From Sharm: Mount Moses Trekking, Sunrise & Monastery Visit

The heart of this trip is simple: you walk up Mount Sinai in the dark, under stars and along a rough mountain trail, then watch dawn spread across the desert from the summit. It is part pilgrimage, part endurance test, and part ancient-history outing.

I like the powerful sunrise setting and the support from the Bedouin mountain guides, who stop often and keep an eye on the group. I also like that the $50 price covers hotel pickup, transport, guides, water, and the monastery visit. The catch is the long night: expect a 16 to 17-hour day, cramped transport at times, cold wind at the top, and a climb harder than the phrase 750 steps suggests.

Key points to know before booking

• The climb starts at night: You walk for roughly two to three hours before reaching the final stone steps.
• The summit reaches 2,285 meters: Winter temperatures can fall below freezing, with strong wind making the wait for sunrise colder.
• The trail is about 7 kilometers each way: The final 750 steps are uneven stones, not a neat staircase.
• Bedouin guides take over for the climb: Your Egyptologist guide normally stays with the group until the base camp.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery may feel rushed: After hiking all night, some people have little energy left for the visit.
• Bring cash and proper clothing: Blankets, toilets, drinks, snacks, and camel rides cost extra.

Leaving Sharm between 8 and 9 PM

Pickup takes place at the main gate of your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, usually along the highway rather than at the reception desk. The exact time can shift, so I would confirm it carefully on the day. Some departures have involved several hotel pickups, a minibus transfer, and then a larger coach.

The drive to Mount Sinai takes about four hours, though security checkpoints can stretch the journey. Transport quality varies. Many departures run smoothly in a clean, air-conditioned coach, but crowded vehicles, limited legroom, folding aisle seats, and smoking stops have also been reported.

That matters because you are not simply taking a short ride to a trailhead. You may spend six to eight hours on the road, including the return. If you are tall or sleep poorly on buses, bring a small cushion, water, and something warm for the ride.

The bus guide handles the general schedule and often gives background in English, Russian, and Arabic. Guides named Ashrof, Ibrahim, Ali, Amr, and Mahmoud have been praised on different departures for clear explanations, humor, and kindness. Your own guide will depend on the date and group.

Starting the Mount Sinai climb after dark

At the mountain, the Egyptologist guide normally stays around the base camp while a Bedouin guide leads the actual trek. This arrangement is worth understanding before you go. The Bedouin guide knows the route and manages the walking group, but the pace may not always feel like your own.

The first part is a steep, uneven path of roughly 7 kilometers. At night, you need a torch or headlamp to see loose stones, uneven ground, and camel droppings. Your phone flashlight can work, but a proper headlamp leaves both hands free and gives you better footing.

The group usually moves slowly, with breaks at small stops along the way. You can buy hot drinks, water, and snacks from basic mountain shops. Toilets are available, but they are very simple and may cost about 5 to 20 Egyptian pounds. Carry tissues.

Some people reach the final section well before sunrise and wait at the top for an hour or two. That early arrival is intentional. It gives you a better chance of finding a place with a clear view, but it also means more time sitting in the cold.

What the 750 final steps are really like

The description of 750 steps can sound manageable. I would not picture a regular staircase. The final ascent is a rough line of irregular stones and boulders, with steep sections that demand careful footwork.

This is where many reasonably fit people discover that the outing is a serious hike. You have already walked for hours, it is still dark, and you are carrying warm layers and water. The final section can take longer than expected because you need frequent pauses.

The route is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, wheelchair users, elderly people, or anyone with shortness of breath or bone pain. If you have a respiratory condition or another medical concern, you should consider carefully whether this is appropriate. One option is a camel for the first section, up to the 750 steps, but the provider does not recommend relying on it.

Camel rides cost extra and do not take you to the summit. You still climb the final stones and walk back down. Prices vary, with one recent example at about 650 Egyptian pounds, or around $25 at the time. I would treat a camel as a backup for someone struggling, not as a relaxed alternative to the hike.

Waiting for sunrise at 2,285 meters

The summit is the reward, but it is also the coldest part of the trip. In winter, temperatures have been reported around minus 2 Celsius, with some guides warning of minus 5 to minus 10 Celsius. Wind makes the wait feel sharper.

Bring several layers: a long-sleeved shirt, fleece, down or insulated jacket, windproof outer layer, hat, gloves, and warm socks. Hiking shoes are essential. Jeans and trainers may be enough for some people, but proper shoes give you better grip on the stones.

Blankets can be rented near the summit, with one recent price around 200 Egyptian pounds. A blanket is not essential if you are well dressed, but it makes a long wait much more comfortable. Small bills in Egyptian pounds, euros, or US dollars are useful for blankets, drinks, toilets, and snacks.

When dawn arrives, the experience becomes quiet and memorable. The desert ridges slowly brighten, and the changing light gives you wide views across the surrounding mountains. You can take photos, pray, or simply sit still for a few minutes. The sunrise is the reason this overnight schedule works, even though it takes away a full night of sleep.

The summit can be crowded and noisy, especially when several groups arrive together. Do not expect solitude. The setting still feels special, but you will share it with hikers, guides, camel handlers, and people looking for the best view.

The descent takes about two hours

After sunrise, you return on foot. The descent usually takes about two hours, though tired legs and uneven stones can slow you down. Some people find the walk down easier than the ascent, while others struggle with balance and sore knees.

