CLIMBING MOUNT SINAI: THE COMPLETE 2024 GUIDE
Mount Sinai in Egypt or Jabel Musa is the holiest mountain in the Middle East and perhaps the entire world. According to the scriptures of three of the main world religions, Mount Sinai is the place where Moses received the 10 commandments from God. Climbing Mount Sinai is not only a bucket list item but a spiritual experience for many.
In this guide I will detail all you need to know about climbing this mountain and will share some photos, videos, and tips from my experience climbing Mount Sinai.
CLIMBING MOUNT SINAI VIDEO
A video does not lie. I climbed Mount Sinai during the night and brought my Sony Alfa 6400 to the summit. The video contains footage about the coffee stops at the Bedouin huts, on the way to the summit, a couple of photos of the night sky, the sunrise at the summit and descent.
Climbing up to the summit with all my photo equipment and a tripod to be able to catch the night sky made my hike up more difficult.
I am so happy to share the experience with you.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOUNT SINAI
MOUNT SINAI LOCATION
Mount Sinai or Jabal Mousa is located in the city of Saint Catherine, in the Southern part of Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.
Saint Catherine is located approximately two hours driving distance from Dahab and Sharm el Sheik.
It is located close to Mount Saint Catherine (2629 m), the tallest mountain in Egypt.
Find here the exact location in Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT SINAI
Most people who climb Mount Sinai are staying in Dahab or Sharm el Sheik and they come with a group tour. This is the easiest and cheapest way to climb Mount Sinai as it is compulsory to get a Bedoin guide bringing you to the summit.
This is due to security reasons and to provide employment to the local people.
Most tours will bring you to watch the sunrise on the summit, which is the best way to do the hike. It can get pretty hot during the day, making the hike too difficult.
Book: Mount Sinai climb from Sharm el Sheikh
Book: Mount Sinai cllimb from Dahab
The night sky during the hike is spectacular and the sunrise at the summit a dream for photographers.
These group tours include a short visit to Saint Catherine monastery, which is the oldest continuously occupied monastery in the world. It was built in the 6th century and was declared a world UNESCO heritage site in 2002, due to its significance in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
GETTING TO SAINT CATHERINE ON YOUR OWN
This is the most expensive option but it will give you a bit more time to explore the area in depth and to take your time at the summit. You will have to arrange a taxi to Saint Catherine and pay the Bedouin guide fee by yourself.
I did not take a taxi myself so I cannot give you information about the costs. However, my Bedouin guide told me that you can get on a shared collective taxi to Saint Catherine.
If you decide to get to Saint Catherine on your own, my recommendation is to spend at least one night there. The area is really beautiful and relaxing.
IS MOUNT SINAI IN EGYPT REALLY THE MOUNTAIN WHERE MOSES RECEIVED THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
According to the Exodus, Hebrew bible, Mount Sinai is the place where Moses received the 10 commandments. In the book of the Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah these events are described to have taken place in Mount Horeb.
Most academics agree that Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb are the same mountain. Its geographical location remains still under debate. However the most accepted location for this biblical mountain is Mount Sinai in Egypt.
Exodus 24:26
16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
In Islam, the Jabal Musa is associated with the prophet Moses. Jabal Moses is mentioned several times in the Quran.
The first reference to Mount Sinai as the biblical Mount Horeb are inconclusive. Mount Sinai has been a pilgrimage site for Christian pilgrims since the 4th century AD
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT SINAI ?
Mount Sinai’s height os 2,285 meters (7,497 feet) above sea level. It is the second-highest mountain in Egypt.
WHAT TO PACK FOR MOUNT SINAI
Hiking up Mount Sinai during the night to watch sunrise at the summit, as most people do, is one in a life time experience. But you need to be prepared for it. It can get pretty cold during the night due to the altitude.
You do not need to bring drinks or snacks with you. There are several places where you can purchase them along the way. You will carry less weight and will support the local community by buying them on the way. The prices are pretty affordable and you can try local Bedouin bread.
- Hiking shoes – Trail running or hiking boots.
- Warm clothes – I recommend bringing your own clothes, but if you do not have any with you, you can buy some from the kids at the base or lease a blanket from one of the last food places before the last 100 stairs.
- Camera – Essential, the landscapes are breath taking.
- Camera tripod – The night sky is stunning. You will need it to take some long exposure shots of the stars or a time-lapse of the sunrise at the summit.
- Sunscreen – for Sun rays during descent.
- Head torch – Essential, the path is really dark.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MOUNT SINAI HIKE?
Climbing Mount Sinai is not difficult for most people. The path is well-graded and the incline not so big. The most challenging part of the climb are the last 750 steps. Guides will usually help you carry your bag if you have any difficulty at this part of the hike.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CLIMB MOUNT SINAI?
Hiking Distance: 11.5 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 700 m total elevation gain
It will take you around 1,5 hours to reach the Mount Sinai summit. Most of the group tours will do a lot of coffee stops along the way and it will take much longer but it will give you time enough to rest and be on time for sunrise.
The climb at the base starts at 1:00 in the morning for most group tours.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR HIKE TO MOUNT SINAI
You can walk around in Dahab or Sharm el Sheik and ask around the different travel agencies in the area. However, if you would like to secure your spot, you can book online in advance.
HIKING MOUNT SINAI: THE COMPLETE GUIDE 2024
HOW MANY ROUTES ARE THERE TO THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT SINAI?
There are two main ways to reach the summit. The longer and shallower route, Siket El Bashait ( camel route) takes about 2.5 hours on foot and camels can be used until the last 750 stairs where this path joins the “steps of penintence” The most dangerous, difficult and more direct route (Siket Sayidna Musa) is up the 3,750 “steps of penitence” in the ravine behind the monastery.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING MOUNT SINAI
Hiking up Mount Sinai was my first time doing a hike up a mountain during the night and I loved it with all my heart. I was traveling Egypt and based in Dahab for almost a month and it was one of the highlights of my trip.
We did too many stops on the way up, in my opinion. I was going with a group and I had to adjust my pace to the group. Still the hike was great as going with the group made the trip very affordable and it was really fun. I hiked up with an amazing group of people.
The sunrise was breathtaking and the view of the Sinai desert seemed at first as a brown sea. The view of the night sky one of the best I have seen in my life.
I only wished I have had more time to see Saint Catherine’s church in more detail. We only stayed for half an hour inside, which is not enough time to explore the place in depth.
I am the type of traveler that stays for hours in museums and historical monuments. The visit could be enough for most people I guess.
With all this said, I can tell you climbing Mount Sinai was one of the most beautiful experiences in my whole life and I strongly recommend you do it when you are visiting Egypt.
TIPS FOR CLIMBING MOUNT SINAI
Mount Sinai is not the most difficult climb you will do in your life but there are a few things to take into account to make the best of your experience.
- Do not plan anything the day after the climb: After a night of not sleep, exercise and new impressions you will probably just want some rest when coming back to your hote.
- Take a good nap before the sunrise climb: Having a restorative nap before the climb will help you have more energy for the trek and enjoy more.
- Do not bring too much weight with you: The lighter your bag, the easier your climb.
- Use a camel to the 750 steps: If you do not feel physically fit to follow up with your group use a camel to the base of the 750 steps.
LANDMARKS AT THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT SINAI
The summit of Mount Sinai is not only a place of breathtaking views but the place were Moses was believed to be waiting for 40 days waiting for the 10 commandments from God. It is probably the most sacred place in the entire world.
On the peak of Jebel Musa stands a small Greek Ortodox chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This chapel, built 1934 on the ruins of a 16th church, is believed to enclose the rock from which God made the Tablets of the Law.
There is also a small 12th century mosque on top of the cave where Moses waiting for 40 days to receive the 10 commandments.
SAINT CATHERINE CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS
After spending the whole night climbing to Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise your visit to the interior of Saint Catherine church will be limited.
There is a lot to see inside the monastery but in the short time that your tour guide will give you to visit the interior if you are going with a group trip. Do not miss the following:
- Burning bush: The burning bush is the bush which was on flames but not consumed by them. God was calling Moses from this burning bush. The bush’s scientific name is Rubus Sanctus.
- Well of Moses: This is the well at which Moses met the seven daughters of Jethro, as it is recorded in the scriptures (Exodus 2:15-22). The water is used by the community to this day, by means of a pump.
- Mosaic of transfiguration: The earliest known representation of the transfiguration.
- The Fatimid mosque: The Fatimid mosque in Saint Catherine’s Monastery, built in 500 AH/1106 AD during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah, was the fruit of the harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians. The Fatimid Caliphate witnessed the peak of this relationship, and the caliphs of the period worked tirelessly to build mosques in sacred locations. The Fatimid mosque in Saint Catherine’s Monastery became a stop for pilgrims on their way to Mecca, many of whose writings can still be seen on its mihrab to this day.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN CLIMBING MOUNT SINAI
There are several options on when to stay when climbing this Holy Mountain. You can either book a tour from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab or stay at the base of the mountain if you decide to come here by yourself. Find here my recommended places to stay in these locations:
SAINT CATHERINE
Mount Moses Camp: This is a very local type of beautiful accommodation in Saint Catherine at the base of Mount Sinai. This place offers stunning mountains views and a terrace. There is a public bath and a shared kitchen. The property has an outdoor dining area and a mini-market. This place is the perfect place to stay if you are planing to climb Mount Sinai from Saint Catherine on a budget.
Holy Valley hotel: The two stars hotel has excellent room service and has a garden, terrace and restaurant in Saint Catherine. It comes with a complete private bathroom equipped with a bidet. All the rooms have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. The hotel is perfect for a couple of nights stay before and after the climb.
DAHAB
Penguin Village Dahab: This lovely hotel is located in Dahab center and its rooms offer stunning views of the the Gulf of Aqaba. The rooms are very comfortable and have a strong Wifi connection. The place is a retreat of calmness to rest while doing other activities in the area. There is a diving school at the bottom of the hotel where you can plan some water activities and enjoy Dahab’s stunning underwater world.
Happy Land Hotel: This is the place where I stayed in Dahab while I climbed the mountain. The place offers very nice rooms with a fridge and kettle and good internet connection. They have a beautiful terrace at the edge of the sea with a swing where breakfast and dinner is served. You can always go snorkeling from the terrace where the staff will protect your belongings and it is very close to a colorful reef brimming with marine life.
SHARM EL SHEIKH
Serenity Lodge: This little lodge is really good value for money. The place has breathtaking sea views and it features a wide array of amenities and a private beach area. The Wifi signal is really good and every room is equipped with a desk. The hotel has a swimming pool with panoramic views.
Sinai Old Spices B&B: This cute hotel is locate in the Bedouin village of Roissat very close to the town center. The themed hotel offers cool place to stay for travelers that have rated the place as excellent. The rooms have air conditioning and a balcony. The place has a cool terrace and garden with a pool where breakfast is served.
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