Watch sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai after a night ascent of 750 stone steps, then visit historic St. Catherine’s Monastery. This full-day excursion from Sharm El Sheikh blends a demanding hike with cultural discovery.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Before dawn, a column of headlamps threads up a steep rock face while an Atlantic of stars recedes behind you — that’s the first rhythm of a Mount Sinai sunrise hike. You climb roughly 750 carved steps through cold, moonlit granite, muscles steadying against the dark, and reach 2,285 meters in time to watch the sun pry light across ridgelines.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
12–14 hours
Fitness Level
Good baseline fitness — able to sustain a steady 2–3 hour uphill on stone steps and manage a 2-hour descent.
Wildlife
History
Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa) is traditionally identified as the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments; St. Catherine’s Monastery dates to the 6th century and is one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries.
Conservation
The Sinai plateau is ecologically fragile — stick to marked paths, pack out trash, and respect monastery rules to protect manuscripts and cultural heritage.
Reserve your spot on the Sharm El Sheikh: Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike & Monastery Visit today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring a strong headlamp
Night hiking relies on a reliable headlamp plus spare batteries to navigate uneven stone steps safely.
Layer for summit cold
Temperatures drop quickly at 2,285 m — pack a warm midlayer and windproof shell even in summer.
Hydrate and eat before departure
You’ll be moving for hours with limited trail services; drink and eat a solid snack before pickup in Sharm El Sheikh.
Protect your knees on descent
The return is steep and can beat your knees; use trekking poles if you have them and descend deliberately.
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Illuminates the night ascent and keeps hands free on uneven stone steps.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and grip are essential on carved steps and rocky surfaces.
Insulating midlayer and wind shell
Summit temperatures can be cold; layering prevents hypothermia during sunrise viewing.
fall
1–1.5 L water bottle or hydration bladder
Hydration during transfers and before the hike reduces fatigue and altitude effects.
summer