Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh

Mount Sinai is best experienced before dawn, when the desert air is cold, the path is quiet, and the first sunlight reaches the chapel and mosque at the summit. This 16-hour trip gives you a powerful religious and scenic experience without changing hotels or arranging transport yourself.

I like the sunrise timing and the chance to visit St. Catherine’s Monastery in the same outing. I also like that a local mountain guide leads the climb, with camel rides available for part of the route at your own cost. The drawback is clear: this is a serious night hike, not a gentle sightseeing stop, and the long drive makes the day tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• The climb begins around 2 am: You spend roughly three hours walking uphill before sunrise, often in darkness.
• The summit reaches 2,285 meters: The views can be striking, but the mountaintop may be extremely cold.
• The final section has about 700 steps: A camel can take you most of the way, but you still need to walk the last section.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery follows the hike: You visit the Transfiguration Church, Burning Bush, and Moses’s Well after descending.
• The group is advertised at up to 15 people: Some experiences have involved larger groups, so confirm the group size before departure.
• The $60 price includes transport and guides: Food, drinks, and any camel ride are extra.

Leaving Sharm el Sheikh after dark

Pickup is scheduled for around 9 pm, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The road journey to the Sinai mountains takes about three hours, so you have time to rest before the demanding part of the day begins.

The transport is one of the tour’s more useful features. Mount Sinai is too far from Sharm for a casual taxi trip, and arranging a private transfer would add cost and planning. Here, your vehicle, national park fees, Egyptologist guide, and local mountain guide are included in the $60 price.

That value comes with a tradeoff. You are in transit for roughly six hours round trip, then hiking for several more hours. You may return to your hotel around early afternoon, depending on pickup, road conditions, and the pace of the group. This is not a relaxed day between beach visits. Plan on losing most of the night and the following morning.

Bring your passport. A current valid passport is required on the day of the tour, and you should have it ready rather than relying on a photograph or a copy.

What the Mount Sinai climb is really like

The climb starts at about 2 am. The route rises gradually at first, then becomes more demanding as you gain height. The full ascent is described as roughly three hours, followed by a descent of about two and a half hours in one detailed account.

You walk through the darkness with a guide and a group. A torch is useful, and one was provided on some departures, but I would still ask about lighting before leaving the hotel. The path includes a long series of steps, with around 700 steps near the upper section. The route is not presented as a paved, easy walk, and one account specifically noted the lack of handrails.

The pace should allow rest stops, but the exact experience can depend on the guide and the group. Some departures have included two regular breaks, while one unhappy account described poor rest-stop guidance and pressure to use a camel. That difference matters. A good mountain guide can make a hard walk manageable, while a poorly organized group can make it feel much worse.

The local guides are often praised for helping people reach the top. Guides named in individual accounts include Jimmy, Ali, Ashraf, and Mohamed, but you should not assume one of them will lead your departure. The assigned guide changes, and the provider has acknowledged replacing at least one guide after a complaint.

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should have strong physical fitness and be comfortable walking uphill for several hours. The tour information specifically warns against the hike for people with back or knee pain, and it is not recommended for children under 12. A few people have completed it with older relatives, including a 59-year-old and a 72-year-old, but that does not make it an easy outing for older walkers.

Reaching the 2,285-meter summit for sunrise

The summit of Mount Sinai rises to 7,497 feet, or 2,285 meters. This is the mountain traditionally associated with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, so the climb carries religious meaning even for people who are not pilgrims.

The reward is the sunrise. From the top, you can watch the first light spread across the surrounding Sinai mountains and illuminate the small chapel and mosque near the summit. The view is the reason many people tolerate the sleepless night and sore legs.

Space can become crowded near the most obvious viewing areas. A mountain guide may lead you to a better position among the rocks and platforms, as Mohamed reportedly did on one departure. Keep your expectations practical: this is a popular climb, and you may share the summit with many other people.

The temperature is the main surprise. The mountain can be cold even when Sharm el Sheikh feels warm, and one account reported temperatures as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius at the top. That figure will vary by season and weather, but it shows why light resort clothing is not enough.

Wear several warm layers, a hat, and gloves. Take sturdy hiking shoes with good grip. Sandals, smooth sneakers, and thin clothing are poor choices for a long, rocky climb before dawn. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so your clothing needs to work if the night is windy, cold, or damp.

Camel rides and the final 700 steps

A camel ride is available at your own expense for most of the ascent, taking you to the area of the final 700 steps. This can help if your legs are struggling, but it does not remove the hardest part entirely. You still need to walk the steps to reach the summit.

The ride is also an area where you should ask questions before agreeing to anything. Prices and service can vary, and one person reported being quoted 50 Egyptian pounds before being asked for 250 Egyptian pounds. Another person said they walked the final stretch rather than continue riding.

The supplied tour information says the camel option is not offered directly by the tour operator, so treat it as a separate local arrangement. Confirm the price clearly before mounting, and carry small Egyptian currency if you intend to use one. Do not assume the cost is included in the $60.

Some walkers will prefer to complete the full route on foot. Others will see the camel as a practical backup, especially if the cold, darkness, altitude, or long ascent becomes too much. I would view it as an option, not part of the core tour.

St. Catherine’s Monastery after the descent

After sunrise, you descend Mount Sinai and meet your guide near the monastery gate. The usual visit includes the Transfiguration Church, the Burning Bush, and the Well of the Prophet Moses.

St. Catherine’s Monastery dates to the sixth century and is regarded as the oldest continually operating monastery in the world. Its importance is not only architectural. This is the place traditionally linked with Moses seeing the Burning Bush, so the visit adds religious context to the mountain climb.

The timing can be difficult. By the time you reach the monastery, you may be cold, tired, and ready for a meal rather than another historical stop. Still, I would not skip it. The monastery gives meaning to the journey and lets you see a major Christian site in the Sinai rather than treating Mount Sinai as only a mountain viewpoint.

Opening arrangements have been restricted at times, with shorter tourist hours noted in the tour details. The exact access can depend on local conditions, so you should not assume every interior area will be open. The tour includes the visit, but access is not necessarily unlimited.

Food and drinks are not included. Some small shelters along the route sell water, coffee, and sweet snacks, but availability and prices may vary. Carry enough water for the hike and bring a small snack, especially since the tour runs through the night and morning.

The long ride back to Sharm

After the monastery visit, you return by vehicle to Sharm el Sheikh. The drive takes about three hours, and the entire outing can last around 16 hours.

This is where the tour tests your stamina. You may have had little or no sleep, completed a six-hour hike, and then spent time walking through the monastery. The return ride is useful because you can rest without arranging another transfer, but do not schedule an important activity immediately afterward.

Transport quality has not been identical for every group. Some departures had comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, while one family complained about an unsuitable seat for a child during the long journey. If you are traveling with children, confirm seating arrangements before departure and do not assume a young child will automatically receive a full-size seat unless that is clearly arranged.

The advertised maximum is 15 people. That is a reasonable group size for a mountain walk, since the guide can keep track of the pace and provide help. However, one account described a group of more than 30, while the operator disputed that it had run the trip. Ask who is operating your booking and confirm the expected group size before you go.

What the $60 price includes

At $60 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want both Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery in one day. The price includes:

• Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Sharm el Sheikh
• Round-trip vehicle transport
• St. Catherine National Park fees
• An Egyptologist guide
• A local guide for the mountain climb
• Admission connected with the Mount Sinai portion

You pay separately for food, drinks, and a camel ride. The price also does not turn the climb into a supported trekking trip with specialist equipment. You are paying for access, transport, guiding, and coordination rather than luxury.

A private tour would give you more control over departure timing, rest breaks, and vehicle space, but it would likely cost more. For a solo visitor or couple who wants the main experience at a modest price, this group tour makes sense. For a family needing flexible breaks or guaranteed seating, the low price may not be worth the compromises.

The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 71 ratings. That fits the experience: the sunrise, scenery, and mountain guides receive strong praise, while organization, communication, vehicle seating, guide behavior, and group size create some uneven results.

Who should book this night hike

I would recommend this tour to you if you:

• Want a major Sinai experience without staying overnight near the mountain
• Enjoy demanding walks and can handle three hours uphill
• Care about the religious meaning of Mount Sinai
• Are comfortable traveling in a mixed group
• Can cope with little sleep and a long return drive
• Want transport and guiding included at a moderate price

I would think twice if you have knee or back problems, poor fitness, or trouble walking on uneven ground. The tour information specifically calls for strong physical fitness, and the final steps can be difficult even after the main climb.

This is also a poor fit if you want a slow, comfortable sightseeing day. The schedule is tight, the start is late at night, and the mountain may be bitterly cold. You need to prepare for the physical challenge rather than treat the trip as a standard bus excursion.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. The provider may offer another date or a full refund if that minimum is not met.

Should you book the Mount Sinai and St. Catherine tour?

Book it if seeing sunrise from Mount Sinai feels worth a sleepless night, a hard climb, and a long ride. The combination of mountain, monastery, religious tradition, and desert views is difficult to match from Sharm el Sheikh.

I especially like the fact that you can complete the experience in one outing for $60, with transport and local mountain support included. Just arrive prepared: warm layers, solid shoes, water, snacks, your passport, and realistic expectations about the climb.

If you are fit and flexible, this can become one of the most memorable days of your Egypt trip. If you need comfort, predictable seating, frequent breaks, or a relaxed pace, choose a private arrangement instead.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Sinai and St. Catherine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 16 hours. Pickup is around 9 pm, and the return to Sharm el Sheikh is generally after the sunrise climb and monastery visit.

How high is Mount Sinai?

Mount Sinai reaches 2,285 meters, or 7,497 feet, above sea level.

What time does the climb begin?

The climb begins at about 2 am after the vehicle transfer from Sharm el Sheikh. The ascent takes roughly three hours.

Can I ride a camel up Mount Sinai?

A camel can take you most of the way to the final 700 steps, but the ride is at your own expense. You still need to walk the final section to the summit.

Is the hike suitable for children or people with knee pain?

The tour requires strong physical fitness and is not recommended for people with back or knee pain. The information also states that it is not suitable for children under 12.

What should I wear for the climb?

Dress for cold weather and changing conditions. Wear warm layers, sturdy hiking shoes, and appropriate protection for wind and low temperatures. The tour operates in all weather.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks or plan to buy them from shelters along the route when available.

What is included in the $60 price?

The price includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, round-trip transport, St. Catherine National Park fees, an Egyptologist guide, and a local guide during the climb.