# Discover Sinai > Discover a land of unexpected diversity and beauty! ## Pages - [4x4 Safari Circuits](https://discoversinai.net/4x4-safari-circuits): Often called Jeep Safaris or Off-Road Safaris, the 4×4 safaris are usually done with Toyota Landcruisers and Jeeps, although you find every other car make. Most visitors embark on fully organised safaris, that is driver, guide, food, drinks and accommodation are included. Still, the guidebook comes handy – programmes offered by commercial operators and local guides follow more or less the same routes. It is possible to organise an off-road venture independently and even with your own car, if you live in Cairo or other city and have one – but you still need a support car with a Bedouin guide, or a Bedouin guide who you take on board, if you go off the main asphalt roads. 4×4 safaris involve little walks as many sights can only be reached on foot, but that always comes as a bit of a relief after hours spent bouncing in a metal box. Main places and attractions in South Sinai accessible by vehicle Click on location name to see further information and photos. 1. Sharm el Sheikh; 2. Ras Mohamed National Park; 3. El Tur; 4. Abu Zenima; 5. Hamam Faraun; 6. Wadi Gharandal; 7. Wadi Mukattab and Wadi Maghara; 8. Serabit el Khadim; 9. Jebel Hmeyer; 10. Forest of Pillars (Jebel Fuqa); 11. Jebel Dalal; 12. Wadi Feiran; 13. Sheikh Awad; 14. St. Katherine and Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa); 15. Blue Desert; 16. Wadi Zalaqa; 17. Jebel Berqa and El Breqa; 18. Ein Umm Ahmed; 19. Wadi Watir; 20. Coloured Canyon; 21. Ein Khudra oasis and White Canyon; 22. Nawamis site; 23. Jebel Barqa (Jebel Makharum) and Haduda sand dune; 24. Arada Canyon; 25. Jebel Mileihis; 26. Nuweiba; 27. Abu Galum Protectorate; 28. Dahab; 29. Ein Kid; 30. Nabq Protectorate. Suggested off-road 4×4 circuits in the Sinai Circuit 1: The big tour – coast, desert and St. Katherine (14 days) This circuit visits all the major sites accessible on- or off-road. We start in Sharm el Sheikh, but it is also convenient coming from Cairo via Ras Sudr and starting at Abu Zenima, leaving our first day for last. Circuit 2: The desert tour with St. Katherine (9 days)  This circuit leaves out the coast but visits all the major sites in the interior. Circuit 3: The best of the desert plus St. Katherine (7 days) This circuit visits all the major sites in the desert between Nuweiba, Dahab and St. Katherine. Circuit 4: The desert highlights (3-4 days) This short circuit visits the highlights in the desert between Nuweiba, Dahab and St. Katherine. The Sinai | Attractions | Trekking & Camel Routes | 4×4 Safari Circuits | Gardens | Publications - [Publications](https://discoversinai.net/publications): Discover Sinai: A guide to the natural, cultural and historical faces of South Sinai  by Zoltan Matrahazi, Francis Gilbert, et al 2009 “This is the most complete catalogue of attractions available about the region, with descriptions, almost 400 color photos, over 60 maps and relevant information so you can plan a trip and discover Sinai for yourself. There is also a comprehensive section on flora and fauna, as well as a dictionary based on the local dialect.” • Download full guide FREE(discoversinai.pdf 12.9 MB)complete version: places of interest, Fauna and Flora, dictionary • Download dictionary only FREE(dictionary.pdf 0.29 MB)black-and-white, easy and cheap to print/photocopy Sinai Trekking And Safari: the complete route guide with GPS waypoints by Zoltan Matrahazi 2013, 2016 Whether planning a tour on foot, camel back or by 4×4, you have all the essential information with over 100 maps, PLUS you can download all the GPS waypoints or view the routes – with photos – in Google Earth and Google Maps. The guide also contains other vital information; notes on culture, history and nature; illustrations; a catalogue of places of interest; and a part with a comprehensive list of useful Arabic words and expressions for trekkers. Bedouin Life in Sinai, Egypt: traditions, modernity and ecotourism by Zoltan Matrahazi 2019 The book presents an overall picture of the ancient customs of the Bedouin people of the Middle East but mainly focuses on the contemporary life of the tribes of South Sinai, Egypt, of which tourism is an important part. It also looks at development in Sinai and the efforts to make it sustainable, as well as how the Bedouin fit – and could fit – in it. The book also has a personal aspect, as the author had lived the larger part of a decade with the Bedouin in St. Catherine and worked, or was involved in other ways, with several projects during the years between 2005 and 2016. The book contains over 150 photos (black-and-white), most taken in this period, but also some rare historic ones. They give the topics a visual dimension and pay tribute to the people of Sinai. The Sinai Bedouin: a photographic journey by Zoltan Matrahazi 2011 The Sinai is a barren and inhospitable – but very diverse and stunningly beautiful – desert wilderness inhabited by nomadic Arab tribes, the Bedouin. Most of them are from the Arabian Peninsula originally, arriving in several waves before and after the Arab conquest. The Bedouin are now at a crossroad. This little ebook shows glimpses of their life and natural environment through 40 images.  A walk in Sinai: St. Katherine to Al Galt Al-Azraq by Zalat S. & Gilbert F. 1998 Probably the the first trekking guide to the Sinai as such, this lovely book describes a popular circuit to some of the highlights of the High Mountain Region. There is also an imformative section about the flora and fauna of Sinai. Gardens in a sacred landscape: Bedouin heritage and natural history in the high mountains of Sinai by Zalat S. & Gilbert F.Illustrated by Ahmed Gheith 2008 This beautifully illustrated book describes the unique environment and the natural history of St. Katherine in Sinai from the perspective of its inhabitants—the Gabaliya Bedouin. This book introduces—from their own observations—the gardens and the unique culture and heritage of the Gabaliya, the vegetables and fruits they grow, and the mammals, birds, lizards, and insects associated with their gardens and environment in this remarkable landscape. The book is fully illustrated with photographs and watercolor paintings. Wandering through Wadis: A nature-lover’s guide to the flora of South Sinai by Bernadette Simpson 2013 A field guide to the plants growing in the mountain wadis and coastal plains of South Sinai. Perfect for the nature-lover or hobbyist interested in identifying the various plants encountered while trekking, hiking, or camel riding in the Sinai desert. For each of the 104 plants in the directory, you will find the Common English and Arabic names, general description and information, photographs, and practical and traditional Bedouin uses. Eight Years Wandering In The High Mountains Of Sinai Peninsula: A Tale Of Two Maps by Ahmed Shams 2011 This book is the first complete geo-based account about the High Mountains of Sinai Peninsula.A series of seventeen expeditions (Phase I: 2000-2008) were conducted to study the geography and human occupation development, providing exclusive highly detailed maps. Since March 2010 (Phase II: 2010-2013), the study is undergoing an extensive analysis/modeling process, supervised/sponsored by IMT Institute for Advanced Studies; scientifically cooperating with the European Research Academy ‘EURAC’, towards a global perspective.It is a multidisciplinary geographical account which focuses on a local Bedouin community which inhabits a transitional mountain area of a rich and complex context, reflecting the socioeconomic and geopolitical paradoxes of the Middle East, the decade prior the revolutions of the Arab Spring. It presents a complete image for the local aspects in a keystone Arab state; a state of a significant share: ‘the Egyptian National Reforms Revolution of January 25, 2011 CE’. • Available from Amazon.com Mount Sinai by Joseph J. Hobbs 1995 This study of the Egyptian mountain widely believed to be Mount Sinai examines its geographical features, sacred sites, and the effects of rising tourism. Hobbs describes all Christian and Muslim sacred sites around the mountain. He also views Mount Sinai from the perspectives of the Jabaliya Bedouins and the monks of the St. Katherine Monastery, both of whom have inhabited in the region for centuries. He concludes his account with the international debate over whether to build a cable car on Mount Sinai and with an unflinching description of the negative impact of tourism on the delicate desert environment. His book raises important, troubling questions for everyone concerned about the fate of the earth’s wild and sacred places. • Available from Amazon.com A Culture of Desert Survival: Bedouin Proverbs from Sinai and the Negev by Clinton Bailey 2004 Gathered over 30 years by author Bailey (Bedoin Poetry), these one-line adages reflect the communal knowledge accumulated by Bedouins over centuries of nomadic living. From camel care to the art of hospitality, the proverbs were screened for their authenticity; Bailey omitted any that appear to come from non-Bedouin (i.e. sedentary Arabs) sources, including those whose logic goes contrary to desert life. The proverbs are translated by Bailey from the Arabic and are accompanied by illuminating explanations on their meaning, context and usage. • Available from Amazon.com The Sinai | Attractions | Trekking & Camel Routes | 4×4 Safari Circuits | Gardens | Publications - [Trekking & Camel Routes](https://discoversinai.net/trekking-and-camel-routes): Trekking and camel safari routes, to a large extent, are the same, with the High Mountain Region an exception where no camel safaris are organised. People when trekking in remote areas, while they do not ride a camel, might still need one (or more) to carry equipment, supplies and water. On longer routes you might also consider an extra camel as a back-up to ride when you get tired. On the other hand camel riding safaris usually involve little walks, as camels cannot reach certain attractions or use certain routes, but usually participants like to have some breaks from the monotony of the camel ride anyhow. Trekking and safari regions in South Sinai The trekking and safari regions in the Sinai are very much defined by tribal lines, but there are also geographical differences, with the most notable example being the very unique High Mountain Region. Strictly speaking the High Mountain Region is the area around the town of St. Katherine, but in a broader sense it is the whole south-western tip of the peninsula, from Jebel Serbal to Ein Kid and almost as far south as Sharm el Sheikh. In this guide South Sinai is divided into six trekking regions. Obviously the High Mountain Region is one of them, but there are other clearly definable areas where sights are concentrated, around or near towns or settlements convenient to organise a trek to that region. These regions also correspond to actual tribal territories to a large extent. Although many Bedouin guides prefer to stay on home turf, there are excellent Bedouin guides from all the tribes who do organise treks across different tribal regions.  Treks marked with * are easy-moderate; treks marked with c are suitable for camel riding. All treks can be done in combination with other treks or alone. I. Around St. Katherine (High Mountain Region)The High Mountain Region, with rugged peaks, granite basins, water pools, hundreds of beautiful Bedouin gardens, Greek Orthodox monasteries and Byzantine ruins. The highlights include Mt. Sinai, Mt. Katharina, the ruined palace of Abbas Pasha, the water pools of Galt el Azraq and Kharazet el Shaq, the eco-lodges at Sheikh Awad and Mt. Sinai. The region is home to the Jabaleya tribe. Trek 1: Mt.Sinai­ (Jebel Musa) and Jebel Safsafa (1 day)Trek 2: Mt.Katharina (1-2 days)Trek 3: The Wadi Shaq – Wadi Zawatin area (1-2 days) *Trek 4: Jebel Abbas Basha via Farsh Abu Mahashur (1 day)Trek 5: The Galt el Azraq circuit (3-5 days)Trek 6: The Wadi Tinya circuit (1-3 days) *Trek 7: The Sheikh Awad circuit (3-4 days) c II. South of St. KatherineRarely visited remote area, noted mostly for Jebel Umm Shaumar. Treks are organised through the Ulad Said tribe who live near St. Katherine and to the west, although the east and far south, including the cute little oasis of Ein Kid, is Muzeina land. Jebel Thabt and Jebel Sabbah are also impressive mountains, further off the beaten path.  Trek 8: Starting from St. Katherine or Mt.Katharina (1-2 days) cTrek 9: Jebel Umm Shaumar (1-2 days)Trek 10: From Wadi Rumhan to El Tur (2-3 days) cTrek 11: Ein Kid (1-2 days) cTrek 12: Nabq Protectorate and Sharm el Sheikh c III. Between St. Katherine, Dahab and NuweibaBeautiful open sand desert with sandstone ranges and rock formations, oases, canyons: it is one of the most attraction-packed regions, as much as the High Mountain Region. The highlights include Arada Canyon, the Guna Plateau, the Nawamis Site, Jebel Barqa, Haduda sand dune, Ein Khudra oasis, the White Canyon and Jebel Mileihis. The region is home to the Muzeina tribe. Trek 13: From Blue Desert to Ras el Guna or Bier Safra (2-3 days) cTrek 14: Along the Guna Plateau (3-4 days) cTrek 15: Arada Canyon and Nosrat el Guna (2 days) *Trek 16: The Nawamis Site, Jebel Barqa and Haduda Sand Dune (3-4 days) * cTrek 17: White Canyon and Ein Khudra (1-2 days) * cTrek 18: Wadi Rum and Closed Canyon (1-2 days) * cTrek 19: Jebel Mileihis (1-2 days) * cTrek 20: Nuweiba, Abu Galum Protectorate and Dahab c IV. Inland from the Nuweiba-Taba coastNoted mostly for the Coloured Canyon, a day’s walk from the coast, the more remote areas offer beautiful desert scenery, including the sand dune of El Breqa, long and wide Wadi Zalaqa dotted with Nawamis buildings and the impressive Jebel Berqa. The region is home to the Tarabin tribe. Trek 21: Coloured Canyon from Ras Shaitan (1-2 days) * cTrek 22: From Coloured Canyon to Ein Khudra or the Nawamis area (3-5 days) c V. Around Serabit el KhadimNoted mostly for the Pharaonic ruins at Serabit el Khadim, located in a remote area inland from the coastal town of Abu Zenima, this region features the biggest sandy plain in South Sinai, running under the Tih Plateau. The highlights include the turquoise mines at Wadi Maghara, Wadi Mukattab (the Valley of the Inscriptions), the Forest of Pillars and Jebel Dalal. Several tribes live in the region, of which a big part belongs to the Aliqat. Trek 23: From Serabit el Khadim to Wadi Mukattab (2-3 days) * cTrek 24: Below the Tih Plateau (4-7 days) c VI. Around Wadi FeiranThe area has a religious significance and there is an Orthodox Convent and many ruins, but for trekkers Jebel Serbal is the main attraction. Several tribes live in the region, Jebel Serbal is Qararsha land. Trek 25: Jebel Serbal (2-3 days)Trek 26: From Wadi Feiran to Sheikh Awad (1-2 days) c The Sinai | Attractions | Trekking & Camel Routes | 4×4 Safari Circuits | Gardens | Publications - [Samples & TOC](https://discoversinai.net/samples-toc): Maps and illustrations Over 100 maps and illustrations, by the author, are featured in the guidebook – below are the new additions in the 2nd edition.   Table of contents Treks marked with * are easy-moderate; treks marked with c are suitable for camel riding. Preface to the 2nd edition ……….6Introduction ……….7Information for visitors ……….8Safety and security ……….10The Bedouin ……….12Camels ……….15Geographical features and their local names ……….18Fauna and flora ……….22Common aromatic and medicinal herbs ……….23Maps, GPS waypoints and viewing the routes on computer ……….24Responsible tourism ……….26PART 1: TREKKING AND CAMEL SAFARIS ……….27The trekking and safari regions ……….32Region I: Around St. Katherine (High Mountain Region) ……….34Trek 1: Mt. Sinai¬ (Jebel Musa) and Jebel Safsafa (1 day) ……….37Trek 2: Mt. Katharina (1-2 days) ……….47Trek 3: The Wadi Shaq – Wadi Zawatin area (1-2 days) * ……….55Trek 4: Jebel Abbas Basha via Farsh Abu Mahashur (1 day) ……….64Trek 5: The Galt el Azraq circuit (3-5 days) ……….67Trek 6: The Wadi Tinya circuit (1-3 days) * ……….72Trek 7: The Sheikh Awad circuit (3-4 days) c ……….80Region II: South of St. Katherine ……….86Trek 8: Starting from St. Katherine or Mt. Katharina (1-2 days) c ……….87Trek 9: Jebel Umm Shaumar (1-2 days) ……….90Trek 10: From Wadi Rumhan to El Tur (2-3 days) c ……….93Trek 11: Ein Kid (1-2 days) c ……….94Trek 12: Nabq Protectorate and Sharm el Sheikh c ……….97Region III: Between St. Katherine, Dahab and Nuweiba ……….98Trek 13: From Blue Desert to Jebel Guna or Bier Safra (2-3 days) c ……….100Trek 14: Along the Guna Plateau (3-4 days) c ……….104Trek 15: Arada Canyon and Nosrat el Guna (2-3 days) * ……….107Trek 16: Nawamis Site, Jebel Matamir, Jebel Barqa and Haduda sand dune(3-4 days) * c ……….109Trek 17: White Canyon and Ein Khudra (1-2 days) * c ……….114Trek 18: Closed Canyon via Wadi Rum (1-2 days) * c ……….118Trek 19: Jebel Mileihis (1-2 days) * c ……….121Trek 20: Nuweiba, Abu Galum Protectorate and Dahab c ……….123Region IV: Inland from the Nuweiba-Taba coast ……….126Trek 21: Coloured Canyon from Ras Shaitan (1-2 days) * c ……….128Trek 22: From the Coloured Canyon to Ein Khudra or the Nawamis area viaJebel Berqa (3-5 days) c ……….131Region V: Around Serabit el Khadim ……….138Trek 23: From Serabit el Khadim to Wadi Mukattab (2-3 days) * c ……….140Trek 24: Along the Tih Plateau (4-7 days) c ……….144Region VI: Around Wadi Feiran ……….150Trek 25: Jebel Serbal (2-3 days) ……….152Trek 26: From Wadi Feiran to Sheikh Awad (1-2 days) c ……….156PART 2: 4×4 SAFARIS ……….157Places of interest accessible on and off road ……….160Circuit 1: The big tour – coast, desert and St. Katherine (14 days) ……….161Circuit 2: The desert tour with St. Katherine (9 days) ……….165Circuit 3: The best of the desert with St. Katherine (7 days) ……….168Circuit 4: The desert highlights (4 days) ……….171PART 3: CATALOGUE OF MAIN PLACES OF INTEREST ……….173PART 4: USEFUL ARABIC WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS ……….223APPENDIX A: GPS waypoints of trekking routes ……….235APPENDIX B: GPS waypoints of 4×4 circuits ……….240Index of places, references, credits, further reading ……….247 - [Attractions](https://discoversinai.net/attractions): Whole Sinai is desert, and one of the driest in the world at that, but you could divide it to ‘mountains’ and ‘desert’. The High Mountain Region, technically called a ‘high altitude desert ecosystem’, is wetter than and very different from the rest of the peninsula. Strictly speaking it is around the town of St Katherine in the centre, but in a broader sense the whole south-western tip of the peninsula is considered to be part of the high mountains. Desert landscapes, as most people imagine desert, are found in the sandy belt that stretches across the peninsula virtually from coast to coast, north of the mountainous tip and south of the Tih and the Guna Plateaus.  The main attractions in South Sinai on the map Click on the location names to see more information and photos in the Sinai Photo Archive. The page will open in a new window. Cities, towns, settlements: 1. Sharm el Sheikh; 2. Dahab; 3. Nuweiba; 4. Taba; 5. St. Katherine; 6. Sheikh Awad; 7. Wadi Feiran; 8. El Tur; 9. Abu Zenima; 10. Serabit el Khadim; 11. Ras Sudr. Main attractions: 12. Monastery of St. Katherine and Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa); 13. Mt. Katharina; 14. Jebel Abbas Basha; 15. Bab el Donya; 16. Galt el Azraq; 17. Kharazet el Shaq; 18. Jebel Naja; 19. Sid al Nogra; 20. Jebel Banat; 21. Ras Mohamed National Park; 22. Nabq Protectorate; 23. Abu Galum Protectorate; 24. Ein Kid; 25. Wadi Isla; 26. Jebel Umm Shaumar; 27. Blue Desert; 28. Jebel Guna; 29. Arada Canyon; 30. Nawamis Site; 31. Jebel Matamir; 32. Jebel Barqa (Jebel Makharum) and Haduda Sand Dune; 33. Ein Khudra Oasis and White Canyon; 34. Closed Canyon; 35. Jebel Mileihis; 36. Jebel Berqa and El Breqa; 37. Wadi Watir; 38. Coloured Canyon; 39. Wishwashi Canyon; 40. Rainbow Canyon; 41. Ein Umm Ahmed; 42. Wadi Zalaqa; 43. Jebel Dalal; 44. Forest of Pillars (Jebel Fuqa) and Jebel Raqaba; 45. Jebel Hmeyer; 46. Serabit el Khadim; 47. Wadi Gharandal; 48. Hamam Faraun; 49. Wadi Mukattab and Wadi Maghara; 50. Jebel Serbal. The main areas of interest (Click on links to jump to the desired place.) St. Katherine and Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa) The town of Saint Katherine is famous for the Monastery of St. Katherine and Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa), and these two sites are what most visitors see. However, there is much more in the area right around town, and even on the Mt. Sinai range itself. You can see the main attractions below. Monastery of Saint Katherine: The Monastery of St. Katherine is the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the World and its library has the largest religious collection after the Vatican. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, although there was already a church at the site of the Burning Bush erected by the Empress Helena in 330 AD. Byzantine Orthodox monasticism has even earlier roots, and the area is sacred to all three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Visitor Centre: Located at the roundabout before town, the Visitors Centre offers excellent displays on the Protectorate, natural history, archaeology, Bedouins and the Monastery. It is supposed to be open the same hours as the Monastery, but if you find it closed, you might ask for the caretaker in the little settlement of Kharazin just across the road. Golden Calf: Not far from the Visitor Centre in Wadi el Deir, at the base of the towering Jebel Safsafa, you can see a rock formation what locals believe is the mould which was used to make the Golden Calf. The area, including the Visitor Centre, is called Nabi Harun, after Aaron who Muslims consider to be a prophet. There are a little chapel and mosque on a hill dedicated to Aaron/Harun. Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa): Mt. Sinai is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims as a holy place, where a covenant between God and His people was established. Apart from the Old Testament it is alsomentioned in the Quran. Although its exact location has been disputed, for most people it is not the mountain but the message which is important. It is one of the highest mountains around town, and it’s described in more detail in the high mountains section. Wadi Arbain: Wadi el Arbain provides an alternative to head for Mt. Sinai from the town of St. Katherine, and is also on the route to Mt. Katharina, Egypt’s highest peak. It is also home to the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs and the Rock of Moses. The rock that is believed to be from which Moses fetched water. The twelve clefts on it, according to local tradition, represent the twelve springs described in the Quran. Rock of Moses (Hajar Musa): At the beginning of the walk there is a Bedouin Wishing Rock, where locals throw a pebble on the flat top of a big boulder. If it stays on top the wish will be granted they say. Halfway in the valley is The Rock of Moses (Hajar Mousa), with the Chapel of the Birth of the Holy Virgin built right next to it. The rock with 12 clefts is believed to be the rock from which Moses fetched water. Locals believe the twelve clefts on it represent the twelve springs mentioned in the Quran (Sura 2:60). It is also mentioned in the Exodus as the rock which sustained the children of Israel (1 Cor. 10:4). According to Swiss orientalist Johann Ludwig Burkhardt the Jebeliya Bedouin believe that by making female camels crouch down before the rock the camels will become fertile and yield more milk1. Next to Hajar Mousa is a Bedouin marriage proposal rock. Lovers came here in the past and they marked one foot on the rock surface next to the other’s. If the two footprints are encircled, it means they eventually got married. Monastery of the Forty Martyrs (Deir el Arbain): At the upper end of the valley is the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs with a big garden, olive groves and cypress trees. The Monastery was constructed in the sixth century in honor of the forty Christian martyrs who died in Sebaste (central Turkey). Monks relate that forty Christian soldiers from the Roman Army in the third century were commanded to worship pagan gods. They refused and were put to death by being exposed at night to the bitterly cold winds off a frozen lake. Those who survived until morning were killed by the sword. In the grounds of the monastery is a chapel dedicated to the hermit Saint Onuphrius. Coming from Upper Egypt, he was said to have lived for seventy years in the rock shelter at the northern end of the garden, until he died in AD 390.2 Wadi Itlah: A huge boulder marks the start of Wadi Itlah shortly after Wadi Quweiz and Wadi Talaa merges into it. There is a stone road in this upper part of the valley leading to Chapel of Saint John Klimakos. Along the road on a plateau there are the ruins of a Byzantine monastic setlement. Chapel of Saint John Klimakos: locally known as Galeli Max, was built in 1979 in Wadi Itlah to commemorate his devotional work in the 6th century AD. Also spelled St. John Climacus or Climax, the saint spent forty years in solitude in a cave above the existing chapel. During this time, Klimakos was elected Abbot of Sinai and asked to write a spiritual guide. He composed The Ladder of Divine Ascent which likens spiritual life to the ladder seen by the Patriach Jacob extending from earth to heaven (Genesis 28:12-17). Wadi Tala: it is a beautiful wadi very near the town of St. Katherine, approachable from Wadi Quweiz, with a few gardens belonging to the Monastery and one to a Bedouin family. In the biggest garden there is a lesser known ancient Greek monastery named after Kosmas and Damianos. At the bottom of the wadi there is a spring at a deep cliff known as Ein Abu Tufaha. At the top of the wadi, a steep gully known as Sid Daud leads up to the high mountain wadis, the tricky path disappearing under a boulder at one point. A pass known as Naqg el Raheb connects Wadi Tala to town over a smaller granite range. Monastery of Kosmas and Damianos (Deir Rahab): is named after the martyred brothers who were doctors and treated local people free in the 3rd century AD. – A beautiful wadi with one of the best orchards, belonging to the Hussein family, at the upper end. At an elevated point not far there is a leopard trap and some Bedouin rock shelters built under boulders. Down in the wide valley floor there is the Monastery of Cosmas and Damianos with big olive groves and tall cypress trees. Giant boulders dot the huge garden and the gracious stone monastery building is in the middle. Further down there are some smaller but just as beautiful gardens which also belong to the Monastery and are looked after by Bedouin people. Bustan el Birka: A big stone walled Bedouin garden, called bustan, with a water tank, called birka, under a massive granite cone, close to where Wadi Freah and Wadi Abu Zeituna meet. There is a mulberry tree next to the garden and a rock shelter made under a flat rock. There are many Byzantine ruins, many of them in excellent shape, in the area scattered around the hills. Blue Desert: The Blue Desert – marked as Blue Valley on some maps and known locally as the Blue Mountain – is a big open plain close to the town of St. Katherine. Several boulders have been painted blue by Belgian artist Jean Verame to commemorate the peace between Israel and Egypt. It is a popular picnic site, usually approached by car from Nabi Salah, but the best views on it are from the pass of Naqb Dirwa. You could easily arrange a hike, with a car first dropping you off at Farsh Umm Qaysum, then picking you up at the Blue Mountain. Attractions in the high mountains Strictly speaking, as marked on the locally available map, the High Mountain Region is the area around the town of St Katherine – this is where Egypt’s highest and holiest peaks, Mt. Katharina and Mt. Sinai, are found. This area also corresponds to the tribal territory of the Jabaleya Bedouin tribe. However, the whole south-western tip of the peninsula is a mountainous landscape and in fact some of the highest mountains, such as Jebel Umm Shaumar and Jebel Serbal, are located further away from St. Katherine. Sometimes this whole mountainous area is referred to as the High Mountains, while the area around St. Katherine as Central High Mountains. On this page the attractions in the broader area are listed. Bab el Donya: Bab el Donya and Jebel Bab are two peaks of the same range, on the perimeter of the high mountains. To the west you get spectacular views of lower ranges running towards the Gulf of Suez and in clear weather you can see across the sea. The spring of Ein Najila, at the foot of Bab el Donya, drips from the mountain to a stone fountain. The overflowing water forms a little creek running through a series of shallow granite pools and disappearing in the sandy wadi floor. Ein Kid: It is a secluded and remote oasis between St. Katherine, Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh, with only a handful of Bedouin living there. Approachable from St. Katherine only on foot, and via a one-way 4×4 track from the Sharm- Dahab road, it remains largely untouched offering a feel of what a real oasis is used to be. There is not much to do, apart from enjoying the setting and having a Bedouin tea, but that’s what gives its authenticity and character. Cars cannot drive all the way to the oasis and you have to walk about 10 minutes. Galt el Azraq: Located 2 days walk from the town of St. Katherine, Galt el Azraq is the largest water pool in the High Mountain Region, and probably in the whole of Sinai. It is full all year round, being fed by underground streams. It is in Wadi Talla Kibira, a long, steep and green valley starting at Farsh Rumana and leading from the high mountains to lower wadis. Galt el Azraq is about halfway down. Jebel Abbas Basha: Approachable on foot from the town of St. Katherine, Jebel Abbas Basha is located in the centre of the high mountains with stunning views all around, to the mountain ranges, the lowlands and to the town of St. Katherine with Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa). The unfinished palace of Abbas Pasha is on top, its massive walls still stand firm. The best time to visit is either early in the morning or before sunset. Hidden, below the summit, is the green, secluded basin of Farsh Abu Mahshur. Climbing Jebel Abbas Basha is a moderate trek: steep climbs, but good path. However, reaching Farsh Abu Mahashur involves some scrambling and the path is a bit difficult. Jebel Banat: Located near the town of St. Katherine, Jebel Banat can be reached on foot either starting from the settlements of Abu Seila, Sheikh Awad or Abu Zeituna. It is a fairly demanding trek. Standing on the northern perimeter of the high mountain massif, the peak of Jebel Banat offers superb views of the whole high mountains region on one side and the lowlands on the other. Jebel Naja: Located in the high mountains near the town of St. Katherine, Jebel Naja is quite a walk. You can also start from the settlement of Abu Seila. Either way, the route starts from near the water pools of Kharazet