Saint Catherine Camel

Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike from Sharm

Duration
Approx. 14-16 Hours (Overnight)
Route
Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain), St Catherine's Monastery
Style
Small Group Tour
Schedule
Daily (evening departure)

Overview

Hike to the top of Mount Moses and marvel at the incredible sunrise from the summit, then browse the manuscripts at St Catherine’s Monastery on this small-group tour from Sharm El Sheikh. The Spiritual Ascent of Mount Sinai offers a powerful pilgrimage experience, blending the physical challenge of the ascent with the deep religious heritage of the Sinai Peninsula.

The climb to the 2,285-metre summit before dawn is a communal pilgrimage leading to one of the world’s most stunning sunrises, illuminating the rugged desert landscape. This unique trek is followed by a visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery, a thousand-year-old fortress of faith, allowing you to connect directly with biblical history.

Travelling from Cairo instead? The 2 Days Mount Sinai & St Catherine Tour from Cairo is the private version of this trip, with a night in St. Catherine and a 4-star hotel on half board.

Highlights

Sunrise from the 2,285-metre summit of Mount Sinai
A guided night ascent with an expert Bedouin mountain guide
St Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries on earth
The monastery's Byzantine icons and ancient manuscripts
The stark mountain scenery of South Sinai at first light

Tour Itinerary

Evening Pickup from Sharm El Sheikh & the Night Ascent
You are collected from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh at around 8:00 pm for the drive to St. Catherine, which takes approximately two hours. At the foot of Moses Mountain a Bedouin guide meets the group and leads the ascent through the night, at a steady pace.
Sunrise on the Summit, Descent & St Catherine's Monastery
You reach the 2,285-metre summit in time for sunrise over the Sinai mountains, then begin the descent, which takes around three hours. At the bottom you visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries on earth, before the drive back to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

Experience: Sunrise Hike vs. Day Trip

FeatureSunrise Hike (This Tour)Day Trip (Monastery Only)
Key HighlightSunrise from SummitMonastery & Museum
EffortActive (Hiking 3-4 Hours)Relaxed (Walking)
TimingOvernight / Early MorningDaytime

What’s Included

Included

  • Pick up service from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh & back.
  • Transfer by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • English-Speaking escort during your trip.
  • Bottled water during your trip.
  • Bedouin guide during climbing the mountain.
  • All taxes and service charges.

Not Included

  • Any extras not mentioned in the program.
  • Entrance fees at the sites visited (paid locally, not included in the tour price).
  • Tipping.
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Mount Sinai, and how many steps are there?
The summit stands at 2,285 metres. The night route follows the camel path and finishes with a final flight of roughly 750 stone steps to the top. The much steeper Steps of Repentance route runs to around 3,750 steps. Your Bedouin guide sets the route and the pace.
What is the duration of the drive from Sharm El Sheikh to Moses Mountain?
The travel time from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh to Moses Mountain is approximately 2 hours.
What time does the Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike start from Sharm El Sheikh?
The tour begins with a pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh around 8:00 PM, followed by a two-hour drive to the base of Mount Moses to start the night hike.
How long does the descent back down the mountain take?
The descent back down the mountain takes around 3 hours.
What type of guide assists climbers up the mountain?
A Bedouin guide is included to accompany you as an expert during the climb up the mountain.
Does the price include entrance fees?
No. The price covers the transfers, the escort and the Bedouin mountain guide. Entrance fees at the sites visited are paid locally and are not included.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

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