Mount Sinai, also called Mount Moses or Jabal Musa, rises in the high granite mountains of South Sinai, and St. Catherine's Monastery sits at its foot. The dedicated trip departs from Sharm in the night, so that you start the climb in the dark and reach the summit for sunrise, then visit the monastery. The trip takes about seventeen hours in total, with a rating of 4.8 stars from sixty reviews. The path up is a long walk on a rocky trail, with the option of a camel for part of the way at your own cost, and the final stretch is a stepped climb. It is cold before dawn, even in warm months, so dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch or head lamp. Sunrise on the summit is the highlight, but expect crowds of pilgrims and travellers.
The shape of the trip
A night drive into the mountains, a pre-dawn climb with a guide, the summit sunrise, a descent and a visit to the monastery, then the long drive back to Sharm. Allow for fatigue, as you will have a very short night. Many travellers sleep on the bus, so bring a neck pillow and a snack.
The monastery
St. Catherine's Monastery is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world, and it has a long history of pilgrimage and a famous collection of icons and manuscripts. Visiting hours are limited and the monastery is not open every day, so tours are timed around its schedule. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and follow any rules about photography. If the monastery is closed on the day you travel, the operator should tell you what the trip includes instead.
Advisory and practicalities
St. Catherine is in South Sinai, in the mountainous interior, outside the northern and middle Sinai areas that the US State Department's advisory lists as Do Not Travel. That advisory also says emergency help can be limited anywhere in the Sinai peninsula and that access is regulated, so expect checkpoints, carry your passport and check the current wording on travel.
state.gov, or your own government's page, before you book. Be honest about fitness: if you have knee, heart or breathing problems, the hike may not suit you. Ask about the cost of a camel ride and any separate fees on the day.
What to expect
The experience
A guided night-to-day excursion with a pre-dawn climb of Mount Sinai for sunrise and a visit to St. Catherine's Monastery.
Best time
Spring and autumn are most comfortable; winter nights on the summit can be below freezing, and summer is hot by day.
How long
About seventeen hours door to door, including the long drives.
Tips
Bring a head torch, warm layers, sturdy shoes, your passport, modest clothes for the monastery and cash for a camel or tea stop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers, pilgrims and anyone who wants a dramatic sunrise and a sense of Sinai's history.
- Families
- Only for older children and teenagers who can handle a very long night and a steep climb.
- Couples
- Memorable and romantic at the summit, if tiring; pack warm clothes.
- Pair with
- A slow beach or pool day the next day to recover.
- Time needed
- A full night and day.
Good questions
Is the Mount Sinai climb hard?+
It is a long walk on rocky paths in the dark, with a steep stepped section near the top. A camel can carry you part of the way for an extra cost.
What does the US advisory say about this area?+
The advisory lists Northern and Middle Sinai as Do Not Travel and says emergency help is limited anywhere in Sinai. St. Catherine is in South Sinai; check the current wording on travel.state.gov before booking.
Will the monastery be open?+
Visiting hours are limited and it is not open every day. Ask the operator which day of the week you will go and what is included if it is closed.
What should I wear?+
Layers, sturdy shoes and a hat or beanie, with a warm jacket for the summit before dawn. Cover shoulders and knees for the monastery.
Do I need my passport?+
Yes, carry it, as there are checkpoints on the route. Pickup is arranged by the operator after you give your hotel.
