St. Catherine

Home to the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery, this mountainous region is rich in religious history and offers stunning hiking opportunities, including a trek up Mount Sinai.

About the Destination

St Catherine lies high in the granite mountains of southern Sinai, at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

What St Catherine is known for

St Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its library and the Burning Bush. The night climb up Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise is unforgettable, and Bedouin guides lead treks across the high mountains, including Mount Catherine, Egypt's highest peak.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn. Winter nights are freezing and can bring snow on the peaks; summer days are warm but nights cool.

How long to stay

One night for the sunrise climb and the monastery; several days for mountain treks.

Tips

Bring warm layers and a torch for the climb, check the monastery's visiting days in advance, and dress modestly.

St. Catherine

Getting there

Saint Catherine is accessible via road from Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, and other parts of Sinai. The nearest airport is Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH), which is about a 2.5-hour drive from Saint Catherine

Attractions
Activties
Plan your Journey

Contact us to arrange an unforgettable journey for you and your family.

Food Experience

Meals here are simple and warming: Bedouin bread, stews and herbal teas from the mountain gardens.

Favorite Cuisines

Try tea brewed with wild mountain herbs after your climb.

Bedouin Bread
Thin flatbread baked on a metal dome or straight on the coals.
Zarb
Meat and vegetables slow-cooked underground in a sand pit.
Lentil Soup
Thick, warming lentil soup, perfect after a cold night on the mountain.
Bedouin Tea
Sweet black tea brewed with desert herbs such as habak and sage.

Transportation & More

St Catherine is reached by road through the mountains.

Transportation Options

Most visitors come on tours from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab.

Tours and Private Cars
About two and a half hours from Sharm El Sheikh, two from Dahab.
Walking
The monastery and the Mount Sinai trail start in the village; hire a Bedouin guide for the climb.
Camels
Camels carry visitors part of the way up Mount Sinai.
Airport Transfers
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is the nearest major airport.

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