From Sharm: Mount Moses Trekking, Sunrise & Monastery Visit

The mountain wakes beneath a sky full of stars. From Sharm El Sheikh, this 17-hour trip combines a demanding nighttime climb to Mount Sinai with sunrise views and a visit to one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries. I love the sunrise setting, with the desert mountains slowly appearing in the early light, and I also like the support provided by the Bedouin guides on the trail. The main drawback is the long transport day, made harder by crowded buses, late pickup details, and very little sleep.

You pay $50 per person for hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, water, an Egyptologist guide, and a Bedouin mountain guide. That is strong value if you want to visit both Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery in one trip. Still, this is not a gentle sightseeing outing. The climb is a real physical test, and the cold at the summit can catch you off guard even after a warm day in Sharm.

The essential facts before you book

• You climb Mount Sinai at night, usually for two to three hours before reaching the summit at 2,285 meters.
• The final 750 steps are rough stone steps, not a neat staircase, and are often the hardest part of the ascent.
• Sunrise may require a long wait, sometimes up to two hours, so warm clothing and a blanket matter.
• A Bedouin guide takes over for the mountain section, while the main guide generally remains with the group until base camp.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery can feel rushed, especially after a sleepless night and a long descent.
• Bring cash in small notes, a flashlight or headlamp, tissues, food, and several warm layers.

From Sharm to the foot of Mount Sinai

Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, although the exact time can arrive late. You wait at the main gate of your hotel along the highway, not at the reception desk. This detail matters, since waiting inside the hotel can mean missing the vehicle.

The first part of the evening involves collecting people from several hotels. Some departures use a minibus before transferring to a larger air-conditioned coach. The total drive to the mountain takes about four hours, though security checkpoints can extend the journey in either direction.

Transport is the least consistent part of the outing. Some departures run smoothly, while others involve long waits, smoking breaks, crowded seating, or uncomfortable folding seats in the aisle. One group had 17 people in a minibus, with two passengers standing before the transfer to a larger coach. That is not ideal for a long night journey.

I would treat the $50 price as good value, but not luxury value. You are paying for access, transport, guides, and a full day of sightseeing. You are not paying for a private vehicle, a quiet ride, or a polished hotel-style operation.

The nighttime climb to Mount Sinai

The trail begins in darkness. You will need to watch every step, especially on the steep, uneven path used by both hikers and camels. The first section is roughly 7 kilometers, and the full trip up and down is about 15 to 16 kilometers according to the practical estimates given by the guides.

The starting point is around 1,300 meters, while the summit reaches 2,285 meters. That means you gain close to 1,000 meters in height. The night air makes the climb more bearable than a hot daytime ascent, but tired legs and thin air still make it demanding.

The pace can vary. Some groups move slowly, stopping often for drinks, snacks, toilets, and rest. Other groups move faster, which can be difficult if you are not used to hiking. The Bedouin guides are generally praised for encouraging people, checking on them, and helping them reach the top safely. Guides named Amr, Ashrof, Ibrahim, Jimmy, Mohammad, Ali, and Oman have all been singled out for being friendly or helpful on different departures.

You should not expect a smooth, private walk. The trail can be crowded and noisy, and you may need to give way to camels. Camel droppings also make a flashlight essential. A phone light can work, but a proper headlamp leaves both hands free and gives you a better view of the stones.

There are basic toilets and small refreshment stops along the way. Drinks, coffee, hot tea, chocolate, and snacks are available, but they cost extra. Toilet stops may also cost a small amount, often around 5 to 20 Egyptian pounds according to the practical advice provided by past participants. Carry tissues because the facilities are very basic.

The camel option and the final 750 steps

Camels are available during the first part of the climb, up to the final 750 steps. You cannot ride a camel all the way to the summit. The steepest stone section must be completed on foot, and you also walk back down unless you arrange otherwise.

The operator does not recommend the camel option as the normal way to climb, but it can help if you have a respiratory problem or find the first section too hard. One person paid 650 Egyptian pounds for a camel after struggling several kilometers into the climb. Another account put the cost at about $25 in May, so prices can vary.

The final 750 steps are the part to take seriously. They are not uniform steps in a built staircase. They are uneven rocks and stones, with some sections steep enough to demand careful hand and foot placement. Several people who exercise regularly still found this section harder than expected because they were already tired from the night walk.

I would not book this outing if you have shortness of breath, bone pain, or limited mobility. It is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or elderly people who may struggle with a steep, rocky ascent.

Sunrise above the Sinai mountains

The reward is simple and powerful: you reach the summit before dawn and wait for the sun to appear over the surrounding peaks. Depending on the group’s pace, you may arrive well before sunrise. Some groups reach the top one and a half to two hours early so they can find a good place to sit.

This waiting period is where many people get cold. In January and February, temperatures at the summit have been reported around minus 2 degrees Celsius, with other estimates ranging from minus 5 to minus 10 degrees. Wind makes it feel colder. You can be sweating during the climb and freezing within minutes after stopping.

Pack layers rather than one heavy item. A long-sleeved shirt, fleece, down jacket, windproof jacket, hat, gloves, and wool socks make sense in winter. A blanket can also be rented near the top, with one reported price of about 200 Egyptian pounds. It is not always essential, but it makes the wait much more comfortable.

The view is broad and spare, with dark ridges turning gold and red as the sun rises. You can take photos, pray, or simply sit quietly. The religious meaning is central to the experience: Mount Sinai is traditionally identified as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. For some people, the climb feels like a small pilgrimage rather than a standard excursion.

