Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh

Mount Sinai and St Catherine make an unusual combo, because you get two different kinds of awe in one long day. You climb in the predawn dark for sunrise above the 2,285 m summit, then you drop into the quieter, older world of Egypt’s St Catherine Monastery.

I love the way this tour uses pickup and drop-off from Sharm to remove the hardest parts of logistics. I also like that you’re not just left on the mountain, you get a qualified Egyptologist guide plus a local guide for the climb.

One consideration: this hike is not gentle. It’s steep, it can be very cold at the top, and you’ll want to think hard about your knees, hips, or back before you commit. The camel option exists, but it’s an extra cost, so plan for that in advance.

Key things I’d underline before you go

• A night summit attempt: start around 2:00 am to reach sunrise at the chapel and mosque.
• 700 steps, 3 hours up: it’s a workout, even if you move at a steady pace.
• St Catherine National Park time limits: you’ll visit the key church and Burning Bush-related spots, but your time may be shortened.
• Guides matter here: an Egyptologist helps explain the religious sites, and a mountain guide keeps you moving.
• Food and drinks are not included: bring money for small purchases along the route, or plan your own snacks.
• Camel ride is extra: you can use it if you can’t climb, but you should expect to pay.

How the Mount Sinai midnight start shapes your whole day

This is one of those trips where the timing is the product. You’re picked up in the late evening in Sharm, driven for hours, then you climb while it’s still dark. That means you’re not hiking in the heat, and you’re racing the sunrise window so you can see first light hit the summit area.

The payoff is the light change. On Mount Sinai, the view is not just “pretty.” You’re watching the sky wake up over the mountain tops while you’re standing near the chapel and mosque on site. It turns a physical grind into something closer to a moment of reflection.

The trade-off is your energy. You will sleep poorly if you’re a light sleeper, and the climb asks for consistent effort in cold air. If you hate night travel or you get nervous in the dark, this tour may feel intense even if you’re reasonably fit.

Night pickup from Sharm and the long drive to Moses Mountain

Your tour starts at 9:00 pm. Pickup is from hotels in Sharm el Sheikh, and the drive to the Moses Mountain area takes about 3 hours. Practically, this means two things for you.

First, build in patience. Late-night pickup can mean you’re standing outside your hotel in the dark, then sitting on a bus for a while. Second, bring layers for the car ride too, since you’ll be moving from the warmer coastal night into cooler mountain air.

This transfer time is part of the value. You don’t have to self-navigate the route, arrange taxis, or worry about meeting a late-night driver. You just follow your guide, stay warm, and prep for the hike.

The guided 700-steps climb to sunrise at Mount Sinai

The climb is scheduled to start around 2:00 am. Plan on about 3 hours ascending, guided by a local mountain guide. The route includes a long climb with roughly 700 steps, and it can feel steeper than the distance sounds.

Two things are worth knowing before you go:

• You’re hiking in darkness. Headlamps help, and the terrain can be uneven.
• You’ll be cold at the top. One person reported around -12°C near the summit. Even if your temperature runs warmer, mountaintop cold can surprise you.

There are no promises of an easy trail. Stones and steps can be awkward underfoot, especially if you’re tired. If you’re the kind of person who needs a hand rail or lots of footholds, take that seriously.

Camel ride option, pacing, and how to avoid surprises

If you don’t think you can handle the full climb, you can take a camel ride for part of the route or up toward the steps. This is listed as an own-expense option, meaning it’s not part of the $60.

Here’s how I’d handle it to reduce stress. Before you get on, confirm the arrangement clearly with the camel operator so you’re not guessing later. The tour uses guides and a system to manage the group, but the camel part is still an outside cost you control.

Also: if you do walk, use the fact that the group is moving to your advantage. People often forget that your job is not to set a record. It’s to keep going at a pace you can sustain for the full ascent.

If you want a small boost, there are places along the way where you can buy energy items like sweet food and drinks. One review even called out coffee and water stalls. That’s a relief if you packed like it was a daytime walk instead of a long night hike.

Sunrise at the summit chapel and mosque, then the descent

The whole point of this timing is reaching the summit for sunrise. Once the sky starts to brighten, the chapel and mosque area becomes the main “stand and look” zone. I like this format because it forces you to pause at the part of the trip that could otherwise be rushed.

After sunrise, you’ll descend. Expect the downhill to be easier in motivation, but not always easier on your body. Going down can be harder on knees and calves than going up, because you’re bracing constantly.

This is where the best guides earn their money. A good local guide keeps the group moving without treating the hike like a race. And if your legs are tired, you’ll appreciate the kind of leadership that spots who needs a slower pace.

St Catherine Monastery: Burning Bush-related sites and a shorter visit

Once you’re down from Mount Sinai, you meet your guide at the monastery gates. The visit focuses on several major points inside the complex, including the Transfiguration Church, the Burning Bush site, and the well of the prophet Moses.

