Sharm El Sheikh: Mount Sinai & St. Catherine Monastery Tour

Mount Sinai is at its best before sunrise, when the trail is quiet, the sky is dark, and the first light reaches across the Sinai peaks. You climb in the night, wait at the summit, then descend to St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries.

I like the strong value at $39, with transport, park entry, guides, and hotel transfers included. I also like the mix of physical challenge, desert views, and religious history. The catch is the length: this can become a 17-hour day, with a long bus ride, little sleep, and a steep final climb.

Key points to know before you book

• The climb begins around 1 am: You travel from Sharm in the evening, pass through security, and start walking well before daylight.
• The final 750 steps are the hard part: They are uneven, steep, and tiring even if the lower trail feels manageable.
• Sunrise is the main reward: From the summit, you get wide views over the Sinai desert and mountain ranges.
• A Bedouin guide accompanies the climb: Guides such as Jamil and Mohammed have helped walkers with direction and encouragement on the mountain.
• St. Catherine’s visit is short: The monastery adds important cultural context, but you should not expect a long guided museum tour.
• Bring your own supplies: Water and snacks are listed as included, but some departures have not provided them, so carry food, water, cash, warm layers, and a headlamp.

The long road from Sharm to Mount Sinai

The tour usually starts with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh in the evening. You travel in an air-conditioned bus toward St. Catherine, a drive listed at about three hours, though multiple hotel pickups can make it closer to five hours.

That difference matters. You are not simply sitting through a short transfer, then beginning a hike. You may spend a long stretch collecting other passengers, stopping for breaks, and waiting while groups are organized. One reported schedule had pickup around 9 pm, the start of the climb at about 1 am, sunrise near 5 am, the monastery visit around 8:45 am, and arrival back at the hotel roughly three hours later.

The transport is practical rather than luxurious. An air-conditioned bus is useful for the return journey, especially after the climb, but the trip can feel slow when the vehicle makes several pickups. Bring a neck pillow, light snacks, and something to occupy you during the ride.

There are rest stops on the way, but the toilet facilities can be poor. Use the better facilities when you find them, and do not assume you will have many comfortable options once the mountain section begins.

Starting the climb in darkness

After security checks and arrival at the mountain, you begin the ascent with a Bedouin guide. The climb takes place mostly in darkness, so a headlamp or proper flashlight is one of the most useful things you can pack.

A guide may provide a light, but one account described a weak torch that had to be held in a certain position. Your own headlamp leaves both hands free and helps you see uneven rocks, loose ground, and animal waste along the path. This is not a minor comfort. Good lighting can make the difference between walking steadily and picking your way nervously from step to step.

The lower section is a long, gradual climb. You can stop along the way, and camel rides may be offered for part of the route. If you use a camel, confirm the price before setting off and remember that you still need to manage the steep upper section on foot.

The mountain guide’s main job is to keep the group moving safely and together. Some guides, including Jamil and Mohammed on certain departures, have been praised for encouragement and help on the trail. Do not expect a full history lesson during the climb. The detailed cultural explanation generally comes later at the monastery.

The night setting gives this walk a special character. You hear footsteps, see the glow of other lamps, and gradually feel the air change as you gain height. At the same time, you should not confuse the peaceful mood with an easy hike. You need average fitness or better, and you must be comfortable walking for several hours over rough ground.

The last 750 steps to Moses’ Mountain

The final section is the part that catches many people off guard. The trail turns into a long run of uneven stone steps, with around 750 steps near the top.

You may feel fine during the earlier climb, then lose speed quickly here. The steps are irregular, and the combination of darkness, tired legs, cold air, and little sleep makes them harder than the distance alone suggests. Take your time and keep a steady pace instead of trying to match the fastest walkers.

Running shoes can work, but sturdy shoes with a good grip are safer. The descent is rocky too, and one child completed the climb without much trouble but needed good footwear for the way down. Sandals and smooth-soled shoes are poor choices.

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. It is also a poor fit if you dislike steep walking, nighttime activity, or long periods without proper sleep. Children can manage it if they are fit and motivated, but the hours and lack of rest may be more difficult than the climb itself.

Sunrise above the Sinai desert

The summit is the reason to accept the awkward schedule. You reach the top before sunrise and wait for the sky to brighten over the surrounding peaks.

The view is broad and open, with the Sinai desert stretching across layers of brown and gray mountains. Watching the first light move across the ridges gives the climb a clear sense of purpose. The summit can also offer striking night views before dawn, including stars and, when conditions allow, a view of the Milky Way.

Weather is the tricky part. Several people found the summit extremely cold while waiting, even though they felt warm during the climb. Others found summer conditions comfortable in lighter clothing. Conditions vary, so pack a warm layer, hat, and gloves rather than relying on the temperature in Sharm.

Hand warmers can be useful if you have them. Take a dry shirt as well, since sweating during the ascent can leave you cold once you stop. A scarf or poncho may be available to buy near the mountain, but it is better to arrive prepared.

Do not count on standing alone at the summit. Sunrise is the busiest moment of the trip, and the space can feel crowded with groups arriving at the same time. Still, the views make the effort worthwhile, especially if you enjoy dramatic natural settings more than polished sightseeing.

Descending to St. Catherine’s Monastery

The walk down takes around two hours for many groups, though your pace and the number of stops will affect the timing. In some ways, the descent is harder than the ascent because tired knees meet loose rock and uneven steps.

Once down, you continue to St. Catherine’s Monastery. The site was established in AD 565 and is dedicated to Saint Catherine, a Christian figure remembered for holding to her faith despite torture and death. Its setting beneath Mount Sinai gives the visit a strong connection to the mountain you have just climbed.

The monastery adds a cultural and spiritual layer to the day. You are not only looking at desert views, you are visiting a working sacred site with centuries of Christian history tied to the Sinai region.

The standard visit can be fairly quick. The main tour may last only a short time, so pay close attention while the guide explains the buildings and religious importance. If access is available, the museum costs about $2 and is worth considering. It contains important objects, including pages from an old Bible and an early depiction of Christ.

Dress respectfully and follow the site rules. This is a religious place, not simply another sightseeing stop, and the atmosphere may be more meaningful if you give yourself time to look quietly rather than rushing from one room to the next.

What is included, and what you should carry

The $39 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, entrance to St. Catherine National Park, a tour guide, and a Bedouin guide for the climb. One bottle of water and snacks are also listed as included.

I would still pack your own supplies. Several departures did not provide the advertised water or snacks, and one guide was unsure what the package covered. Bring at least:

• Water and filling snacks
• A headlamp or strong flashlight
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm layers, gloves, and a hat
• A dry shirt for after the climb
• Passport or ID card
• Cash for drinks, food, optional camel rides, and small purchases
• A small backpack rather than a large bag

Large luggage is not allowed, and pets are not permitted. The cultural Egypt scarf is an optional add-on, not part of the basic package unless selected.

Food becomes important during this day. The mountain has places where you might buy drinks and snacks, but carrying cash is wise, preferably US dollars according to the practical advice given for the route. If you want to help the hungry cats and dogs seen around the mountain, carrying extra food and water is a kind gesture.

Is $39 good value?

For $39, the tour covers a lot: a long-distance transfer, national park entry, mountain assistance, sunrise access, a monastery visit, and the return to your hotel. Booking transport and guides separately would likely be less simple, even if you could find a lower-cost arrangement.

The low price also explains some limits. You are joining a shared departure, not paying for a private car or a flexible schedule. Pickup routes may be lengthy, bus changes can create delays, and communication about included water and snacks may not be consistent.

I see this as good value for an active visitor who wants the full Mount Sinai experience without arranging every part independently. It is less attractive if you value sleep, quiet transport, or a slow visit at the monastery more than keeping costs down.

The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Arabic. That helps, but the quality of explanations can vary by guide and by which part of the day you are in. The mountain guide may focus on direction and motivation, while the monastery guide provides more of the historical and religious context.

Who should book this Mount Sinai day trip?

I would choose it if you want a demanding outdoor experience with a powerful sunrise and a major religious site in the same day. It suits people who can handle a five-kilometer or longer mountain walk, uneven steps, cold waiting conditions, and a very early start.

It can also work for families with older, fit children, but I would think carefully about the sleep loss. Younger children may complete the physical route yet struggle with the night schedule. Anyone with back problems, limited mobility, or a pregnancy should choose another excursion.

This is not a gentle sightseeing trip. You spend much of the day on a bus or mountain trail, and the monastery stop is relatively brief. The reward is the combination of star-filled darkness, sunrise, desert views, and sacred history.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the summit sunrise is your priority and you are ready for the physical demands. At $39, it offers a useful amount of transport and guiding for the money, and the experience can be deeply moving.

Skip it if you need a relaxed day, dislike long shared bus rides, or cannot manage steep, uneven steps. If you do book, prepare more seriously than the low price suggests: bring your own water and snacks, wear proper shoes, pack warm clothing, and carry a reliable headlamp. Those small choices will make the difference between a punishing day and a rewarding one.

FAQ

How much does the Mount Sinai and St. Catherine Monastery tour cost?

The tour costs $39 per person.

How long is the journey from Sharm El Sheikh?

The drive to St. Catherine is listed at about three hours, but multiple hotel pickups can make the journey longer. Some schedules have taken around five hours before the climb begins.

What time does the climb start?

The ascent usually begins around 1 am, after the evening pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and the journey to Mount Sinai.

Is water and food provided?

One bottle of water and snacks are listed as included. Because some departures have not provided them, you should bring your own water and food.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable walking shoes, comfortable clothing, warm layers, gloves, a hat, and a headlamp or flashlight. A dry shirt can help after the climb.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable with a long nighttime hike, uneven steps, limited sleep, and a very long day.