The Sinai Peninsula is a triangle of land that separates the Gulf of Suez from the Gulf of Aqaba. Its crystal clear waters are home to some of the richest coral reefs in the world, and a haven for divers. The Sinai comprised mostly of barren desert mountains, and is home to a rich variety of birds and wildlife, as well as local Bedouins who still live simple lives in the heart of the desert, with their traditional customs mostly intact. The region has a rich Biblical heritage from the time of Moses, and dozens of local Bedouin legends recall the stories of the Old Testament and offer clues as to the possible locations of key Exodus encampments. Lawrence of Arabia once trekked through the Sinai mountains. A desert safari is a true highlight of any visit to the Sinai.

KEY ATTRACTIONS IN THE SINAI

St. Catherine’s Monastery & Mount Moses
At the foothills of Mount Moses, St Catherine’s Monastery was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565AD, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world. According to the oldest monastic tradition, this chapel sits atop the roots of the same Biblical bush that burned when God spoke to Moses for the first time. The reputed bush itself is a rare species of the rose family called Rubus Sanctus. This species is endemic to Sinai and extremely long-lived, a fact that lends scientific credence to the site. Mount Moses itself can be climbed from St. Catherine’s to the summit, partly accessible to camels but the last section, comprised of more than 700 stone steps needs to be climbed on foot. An
overnight climb to watch the sun rise from the summit is a truly exhilarating experience.

Diving & Snorkelling
The Sinai is home to an extensive range of dive sites, with literally scores of spectacular dives to be made. The coastline is home to not only an abundance of reef life but also hundreds of wrecks, including the famed WWII army boat, the Thistlegorm. One of the most beautiful of all dive sites is the area of Ras Mohamed National Park, where Manta Rays, sharks and turtles can sometimes be seen.

Half day tours around Sharm El Sheik:
4X4 Desert safari
4X4 Desert safari—Wadi Khansour & Wadi Kit
4X4 Desert safari—Wadi Gonay & Wadi Khoeris
Glass bottom boat ride & water activities & golfing

Hurgada & The Red Sea Coast
The Red Sea coast on the eastern side of Egypt offers the country’s second superb beach destination in addition to the Sinai. Hermits seeking seclusion founded early Christian monasteries here, sharing the wilderness with camel-trading Bedouin tribes.

One of the main advantages of this coastal region over the Sinai is its proximity to the Nile – just 3 hours’ drive from Luxor.