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Some places are worth a visit, and some you would regret missing. For me, the Mount Sinai sunrise hike belongs in the second group. I did it from Sharm El Sheikh, where I lived and worked for three months, and it is still one of the best things I did in Egypt.
This guide covers everything I wish I had known before going: how to book, the real timeline of the night, how hard the hike is, what to bring, what happens at the top, and whether St. Catherine’s Monastery is worth the stop.
Quick facts
- Height: 2,285 m (about 7,500 ft)
- Starting point: St. Catherine’s Monastery, at about 1,570 m
- Hike time: about 3 hours up in the dark, plus the last 750 steps
- Leaving Sharm: about 8–9 pm. Back in Sharm: about 2 pm the next day
- You need: a guide (group tour), a passport, warm layers and good shoes
- Cost: about €60–70 per person for a tour from Sharm, camels extra
What is Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain)?
Mount Sinai, also called Moses Mountain or Jabal Musa (Arabic for “Mount of Moses”), is a sacred mountain in the Sinai Peninsula. According to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, this is where the prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. That is why people of all three religions, and many travellers with no religion at all, come here.
At 2,285 metres (about 7,500 feet) above sea level, it is not extreme by mountain standards, but the night start, the cold and the steps make it a real effort.
Can you hike Mount Sinai on your own?
In practice, no. You cannot walk up Mount Sinai independently from Sharm El Sheikh without a local guide, and the easiest way to organise everything is a group tour with transport.
A tour from Sharm usually includes the transport, a guide, and a visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery after the hike. I recommend booking in advance, especially in busy months.
Book it: Check group tours for the Mount Sinai sunrise hike from Sharm El Sheikh on GetYourGuide →
How hard is the Mount Sinai hike?
The hike is challenging and physically demanding. You don’t need to be a professional climber, but you need to be reasonably fit. Healthy knees, legs and back matter more than speed.
Don’t be scared off, though. While working in tourism, I sent a number of tourists in their 60s on this hike, and they made it to the top. You will get tired, but an average fit person with no injuries can do it.
First part: a fairly easy path with a slight incline.
Second part: the toughest, because it ends with 750 steps just below the summit, and you are already tired from not sleeping.
Camels: the alternative if you don’t want to walk
If you don’t want to (or can’t) hike all the way, camels can take you most of the way. The last stretch, about 750 steps, you still do on foot, because camels can’t climb it.
From the side it doesn’t look comfortable. The path is winding and steep, so don’t expect a smooth ride. From what I heard, you can negotiate about 15–20 USD one way (January 2025, check current prices).
The timeline of my night (mid-January)
This is what my trip actually looked like. Yours will differ a little, but the rhythm is the same.
Time What happens
~8–9 pm Pick-up from the hotel in Sharm El Sheikh (the bus collects all tourists, which takes time)
~9–10 pm Convoy: the group waits at the exit of Sharm for a safety convoy
3 hours Drive to St. Catherine’s, with a short break for snacks and toilet
~1:30 am Arrival at the starting point (St. Catherine’s Monastery car park)
~2:00 am Bag check and start of the hike
~2:30 am First rest stop (about 30 minutes in)
~5:10 am Last stop at the café, about 100 steps from the summit
~6:00 am Final climb to the top
~6:40 am Sunrise
~9:00 am St. Catherine’s Monastery opens
~2:00 pm Back in Sharm El Sheikh
The drive from Sharm to St. Catherine’s takes about 3 hours. The convoy and the pick-ups made my start later than planned, so plan for some delays.
What to bring
Clothes
A warm autumn jacket, plus layers you can take off and put on. At the top it can be freezing, but you will get warm and sweaty while hiking.
Hat and gloves. At the entrance, vendors sell them (and even ponchos). I bought gloves for €2 and I’m glad I did.
Good walking shoes.
Documents
Passport and 2 photocopies of it. There can be document checks, which is common in Egypt.
Food and drink
Water: I took two 1.5-litre bottles, one for the journey and one for the hike.
Snacks: I took falafel sandwiches, fruit and chocolate bars, and a bottle of Coca-Cola for caffeine and energy.
Other
Torch: my group was given torches on the bus. [If yours isn’t provided, bring a headlamp.]
Power bank. You will take a lot of photos at the top, and cold drains batteries faster.
Earbuds if you like music on the way up (optional, but I enjoyed it).
Cash in small notes for drinks, camels and rentals.
If you forget something, you can buy it at the start or along the trail, but expect inflated prices. Many things cost 2–3 times more than in the city.
Not allowed: alcohol, drugs and sharp items. Your bags are checked at the entrance to the hike.
The weather: what to expect
When we left Sharm El Sheikh at 9 pm in mid-January, it was 18 °C. When we arrived at St. Catherine’s, it was already 8 °C. At the top it was cold and a bit windy, but not as freezing as I feared. Winter nights can be much colder than this, so always check the forecast for the day.
