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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.

Recommendations

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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

Logistics

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.

Who to go with: organised tours

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

Sunrise at Mt.Sinai and St.Catherine monastery. Entrance included

Sharm el Sheikh

Sunrise at Mt.Sinai and St.Catherine monastery. Entrance included
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: $38

Min age: 4

Rating 4.37 / 5 [54 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

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: $35

Min age: 1

Rating 4.95 / 5 [21 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 [18 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 4.52 / 5 [17 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Sharm El-Sheikh

Sinai Peninsular, Egypt

View of the Mosque Masjid El-Fateh on a sunny day. Colorful Mosque Masjid alsahaba Sharm El Sheikh in old town.

With world-class scuba diving, desert hills above, reliable sunshine and almost no rain – Sharm el-Sheik has become one of the world’s top beach destinations. It’s a package holiday nightmare, but you can escape to smaller towns nearby.

Round-ups

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