Sinai Explorer: Desert, Mountains & Sea

Difficulty: Moderate (some hiking involved)
Highlights:
✔ St. Catherine’s Monastery & Mount Sinai sunrise
✔ Color Canyon trek & Bedouin desert camp
✔ Snorkeling in Dahab’s Blue Lagoon
✔ Traditional star-gazing with Bedouins

Day 1: Arrival + St. Catherine’s Monastary

Morning:

• Arrive at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (private transfer to St. Catherine).
• Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery (UNESCO site, 6th-century icons & Burning Bush).
• Lunch: Local Bedouin meal (fresh bread, grilled meats, and herbal tea).

Evening:

• Sunset hike to Mount Sinai (2.5-hour ascent via Camel Path or Steps of Repentance).
• Overnight: Simple mountain lodge (early rest for sunrise summit).

Day 2: Mount Sinai Sunrise + Color Canyon Adventure

Pre-dawn:

• Summit Mount Sinai (750 steps, 1.5-hour hike) for sunrise over jagged peaks.
• Descent & breakfast at the lodge.

Afternoon:

• 4×4 into the Sinai Desert to Color Canyon (narrow sandstone passages in red/gold hues).
• Guided trek (2 hours) through winding ravines.
• Lunch: Picnic under a rock overhang.

Evening:

• Bedouin camp near Wadi Gnai (carpet seating, fire-cooked zarb dinner).
• Stargazing with tea (learn Bedouin navigation myths).

Day 3: Dahab – Blue Hole & Coastal Chill

Morning:

• Transfer to Dahab (1.5-hour drive along Gulf of Aqaba).
• Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon (vibrant coral, optional freediving lessons).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at Shark Bay (seafood mezze by the shore).
• Free time: Browse Dahab’s hippie markets or relax at a beachfront café.

Evening:

• Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant (signature grilled calamari).
• Overnight: Boutique beach lodge (palm huts with sea views).

Day 4: Farewell Sinai

Morning:

• Optional: Sunrise camel ride along Dahab’s coast.
• Breakfast at El Primo Café (avocado toast & Bedouin coffee).
• Transfer to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (departure).

Sinai Jeep Safari

Jeep Sinai desert safari it’s is one of the best experiences for safaris in Egypt’s wilderness desert. It is very thrilling to embark on a thrilling dune-bashing escapade, dramatic old desert trails, and breathtaking scenery. The adrenaline rush will be palpable as we crest each dune, catching panoramic views of the vast, untouched wilderness.

Sinai desert safari tours let you camp with the Bedouins under the stars away from the city lights, hearing the ancient stories of the tribes of Sinai. Our Sinai safari adventure is a captivating journey that transcends time, leaving indelible memories and evoking the untamed spirit of the desert.

You will discover the traditional lifestyle of nomadic Bedouins in the past, including cooking over fire and sleeping under the stars. and learn a lot about the customs and traditions.

suggested Program:

Day 1: Colored Canyon – Mount Sinai

In the morning we will pick you up at the reception of your hotel in, Dahab,
We will take you in a 4×4 jeep through the fascinating mountain and desert scenery to the Colored Canyon where you will enjoy a hike through this stunning gorge; its rock formations are extraordinarily beautiful as you cannot only find diverse shapes, but also a multitude of different colors which gave this canyon its promising name. So don’t hurry, take your time to enjoy the unique surroundings and take a rest whenever you need. Some passages are a bit tricky, but your guide will of course assist you in case you need some help. Then we will continue the jeep tour through the famous Wadi Ghazala, one of Sinai’s longest valleys, which is named after the gazelles that are told to graze here. It is a great and fascinating part of the desert, with sandstone rocks, caves, dunes, broom, and acacia trees – a perfect place for a lunch break.

In the late afternoon, we will transfer you to the foot of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), Moses’ mountain where he is said to have received the Ten Commandments. You will have dinner and, if you like, you can sleep for some hours. At night you will start your hike towards the top.

Please be aware that you will climb up to a height of almost 2,300 meters! This means that you will have to face low temperatures during this trip – please take warm clothes! Also, be aware that for hiking up to the mountain top you should be adequately fit and in good health.

Lunch and dinner
Overnight camping.

Day 2: Mount Sinai – St. Catherine’s Monastery – Arada Canyon – El Gona Plateau

Our guide will give you a pocket lamp to enlighten our path. Against a small supplement, camels are ready to carry you, all the way or for a part of the distance. Only the last steps must be taken on your own on a stairway (the ‘Steps of Repentance’) before you reach the mountain peak. During all the way you can enjoy the unique atmosphere, marching on the holy mountain with your lamp under the starlit sky. In the early morning, you will reach the top where you will see the Chapel of the Holy Trinity and search for a nice place to sit down and wait for the sunrise. After spending some time on the peak you will start wandering down towards St. Catherine’s Monastery and make a stop for breakfast before you start your visit.

The monastery is located at the foot of Mount Sinai, on the place, where he is said to have seen the Burning Bush. The first monastic life around this place is supposed to have taken place already in the 4th century AD, which makes the monastery one of the oldest in the world. The monastery in its current form has been built by Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD, with strong fortifications to protect the monks. Due to this measure, its isolated location, and the protection by Mohamed, the Prophet of Islam, it remained untouched during the centuries. For this reason, you cannot only see the buildings, walls, and decorations in their nearly original form, but also countless precious items that have survived until today, among them the greatest collection of antique icons in the world. The library features the second large collection of ancient codices and manuscripts in the world, overtrumped only by the Vatican Library. The monastery still houses monks and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please be aware that, before you enter the monastery, you must cover your legs, arms, and head.

