Get a private hike to Mount Sinai, starting with pickup from your hotel and transfer to the foot of the mountain beside Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Here we’ll complete the required registration at the Tourism Police Office before proceeding through the mountain checkpoint to begin the ascent with your local Bedouin guide from the Jabaliya tribe.

The route to the top of Mount Sinai is divided into three main sections: 850 metres from the checkpoint to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, followed by a winding 4.15 km trail and finally 750 stone steps carved into the mountain, leading all the way to the summit.

Along the way, you’ll meet Bedouins with camels offering rides (up to the steps) and pass by a few traditional Bedouin coffee shops, where you can pause to rest. At the summit of Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Moses), the air is cooler than in the town or on the coast. Cafeterias at the top offer hot drinks and blankets for rent, perfect while you wait for the stunning sunrise over the Sinai mountains and desert.

After witnessing this unforgettable sunrise view, you’ll descend back down to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, a walk that usually takes around two hours. Inside, explore several sacred and historic sites, including the Burning Bush Tree, the Well of Prophet Moses, the main monastery church (also called the Church of St. Helena), and the monastery museum (open when permitted).

Note: Saint Catherine’s Monastery is generally open to visitors throughout the week, except on Fridays, Sundays, and Orthodox holidays. On Fridays, it is open for only one hour. On regular days, visiting hours are from 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM.