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Last updated: 30 July, 2023

This 3-mile trail, high on religious significance, leads up to the rocky summit where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments.

Most tours start in the early hours, to see the sunrise and the dramatic colour shifts in the surrounding desert landscapes.

The trail starts at the beautiful 6th-century monastery of St. Catherine, built to protect the biblical ‘Burning Bush’ where Moses received instructions to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

St Catherine’s Monastery

Sharm el-Sheik, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

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Bucket List Experience
Aerial view of the Monastery of St. Catherine, the oldest Christian Monastery located on the slopes of Mount Horeb, Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.

A remarkable 6th-century UNESCO-listed monastery, set at the base of Mount Sinai. It’s home to one of the world’s great collections of religious icons, and the biblical ‘Burning Bush’.

Adult price: £2

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 3-5 hours

Price from: £35
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 3-5 hours

Getting there & doing it

St. Catherine’s is reached by car from Dahab (about 90 minutes), Sharm el Sheikh (about 2.5 hours) and Cairo (about 8 hours). Guided tours e.g. with Viator are the most convenient way to go – everything is organised for you. Hotels in the resorts can also arrange tours.

If you’re going independently, taxis are the easiest ways of getting there from the coast. Be sure to arrange your return journey before you leave, or face a haggle and inflated charges to get back to the coast. The Bedouin Bus service is another option. It runs each Tuesday and Friday between St. Catherine and Dahab.

The monastery guest house has a good restaurant serving simple soups and grills. Kiosks selling hot drinks, biscuits and chocolate have set up on the summit for dawn climbers.

If you’re planning a dawn climb, book a room at the monastery guesthouse the night before. Accommodation is simple but decent and includes meals. There are also other hotels nearby.

When to do it

If you’re climbing Mount Sinai, note that the mountain is extremely cold between November and February, and extremely hot (on the way down) in summer.

The monastery is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Closed Wednesday, Sunday and on religious holidays.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

2 days private tours to Giza pyramids and Cairo Highlights Tours

Cairo

2 days private tours to Giza pyramids and Cairo Highlights Tours
This 2-day, private tour covers both the ancient Egyptian highlights and Old Cairo. Visit the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the tombs and pyramids at Sakkara, Egypt's first capital, Memphis old city , and the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. Then explore the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque, the Hanging Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, concluding with a shopping trip

Price: $43

Min age: 1

Rating 4.95 / 5 [21 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Sunrise at Mount Sinai and St. Catherine monastery. Trip from Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh

Sunrise at Mount Sinai and St. Catherine monastery. Trip from Sharm el Sheikh
ATTENTION. The monastery is closed 12-15 April. It's a unique experience to follow the biblical history of the sacred mountain, where it’s believed Moses received the Ten Commandments. Climbing to the summit (2285mt) to watch a spectacular sunrise is worth the tough efforts you do. ⠀ After you meet sunrise at the mount top, the group goes to the monastery of St. Catherine, located at the foot of the mountain. The trip starts around 19:30-21:00 from your hotel. Ends around 14:00. Our tips: - be ready for a cold weather on the top and take with you heavy clothes (gloves, hat, jacket); - you can take hot drinks with you in thermo cup and some snacks. The prices on the mountain are "touristic"; - there is option to rent a camel, but the last part of the route - 750 steps to the top you have to walk. Attention: the microbus has no luggage space, so you can't take it for the trip. Pick up from the airport, Royssat bus station, Dahab is with extra charge.

Price: $48

Min age: 4

Rating 4.34 / 5 [50 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

St Catherine Monastery and Mt Sinai Sunrise Tour from Dahab

Dahab

St Catherine Monastery and Mt Sinai Sunrise Tour from Dahab
Visit Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery on an excursion from Dahab. You will see the oldest active Christian monastery and watch the sun rise from the mountain where Moses is said to have received the 10 Commandments.

Price: $60

Min age: 0

Rating 4.53 / 5 [15 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Overnight Sunrise Tour to Mount Sinai from Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh

Overnight Sunrise Tour to Mount Sinai from Sharm El Sheikh
One of the most amazing trips to see the sunrise at the top of Mount Sinai and see the Moses Mountain and then return in the morning to visit the Monastery of Saint Catherine. The St Catherine is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the world, built-in 545 AD on the order of Empress Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine. The Monastery of Saint Catherine is located in South Sinai at a distance of 230 km from the city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The tour starts with picking up from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and drive for approx 3 hours to reach Mount Sinai, You will start trekking the mountain along with a professional bedouin guide. Trekking the mountain takes approx 3-4 hours. You will see the sunrise and then go down and visit the St. Catherine Monastery before heading back to Sharm El Sheikh.

Price: $70

Min age: 6

Rating 4.55 / 5 [9 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh

Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh
• Enjoy Tours To climbing the mountain of Sinai and the sunrise view from one of the highest points in Egypt. • Walk in the holiest place in Sinai where Moses walked with Israelis.

Price: $80

Min age: 0

Rating 4.01 / 5 [59 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

St-Catherine Monastery & Moses' Mountain From Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh

St-Catherine Monastery & Moses' Mountain From Sharm El Sheikh
Experience History with St-Catherine Monastery & Moses' Mountain Excursion – Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Egypt with this expert-guided tour from Sharm El Sheikh to the fabled St-Catherine Monastery and Moses' Mountain. The ancient Monastery nestled at the foothills of the mountain offers an unparalleled glimpse into bygone epochs, with its priceless collection of Christian art. Ascend Moses' Mountain to witness where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments. This memorable tour combines cultural enrichment, spiritual inspiration and spectacular natural beauty.

Price: $160

Min age: 6

Rating 4.41 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Mount Sinai & St.Catherine Monastery

Sharm el Sheikh

 Mount Sinai & St.Catherine Monastery
ravel through the night to enjoy Mount Sinai Tours to climb the mountain at night to see sunrise from atop Moses' Mountain. Descent after to visit one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, St. Catherine.

Price: $170

Min age: 9

Rating 4.93 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

3-Day Small-Group Guided Hiking Expedition in the Sinai Desert

Dahab

3-Day Small-Group Guided Hiking Expedition in the Sinai Desert
We will detox our bodies by eating healthy food cooked by, we will be vegan, vegetarian, and carnivores. We will hike, canyon, climb, scramble, and meditate by the sunset/rise. We will sit together to talk and at other times we will have the space to only listen to our own voices. We will share powerful insights and perspectives about life's ultimate truths.

Price: $298

Min age: 18

Rating 5 / 5 [16 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Sharm El-Sheikh

Sinai Peninsular, Egypt

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