In the heart of the golden desert of Egypt’s South Sinai lies the majestic Mount Sinai. Also known as “Jebel Moussa” in Arabic, the mountain has a holy status that makes the site a must-visit. That, paired with the impeccable views seen throughout the trail, easily qualify the Mount Sinai hike, to your Egypt bucket list.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please see full disclosure for more information.
Saint Catherine: Home to the Mount Sinai Hike and Beyond
Saint Catherine is a mountainous Bedouin town in the heart of South Sinai, Egypt, and it’s where you have to head for the Mount Sinai Hike. The township at an elevation of 1,600 meters, is an isolated haven, covered in sky-reaching mountains and vast canyons. It’s also home to the Jebeliya people, a Bedouin tribe that’s been around for more than 1,400 years.
It’s worth mentioning that Mount Sinai hike is not the only bucket list-worthy hike in the small, Bedouin city; there’s also Mount Catherine (2,642 m), the highest mountain in Egypt. Not to mention, Mount Abbas (2,383 m), which might not be as popular as the other two, but the 3-peak challenge is something adventurers might be up to. If you’re wondering, the challenge entails hiking all three summits in 12, 24, or 72 hours.
Relevant Read:
About Mount Sinai, Egypt
Mount Sinai, located in the heart of Saint Catherine, is where the biblical story of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments is believed to have taken place. Considered a holy site by all three Abrahamic religions, the Mount Sinai hike is no usual adventure, but rather a spiritual and self-discovery journey. On the summit, there’s an ancient church and a mosque where visitors sometimes like to pray.
It’s also worth mentioning that the iconic Saint Catherine Monastery sits at the foot of the mountain where the Burning Bush is believed to have appeared. The Greek Orthodox monastery is one of the most important sites that you must visit when in Sinai.
About the Mount Sinai Hike
Despite its 2,285 m elevation, the Mount Sinai hike is definitely worth it. Several trails lead to the summit; I personally took the Saint Catherine Monastery one. The ascent normally takes place at night so you’d get to witness a phenomenal sunrise up in the clouds. It took me 2.5 hours to get up there and 2 hours for the descent; only because I stopped a lot for pictures on my way down. The hike is relatively easy, up until the 750 steps near the very end; that’s when it gets extra challenging. So, I’d say that the Mount Sinai hike’s difficulty is moderate, but definitely beginner-friendly.
The Jebeliya people made the hike easier by providing resting points where you could stop to catch your breath, grab a snack, or have some Bedouin tea. They even built a place near the summit where you can spend the night and borrow a blanket. You can also ask them in advance to prepare a light dinner for you and include it in your package with the entry and guide fees.
Tips for Hiking Mount Sinai, Egypt
- Bring a small headtorch as the hike usually takes place in the evening.
- The hike is suitable for hiking beginners; however, you might want to train for it to help you prepare.
- Don’t forget your camera – the views are incredible from up there.
- Start descending right after sunrise to avoid getting a heat stroke.
- Keep your backpack light and only bring essentials.
Relevant Read:
How to Book the Mount Sinai Hike?
Prices would vary depending on the number of group members; the more, the merrier (and the cheaper). I got my hike organized by Homad Ventures, a Sinai-based adventure travel agency that offers off-the-beaten-path excursions. Another local tour operator I trust and highly recommend is Sinai Hikes.
Head to Saint Catherine Now!
Saint Catherine’s ideal location makes it the perfect destination for a day trip. The ride takes less than three hours from Sharm El Sheikh and about an hour and a half from Dahab. When in Saint Catherine, don’t forget to bring back olive oil, honey, and almonds; they have the best!
Need help planning your trip to Egypt? Click here to learn more about my travel planning services.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.
GET INSURED NOW – Nomad Insurance
Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Get Your Guide, Viator, Tiqets, or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
Sharing is caring!
You might also like:
- St Catherine, Egypt: From Fascinating History to Mindblowing Views
- Hiking in Saint Catherine, Egypt: The Best Trails to Explore
- How Hiking Is Helping Me Overcome Fear of Heights
If you like my content and would like to see more of it, subscribe to my newsletter here.
Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
Nice information
Thanks!