Sharm el-Sheikh is a good base for day trips, from a relaxed jeep day to the Blue Hole to a flight to the Pyramids. They differ a great deal in length and effort, so here is how to choose.
Dahab, the Blue Hole and Salama Canyon: the relaxed one
The most popular land excursion is the day to Dahab, a laid-back coastal town about an hour and a half north. Tours usually last about nine hours and combine a jeep drive through the mountains, Salama Canyon, snorkeling at the Blue Hole, a camel ride and lunch at a beach tent. It is easy, scenic and good for most ages, and it is a good way to see another side of the Sinai coast. Take snorkeling shoes, a hat and cash for entry fees, which are often separate from the tour price.
Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery: the spiritual one. This is a long day, around seventeen hours, which leaves Sharm at night so that you can climb Mount Sinai in the dark and reach the summit for sunrise, then visit the monastery at the foot of the mountain. It is cold at the top in winter, so bring a warm jacket, gloves and a torch or head-torch. The path is rocky and steep in places, and camels are available for part of the way. Plan a rest day afterwards.
The Pyramids of Giza: the bucket-list one
A day trip by flight flies you to Cairo in about an hour for the Giza plateau, the Sphinx and, on many tours, a museum and lunch, before flying back in the evening. It is a very early start and a late return, but it lets you see the Pyramids without giving up your beach hotel. Take your passport, ask what is included in the price and bring cash for optional entry fees.
Luxor: the temple one
Another day trip by flight, to the temples of Karnak and Luxor and the tombs on the west bank, including the Valley of the Kings. Luxor is hotter than the coast in summer, so choose the cooler months if you can. Because of the flights, the day is tightly timed, so you see the highlights rather than everything.
Petra: the long one
A day trip to Petra crosses the Gulf of Aqaba, clears border checks and drives to the rose-red city of Jordan, where you walk through the Siq to the Treasury. It is a very long day with an overnight start, and you need your passport and the right entry arrangements, which your operator will explain. A longer stay gives you more time, but a day trip is a way to see the highlights.
Closer to home: Ras Mohammed and Tiran
If you prefer to stay on the water, the Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip and the Tiran Island snorkeling trip are full-day outings with lunch and snorkeling gear, and the guided bus tour to Ras Mohammed National Park is a shorter, land-based visit. These are the easiest days and a good first choice.
How to choose
If you have one spare day and want ease, choose Dahab. If you want a once-in-a-lifetime sight and can cope with an early start, choose the Pyramids or Luxor. If you love hiking and sunrise, choose Mount Sinai. If you are an experienced traveller with energy to spare, Petra rewards the effort. Do only one long excursion if your trip is shorter than a week, and leave a rest day after the longest ones.
Tips for choosing your dates
Go to the Pyramids, Luxor and Petra in the cooler months if you can, because long walks in strong sun are tiring, and book those trips early, since flights and border crossings limit the number of places. For Dahab and the Blue Hole, almost any month works, with an earlier start in summer. For Mount Sinai, check the weather and wind forecast for the night, because the summit can be cold and breezy. If your trip is short, ask your hotel to help you pick the day that fits your schedule, and give operators a few days' notice.
Practical tips
Carry your passport on every trip, since checkpoints are common and some outings need it for flights or borders. Confirm your hotel and the pick-up time when you book, and ask what is included, including entry fees, lunch and drinks. Dress in layers, carry water and bring a little cash for tips. Before you book, check your government's current travel advice for Egypt and, for Petra, Jordan, since wording and levels change.
