Climb Mount Sinai and visit one of Christianity’s oldest working monasteries on a full‑day trip from Sharm El Sheikh. This tour mixes high‑desert hiking, Byzantine history and Bedouin culture—plan for steep stone steps, thin air and dramatic sunrise light.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A cold, high-desert dawn breaks over serrated ridgelines as the lights of a small convoy wind up the Sinai wadis toward a remote monastery. You step from an air-conditioned vehicle into thin, dry air; the monastery compound sits low and solid against bare rock, while Moses Mountain (Jabal Musa) rises like a weathered cathedral above it.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderately fit—able to handle sustained uphill walking, uneven stone steps and long days with several hours standing or climbing.
Wildlife
History
Saint Catherine Monastery was founded in the 6th century under Byzantine Emperor Justinian and contains one of the oldest collections of Christian manuscripts.
Conservation
The high Sinai ecosystem is fragile—stick to trails, pack out waste and support local Bedouin guides to encourage sustainable tourism.
Reserve your spot on the Saint Catherine Monastery & Moses Mountain - Sharm El Sheikh today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start before dawn
If you want sunrise from the summit, begin the climb in darkness with a reliable headlamp and a steady pace to avoid fatigue on stone steps.
Bring ample water
Carry at least 2–3L per person—desert air is dry and hiking uphill boosts fluid loss quickly.
Layer for temperature swings
Summit temps can be 10–15°C colder than the base—pack a windproof layer even in summer.
Respect religious sites
Dress modestly in the monastery, follow photography rules, and be quiet in chapel areas out of respect.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction for steep stone steps and rocky scree.
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Essential for pre‑dawn climbs and navigating rocky trails in low light.
Insulating midlayer and wind shell
Keeps you warm at the cold summit and cuts the wind on exposed ridgelines.
winter
2–3L reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Sustains hydration in dry desert air—carry more in summer.
summer