rock steps
  • 03A walk down of about two hours in daylight, with the mountain in full view
  • 04Breakfast after the descent, then St Catherine's Monastery if it is open
  • 05Protectorate fee and monastery entrance included in the price
  • 06Air-conditioned minibus from Sharm El Sheikh, shared with up to 16 guests

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Sunrise from one of the best-known mountains in the world
  • Climb made with a Bedouin guide
  • Monastery visit and breakfast included

Things to Consider

  • A very tiring night with little sleep
  • The monastery is closed on Fridays, Sundays and Orthodox feast days

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Collection from, and return to, your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba or the Old Market area)
  • An air-conditioned minibus, shared with other guests
  • An English-speaking trip guide
  • A Bedouin mountain guide for the climb
  • Breakfast once you are back down the mountain
  • St Catherine Protectorate fee and entry to the monastery
  • Drinking water

Not included

  • Tips for your guides and driver
  • A camel for part of the ascent, which you pay the camel owner for on the spot
  • Hire of blankets and hot drinks at the huts on the mountain
  • A torch
  • Your own spending money

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Bring a head torch rather than a handheld one, as the steps need both hands

  2. 02

    Hire a camel only for the early section, since the last 750 steps are on foot for everyone

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children must be at least 8 years old to join this trip. On this shared trip, under 2s travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. The climb is at night, cold and steep, so please be realistic about your child's stamina.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What does the price for the Mount Sinai trip cover?
    The price is per person and covers the minibus, guides, breakfast, the protectorate fee, monastery entrance and water. A camel for part of the climb, blankets and hot drinks are paid for on the mountain. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your booking.
  2. 02What time will I be collected and when am I back?
    Collection is at about 21:00 from hotels in Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq, Hadaba and the Old Market area. The drive back leaves St Catherine between about 11:00 and 14:00, so you reach your hotel in the early afternoon. Our team confirms exact timings after booking.
  3. 03Can my children climb Mount Sinai?
    Children must be at least 8 years old. Under 2s travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and ages 12 and over pay the adult price. The climb is hard, cold and in the dark, so consider your child's stamina carefully before you book.
  4. 04What should I bring for the climb?
    Bring your passport, a warm jacket, hat and gloves, walking shoes with grip, a head torch and snacks. The summit is close to freezing in winter. Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees are needed for the monastery. Carry water, and some cash for blankets and hot drinks.
  5. 05What happens if I have to cancel?
    Cancel three or more days before for a full refund. Between three days and 24 hours before, half is refunded. Cancel within 24 hours, or fail to turn up, and no refund is given. Please tell us as early as you can, so that we can free your place.
  6. 06Is this trip shared, and who runs it?
    Yes, the minibus is shared, with up to 16 guests. We are an Egyptian operator (ETAA Licence 718), not an ATOL or ABTA member, and we do not sell international flights. Our Sharm El Sheikh team runs the trip. Booking is by request, and we confirm availability before payment.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-SHM-322531

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