Presentation & Atmosphere
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, 2,285m) is one of the holiest places on earth for all three Abrahamic faiths. According to tradition, it is here that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Climbing its 3,750 steps through the night to watch the sunrise from the summit is an unforgettable spiritual and physical experience. At the foot of the mountain, St. Catherine’s Monastery is the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world.
Best Time to Visit
March to May and September to November. Winter (December-February) is cold but beautiful — bring very warm clothing for the night climb (temperatures below zero at the summit). Avoid July-August: scorching heat.
Points of Interest & Sites
- Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa) and its 2,285m summit
- Catherine’s Monastery (UNESCO) — founded in the 6th century
- The Burning Bush within the monastery grounds
- The Chapel of the Trinity at the Sinai summit
- The natural amphitheatre of the 70 Elders
- Mount St. Catherine — highest peak in Sinai (2,629m)
- The Plain of El Raha, where the Hebrew people camped according to tradition
- The monastery’s gardens and orchards
Excursions & Activities
- Night ascent of Mount Sinai (departure 1-2am)
- Sunrise at the summit of Sinai — a unique experience in the world
- Guided tour of St. Catherine’s Monastery
- Hike to Mount St. Catherine (more demanding, fewer crowds)
- 4×4 safari in the valleys surrounding St. Catherine’s
- Multi-day trek in the Sinai mountains with Bedouin guides
- Visit to hidden Bedouin oases and gardens in the wadis
- Stargazing (altitude + zero light pollution)
Accommodation
Small village of St. Catherine with modest hotels (St. Catherine’s Monastery Hotel, Morgenland), Bedouin guesthouses in the surroundings. No luxury here — the essence is in the spiritual and natural experience.
Practical Tips
- Dress very warmly for the night climb — even in summer, it’s cold at the summit
- Go with a local Bedouin guide — mandatory and enriching
- Camels are available for part of the ascent (up to the plateau)
- The monastery is closed on Fridays, Sundays, and Orthodox holidays
- Wear hiking shoes — the steps are uneven
- Book accommodation well in advance during peak season
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