🌎 Egypt 🇪🇬
⭐
📍 Sinai mountains range
✈️ Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH)
🚗 224.2 KM
⏱️ 4 hours, 4 minutes
The Sinai Mountains, particularly around Saint Catherine, are a significant tourist destination, renowned for Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa) and Saint Catherine's Monastery. Accessibility is generally good via road from major Red Sea resorts like Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab. While the monastery can be visited solo, hiking Mount Sinai, especially for the popular sunrise ascent, is highly recommended and often requires a local Bedouin guide for safety, navigation, and cultural enrichment. The best times to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) to avoid extreme heat and cold; winter can be very cold with potential snow, while summer is intensely hot. The monastery visit is typically free (donations welcome), but guide fees for Mount Sinai (e.g., $30-70+ per group) and transportation costs constitute the main expenses. A typical visit duration includes 1-3 hours for the monastery and 6-8 hours for the Mount Sinai hike, often combined into a one-night stay in Saint Catherine. Useful insights include dressing modestly for the monastery, bringing layers of clothing, sturdy shoes, and sufficient water for hiking, and respecting local Bedouin culture.