el Shaq. Jebel Naja stands on the perimeter of the high mountain mass in the north. As you approach it you are already high up, and the top of the mountain looks like a small hill from this side, but on the other side you feel the depth as you look down on the lowlands and the distant Tih Plateau. Jebel Serbal: Dominating the view over Wadi Feiran, the tough looking Jebel Serbal is indeed tough to climb. The route starts from the Convent into Wadi Aliyat, and it is a day to reach the mountain top. You find little secluded basins, water sources, gardens, ancient ruins and inscriptions – then of course the views: you can see the Gulf of Suez and mainland Egypt, the desert to the north and the high mountains to the south. Jebel 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. You can see across the Gulf of Suez to mountain ranges in mainland Egypt. It is a tough climb, and even to get to the base involves some walk. A car can drive out to Wadi Zawatina from where the trek starts. Kharazet el Shaq: Located in the high mountains near the town of St. Katherine, the water pools of Kharazet el Shaq is quite a walk. You can also start from the settlement of Abu Seila. It is located at the top of Wadi Shaq Tinya, a steep gully connecting highmountain wadis to lower Wadi Itlah. The whole Wadi Tinya area, including part of Jebel Abbas Basha, drains through this single gully. There are overflowing granite pools at the very top, with one of them big enough for a dip. There is always water in the main pool, and after rains other pools and water falls form below. Sid al Nogra: Located near the town of St. Katherine, it’s a fairly demanding trek to reach Sid al Nogra, usually combined with a climb to Jebel Banat. You could either start from the settlements of Abu Seila, Sheikh Awad or Abu Zeituna. Sid al Nogra is a dramatic sight, especially when there is water flowing in it – usually there is a little in the granite pools at the top, fed by underground streams collecting water from a huge area.  Mt. Katharina: Mt. Katharina is the highest mountain in Egypt at 2642 metres, with a small Orthodox church on the summit. According to tradition this is the place where monks, after a dream, found the missing body of the martyred St. Katherina. Jebel Musa (Mt. Sinai) is below, and the views onto it and the whole high mountain area are stunning. It is a tough climb, but worth the effort. Wadi Isla: Wadi Isla is part of the traditional caravan route between St. Katherine and El Tur, used by pilgrims as well as the Bedouin and the monks to deliver goods to the coast and get supplies. The long and winding wadi becomes narrow and lush towards the end, with many date palms, canes, trees and a creek running through a pretty gorge. The sight of the plain of El Qaa from the very end, Seil Isla, is also very dramatic. It can only be approached on foot involving a longer walk. Attractions in the desert The desert in the Sinai is very diverse, consisting of big open sandy plains, dunes and rock formations, flat mountain ranges and a maze of wadis, canyons and oases. Several Bedouin tribes live in the area. Arada Canyon: Arada Canyon, also known as the Double Canyon, is located below the Guna Plateau, little in from the road-side settlement of Wadi Arada. It is indeed two canyons, connected in the middle by a path over a small rocky plateau. If you have time and are up for it a steep climb to the edge of the Guna range can take you to a look-out point, known as Nosrat el Guna, with great views on the desert and the High Mountains in the distance. Count at least half a day extra if you plan to climb. Closed Canyon: Located just off Wadi Khudra in a secluded sandy basin, the Closed Canyon is usually approached by 4×4 via Ein Khudra, Ras Ghazala, Jebel Mileihis or Ein Furtaga. On foot you could also come via Wadi Rum, or from the Tarabin areas in the north. The Closed Canyon is not the most famous sight, but it is... - [Gardens](https://discoversinai.net/mountain-gardens): While the Monastery of St Catherine and Mt Sinai are well known sites, this comes as a surprise to most people: there are hundreds of ancient Bedouin orchards, or gardens, in the high mountain “wadis” (valleys) around St. Catherine, many well over a thousand years old, dating back as far as the early Byzantine era. Unfortunately most of the gardens have been abandoned, but there are still many that are cared for to some extent, and around two dozen exceptional ones that are open to receive visitors. Apart from the cultivated traditional orchard and vegetable garden enclosed within the robust dry stone walls, there are also comfortable resting areas for guests (open “arisha” and room), and in several gardens also a basic shower and toilet. All that these places need is little upgrades and fixing existing problems, and they can be viewed as simple “mini-ecolodges”, connected by a network of ancient mountain trails. Map of gardens in the Sinai high mountains Blue symbol: attraction; Green symbol: garden, nature lodge The gardening tradition of the high mountains of Sinai has its origin in early Byzantine times when there were many monks, hermits and settlers from the Mediterranean living in the region. The high altitude made it possible to grow species not found elswhere in Egypt, although growing them in a desert environment required different techinques. The way gardens are built and the water management system are designed to withstand the strong flash floods that sweep through the region at times, and at the same time to harvest as much water as possible. The gardeners also grafted high yielding fruit species on native trees, providing the local plant’s root system to support fruit varieties that otherwise wouldn’t survive in this harsh environment. The local Bedouin groups and especially the Jabaleya tribe has taken over this very unique orchard farming tradition, which still lives on today. Plants grown in the Sinai high mountains:Fruit trees: almond, apple, apricot, dates, fig, peach, pear, plum, pomegranate, quince Other plants: olives, grapes, vegetables, salad greens, tobaco (local variety) There is also a wide range of wild medicinal and aromatic herbs in the area, some of them are often grown in gardens, such as habaq (mountain mint), mardagush (sage variety), and zatar (wild oregano). List of gardens Garden of Suliman Eid – Wadi Shrij Garden of Salem Abu Sayyed – El Fara Garden of Ramadan Abu Sayyed – Wadi Arbain Garden of Sbeh Abu Darwish – Wadi Rhazana Garden of Sbail Taya – Wadi Mathar Garden of Farhan Abu Karsh – El Khrezi Garden of Ouda Abu Masaud – Wadi Shaq Abu Saada garden – Abu Jeefa Hashash and Masada gardens – Islibet Garden of Salah Abu Darwish – Wadi Tubuq Garden of Saad Abu Saada – El Hded Garden of Mohamed Hashash – El Hded Garden of Omriya (Umm Saad) – Wadi Zawatin Garden of Hemid Abu Ghalaba – Wadi Zawatin Garden of Hussein Abu Tarawa – Wadi Zawatin Rest house of Hussein Hashash – El Zirri Garden of Farhan Abu Lheim – Abu Jidda Garden of Hussein Abu Gneim – Wadi Bulia Garden of Mohamed and Awad Abu Heb – Wadi Jibal Garden of Salem Faraj – Wadi Jibal Garden of Mohamed Musa Abu Lheim – Wadi Jibal Garden of Mohamed Abu Ghalaba – Farsh Rummana Garden of Hussein Abu Ghalaba – Farsh Rummana Garden of Saad Diguni – Wadi Abu Tuweita Garden of Sharaha Abu Aluan – Wadi Tinya Garden of Ibrahim Diguni – Wadi Tinya Garden of Shob Abu Krishan – Wadi Sagr Garden of Faraj Ahmed – Wadi Shaq-Itlah Garden of Nasr Diguni – Wadi Itlah Garden of Dr Ahmed (El Helwa Garden) – Wadi Itlah Garden of Oda el-Afeli – Wadi Itlah Garden of the Abu Aluan family – El Freish (Farsh Shama’) Garden of the Hussein Hashash family – Wadi Talaa List of eco- and nature lodges Al-Karm Ecolodge Eid Lodge Mohammed Musa’s Camel School El Magareen Lodge Mt Sinai Ecolodge Lists were compiled in 2019 and some photos are even older. The Sinai | Attractions | Trekking & Camel Routes | 4×4 Safari Circuits | Gardens | Publications - [Disclaimer](https://discoversinai.net/disclaimer): The Discover Sinai website (www.discoversinai.net.com) should only be used planning your programmes and enhancing the experience; they are not a substitute for a local Bedouin guide, who is both necessary and mandatory for most programmes in the Sinai wilderness. The term “Discover Sinai” or “us” or “we” refers to the owner of the website, while the term “you” refers to the user or viewer of our website. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of us. You can download the downloadable files free of charge for personal use, but no guarantee is given they are accurate or complete, and no liability is accepted for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by their use. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of this website. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Discover Sinai. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Discover Sinai and its owner takes no responsibility for and will not be liable for the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control. - [Terms and Conditions](https://discoversinai.net/terms-and-conditions): Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which govern Discover Sinai’s relationship with you in relation to this website. The term “Discover Sinai” or “us” or “we” refers to the owner of the website. The term “you” refers to the user or viewer of our website. The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use: Copyright notice This website and its content is copyright of Discover Sinai. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system. - [The Sinai](https://discoversinai.net/the-sinai-peninsula): Mountains, desert, and sea… Sinai has much more to offer than most people imagine. The High Mountain Region, with its religious and historical importance, orchard gardening tradition, and unique nature, is unlike anywhere else in the world. The desert is every bit as beautiful as those elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, and within a relatively small area you will find an amazing variety of landscapes. The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba are internationally recognised among the best in the world, while a number of coastal protectorates and their different ecosystems offer peaceful escapes from the resort towns. Map of South Sinai Sinai is divided into two governorates: North Sinai Governorate and South Sinai Governorate. The administrative border runs roughly along the route from the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel to Taba, although the Bedouin traditionally place the divide further south along the edge of the Tih Plateau. Much of North Sinai is restricted for foreigners, but the vast majority of attractions are located in South Sinai anyway, which is generally peaceful and laid back. The capital of South Sinai Governorate is El Tur (1), although the largest and most developed city is Sharm el-Sheikh (2). Another popular destination is Dahab (3), a smaller and more relaxed town attracting mostly independent travellers. In Nuweiba (4), the gateway to Jordan, and further north along the coast towards Taba (5), there are many simple beach camps offering huts directly by the sea. Beyond Taba lies the border crossing to Israel. In the centre of the mountainous interior is the town of Saint Catherine (6), famous for Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery. Wadi Feiran (7) and Serabit el Khadem (8) are smaller settlements with important historical and archaeological sites. The coastal town of Abu Zenima (9) is a small settlement with a few shops and cafeterias, from where transport can be arranged to Serabit el Khadem. Ras Sudr (10), further north, is a seaside destination popular with visitors from Cairo. The road connects through the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel beneath the Suez Canal to Suez and Cairo (11), and from there another road continues towards North Sinai. A second road, once part of the ancient caravan route used by pilgrims travelling from Cairo to Mecca, cuts across the peninsula through the interior at Nakhla (12) before reaching the Gulf of Aqaba. Egypt is one of the most populous African countries, but the Sinai Peninsula, located across the Suez Canal in Asia, is its least populated region. It is a very harsh desert environment, home to Bedouin tribes. Most are settled these days, but many still maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Today you find bigger urban centres around the coast, some relying on tourism, as in the south, others on oil and gas as in the west, and on the wetter Mediterranean north coast on agriculture and trade. North and South Sinai are actually two separate governorates, with the political border more or less corresponding to the road that cuts across the peninsula from Taba to Suez. There are also clear geographical and cultural lines. The Bedouin mark the border at the edge of the Tih Plateau: to north and south, it’s two different tribal federations. The Tih Plateau is a vast eroded slope gently descending to the north; it has, and North Sinai in general, no touristic significance, apart from the views from the edge to the south. The land to the south is a very diverse and spectacular desert and mountainous landscape – that’s where all the trekking and safari routes are found. The Bedouin used to be guides even before tourism started, guiding and providing camels for pilgrims and trading caravans. For the Bedouin this is the real safari, the long desert journey on camel. Otherwise the word comes from the Arabic “safer”, which simply means travel. In our usage safari means a tour on either camel or by 4×4, a more recent innovation, while trekking is only on foot. Camel safari and trekking routes, more or less, are the same, although sometimes camels have to go a slightly different way to overcome obstacles. The 4×4 routes connect to many of the same attractions that you can reach on foot, but often via a very different way. On this website and in the guidebook you’ll find all the main routes and other relevant information. Cities, towns, settlements The coastal resort cities, such as Sharm el Sheikh, are well known, and most people heard of St Katherine – although not all realise it is actually a town, not only the Monastery alone. On this website some other, even smaller, settlements are also included, as they are relevant for different reasons from a visitor’s perspective. Sharm el Sheikh: Sharm el Sheikh is a sprawling resort city at the tip of the peninsula and most visitors to Sinai arrive through its airport. Mostly noted for water sports and the wide selection of high-end hotels, the city now stretches over 20 kilometres from the port in the south to the Nabq Protectorate fence in the north. For many visitors off-road adventure means quad-biking on the outskirts of the city, but there are several good operators in town who run proper safaris. Dahab: Livelier and more developed than Nuweiba, Dahab is the second resort city of South Sinai, but it is more human-scale than Sharm el Sheikh. Apart from excellent diving and other types of water sport it offers a few hikes, most notably in Wadi el Beda and Wadi Gnai. You could also reach the Abu Galum Protectorate on foot from the nearby Blue Hole. Nuweiba: Nuweiba is a major port city, connecting Egypt to Jordan at their port of Aqaba. The city is spread out with four major hubs: the Muzeina village, Port (Mina), Centre and Tarabin village. Often considered part of Nuweiba, the coast to the resort town of Taba in the north is lined with simple beach camps and it is a pleasantly undeveloped sea shore. Wadi Watir is the main route inland to the Tarabin areas and also to Suez and Cairo. The city is also connected off-road to Jebel Mileihis via Wadi Saada. Taba: The northernmost resort town on the Gulf of Aqaba, Taba is a popular holiday destination. It is also the border town with Israel, and you could also take a ferry to Jordan. Apart from the resorts and sea, and a casino, there is not much to see and do in this area, with the only exception being Pharaoh Island, a nice day-programme just off the coast. Along the coast, towards Nuweiba, there are many simple camps with huts on the beach, offering an alternative to the upmarket hotels. St. Katherine: The town of St. Katherine is famous for the Monastery of St. Katherine, built on the site of the Burning Bush at the foot of Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa). This is the only site most tourists visit in the interior, so it can get crowded. The best way to avoid the crowds, at least on Mt. Sinai, is to go for the sunset instead of the sunrise and descend to town before total darkness sets in. A wide range of accommodation is available in town, from simple camps to up-market hotels. A new ecolodge, called Mount Sina Eclodge, has also opened its doors near town in Wadi Isbaiya. Sheikh Awad: The settlement of Sheikh Awad is mostly known for its ecolodge – Al- Karm was the first such place. It lies where the high mountains and the plains meet. Popular with Caireens on long weekends, it is indeed a beautiful place. With an offroad vehicle it can be approached via Wadi Islaf from Wadi Feiran, or from Tarfa village. A good place to relax, it offers treks to nearby Nabataean ruins or the seasonal waterfall at Sida Nogra. The foot pass, known as Naqb el Hawa, starts at the tomb of Sheikh Awad, connecting the settlement to St. Katherine – in the past this was the main pilgrims’ route. Wadi Feiran: The main sights in Wadi Feiran is its Convent. The functioning, newer complex is in a beautiful garden on the main road, right next to older ruins. Opposite is Jebel Tahoun, with several hermit caves at its base and the ruins of a church on top. The view from there is dominated by towering Jebel Serbal, possibly the most beautiful mountain in the Sinai. It was believed in early ages to be the true Mt. Sinai. A guesthouse in the Convent and a couple of beautiful Bedouin gardens a bit further on along the road provide accommodation. Wadi Feiran is a very long settlement, with the centre, Markez Feiran, in the middle at an open plain. El Tur: Although it is the capital of the Governorate of South Sinai, El Tur is quite small. It features a central market and a few shopping streets around it. Foreigners usually visit it only to renew visas, but the town does have some charm and a couple of sights. The old town at the port consists of a few neglected and fenced off buildings and another few in better conditions. They are beautiful but need some effort to be saved. There is also a hot spring in El Tur, known as Hamam Musa. Abu Zenima: Abu Zenima is a very little town on the coast along the main Cairo- Sharm road with a few shops, cafés, restaurants and possibly basic accommodation. (You find more places to stay bit north of town towards Ras Sudr.) An asphalt road branches off from the main road just outside town in the south, the way to Serabit el Khadim. This is the shortest and easiest route from the coast, although some parts are not paved. You can organise a 4×4 vehicle with Sheikh Barakat’s family at their office in the Desert Falcon Restaurant, and possibly at the other cafés. Serabit el Khadim: Seabit el Khadim is a settlement in the desert, where the archaeological site of a Pharaonic temple and turquoise mines are found. The family of Sheikh Salim Barakat runs a camp and organises treks and safaris further into the desert. Ras Sudr: Located on the Gulf of Suez, on the Cairo- Sharm road shortly after the Tunnel, it is a popular holiday spot for Caireens, Egyptian and ex-pat. The town itself is a simple little place with few shops, cafes and restaurants – places to stay are mostly on the coast to the south. The area is known for its wind and windsurfing is a popular activity. Apart from these few beach resorts, there is not much else to do in Ras Sudr itself, but local Bedouin operators can organise safaris into the desert.  The Bedouin The traditional inhabitants of the Sinai are Bedouin tribes who settled at different times in the last 1500 years. They are mostly from the Arab peninsula, with the Jabaleya a unique exception, being partly the descendants of people from the Balkan. Traditionally there are seven Bedouin tribes in South Sinai – the Tawara federation – but some other tribes from the north have moved in more recently. The Bedouin are pastoralist nomads, although most are now settled in or around towns. They still maintain a strong link to the desert and mountains, and many families move out to their campgrounds or gardens at certain times of the year. The Bedouin way of life is very simple and slow, with a fine balance of work and leisure time. It is a closed society where a complex system of family ties and traditions play the most important roles, but the people are genuinely welcoming and friendly. Having guests is an important part of the Bedouin culture, and visitors are treated as guests. It is a real experience to walk with a Bedouin guide and learn from their age-old survival skills and about their culture. Bedouin tribal meeting. (St Catherine, February 27, 2014) “Although life has changed in many respects and most Bedouin now live in stone houses, the arrangement of living and communal spaces still reflects life in the traditional Bedouin tent. There is always a “sitting place” for the men and the guests, locally called maqad (the general Arabic term is majlis, which also means council). It is either in one room in the house often with a separate entrance, or in the garden under a shady roof, called arisha, traditionally made of canes or palm leaves, or simply under a shady tree. Even in stone houses often a fire place is put in the middle to make/keep warm tea and coffee, which is offered to guests. Apart from the maqad in the home, small settlements have their own maqad, where matters involving the community are discussed. A maqad is always open for guests and traditionally anybody can go and sit, or even stay up to three days, in others’ maqad.” – Bedouin Life in Sinai, 2019 You find heaps more about Bedouin culture, as well as nature, history and other relevant subjects, in our suggested publications. The Bedouin tribes of Sinai The map of the Sinai tribes above is based on several maps and the South Sinai area is on own research. It is displayed over a Google Earth image, and the clearly visible geographical features make it easier to redraw the boundaries of the tribal territories. However, they can never be totally accurate for different reasons. Read on to learn why and to see how a map evolves. Available maps of the Sinai Bedouin tribes One of the first maps of the Sinai Bedouin tribes is found in Antonin Jaussen’s 1908 book titled “Coutumes des Arabes au pays de Moab“. The map shows most of the Sinai Peninsula, plus the Negev, Palestine (Israel), the Moab region in Jordan and the Hejaz in Saudi Arabia, with some of the ethnic groups marked. In the southern part of the Sinai the population is named as “Arab et-Towarah”, which is actually a historic federation of seven tribes: in my spelling Tuwara, the tribes of el-Tur. Among other Sinai Bedouin groups the Haweitat, Tarabin (Terabin) and Tiyaha (Tiaha) are also marked. Note, the Tarabin tribe is only marked in the north, in the area around Nuweiba where today they also have a land the Ayada (Aiaideh), another North Sinai tribe, is shown. All in all, it’s not a very accurate map, but