The hike itself
We were led by three local Bedouin guides: Bashar and two Ahmeds. The group walks together, with several stops to rest, snack and drink tea, coffee or cocoa. Our first stop came about 30 minutes after the start.
Our last stop before the summit was at 5:10 am, at a small café with hot drinks (2 USD each). We were only about 5 minutes (100 steps) from the top, but our guide told us to wait in the café until 6 am. It is cold at the summit, and there is no point waiting up there for an hour.
You can rent a blanket at the café for about 2 USD. The night wasn’t very cold for us (just a little windy near the top), so the blanket business wasn’t doing great.
The whole hike takes roughly 3 hours. The first part is easy with a slight incline. The toughest is the second part, with the 750 steps at the top, when the tiredness of a night without sleep adds up.
At the summit: sunrise
Tip: aim to be at the top 30–40 minutes before sunrise to secure a spot. It gets crowded just before the sun comes up.
At the top there is a Greek Orthodox chapel and a small mosque. Both were closed when we were there.
Then the light “turns on”. You see the Sinai mountains slowly appear, the sky changes colour, and the sun rises over the peaks. The landscapes feel almost unearthly, more like the Moon or Mars than Earth. It was worth every drop of sweat and every hour of lost sleep.
Book it: Book a Mount Sinai sunrise hike from Sharm El Sheikh on GetYourGuide →
St. Catherine’s Monastery: is it worth visiting?
After the hike, most tours stop at St. Catherine’s Monastery, at the foot of the mountain. It was founded in the 6th century and is one of the oldest Christian monasteries still in use. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery is known for its icons and manuscripts and, according to tradition, stands near the place where Moses saw the Burning Bush.
The monastery opens at 9 am. Here is what I think:
My honest opinion: the highlight of the trip is the hike and the Sinai views. The monastery is an interesting place, but I wouldn’t visit it without the hike.
How much time you need: the territory is not big. 30 minutes is enough to feel the atmosphere and take photos.
What you can see: inside the walls, you can visit the chapel and the Burning Bush.
My favourite part: the view of the monastery from the hill. You can walk up to the viewpoint in a few minutes.
Be ready to be tired: after a night without sleep, you will probably feel exhausted.
Before you go
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
Check the opening days and hours. The monastery is open only a few hours in the morning and is closed on some days and holidays.
About the town: St. Catherine is a small mountain town in the middle of Sinai, one of the highest settlements in Egypt
After the hike: plan to recover
I got back to Sharm El Sheikh at 2 pm. I slept a little on the bus, but it wasn’t enough. Once you’re back, you’ll want a shower, a small snack and sleep. That’s what happened to me.
Plan two days for this trip. Even if pick-up is at 8 pm, don’t plan anything strenuous for that day, because you will hike all night. And don’t plan anything for the day you return.
Tips: my 8 quick rules
1)Book a tour in advance.
2)Dress in layers and bring gloves and a hat.
3)Take your passport and two photocopies.
4)Bring water and snacks, and keep small cash for stalls.
5)Don’t rush up. Pace yourself and use the rest stops.
6)Arrive at the summit 30–40 minutes before sunrise.
7)Keep your phone charged (power bank).
8)Rest the day before and the day after.
FAQ
Do I need a guide for Mount Sinai?
Yes. In practice you hike with a local Bedouin guide, and the easiest way is a group tour from Sharm El Sheikh.
How long does the hike take?
About 3 hours up from the start at St. Catherine’s. The whole trip from Sharm and back takes about 16–17 hours.
How difficult is it?
Challenging. You need average fitness and healthy knees, legs and back. The last 750 steps are the toughest part.
Can I ride a camel?
Yes, up to the last 750 steps, which you walk. Negotiate the price first. Camels are not comfortable.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, a jacket, hat, gloves and good walking shoes. Temperatures at the top can drop close to freezing in winter.
What time does the sun rise?
It depends on the season. In mid-January it was around 6:40 am. Ask your guide the evening before.
When is the best time to go?
Autumn to spring is usually more comfortable. Summer is hot at the start, and winter can be very cold.
Is it safe?
I felt safe on the trip. The group travels in a convoy and with local guides. Check your government’s current travel advice for South Sinai before booking.
Is the monastery included?
Most tours from Sharm include a visit to St. Catherine’s after the hike. Check the tour description.
Final thoughts
The Mount Sinai sunrise hike is an unforgettable experience, but it takes planning and energy. Plan two days around it, dress warmly, and go with a guide. If you only do one organised trip from Sharm El Sheikh, this is the one I would choose.
Planning your trip? Read my guide to things to do in Sharm El Sheikh and where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh.