The Sinai High Mountain Region around the town of St Catherine is a fantastic yet little-known trekking destination. Egypt’s highest peak, Mt. Katherine, is located here, along with many other impressive mountains offering spectacular views. In the wadis, visitors can find water pools and cascades, canyons, historic ruins, and hundreds of lush Bedouin orchards. The high mountains extend all the way to the coastal plain in the west and south, with two of the most impressive peaks, Jebel Umm Shaumar and Jebel Serbal, located on the outer edge of the range. Treks start from the town of St Catherine, and most can be organised on short notice, along with transport if needed, although advance booking is recommended.
Camels are often needed to carry bags, food, and water, although it is possible to do most treks without camels by carrying all your gear and supplies yourself. You can reduce the amount that needs to be carried – and help the environment – by avoiding bottled water and relying on local water sources instead. This is generally safe, but if in doubt, use water purification tablets or boil the water. Treks are all-inclusive, meaning that a guide, camels (if needed), all food, hot drinks, water, mattresses, and blankets are provided.
The following hikes and treks are some of the most popular routes, but we can tailor any program to suit your requirements. You can also combine a mountain hike with a walking or camel safari in the desert to experience a bit of both worlds. Treks to more remote sites can be organised on request.
1-Day Hikes
Ideal for visitors with limited time, these routes explore some of the most beautiful parts of the Sinai High Mountain Region in a single day. They range from easy valley walks to more demanding mountain hikes with spectacular views.
- Hidden Mount Sinai
The secrets of the hidden basins - The Low Wadis
Wadi Tala and Wadi Itlah - The High Wadis
The Wadi Shaq and Wadi Zawatin areas - The High Wadis & Jebel Abbas Basha
The Wadi Zawatin area and Jebel Abbas Basha
2-Day Hikes / Treks
Two-day routes allow you to venture deeper into the mountains and experience a night in a Bedouin garden or under the stars. They combine some of the region’s most scenic wadis, mountain viewpoints, and historic sites.
- Hidden Mount Sinai
The secrets of the hidden basins and the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs - Connecting Low and High Wadis
Wadi Tala and Sid Daud – Wadi Zawatin area – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Shaq - Wadi Tinya Circuit (1)
The Wadi Shaq and Wadi Zawatin area – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Tinya and Wadi Sagar – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya and Ubigiya - Mt Katherine, Egypt’s Highest Peak
Wadi Shaq – Mount Katherine – Wadi Fara
3-Day Treks
Three days provide enough time to explore areas beyond the most commonly visited routes. These treks combine dramatic mountain scenery, remote valleys, Bedouin orchards, and some of the finest viewpoints in the region.
- Wadi Tinya Circuit (2)
The Wadi Shaq and Wadi Zawatin area – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Tinya and Wadi Sagar – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Itlah and Wadi Tala - Galt el Azraq Circuit (1)
Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya and Ubigiya - Jebel Abbas Basha & Bab el Donya
The Wadi Shaq and Wadi Zawatin area – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Bulia – Ras Abu Alda and Bab el Donya – Farsh Rummana – return via Wadi Jibal and Wadi Zawatin
4-Day Treks
These longer treks offer a more complete experience of the Sinai high mountains, linking together several distinct landscapes and allowing time to appreciate both the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of the area.
- Galt el Azraq Circuit (2)
Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Jebel Naja – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Itlah and Wadi Tala - Mt Katherine, Jebel Abbas Basha & Bab el Donya
Wadi Fara – Mt Katherine – the Wadi Shaq and Wadi Zawatin area – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Bulia – Ras Abu Alda and Bab el Donya – Farsh Rummana – return via Wadi Jibal and Wadi Zawatin
5-Day Treks
Five days in the mountains allows for a true wilderness experience. These routes cover a wide variety of terrain, from high plateaus and mountain passes to remote wadis, Bedouin gardens, and some of the most spectacular locations in the region.
- Galt el Azraq Circuit with Bab el Donya
Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Bulia – Ras Abu Alda & Bab el Donya – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Jebel Naja – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Itlah and Wadi Tala - Galt el Azraq Circuit and Sheikh Awad
Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Jebel Naja – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Jinab or Naqb el Hawa – El Karm Eclodge, Sheikh Awad
1-Week Trek
A full week in the mountains provides an in-depth exploration of the Sinai High Mountain Region. Combining famous landmarks with lesser-known corners of the range, these treks offer an excellent balance of scenery, history, and Bedouin culture.
- Galt el Azraq Circuit with Mt Katherine & Bab el Donya
Wadi Fara – Mt Katherine – Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Bulia – Ras Abu Alda & Bab el Donya – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Jebel Naja – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Jinab or Naqb el Hawa – El Karm Eclodge, Sheikh Awad
10-Day Trek
This is the ultimate Sinai high mountain experience. Covering much of the region’s most impressive scenery, it includes major peaks, dramatic wadis, remote plateaus, historic sites, Bedouin gardens, and some of the most beautiful waterpools and waterfalls in the Sinai Peninsula.
- Galt el Azraq & Sheikh Awad Circuits – The Complete Trek
Wadi Fara – Mt Katherine – Wadi Zawatin – Jebel Abbas Basha – Wadi Bulia – Ras Abu Alda & Bab el Donya – Farsh Rummana – Galt el Azraq – Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagar – Jebel Naja – Kharazet el Shaq – Wadi Shaq Tinya – Wadi Jinab or Naqb el Hawa – El Karm Eclodge, Sheikh Awad – Sid al Nogra – Jebel Banat – Wadi Freah
ACTIVITIES: Water Sports > Around Town > Mount Sinai Hike > Christian Sites > Hiking & Trekking > Walking & Camel Safaris > 4×4 Desert Safaris > Rock Climbing > Body, Mind & Spirit