The trail can be dirty, and you need to give way to camels in places. Basic shops remain open, so you can buy a hot drink or a snack. Keep your cash handy, but do not assume the prices will feel reasonable. Water and simple food may cost more than expected along the mountain.

The long descent is also when the physical cost of the night becomes clear. You may have been awake since the previous morning, climbed for several hours, waited in the cold, and now need to walk back down. Pace yourself from the beginning rather than trying to prove something on the way up.

At the base, you get time to rest before breakfast. Breakfast is not generally supplied as part of the activity. You need to pre-order a breakfast box from your hotel and collect it before pickup. This is one of the most useful practical details to handle in advance.

A short visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery

The next stop is St. Catherine’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries in the world. It sits on the Sinai Peninsula and is associated with the biblical story of Moses, including the burning bush.

The monastery visit adds depth to the mountain climb. You are not only visiting a scenic summit. You are entering a major religious site with centuries of Christian worship, manuscripts, icons, and historic buildings. The small museum and library are especially worthwhile, with old manuscripts and icons described as having been excavated from the Vatican.

You may also see the 6th-century church beside the burning bush. The visit is not long, and some departures allow only a quick look before the bus must leave. That is a fair criticism of the schedule: after a demanding hike, you want time to absorb the site, but security arrangements and the return timetable can keep the visit brief.

The monastery is closed on Sundays and on listed Christian holidays. Dates can change, so check availability before booking. If the monastery is a major reason for your trip, do not treat this as a minor detail.

How much value do you get for $50?

At $50 per person, this is good value if you want the full transport package from Sharm. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, an Egyptologist guide, a Bedouin trekking guide, water, and the monastery visit.

The price does not include drinks, food, blankets, toilets, camel rides, or personal expenses. You should budget for those extras, especially if you need a camel or spend several hours buying hot drinks on the route.

The real value is the combination of access and organization. Reaching Mount Sinai independently at night would require arranging long-distance transport, local guiding, and timing for the sunrise. Here, those pieces are handled for you, even if the transport can be crowded and the pickup communication is not always perfect.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. Still, I would not book until you know the monastery will be open on your date and you understand the physical demands.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this experience if you want a meaningful physical challenge and care about the religious setting as much as the view. It suits hikers with reasonable fitness, people interested in Moses and Sinai traditions, and anyone willing to lose a night for a memorable sunrise.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a structured group trip. The Bedouin guides often set a steady rhythm, offer encouragement, and stop to check on people. Guides have been praised for speaking several languages and helping nervous or slower walkers.

I would think twice if you dislike group pacing, crowded buses, rough toilets, or long waits in cold weather. The climb is not a casual walk, and the monastery may feel too brief by the time you arrive.

What to pack for the night

Keep your pack light but practical. I would bring:

• Passport
• Hiking shoes with a firm sole
• Headlamp or strong flashlight
• Warm layers, including hat, gloves, and a windproof jacket
• Water and a pre-ordered hotel breakfast box
• Tissues and small cash
• Comfortable clothing
• Phone power bank
• A small snack for the climb

Take only what you need. You will carry it uphill and down again, and the trail already demands enough effort.

Should you book the Mount Sinai sunrise tour?

Book it if the idea of walking through the night, reaching a sacred summit at dawn, and visiting St. Catherine’s Monastery feels worth a sore body and a long bus ride. At $50, the package offers strong value, especially with guides, transfers, and water included.

Skip it if you need a gentle sightseeing day or have breathing, bone, mobility, or pregnancy concerns. Also skip it if you want a quiet mountain experience. The route can be crowded, the pace is guided, and the summit wait is cold.

For the right person, this is more than a viewpoint. It is a small pilgrimage, a demanding night walk, and a close look at one of Sinai’s most important religious sites. Pack warmly, carry cash, confirm your pickup, and expect the mountain to ask something from you before it gives anything back.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Sinai tour last?

The tour lasts about 16 to 17 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Security checkpoints and multiple pickups can extend the timing.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is usually between 8:00 and 9:00 PM. You should wait at the main gate of your Sharm El Sheikh hotel along the highway, not at the reception area.

How long is the drive from Sharm to Mount Sinai?

The drive takes about four hours each way, although checkpoints and pickup arrangements can make the total road time longer.

How high is Mount Sinai?

The summit reaches approximately 2,285 meters.

How long does the hike take?

The climb generally takes two to three hours, depending on the group. The descent takes around two hours. The full walking distance is roughly 15 to 16 kilometers there and back.

Is the hike difficult?

Yes. The route includes a steep, uneven path and a final section of about 750 irregular stone steps. The tour is not suitable for elderly people, pregnant women, wheelchair users, children under 14, or people with shortness of breath or bone pain.

Can I ride a camel to the summit?

A camel can be used only during the first part of the climb, up to the final 750 steps. You must climb the steps and return on foot. The camel ride costs extra and is not recommended by the activity provider.

What should I wear?

Wear hiking shoes, comfortable clothing, and several warm layers. Bring a jacket, hat, gloves, and other cold-weather clothing because the summit can be below freezing and windy.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is not listed as included. You should pre-order a breakfast box from your hotel and collect it before the tour begins.

Is St. Catherine’s Monastery always open?

No. The monastery is closed every Sunday and on certain Christian holidays. Check the operating date before booking if the monastery visit is important to you.