After the visit, we will bring you to the wonderful Arada Canyon, also known as the Double Canyon as two branches lead away from the same entrance. You will see bizarre rock formations in different colors and enjoy great views. Some climbing parts are a bit tricky, but your experienced guide will assist you, so if you are adequately fit there will not be any problem. Finally, you will reach a steep sand dune – if you like, you can scale it! Here you will also have lunch. Also, this area is full of interesting ancient rock paintings; you can visit some of them. Now it is time to meet your guides and your future companions, well-trained gentle camels. They will carry you to the top of the El Gona Plateau. The plateau is 1,700 meters high and around 50 kilometers long and offers a beautiful landscape as well as fantastic views of the mountains. You will spend the night on the plateau after watching the spectacular sunset.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight camping.

Day 3: El Gona Plateau – Farsh El Gona – Wadi Zalagha – Zaranig Canyons

After breakfast you will enjoy for a while the beautiful nature around you; then you will trek through the scenic mountain field Farsh El Gona and the Wadi Zalagha. You will have lunch en route. In the late afternoon, you will encamp at the entrance of the biggest of the Zaranig Canyons.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight camping.

Day 4: Zaranig Canyons

The Zaranig Canyons are three huge and deep sandstone canyons; when it rains, the water floods from here down to Nuweiba at the coastline. You will enjoy trekking all day long through the largest and deepest of them, and you will marvel at the great nature and be enchanted by the peace and tranquility far away from the stressful daily life. We will set up camp at the entrance of the second canyon.

Breakfast, lunch
In the afternoon we will transfer you back to your hotel in Dahab or in Sharm El Sheikh.

Sinai Camel Safari

Day 1: Colored Canyon – Wadi Ghazala – Start of your Camel Safari – Wadi Disco – Wadi Mileihis

We will take you in a 4×4 jeep through the fascinating mountain and desert scenery to the Colored Canyon where you will enjoy a hike through this stunning gorge; its rock formations are extraordinarily beautiful as you cannot only find diverse shapes, but also a multitude of different colors which gave this canyon its promising name. So don’t hurry, take your time to enjoy the unique surroundings and take a rest whenever you need. Some passages are a bit tricky, but your guide will of course assist you in case you need some help. Then we will continue the jeep tour through the famous Wadi Ghazala, one of Sinai’s longest valleys, which is named after the gazelles that are told to graze here. It is a great and fascinating part of the desert, with sandstone rocks, caves, dunes, and broom and acacia trees – a perfect place for a lunch break. Then you will meet your guides and your future companions, well-trained gentle camels. They will carry you to a picturesque open space known as the Wadi Disco; colorful rocks will enchant you on your way. In the wadi, you will make a relaxed break under an acacia tree. In the Wadi Mileihis at the foot of a sandstone mountain, you will encamp in a small peaceful garden around a spring where you will have dinner and spend the first night under the amazing starry desert sky

Lunch and dinner – Camel ride 2 Hours
Overnight camping.

Day 2: Wadi Khudra – Mushroom Rock – Closed Canyon – Ein Khudra Oasis

After breakfast, you will ride along the scenic Wadi Khudra towards the Closed Canyon. On the way, you will pass by the renowned Mushroom Rock, a freestanding rock in the shape of a champignon. Now you will start your second trekking tour which will lead you through the Closed Canyon, a fantastic way between rough rock walls, ending at a high cliff. After this sporty walk, you will relax a bit and enjoy a tasty lunch. Finally, you will trek to the idyllic green Ein Khudra Oasis where you will repose and enjoy a bath in the spring before you will enjoy a Bedouin dinner and go to sleep.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Camel ride 1 Hour
Overnight camping.

Day 3: White Canyon – Nawamis – Wadi Mutamir – Gebel Mahrum/Gebel Barqa

After breakfast, you will explore the fascinating White Canyon. It received its name because of its splendid bright rock walls. Take your time to enjoy the unique landscape while you trek through the canyon, and keep your camera ready! Your camels will wait for you at the exit and take you again through the great desert scenery. Then it is time for some culture – you will visit the Nawamis, prehistoric circular burial chambers built of sandstone. After lunch you will enjoy riding through the Wadi Mutamir to today`s camping location, the Gebel Barqa, the ‘Mountain with a Hole’, a popular bizarre sandstone formation belonging to the Gebel Mahrum, with a hole cutting through it. In this area, you can also find numerous other rock formations as well as small caves and sand dunes. Stroll around a bit before you go sleeping to explore this great piece of nature.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Overnight camping.

Day 4: Arada Canyon

After breakfast, you will be picked up by a jeep that will bring you to the wonderful Arada Canyon, also known as the Double Canyon as two branches lead away from the same entrance. You will see bizarre rock formations in different colors and enjoy great views. Some climbing parts are a bit tricky, but your experienced guide will assist you, so if you are adequately fit there will not be any problem. You will enjoy a picnic at a scenic place en route. Finally, you will reach a steep sand dune – if you like, you can scale it! Also, this wadi is full of interesting ancient rock paintings. In the afternoon we will transfer you back to your hotel in Dahab or in Sharm El Sheikh.

Packing Tips:

• Daypack for hikes (2L water, sunscreen, hat).
• Layers (cold at Sinai summit, hot in canyons).
• Sturdy sandals (for wadis) + hiking shoes.

Why This Trip?
Sinai’s raw beauty—where biblical history meets Mars-like deserts and turquoise reefs—is best explored with Bedouin wisdom. Perfect for adventurers who want more than resorts!

Tour Duration depends on the previously agreed visit program and sightseeing.