Hike Mount Sinai and visit Saint Catherine Monastery

Hike Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses, is located in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, in Saint Catherine City. It is approximately 3 hours from Sharm El-Sheikh, 1.5 hours from Dahab, and 6 hours from Cairo. Some believe that it is the mountain mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an as the mountain of Prophet Moses, where he fasted for forty nights and received the Ten Commandments from God Himself.

The Mount Sinai hike takes about 2.5 hours to ascend and 1.5 to 2 hours to descend. The total walking path from the car park and the Monastery bazaars (before the monastery building) to the top of Mount Sinai is less than 6 km, with 750 rock steps at the end of the trail, and an elevation gain of 715 meters.

The best time to hike Mount Sinai is around midnight for the sunrise hike and midday for the sunset hike. The height of Mount Sinai is 2,285 meters above sea level, while the height of St. Catherine Monastery is 1,570 meters above sea level.

You can choose between sunrise hike or sunset trip or day hike

Moderate

Up to

3 Stops

Up to

10 KM

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Highlights of Mount Sinai hike

Sunrise from Mount Sinai during the trekking in Sinai in the Morning

Breathtaking view

Sunrise or sunset

Saint Catherine Monastery

Itinerary details

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 Pick-up point in Saint Catherine City

We will help you to get a driver will pick you up and transport you in comfortable cars with highly experienced drivers on the roads of Sinai, next to St. Catherine City where is the pick up point.

 Meet our bedouin Guide next to St, Catherine Monastery

You will meet and get to know your local Bedouin guide who will lead your private hike to the top of Mount Sinai.

 hike 3 hours to Mount Sinai

You will start ascending the mountain after completing the trip registration with the Bedouin guide. The road is divided into a path of less than 1 km to St. Catherine’s Monastery, then 4 km from the beginning of the mountain path, and then a 750-step ladder to the top of the mountain. Camel riding is optional on the mountain path and is preferred uphill.

 Enjoy the stunning views and sun

You will enjoy watching the picturesque, breathtaking view from a height of 2285, and after that you will begin to descend the same road to reach St. Catherine’s Monastery again.

 Visit Saint Catherine Monastery

You will visit the Monastery of St. Catherine, which includes the monastery church, the tree of Prophet Musa (the burning bush), and the well of Prophet Musa. You can also visit the monastery museum.

 Back to the Hotel

After that your car will be waiting for you to move and return to your hotel.

Departure is every two hours by the tourist police convoy.

Hike Mount Sinai map

Elevation Profile

Distance

10.60 km

Ascent

907 (-907) m

Max Elevation

2285 m

Min Elevation

1539 m

The price incloud

Expert Bedouin Guide by Sinahikes Company Expert Bedouin Guide

A professional bedouin guide knows the wilderness like the back of his hand to help you have a special trip

Transfer to Saint Catherine City & back Transfer to Saint Catherine City & back

We will help you to find the best transportation to Saint Catherine city

Saint Catherine city entrance tickets

Saint Catherine reserve entrance tickets

Bottled water on the hike

Mineral water

Bedouin meal

Bedouin traditional meal cooked with love up the firewood

The Price Doesn’t Includes

Camel ride

You could ride the camel on the way up to mount sinai path

Tipping for Escorts

Tipping according to your personal preference around 12.5% from the trip price

Personal Expenses

You can spend some of these expenses on buying local gifts, such as handicrafts and local products

Any extras not mentioned in the program

Example snacks gifts

What To Expect

Hike Mount Sinai

You don’t need to be an expert hiker to join this trip, but you do need to be fit enough to hike mount Sinai for at least 5–6 hours. You will walk through a nice mountain path, and you will sometimes see breathtaking scenery and dramatic high mountains. Also, you could ride a camel for the trail part before the stairs.

Mount Sinai Hike Weather

Saint Catherine’s unique weather is due to its 1570-meter-high mountains and valleys. The best time to enjoy this trip is in spring and autumn when the daytime temperatures are lower and more pleasant for Mount Sinai hike (usually ranging from 15 to 27 °C). But we run a lot of other hikes during the winter and summer with prepared visitors. Winter nights and mornings can be really cold. Rains at this time of the year are very likely to happen. So it’s a key point to be prepared for cold weather and have waterproof layers because rain is expected too, but a good jacket and rented blankets from the top of the mountain are good for your safety. Accurate data is crucial for understanding the weather conditions as the trip date approaches. We will be able to gather information about the weather conditions that we are going to face. We’ve got to be well prepared for all conditions—the hot weather and the cold weather—with the right clothes and good equipment.

What to Bring

Hiking day-pack (20-30 litres)
Hiking day-pack (20-30 litres)
Hiking Pants waterproof
Hiking Pants waterproof
Hiking shoes
Hiking shoes
Hiking poles
Hiking poles
Battery charger or Solar charger
Battery charger or Solar charger
Energy bars, nuts and snacks
Energy bars, nuts and snacks
Extra cash
Extra cash
head torch
head torch
Passport
Passport
Sun hat
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Warm Jacket waterproof
Warm Jacket waterproof
Winter clothes
Winter clothes
Thermal shirt
Thermal shirt

Ready to Explore Sinai?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike Mount Sinai? keyboard_arrow_down

The hike to Mount Sinai takes about 2.5 hours to ascend and 1.5 to 2 hours to descend with regular walking. The time may vary from person to person depending on the number of rest stops and the physical fitness of each hiker

How difficult is the Mount Sinai hike? keyboard_arrow_down

Mount Sinai is considered a moderate hike. It doesn’t require any technical climbing skills, but it does involve a long uphill trek of nearly 5 kilometers, especially the final stretch 750 steep “Steps of Repentance” carved into the rock that lead all the way to the summit.

Can you hike to the top of Mount Sinai? keyboard_arrow_down

You can hike to the top of Mount Sinai, where you will reach the mosque, the church, and the cave of Prophet Moses, and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges, whether at sunrise or sunset. You can also spend the night with the Bedouins at the coffee shop there.

Is it allowed to climb Mount Sinai? keyboard_arrow_down

Yes, it is allowed to climb Mount Sinai, but you must have a Bedouin guide from the Jabaliya tribe with you.

How hard is it to get into Mount Sinai? keyboard_arrow_down

Mount Sinai is considered to be of moderate difficulty, but if you are an experienced hiker, you can book with Sinai Hikes, and they will choose a route that suits your fitness level to help you enjoy Mount Sinai and the churches areas around it.

What is the dress code for Mount Sinai? keyboard_arrow_down

Dress code for Mount Sinai it is preferable to wear comfortable hiking clothes and carry a warm layer for the top of the mountain, as the temperature often drops there. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a backpack for water and snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a power bank, a sun hat, and a flashlight. If you are hiking in winter, you must bring a jacket, winter clothes, a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf