From Sharm: Mount Moses Trekking, Sunrise & Monastery Visit

Mount Sinai is not a gentle sightseeing stop. You leave Sharm after dinner, climb through the darkness for two to three hours, then wait in the cold for sunrise at 2,285 meters. The reward is a wide view over the bare Sinai peaks and a place tied to the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments.

I like the night climb and sunrise most. The stars appear above you as you walk, and the first light spreads across the mountains in slow, quiet bands. I also like the human side of the outing: Bedouin guides stay with the group, stop often, and help people manage the rough final section.

The main drawback is simple: this is a hard, sleepless day. Transport can be crowded or poorly communicated, the trail is uneven, and the monastery visit may feel rushed after the climb. If you need a relaxed day trip, choose something else.

Key points to know before you book

• The climb begins at night: Expect two to three hours uphill, followed by a cold wait for sunrise.
• The final 750 steps are the toughest: They are uneven stone steps and boulders, not a neat staircase.
• The summit can be bitterly cold: Bring a hat, gloves, warm layers, and a windproof jacket. Blankets can be rented.
• Bedouin guides take over on the mountain: The main tour guide stays at the base camp, while the mountain guides lead the trek.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery adds real cultural value: You can see its sixth-century church, manuscripts, icons, and the site associated with the burning bush.
• The $50 price is strong value: It covers hotel pickup, transport, guides, water, and a full 16 to 17-hour day, but snacks, drinks, toilets, blankets, and camels cost extra.

A night departure from Sharm

Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, though the exact time can shift. You wait at your hotel’s main gate by the highway, not at the reception desk, so check the meeting point carefully.

The ride to Mount Sinai takes about four hours. Some departures use a small vehicle for hotel pickups before transferring to a larger, air-conditioned coach. That transfer can add waiting time, and group size varies. A few departures have felt crowded, with limited legroom or even an aisle folding seat.

I would confirm the pickup time on the day of departure and keep your phone available. Communication has sometimes been slow, while other departures have been very well organized and punctual. Security checkpoints can also extend the journey in either direction.

This is not a scenic evening drive where you can simply relax and sleep in comfort. You may stop several times, and some drivers have added smoking breaks. Still, the air-conditioned vehicle matters after the climb, especially on the long return to Sharm.

The Mount Sinai trail begins in darkness

At the mountain, you meet the Bedouin guide who leads the actual trek. The Egyptologist guide normally remains at base camp, so do not expect the same guide to walk beside you all the way to the summit.

The first section follows a steep, uneven route of roughly 7 kilometers. In the dark, your torch shows loose stones, camel droppings, and the feet of the person ahead. A proper headlamp or flashlight is much better than relying on a phone light, since you need both hands free at times.

The pace is usually steady, with breaks for rest, drinks, snacks, and toilets. Some people find the climb manageable because of these regular stops. Others find the night setting, lack of sleep, steep ground, and altitude much harder than expected.

You do not need to be a serious mountaineer, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to walk uphill for several hours. Frequent gym sessions alone may not prepare you for uneven stone, so take the warnings seriously.

A camel may be available for the first part of the climb, up to the final 750 steps. You cannot ride a camel up the last section, and you must walk back down from the summit. The provider does not recommend the camel option, but it can help if a medical issue or breathing trouble makes the first section unsafe on foot. Discuss it with the Bedouin guide rather than trying to push through a problem.

The final 750 steps require patience

The last section is often the hardest part. The so-called 750 steps are not uniform stairs. They are rough rocks and uneven stone blocks, with some steps much higher than others.

This is where you should slow down. A few people reach the summit early and wait for more than an hour before sunrise. That may sound inconvenient, but arriving early gives you a better chance of finding a good viewing position and lets you recover before the light show begins.

The guides set a group pace, though it may feel fast if you are not used to hiking. If you walk quickly, you may move ahead. If you need longer rests, tell the guide clearly. The Bedouin guides are generally described as warm, encouraging, and attentive, with several languages spoken among the team. Guides named on different departures have included Ali, Amr, Ashrof, Ibrahim, Jimmy, Mohammad, and Oman.

The route is not empty. Camels use parts of the trail, and you may need to step aside. Small mountain stalls sell hot drinks, water, snacks, clothing, and other basics. Toilets are available at points along the way, but they are very basic and often require a small payment.

Bring tissues and small notes. Egyptian pounds, euros, and US dollars are accepted in many places, but change is not always easy.

Sunrise from 2,285 meters

The summit is the emotional high point of the trip. As the sky brightens, the surrounding mountains shift from black outlines to shades of brown, gold, and rose. The view is broad and stark, with ridges rolling away in every direction.

You can take photographs, pray, or simply sit quietly. The religious meaning is central for many people, but you do not need to approach it as a pilgrimage to appreciate the silence, effort, and setting.

Cold is the detail most likely to catch you out. In winter, temperatures at the top have been reported around minus 2 Celsius, with some guides warning of minus 5 to minus 10 Celsius at night. Wind makes it feel worse.

Wear layers that you can remove during the climb:

• Thermal or long-sleeved base layer
• Fleece or warm sweater
• Down or insulated jacket
• Windproof outer layer
• Hat, gloves, and wool socks
• Sturdy hiking shoes

A blanket can be rented near the top, with one departure reporting a cost of about 200 Egyptian pounds. The exact price can change. It is useful if you arrive early and must sit in the wind for a long time.