it gives a general overview of the distribution of the Bedouin tribes at the beginning of the 20th century. A much more accurate and detailed map was published in the 1951 book of another Frenchman, J. Daumas, “La péninsule du Sinaï”. It is probably the first ever touring guide covering the region, supplemented with many very detailed maps. The map of the Bedouin tribes, based on the work of G. W. Murray, marks the territory of most Sinai Bedouin tribal groups, although there are some inaccuracies: for example one of the oldest South Sinai tribes, the Bani Wasil, is not marked. The territory of the Ulad Said (Aoulad Said) tribe is also not accurate, at least if we consider how it is laid out today – perhaps back in those days it was different. Otherwise the Ulad Said, Qararsha and Suwalha (Sawalha) were one tribe at one point, which, with the addition of the Awarma, is clearly marked on the map of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). This map is definitely an updated version of Daumas’s work, although wasn’t everything corrected. Note, according to these maps the Tarabin have a land around Nuweiba, but not around Ras Sudr. A more recent map by Clinton Bailey, created in 1991, doesn’t outline exact tribal boundaries but gives a quite good picture of the distribution of the tribes. The territories of the Jabaleya (Jabaliyah) and Ulad Said (Awlad Said) tribes are not too clear, but you can see they are positioned as on the earlier maps. On the other hand the land of the Bani Wasil tribe around El Tur is now marked, as well as some other tribes, and on this map the Tarabin also have a land around Ras Sudr which is as today. Bailey’s 2004 book, “A Culture of Desert Survival: Bedouin Proverbs from Sinai and the Negev“, is a wonderful account of Bedouin culture and gives a good overview of the history of the Bedouin tribes in the Sinai Peninsula, as explained on Wilderness Ventures Egypt‘s site. In an academic work of a different type, Rudolf de Jong presents one of the most accurate maps of the Arab tribes in the Sinai. It was created in 2009 and is based on Clinton Bailey’s map, but it more clearly marks the Bedouin tribal territories. The map is published in a 2011 linguistic book titled “A Grammar of the Bedouin Dialects of Central and Southern Sinai“. Clearly de Jong’s map was used in the 2012 report “Sinai: A New Front” by Ehud Yaari, with corrections and updates shown over a geographical map. However, in these works too the Jabaleya, Ulad Said and Muzeina territories are not marked as you find them today. The land of the Ulad Said tribe extends further to the south (the boundary is more or less along the line from Nabi Salah and the Blue Desert, through Nasb and Wadi Rahaba to Wadi Islah and then El Tur). It encircles St Catherine and the Jabaleya (Gebelieh) territory from the south, as well as from the northwest (Wadi Hebran, Wasi Islaf). The area to the northeast of St Catherine is a mixed land, as shown on Yaari’s map, although to my knowledge the Muzeina lay claim to it. Otherwise it is fairly easy to define the Jabaleya land, as it largely corresponds to the circular dyke around St Catherine. You have to keep in mind, though, that tribal territories cannot be displayed absolute accurately, as borders are disputed and change over history, territories overlap, little pockets of land can be found on other’s territory. Even what you call a tribe can be subjective: according to some accounts more than 70 tribes exist in the Sinai, but that’s probably with counting the... - [Blog](https://discoversinai.net/blog) - [Welcome / مرحباً](https://discoversinai.net/): Mountains, desert and sea… the Sinai has much more to offer than most people think. The High Mountain Region, with its religious and historical importance, orchard gardening tradition and unique nature, is like no other place in the World. The desert is just as beautiful as any in the Middle East and North Africa and you will find an amazing variety of different landscapes within a small area. The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba are rated internationally as some of the best and a number of coastal protectorates, with their different eco systems, offer quiet getaways from the resort towns. Some of the information on the site might be interesting even for those who don’t plan to visit, but there is also useful and practical information for those who do. Those who are serious about hiking, trekking, camel or jeep (4×4) safaris in the Sinai Peninsula might consider getting the guidebook; the first, the complete, the original. Sinai Tekking and Safari: the complete route guide with GPS waypoints – Updated and expanded in January 2016, the “Sinai Trekking And Safari: the complete route guide with GPS waypoints” presents, as its title suggests, all the important trekking and safari routes in the peninsula’s rugged interior. The Sinai mountains and deserts are a very diverse and immensely beautiful wilderness – yet, apart from a few better known attractions, the interior is very little known. Most people in the West think of the Sinai as a seaside resort, not as a trekking destination. And even if someone heard vaguely about the wonders of this land, there is little, if any, accurate information available to visitors. Those who do come and take a trek or safari don’t know where they are being taken. All this is now to change – this route guide covers it all, from coast to coast and to the southernmost tip. Whether planning a tour on foot, camel back or by 4×4, you have all the essential information with over 100 maps, PLUS you can download all the GPS waypoints or view the routes – with photos – in Google Earth and Google Maps. The guide also contains other vital information; notes on culture, history and nature; illustrations; a catalogue of places of interest; and a part with a comprehensive list of useful Arabic words and expressions for trekkers. First published on Dec 07, 2013.Second edition published on January 19, 2016.ISBN: 978-1523348206Page Count: 254Trim Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″Color: Black and White View sample maps, illustrations, and the TOC The four most prominent websites covering South Sinai, Egypt, were st-katherine.net, discoversinai.net, sinaitrekkingandsafari.com, and sinaigardens.com — but one day they crashed. The information they contained, much of it available in five languages, together with around 25,000 photographs tagged by location and other keywords, was lost. Although most of the domain names were retained, there has been no attempt to rebuild the sites to their former state. The current website is instead a fusion of these earlier projects, with some of the content recovered from the Internet Archive. To reduce the risk of similar losses in the future, the content is now additionally backed up on Google’s free blogging platform, blogspot.com. Most links on this website currently lead either to the relevant Blogspot page or to an archived version on the Internet Archive. Over time, the archived pages will be replaced by newly created pages with galleries and updated information. For now, the Discover Sinai website contains information about hiking and safaris, including routes, maps, Google Maps links, and GPS coordinates; information about the unique Bedouin mountain gardens, including an interactive Google Maps map; as well as a selection of old and new blog posts. The photographs are not of professional quality, but some capture rare moments of life in Sinai, whether tribal traditions or natural events, while others are unique in different ways. All photographs are free to use subject to the stated conditions. The Sinai | Attractions | Trekking & Camel Routes | 4×4 Safari Circuits | Gardens | Publications [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)