Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai (Arabic Gebel Musa, "Mount of Moses") rises 2,285 metres in the heart of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The mountain is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims—believed to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine, founded in the 6th century at the foot of the mountain, is one of the world's longest-running monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The nearby town of al-Minya caters to tourists visiting this pilgrimage destination.

Daytime temperatures range from mild to warm year-round (14°C in January to 32°C in July/August), but nights are considerably colder—dropping to 2°C in winter. The best time to climb is spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) when temperatures are moderate. Most visitors arrive around 1AM to climb overnight and watch sunrise from the summit. The monastery observes Greek Orthodox holidays and is closed for Christmas and Easter according to that calendar.

The closest airport with passenger traffic is Sharm el-Sheikh (230 km, approximately 3 hours by road). Dahab is 133 km away (2 hours) and Nuweiba is 120 km (2 hours). Most visitors arrive on organized tours that reach the mountain foot around 1AM for overnight climbs. Any guesthouse in Sinai can arrange tour participation. St. Catherine town offers camps, guesthouses, and hotels for independent travelers.

Getting around Mount Sinai involves two options: climbing on foot or riding a camel partway up. The town of St. Catherine is walkable, with the monastery, shops, and accommodations within easy reach. The village of el-Milga has additional shops for souvenirs and necessities.

The Monastery of St. Catherine (Dair Sānt Kātrīn) is the main attraction—a fortress-like complex at 1,570 m elevation surrounded by walls 12-15 m tall. Open 9AM-noon daily except Friday and Sunday; entirely closed on Greek Orthodox holidays. Entrance is free, but the museum charges LE20 and the protected area fee is LE17 for adults (LE10 for students). The main church was built in the mid-6th century with cedar doors, twelve granite pillars, and three chapels named after saints. Nearby sights include the Chapel of the Burning Bush, Well of Moses, and the monastery of the 40 martyrs. Mount Catherine (2,642 m), Egypt's highest peak, is another popular climb.

Local Bedouin handicrafts are available from two notable sources: Fansina (www.fansina.net), run by Selema Galaby and employing over 350 local women to make traditional hand-woven products, and Bedouin Craft (www.bedouincraft.com), a smaller-scale operation. Souvenirs and necessities can also be purchased in shops in el-Milga village.

St. Catherine offers accommodations for all budgets. Budget options include Fox Camp (camping and single rooms from LE30, doubles LE60) about 1 km from the village—the most affordable choice. El Milga Bedouin Camp has five double rooms near the Co-op gas station. Sheik Mousa Bedouin Camp and Guesthouse (LE15-150) offers 9 en-suite doubles, 12 doubles with shared facilities, 3 dorm rooms, and camping space with free Wi-Fi, laundry service, and luggage storage. Mid-range options include Olive Garden Camp (doubles from LE50 with ensuite) and several two-star hotels: Hotel Daniella Village (74 rooms) and Hotel Al-Wadi Al-Mouquddus (81 rooms). Higher-end choices include Hotel Catherine Plaza (3-star, 150 rooms plus 16 triples and 2 suites) and Hotel Morgenland Village (3-star, 230 rooms, 5 km before town). The St. Catherine's Monastery Guest House (from US$35/person) is located outside the monastery and includes breakfast and dinner.

As a sacred site for three major religions, modest dress is required. Robes are available for rental if needed. The monastery observes Greek Orthodox rites and practices, including closed periods for Christmas and Easter as calculated by that calendar. About two dozen monks, mostly Greek, currently live at the monastery.

The surrounding Sinai region has security concerns. In 2017, a police officer was killed in a shootout with Islamic State attackers at a nearby checkpoint. Access to the monastery may be cut off at short notice due to security situations—always check current conditions before planning your visit.

The only way out from Mount Sinai is back to the coast. East Delta runs a daily bus to Cairo departing at 6AM from the bus station behind the mosque. Bedouin Bus (bedouinbus.com) operates twice-weekly minibuses: Tuesday and Friday to Dahab (LE50, 11AM departure from parking next to the bakery, stops at Hotel Jowhara and Marine Garden Camp), and Wednesday and Sunday to Nuweiba (LE50, 8AM departure, stops at Nuweiba Port and Nuweiba City hospital). Daily minibuses (except Friday) go to El Tor at 7:30AM and 2:30PM.