Once the sun is up, the descent becomes warmer and easier to see. It still takes around two hours, and tired legs can make loose stones tricky. Use trekking poles if you have them, or at least keep your hands free and avoid rushing.

Rest, breakfast, and the monastery visit

At the bottom, you have time to rest before breakfast. Breakfast is not automatically supplied as a full meal, so order a breakfast box from your hotel before leaving Sharm and collect it before pickup.

Food matters here. You have been awake all night, climbed for several hours, and still have a cultural visit ahead. Bring extra food and water rather than depending on mountain stalls, where prices can be high. Water is included in the tour, but extra drinks and personal purchases are not.

St. Catherine’s Monastery is the second major part of the day. Founded in the sixth century, it is one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries in the world. The complex includes a church associated with the burning bush, along with religious objects, icons, and old manuscripts displayed in the library and museum areas.

I find this stop important because it gives meaning to the mountain rather than treating it as only a sunrise viewpoint. The monastery connects the landscape, biblical tradition, Christian worship, and the long history of Sinai in one place.

The visit can feel brief. After a sleepless night and a long descent, some people are too tired to go inside or can manage only a short look. Guides may also need to keep the group moving because buses must leave on schedule and police escorts can affect the timing.

The monastery is closed on Sundays and on listed Christian holidays. Dates can vary, so confirm that it will be open before booking. If this visit matters as much to you as the climb, ask about the schedule and save some energy for it.

What the $50 price really includes

At $50 per person, this is good value for a 16 to 17-hour outing. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm, air-conditioned transport, water, an Egyptologist guide, a Bedouin mountain guide, and the monastery visit.

The price is especially fair because transport covers a long route in both directions. It also includes the logistics of moving a mixed group through a night hike, sunrise wait, descent, breakfast break, and heritage site.

The low headline price does not mean the day is all-inclusive. Budget for:

• Extra water, hot drinks, and snacks
• Small fees for basic toilets
• A rented blanket if you are cold
• A camel for the lower part of the climb, if needed
• Personal expenses

You may also find the transport less comfortable than the price suggests. Some departures are smooth, with a comfortable coach and careful drivers. Others involve cramped seating, multiple hotel pickups, or a change of vehicle. I would book it for the experience, not for luxury transport.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the commitment easier. The more important decision is your physical readiness and tolerance for a very long day.

Who should book this Mount Sinai trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a meaningful outdoor challenge, enjoy religious and ancient sites, and can cope with a night without proper sleep. It suits people who see hiking as part of the experience, not as an annoying step before the sightseeing begins.

It is also a good choice if you want something more substantial than a standard resort excursion from Sharm. The mountain, stars, Bedouin guides, sunrise, and monastery create a day with a strong sense of place.

I would not recommend it to anyone with shortness of breath, significant bone or joint pain, or limited mobility. It is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. If you are uncertain about your fitness, speak with a medical professional before booking.

The group format is useful for safety and transport, but it limits your independence. You may not set your own pace, and the monastery visit may be shorter than you want. A private arrangement could offer more flexibility, but this tour keeps the cost low.

Practical packing advice for the 17-hour day

Pack for two very different climates. During the climb, you may sweat. At the summit, you may be cold enough to need every layer.

Take your passport, hiking shoes, warm clothes, jacket, comfortable clothing, food, and a flashlight. Add tissues, small cash, a phone power bank, and a water bottle if you have room.

Do not wear flip-flops or smooth-soled shoes. The final stone section needs grip, and the descent can be harder than the climb if your feet are sore.

Keep your daypack light. You will carry it uphill, and there are places to buy drinks and snacks. At the same time, do not cut out warm clothing to save weight. Several people have reached the summit underdressed and spent the sunrise simply trying to stay warm.

Should you book it?

Book this Mount Sinai tour if the chance to watch sunrise from a sacred mountain is worth a tough climb, a long bus ride, and a day with very little sleep. The sunrise is powerful, the views are memorable, and St. Catherine’s Monastery adds cultural depth.

Skip it if you need comfort, privacy, or an easy schedule. The transport can be crowded, the trail is rough, and the monastery visit may be rushed. For fit visitors who prepare properly, though, $50 buys a rare combination of physical challenge, religious importance, and Sinai scenery.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Sinai tour last?

The full experience takes about 16 to 17 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Security checkpoints and transport delays can make the day longer.

What time is pickup from Sharm El Sheikh?

Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. You should wait at the main gate of your hotel by the highway, not at the reception area.

How long does the climb take?

The uphill trek normally takes about two to three hours, depending on the group. The descent takes around two hours.

How high is Mount Sinai?

The summit is listed at 2,285 meters. The route includes a long uneven climb followed by approximately 750 final steps made from rough stone and boulders.

Do I need hiking experience?

You do not need to be an expert hiker, but you need a reasonable level of fitness. The trail is steep and uneven, and the lack of sleep makes it harder.

Can I ride a camel up Mount Sinai?

A camel may be available for the first part of the climb, up to the final 750 steps. You must walk the final section and the descent. The activity provider does not recommend the camel trek.

Will I be cold at the summit?

Yes, especially in winter and during windy conditions. Bring several warm layers, a hat, gloves, and a windproof jacket. Blankets can be rented near the summit.

Is breakfast included?

A breakfast box must be pre-ordered from your hotel and collected before the tour begins. Extra drinks, snacks, and personal expenses are not included.

Is St. Catherine’s Monastery open every day?

The monastery is closed on Sundays and on certain Christian holidays. Opening dates can vary, so check before booking if the monastery visit is essential to your plans.