 |
| |
| Main places: 1. Town of St. Katherine; 2. Blue Desert; 3. Ein Kid; 4. Gebel Thabt – Gebel Sabbah; 5. Nabq;
6. Sharm el Sheikh; 7. Gebel Umm Shaumar; 8. Wadi Isla; 9. El Tur city. |
| |
| West and south-west from St. Katherine is the homeland of the Ulad Said tribe, while to the
south it is Muzeina territory. Not many operators offer treks in this region, and your best choice
is to find one in the town of St. Katherine. Alternatively you can try to find an independent
guide in town. This is one of the
least visited, most remote and untouched wilderness in South Sinai, with rugged peaks and
long winding rocky wadis. There are some smaller sandy-gravely plains, a few water sources
and one oasis, but the majority of the area is made of granite and volcanic ranges, a complex
system of long wadis and high passes. The major attractions are far apart and whichever way
you go, it will take you a day or two between major sights. Still, there are some unique places;
first, it offers a rare view on contemporary Bedouin life, as people here are by and large not in
contact with tourists; then there are many archeological sites from Nabatean and Byzantine
times including the monasteries of Rumhan and Antush; the oasis of Ein Kid is still very much
like what an oasis used to be; from the peaks of Umm Shaumar, Thabt or Sabbah you will
have a view on to the Gulf of Aqaba comparable only by Gebel Serbal at Wadi Feiran in the
north-west; and the traditional pilgrim and merchant route through Wadi Isla, with a running
creek at a narrow part, offers a dramatic ending as it opens up to the sandy plains at el Tur
city. Going south, it is difficult to finish the trek exactly at Sharm el Sheikh city; the best option
is to end the trek in Nabq protectorate, located just north of Sharm el Sheikh. From here you
can actually walk in to the northern suburbs of the city. However, to get to Nabq from the
interior means going through very long wadis towards the end - which ever way you choose -
so a prearranged or spontaneous 4x4 or pick-up transfer is advised unless you are very
serious about doing it all on foot. |
|
|
Blue Valley (Blue Desert)
An open desert plain, encircled by
rugged mountain ranges, made famous
by having several outcrops and rock
formations painted blue by Belgian
artist Jean Verame to commemorate
the peace agreement between Egypt
and Israel. |
|
|
Seil Rotok – Wadi Rahaba – Wadi Nasb
Wadi Rahaba is a wide sandy plain with
hills and Byzantine ruins, enclosed by
long mountain ranges. Seil Rotok
connects Mt. Katharina to the area,
from where there are paths to different
directions. There are several ruined
nawamis buildings around Wadi Nasb. |
|
|
Ein Kid
The open and wide upper part of Wadi
Kid closes up at one point, the wadi
continuing through a narrow gap and
over boulders blocking the way. The
beautiful little oasis of Ein Kid with its
many date palms is located there. It is
rarely visited, quiet and pleasantly
undeveloped. The long lower part of the
wadi, leading to the main road, is
accessible by vehicles. |
|
|
Ein Umm Saida – Gebel Thabt – Gebel Sabbah
The area, wedged between the Gulf of
Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba at the tip of
the peninsula, is a really remote,
untouched and harsh region, with
rugged mountains offering magnificent
views. The long wadis to the south lead
to the main road shortly before Sharm el
Sheikh, and continue across it into the
Nabq Protectorate. |
|
|
Nabq Protectorate
One of the biggest protected area in
South Sinai, starting from the waters in
front of Dahab and stretching to Sharm
el Sheikh. The southern end is a wide
sandy flood plain at the foot of the
mountains, with a unique ecosystem.
This is the northernmost point where
mangrove groves exist, along shallow
lagoons and a coral reef. |
|
|
Wadi Rumhan – Deir Rumhan – Deir Antush
The ruined Byzantine monasteries of
Rumhan and Antush are important
archeological sites, at the foot of mighty
Gebel Umm Shaumar. Wadi Rumhan,
with its gardens and water sources, is a
convenient overnight stop in the area. |
|
|
Gebel Umm Shaumar
The second highest mountain in Egypt,
standing on the perimeter of the rugged
mountainous interior, with long wadis
and smaller ranges running towards the
sandy plain and the coast at El Tur city.
In clear weather you can see across the
Gulf of Suez to mountain ranges in
another continent - Africa. |
|
|
Seil Muajed – Wadi Isla
Seil Muajed is a long, steep and in
places a tricky gully leading from the
Umm Shaumar range to the lower-lying
Wadi Isla. The long and winding Wadi
Isla becomes narrow and lush towards
the end, with many date palms, canes,
trees and a creek disappearing through
a famous precipitous gorge. The sight of
the plain from the very end is also very
dramatic. |
|
| |
|
|
