Sun Tours Travel & Tourism - Sinai Peninsula

Description and Time Frame:

Wadi El Raha Hotel is situated almost 300 m away from the parking yard of the monastery. Usually wake up call is at 1:30 am and half an hour is given to all the group participants to get prepared and dressed properly for the walk. The group should gather together on the bus at 2:00 am sharp. Complimentary tea and coffee are served at one of the hotel's cafeterias. The bus drops us off at the parking yard of the monastery, from where we actually start our walk. The walk is divided into three stages or levels.

The First Stage starts right after getting off the bus is usually the easiest in terms of how steep it goes. It is a snake like path, regularly even and ends usually within 45 minutes at a steady pace. At the end of this stage, it is advisable to take some rest and catch a deep breath and also drink some water. ( A Bedouin hut marks the end of the stage. A Bedouin there usually sells hot drinks, water, candy bars, etc. to the mountain climber.)

The Second Stage is a little more tedious, steeper, and almost the same as the first stage in terms of length and walk duration. At the end of this stage tired and unfit people may find a shelter here at the Bedouin shacks until the sun comes out over the hills of Sinai. The sunrise from this spot is almost as breathtaking and imposing as the one from the very summit of the mountain.

The first and second stage are known as the Camel Trail.

More determined and mountain enthusiasts are usually those who can beat the Last Stage of the walk. It is known as the Staircase of Repentance (750 steps) carved into the mountain rocks by St. Catherine monks. This is truly tedious and steep and also takes almost 45 minutes. Reaching the top may give you a great sense of achievement. The sun as it comes up, is worth the trip. Stepping on the holy spot where God delivered the 2 tablets of law with the ten commandments brings you back to this sensational and decisive moment in the history of the 3 monotheistic religions. Time is spent on top for prayer and meditation. Nearby there is the chapel and a mosque. Afterwards, start the walk downhill...

Coming Down is usually much easier and faster. Walk down the staircase of the 750 Steps of Repentance. At the end, the trail is splits in two sections.

Option 1 (recommended):

The group can go through the gorge that leads the way to the camel trail for an easy walk all the way down to the monastery.

Option 2 (not recommended):

The group (right at the end of that part of the staircase) can follow the extension of the staircase and join another stairway that eventually reaches the monastery. Altogether it totals 3500 steps.

The sun is expected to come up after 6 am , for people in good shape, the duration of the walk is around 3 hours average, including breaks.

What to Take

The area of the Monastery of Saint Catherine is expected to be very cold during the winter and chilly during the summer due to it's high altitude. The area stand 1550 m above sea level, and Mount Sinai is 2285 m above sea level. Quite cold to the extent that it is always advisable to put on as many warm layers as possible. A warm coat, flash light, walking trainers, water bottle, camera , some money for drinks, and tissue are essential for the walk.

Camel Ride

The opportunity is open for those who may find it hard walking, to do the mountain climb partially on a camel. The camel can go only two thirds of the way which is the end of the second stage described above. The charge is usually $12 plus a tip for the camel driver. Coming down on a camel is not recommended especially for males.