Spirit of Sinai
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Sharm el Sheikh Airport in the afternoon. A single group airport transfer is provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight in beach bungalow accommodation at nearby Sharks Bay.
Day 2: We transfer to Saint Catherine (approx 3 hrs). We stop along the way to admire the sandy desert and (if we are lucky) drink tea with the Bedouin. On arrival we meet our trekking guides and camel crew and have lunch whilst the bags are packed on the camels. Our walking starts through the beautiful wadi gardens and down into Wadi ItIah, where we camp.
Day 3: After breakfast and loading of the camels we set off for 1 hour through the wadi before ascending the El Shegg Gorge. At the top of the gorge we rest and have the chance of a dip in the biggest of the natural pools. After lunch we continue through Wadi El Tinya to our campsite in an old walled garden. Approx 4-5 hours walking.
Day 4: We pack up camp and start our day with a short walk to the pass of Sharafet el Tinya. We then have a 2 hour ascent across the pink granite slopes to the ruined Ottoman castle on top of Mount Abbas Pasha (2383m). After lunch we descend to Wadi Zuweitin and the oasis at the basecamp area for Mount Saint Catherine, where we can relax in the natural pools. Approx 5 hours walking.
Day 5: An early start to avoid the heat, we begin with a steep path before it eases off to a col and then we follow the path zig-zagging up the slopes to the summit of Mount Saint Catherine, Sinai's highest peak at 2641 metres. Descend to Wadi Shagg Mousa, with superb views over the desert plains. We overnight at Deir El Arbain, between Mount Sinai and Mount Saint Catherine. Approx 6 hours walking.
Day 6: We ascend the old pilgrims path to our camp on Elijah's Plateau at around 2000 metres on Mount Sinai, otherwise known as Mount Moses, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. We have lunch here, explore the surroundings and enjoy the breathtaking views down to the monastery.
Day 7: An early start today as we climb the steps from Elijah's Plateau to the summit of Mount Moses (2285m) in time for sunrise. We return to camp for breakfast before continuing down the steps to Saint Catherine's Monastery. We check out its religious icons and bible translations before driving back to our beach bungalow accommodation at Sharks Bay.
Day 8: We have the morning free to relax, snorkel and swim at this laid back resort, before we transfer to Sharm El Sheikh Airport, where KE Land Only package services end.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to current political troubles in the Sinai region we have temporarily suspended our holidays to this area. When the situation improves in the next couple of months we will be accepting bookings again on these departures.
