Trekking in Sinai: St. Catherine Trails

Your Sinai trek begins with a peaceful arrival in Saint Catherine City. This small desert town, nestled between towering granite peaks, will be your gateway to the spiritual and natural wonders of the Sinai mountains.
You’ll check in to a local Bedouin camp to rest after your journey, soak in the peaceful mountain air, and enjoy a warm meal. Use the day to meet your guide and fellow hikers, pack your gear, and mentally prepare for the trekking in Sinai that begins the next morning.

After a hearty breakfast, we pack our hiking bags and load the heavier luggage onto camels. Today, we begin with Wadi Al-Fara—an ancient trail. We’ll explore the ruins of old monastic churches scattered across the highlands before ascending the sacred trail of Mount Sinai trekking, one of the most spiritual hikes in the world.
As sunset nears, we reach the summit of Mount Sinai to witness the golden sun sinking behind the desert peaks—a breathtaking and emotional experience. Afterward, we descend to the base and set up camp in Wadi Al-Louzah or Wadi Elias. Our first night under Sinai’s stars begins with dinner around a fire and stories shared with your Sinai trekking guide.

We break camp early and hike through Wadi Al-Arbaeen toward Shaq Musa. The trail leads us past towering granite cliffs until we reach Umm Sella, and then we ascend to the summit of Mount Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt at 2,629 meters.
From here, you’ll witness a panorama of endless mountains, sharp ridges, and silent desert valleys. Lunch is served on the mountaintop, followed by a descent through a rocky path to Wadi Al-Mutahhar, where we set camp among garden groves.
This is one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the Sinai trekking journey.

Today is a bit more playful. We head into Wadi Al-Ahmar, hopping over giant boulders and enjoying the natural fun of movement in the highlands.
The trail to Jabal Al-Ahmar is short but exciting, offering spectacular views of Saint Catherine City below.
After a scenic lunch at the summit, we descend to Wadi Al-Shaq Park and set up camp in Odaa Garden—a serene, hidden corner surrounded by desert flora and massive stone walls.

We move through Wadi Al-Shaq to Wadi Al-Zawatin, following a trail lined with ancient gardens.
The ascent to Mount Abbas Helmi is steep and rocky, leading us to the ruins of an old palace foundation built by Khedive Abbas in the 18th century.
From the top, you’ll witness both the past and the present—ancient architecture beneath your feet, and vast mountain landscapes all around.
We descend to a secret garden nestled in Wadi Boali’, where we’ll camp for the night in peaceful isolation.
A unique chapter in your Sinai trekking journey.

Today’s trail leads from Wadi Boali’ through Jabal Al-Samra and into Wadi Nashil. The scenery shifts from steep gorges to broad highlands.
As we move deeper into the wild, we stop for lunch surrounded by sandstone formations carved by time.
The day ends at Farsh Al-Rummaneh, a flat plain perfect for stargazing and storytelling. This night’s camp will feel like a pause in time—just you, the fire, and the desert silence.

One of the most exciting days of the trekking in Sinai adventure.
We leave Farsh Al-Rummaneh and make our way through Wadi Mubarak, climbing up bold rock formations to reach the summit of Abu Qarun, then Abu Alda.
If the skies are clear, you’ll see the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez in the distance.
After lunch at Ain Al-Najila, we ascend Bab Al-Dunya Mountain—the “Gate of the World”—before returning to Farsh Al-Rummaneh for another peaceful camp night.

Today blends hiking and relaxation. From Farsh Al-Rummaneh, we hike to a natural desert pool via Wadi Al-Tabaq and Ain Abu Hobeik.
At El-Galt Al-Azraq—the Blue Galt—you’ll cool off in crystal-clear mountain waters, a rare oasis in this arid landscape.
We have lunch by the pool before continuing the trek up to Farsh Umm Sila and on to Wadi Abu Tuwaytah.
We pass through Saqr canyon “Shaqq Saqr” before camping under the stars in Wadi Saqr.

Today’s trail winds from Wadi Saqr to the summit of Mount Na’ga.
This lesser-known peak offers one of the best panoramic views in the Sinai trekking trail, overlooking El-Tih Plateau and the remote village of Sheikh Awad.
After lunch, we walk down through Wadi Shaq Tenya and reach Wadi Itlah to camp.
It’s a little long but satisfying day of wild views and remote trails.

We walk through Wadi Etlah, then onto Wadi Ganab and Wadi Madamen, where old trees and ancient gardens still grow.
After lunch in one of the mountain gardens, we reach Sheikh Awad village, a small Bedouin community that lives in harmony with the land.
We end the day at Al Karm Ecolodge—one of the few ecolodges in Sinai, offering both comfort and mountain charm.

From Al Karm, we will move through rugged valleys toward Wadi Nuqra, stopping for a simple lunch along the way.
The day ends in Wadi El-Furai, where our garden camp is surrounded by flowering shrubs and peaceful silence.
The pace slows now as we prepare to say goodbye to the desert trails.

Our final summit. We leave early to hike through El-Ramanat to reach the top of Mount El-Banat—a beautiful and sacred peak for many Bedouins.
After enjoying the view, we will descend, have lunch, and return to the same peaceful garden to spend one last night under Sinai’s vast skies.
It’s the perfect conclusion to a life-changing Sinai trek.

After breakfast, we gather our things and walk to Abo Sela village, where a car takes us to visit the iconic Saint Catherine Monastery.
You’ll walk through centuries of history, art, and faith as your Sinai trekking journey comes full circle.
Afterward, we return to camp to get our bags and say farewell to Saint Catherine City.