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| Main places: 1. Ein Umm Ahmad; 2. Gebel Berqa; 3. Rainbow Canyon; 4. Colored Canyon; 5. Washwashi
Canyon; 6. Nuweiba; 7. Coastal road to Taba; 8. St. Katherine-Dahab junction. |
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| The area, home mostly to the Tarabin tribe, is famous for its canyons which are all located
relatively close to main asphalt roads. The Colored Canyon is visited by bigger numbers on
day trips on 4x4s, but there are other canyons in the very same area, connected by walking
trails, where not many venture. If you only visit the Colored Canyon you have to take a guide
from Ein Furtaga. It is easy to organize a longer trek of a few days to explore the area; the
best choice would be in Nuweiba or from the camps north of it. The more remote Tarabin
areas such as the oasis of Ein Umm Ahmad, the sand dunes at El Breqa and the towering
dome of Gebel Berqa are connected to other beautiful regions. The main wadi, Wadi Zalaqa,
is part of the sandy belt below the Tih Plateau jutting in from the north, and is on the main 4x4
route between the east and west coast. Camel and walking safaris might include places along
this stretch, but the most beautiful country is in the middle, connecting the Ein Khudra area or
the Guna plateau in the south and the Tarabin canyons in the north. This area is mostly
accessible only on foot or camel. If you are coming either from St. Katherine and the
mountainous interior or from the camel stations in the south, you can reach the relaxed
beaches on the Nuweiba to Taba road along an interesting and diverse route. Alternatively,
you can start from the Nuweiba beaches and head down south and finish at Ras Abu Galum,
Dahab or further. |
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Ein Umm Ahmad
One of the main Tarabin oases in South
Sinai, in the sand belt running from
coast to coast under the Tih plateau
along a main dirt road. There are many
date palms and several plantations and
the place has a remote, wild frontier
feel. There are many nawamis in the
area and on foot or camel the oasis is
connected to a number of beautiful
locations. |
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Gebel Barqa (Gebel Berqa)
An impressive round sandstone
mountain rising from the sandy plains
and lower hills. Its peak is visible from as
far as Ras Ghazala. The way to the top
starts in one of the narrow canyons at its
base, but the climb is difficult and
dangerous towards the end. The views
from the saddle at the top of the
canyon, which can be reached easily,
also offer nice views to two directions. |
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Rainbow Canyon
A colorful canyon, with its entrance
starting in a secluded sandy basin
encircled by jagged rock faces. Bier
Biyariya, a well with date palms, is close
by across high passes and a sandy
wadi. |
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Colored Canyon – Closed Canyon
The Colored Canyon is the best known
of all the canyons in the Sinai. It runs
between steep walls displaying a
palette of incredible colors and rock
formations, starting off from a plateau
and ending at a sandy wadi. Running
parallel to it is another sandy wadi, from
which the Closed Canyon starts. |
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Moyat el Milha – Washwashi Canyon – Ras Shaitan
Date palms grow at the foot of a vertical
rock face at Moyat el Milha. There are
sandy basins and narrow wadis in the
area, and, from the pass of Naqb El
Kohla, the sea can be seen. Washwashi
Canyon, short but adventurous, is at the
upper end of a wadi leading straight to
the laid-back beaches of the Ras
Shaitan area. |
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