Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery from Sharm

Escursioni Sharm connects you with verified local operators for the Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery excursion from Sharm El Sheikh: the night climb up the mountain of Moses to watch the sunrise from the summit, followed by a visit to the oldest still-inhabited monastery in the world. You book with no prepayment and pay on site.

Distance, timings and how it works

Saint Catherine is about 230 km from Sharm, in Sinai's mountainous interior. The excursion runs overnight:

1. Hotel pick-up in the evening, usually between 8:00 and 10:00 pm.
2. Bus transfer of about 3 hours to Saint Catherine, with checkpoints along the route.
3. Night climb of Mount Sinai (2,285 m): about 2.5-3 hours on foot on the main path, or partly by camel (extra, paid on site to the Bedouins).
4. Sunrise at the summit: the moment all of this is for.
5. Descent and breakfast, then a visit to St Catherine's Monastery (UNESCO heritage, 6th century): the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the basilica and the iconostasis.
6. Return to Sharm in the early afternoon.

How much it costs

Indicative prices verified in October 2026: they vary by season and operator.

How hard is it really

Honesty first: the night climb is demanding. The main path is wide and not technical, but it is almost 800 metres of elevation gain in the dark; the last stretch is 750 steps carved into the rock. Anyone with heart, knee or mobility problems should consider the partial version by camel or skip the summit and visit only the monastery. In winter it is very cold at the top (wind chill can take it below freezing): heavy jacket, gloves and trainers or hiking shoes. Along the path Bedouins sell hot tea, blankets and snacks at tourist prices.

St Catherine's Monastery: what to see

Founded in the 6th century at the foot of the mountain, the monastery is among the oldest in the world still inhabited and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Inside you visit the basilica with its Byzantine icons, the Chapel of the Burning Bush — built where tradition places the biblical episode — and the courtyard with the bush said to descend from the original one. Opening hours are limited and the monastery is closed on certain days of the week and on religious holidays: operators calibrate departures accordingly, but always confirm when booking that the visit is included on your chosen day.

Documents

Saint Catherine is inside the Sinai, so the free "Sinai only" stamp is sufficient: you do not need the full Egyptian visa. Still bring your passport for the road checkpoints. Details in the visa and costs guide.

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