Sinai Peaks: St. Catherine Treks

After breakfast, our trek begins along Wadi Al-Fara, an ancient trail leading to the ruins of early monastic churches. We continue on the sacred path up Mount Sinai, one of the world’s most revered pilgrim routes. At sunset, the summit glows with golden desert light—a deeply moving experience. We descend to camp in Wadi Al-Louzah or Wadi Elias, dining by firelight beneath a canopy of stars.

We set off through Wadi Al-Arbaeen, passing dramatic cliffs before ascending Mount Catherine, Egypt’s highest peak at 2,629 m. From the summit, enjoy sweeping panoramas of endless mountains and valleys. After lunch on the peak, we descend into Wadi Al-Mutahhar and camp among lush mountain gardens. This is one of the trek’s most challenging yet rewarding days.

Today’s hike takes us through Wadi Al-Ahmar, with playful scrambles over boulders. The ascent to Mount Ahmer is short but thrilling, offering spectacular views of Saint Catherine City. After a summit lunch, we descend into Odaa Garden, a hidden, tranquil camp surrounded by desert flora and stone walls.

The trail winds through Wadi Al-Shaq and Wadi Al-Zawatin, passing ancient gardens before climbing Mount Abbas Helmi. At the summit, we explore the ruins of an 18th-century palace built by Khedive Abbas, with vast mountain vistas all around. We descend into Wadi Boali’, where a secluded garden camp awaits.

We trek from Wadi Boali’ through Jabal Al-Samra, crossing dramatic gorges and highlands. Lunch is served among sandstone formations shaped by centuries of wind and time. The day ends at Farsh Al-Rummaneh, a wide plateau ideal for stargazing and storytelling by the fire.

One of the trek’s most exhilarating days. We climb through Wadi Mubarak to reach Abu Qarun and Abu Alda, with views stretching to the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez. After lunch at Ain Al-Najila, we ascend Bab Al-Dunya—the “Gate of the World”—before returning to Farsh Al-Rummaneh for another night under the stars.

Today blends adventure and relaxation. Hiking through Wadi Al-Tabaq and Ain Abu Hobeik, we reach El-Galt Al-Azraq, a stunning natural mountain pool. Cool off with a swim, have lunch by the water, then continue through Shaqq Saqr canyon to camp in Wadi Saqr.

Our path leads from Wadi Saqr to Mount Na’ga, a little-known peak offering some of the best panoramic views of Sinai, including El-Tih Plateau and the village of Sheikh Awad. After lunch on the summit, we descend via Wadi Shaq Tenya to camp in Wadi Itlah.

We hike through Wadi Etlah, Wadi Ganab, and Wadi Madamen, where ancient gardens and old trees still thrive. Lunch is enjoyed in a mountain garden before we reach Sheikh Awad village, home to a small Bedouin community. Tonight, we rest at Al Karm Ecolodge, blending comfort with mountain tradition.

Leaving Al Karm, we follow rugged trails through Wadi Nuqra, stopping for a simple lunch before reaching Wadi El-Furai. Our camp is set among flowering shrubs and serene silence, as the pace slows for the final days.

Our final summit: Mount El-Banat, a peak sacred to the Bedouins. After a scenic climb and summit lunch, we descend and return to our garden camp for one last night beneath Sinai’s vast skies.

On our final morning, we visit the legendary Saint Catherine Monastery, one of the world’s oldest and most important pilgrimage sites. Surrounded by centuries of faith, art, and history, your journey comes full circle. Afterward, we return to camp, collect our bags, and bid farewell to Saint Catherine City.