Mount Sinai Sunrise Tour | St Catherine from Sharm El Sheikh

08:00 PM – Hotel Pickup in Sharm El Sheikh

Your Mount Sinai adventure begins in the evening with pickup from your hotel.

Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle through the Sinai Peninsula toward Saint Catherine.

The exact departure time may change according to:

Hotel location

Season

Sunrise time

Road conditions

Group arrangements

The road journey from Sharm El Sheikh to the Saint Catherine area generally takes around three hours.

11:00 PM – Arrival in Saint Catherine

Arrive near the foot of Mount Sinai.

Meet your local Bedouin mountain guide and prepare for the overnight hike.

Before departure, your guide explains:

The hiking route

Safety rules

Expected walking time

Rest stops

Conditions near the summit

Where to meet if the group becomes separated

Make sure you have warm clothing, water and suitable walking shoes before starting.

11:30 PM – Begin the Mount Sinai Night Hike

Start climbing Mount Sinai, also known as Jebel Musa or Moses Mountain.

Most visitors use the traditional camel path for the majority of the ascent.

The trail climbs gradually through the mountains and can be dark, rocky and uneven.

The Egyptian tourism authority describes the pre-dawn trek as approximately 3–4 hours to the summit at around 2,285 metres above sea level.

01:00 AM – Mountain Rest Stop

Pause at one of the simple Bedouin rest points along the route.

Depending on availability, small mountain shelters may sell:

Tea

Coffee

Hot chocolate

Water

Snacks

Take a short rest before continuing the climb.

02:30 AM – Continue Toward the Summit

Continue higher into the mountain.

Temperatures normally become colder as you gain altitude, especially during winter and before sunrise.

The walking pace should remain steady rather than fast.

04:00 AM – Final Section and Steps to the Summit

Reach the final section of the climb.

The upper route includes a steeper series of stone steps before reaching the summit.

This is usually the most physically demanding section of the hike.

Move carefully, especially in darkness.

04:30–05:00 AM – Reach the Summit

Arrive at the summit area before sunrise.

Find a suitable place to rest and wait for the first light.

Exact arrival and sunrise times change by season.

Sunrise – Watch the Sun Rise over Sinai

Watch sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai.

As the sun appears, the surrounding granite mountains gradually change color and the valleys become visible below.

The summit offers wide views across the rugged mountain landscape of southern Sinai.

This is the main highlight of the Mount Sinai Sunrise Tour.

06:15 AM – Begin the Descent

After sunrise and photographs, begin descending with your guide.

The descent normally feels faster than the climb, but the rocky path still requires care.

08:00–08:30 AM – Return to Saint Catherine Area

Arrive back near the monastery area after completing the hike.

Take some time to rest before the next part of the tour.

09:00 AM – Visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery

When open to visitors, continue to Saint Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai.

The site is known for its Byzantine architecture, religious heritage, icons and manuscripts. Egypt’s official tourism platform highlights the monastery, the Burning Bush and its historic religious collections among the major attractions of the Saint Catherine area.

Depending on current access, your visit may include or view:

Monastery courtyard

Historic church areas

Burning Bush area

Religious icons

Ancient architecture

Museum areas if open

Access to individual sections can vary.

10:00 AM – Finish Monastery Visit

After exploring the monastery area, meet your guide and prepare for the return journey.

10:30 AM – Optional Breakfast or Rest Stop

Depending on the package, there may be time for breakfast or refreshments before leaving Saint Catherine.

Breakfast should only be listed as included if confirmed in the selected package.

11:00 AM – Depart for Sharm El Sheikh

Begin the return drive through Sinai.

Relax after the overnight climb.

01:30–02:30 PM – Return to Hotel

Arrive back at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

The total duration can vary considerably depending on hotel location, sunrise time, hiking pace and monastery access.