This is meaningful because St Catherine is tied to the Burning Bush tradition in the broader Sinai religious story. You’re not just seeing a building, you’re stepping into a place that pilgrims have visited for centuries, and it’s presented here as the location where Moses is believed to have encountered the Burning Bush.

A practical note: tour time inside can be shorter. The information you provided says the monastery is opened for tourists for less time due to covid. So keep your expectations realistic. You can still see the key sites, but you shouldn’t count on lots of wandering and slow photos.

What’s included in the $60, and where the value really comes from

At $60 per person, the big value is what you don’t have to arrange yourself. This tour includes:

• St Catherine National Park fees
• A qualified Egyptologist guide
• A local guide during the climb
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm el Sheikh
• Round-trip transfers by vehicle
• Transport, full stop

What’s not included is food and drinks. That’s the main “you need to plan” gap.

So is $60 “cheap”? It’s fair rather than bargain-bin, mainly because you’re paying for a full night logistics chain plus trained guidance. In my book, it’s a good deal if you actually take the guides seriously and you show up prepared for a hard climb.

Group size also matters for comfort. The tour lists a maximum of 15 travelers, which is the right size for a guided experience where you can still hear explanations. On a mountain at night, it can still feel crowded, but smaller groups help.

Guides you might meet, and why their role is more than storytelling

This kind of trip is guided for a reason. You’re walking in darkness up steep steps, then you’re visiting religious sites that need context to make sense.

Your tour includes two layers of guidance:

1. An Egyptologist guide for interpretation of the sites
2. A local mountain guide for the climb itself

From the names shared in real-life experiences, you might meet guides such as Ali for hosting and guidance, or Jimmy as a Bedouin mountain guide. There’s also mention of guides like Ashraf. You should treat names as examples, because the specific people vary by date, but the roles stay the same.

Here’s why I think this matters: when you understand the why behind the route and the spots, you don’t feel like you’re doing a workout “just because.” You feel like you’re participating in a long-standing pilgrimage pattern, guided by people who know how to handle the terrain and the timing.

What to pack for Mount Sinai night hiking, cold temps, and tired legs

Because this is a night climb, packing is not optional. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

My checklist based on the realities of the climb:

• Warm layers for predawn and summit cold. Cold can be extreme.
• Hiking shoes with good grip for steps and uneven ground.
• Headlamp or flashlight. One experience called out that a torch loan was useful, but don’t count on borrowing gear if you can avoid it.
• A small snack plan since food is not included. You can also buy items along the way, but keep yourself covered if you prefer consistency.
• Cash for camel rides and small purchases, if you want those options. Don’t assume every add-on will match the first number you hear.

Also plan for sleep loss. Even if you’re excited, you’ll feel it the next day. That’s normal, and it’s one reason I think it helps to pack with comfort in mind for the return ride.

Who should book this, and who might want a different plan

This tour is best for people who want:

• A sunrise summit experience on Mount Sinai
• A guided visit to St Catherine Monastery with key Burning Bush-related sites
• Round-trip transport that removes the hassle from Sharm

You should be ready for a strong physical fitness level. The climb is steep and it’s about stamina, not just “can I do it once.” It’s also not a great idea if you have back or knee issues, since the downhill can be punishing.

Family travelers are possible, but it needs a reality check. The provided info notes the tour is not good for elders with back or knees pain, and mentions it for children under 12 as not a good fit. If you’re bringing kids, pick your child’s hiking ability carefully.

If you’re more interested in the monastery than the climb, this might still work because you’ll get the monastery visit after the hike. But you should only book it if you’re genuinely willing to do the night ascent.

Should you book the Mount Sinai and St Catherine tour from Sharm?

I’d book it if you want one of the most memorable “do the hard thing for the light” days in Sinai. The mix of a guided midnight climb, sunrise on the summit area, and the St Catherine sites afterwards is a strong package for a half-day-to-full-day style itinerary.

Don’t book it if any of the following are true:

• You’re likely to struggle with steep steps, cold, or downhill strain.
• You don’t want an add-on cost for the camel option, if you end up needing it.
• You expect food included. You’ll need to manage snacks and drinks.

If you go, go prepared and go steady. The best version of this day is when you treat it like a mission: warm up, keep moving, reach sunrise together, then enjoy the monastery without rushing. That’s when Mount Sinai feels like more than a hike. It feels like a story you’re stepping into with your boots on.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Sharm el Sheikh?

The start time is listed as 9:00 pm. The full duration is approximately 16 hours.

How long is the Mount Sinai hike and how many steps are there?

The climb starts around 2:00 am and takes about 3 hours, with a route that includes roughly 700 steps.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm el Sheikh?

Yes. The tour includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off in Sharm el Sheikh.

Can I ride a camel instead of climbing the whole way?

Yes. There is an option to ride a camel most of the way, but it is listed as an own-expense add-on.

What is included in the price?

Included are St Catherine National Park fees, a qualified Egyptologist guide, a local guide during the climb, hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip transfers, and vehicle transport.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour operating in all weather conditions?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately for cold and changing conditions.