Summer changes the balance. The cold is less severe, but the climb remains strenuous and the night drive still costs you sleep. Bring plenty of water, since the trail shops charge high prices for basic drinks and snacks.

The descent back to base camp

Going down takes about two hours, though the exact time depends on the group. The descent is easier for many people because the route is visible and the sun has warmed the rocks. It still puts pressure on knees and ankles, so hiking shoes with a firm sole are important.

This is also when tiredness catches up with you. You have spent the night in a vehicle, climbed in darkness, waited in the cold, and then walked down a rough trail. Do not expect to feel fresh at the bottom.

A breakfast box must be ordered from your hotel before departure and collected in advance. The tour includes water, but not extra drinks or personal expenses. I would carry food from Sharm as well as the hotel box, especially if you know you need a proper meal after exercise.

St. Catherine’s Monastery after the climb

After time to rest and eat, the group visits St. Catherine’s Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits in the Sinai Peninsula and remains an active Christian monastery. It is generally described as the oldest functioning Christian monastery in the world, alongside Saint Anthony’s Monastery across the Red Sea in the desert south of Cairo.

The monastery’s setting gives the visit weight. You have just climbed a mountain linked to Moses, then arrive at a sixth-century religious complex connected with Saint Catherine. The tour includes the church beside the traditional burning bush, old manuscripts in the library, icons, and a small museum collection. Some information also refers to icons excavated from the Vatican.

The monastery is not just an extra photo stop. It connects the morning’s physical effort with the religious traditions of the region. If you have energy left, it is the part that gives the day more depth.

The weakness is timing. The monastery visit can be short, and the group must leave on schedule for the return journey and security arrangements. Several people were too exhausted to go inside at all, while others felt the guide spent too long explaining details and left too little time to look around. If the monastery is a priority for you, tell your guide early that you want enough time to see the church and museum.

The monastery is closed on Sundays and on certain Christian holidays. The holiday dates can change, so check the operating calendar before you commit to a particular departure.

How the guide team affects the day

This trip uses two kinds of guides. The Egyptologist guide handles the general tour, transport, and monastery information. A Bedouin guide assists with the mountain climb after the base camp.

That division makes sense. The local mountain guide knows the trail, the stopping points, and the pace needed for a mixed group. Guides on different departures have been praised for speaking English, Russian, and Arabic, and some also helped with photos, blankets, and practical decisions such as using a camel.

Do remember that the main tour guide may not walk all the way to the summit. The Bedouin guide is the person you rely on during the climb. Stay near your assigned group, especially at night, and ask clearly if you need a slower pace or a rest.

What to pack for the 17-hour outing

Your packing list should be practical, not fancy:

• Passport
• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Comfortable clothes
• Warm layers, including a hat and gloves
• Windproof jacket
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Water and food
• Small cash in Egyptian pounds, euros, or US dollars
• Tissues for basic toilets
• Phone and portable battery if you plan to take photos

Small, undamaged notes are easiest to use. Shops and guides may accept dollars and euros, but change can be difficult. Keep your bag light because you carry it during the climb and while waiting at the summit.

Do not rely on warm weather in Sharm as a guide to summit conditions. The mountain can be bitterly cold before sunrise, even when the coast feels mild.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend this trip to a reasonably fit person who wants a demanding cultural experience rather than a relaxed day out. You do not need to be an expert mountaineer, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours and climbing uneven stone steps.

It suits people interested in religious history, desert scenery, sunrise photography, and local guiding. It also suits anyone who likes the idea of earning a view through effort. The night sky, the quiet climb, and the first light over the mountains are the parts you cannot reproduce on a bus tour.

I would choose something else if you dislike group transport, need reliable sleep, have breathing or joint problems, or want a leisurely monastery visit. The physical effort is real, and the return drive can feel very long.

Should you book the Mount Moses trek?

At $50, this is a good-value way to combine Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery from Sharm El Sheikh. The sunrise is the clear highlight, and the Bedouin guides are a strong part of the experience. The monastery adds important cultural context, even if tiredness and strict timing limit the visit.

Book it if you can handle a 15 to 16 kilometer mountain outing, a cold wait at 2,285 meters, and a 17-hour day with uncertain transport comfort. Pack more warmth, food, and cash than you think you need. If you do that, this can become one of the most memorable experiences of your time in South Sinai.

FAQ

How long does the Mount Moses and monastery tour last?

The full experience takes about 16 to 17 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Security checkpoints can make the day longer.

What time is pickup from Sharm El Sheikh?

Pickup is scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. You should wait at the main gate of your hotel along the highway, not at the reception area.

How long does the climb to Mount Sinai take?

The ascent usually takes about two to three hours, depending on the group’s pace and rest stops. You may arrive early and wait for sunrise at the summit.

How high is Mount Sinai?

The summit reaches approximately 2,285 meters.

Do I have to climb all the way on foot?

Camels may be available during the first section of the ascent, but the final 750 steps must be climbed on foot. The activity provider does not recommend relying on a camel.

What is the temperature at the summit?

The summit can be very cold and windy before sunrise. Reported winter temperatures include about minus 2 degrees Celsius, with some estimates between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees.

Is breakfast included?

A breakfast box is not supplied by the activity itself. You must pre-order one from your hotel and collect it before departure.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

Live guides are available in English, Russian, and Arabic.

Can I visit St. Catherine’s Monastery every day?

The monastery is closed on Sundays and on certain Christian holidays. Check the opening dates before booking, since holiday dates can vary.