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There is no way you'll get off with coming to
Sinai and not visiting Mt. Sinai and St. Katherine's Monastery. Both sites
are located within the Saint Katherine's Protected Area, right in the middle of
the southern part of Sinai.
Mount Sinai, locally known as Gebel Musa (Mt.
Moses), is located among a chain of striking red-brown mountains. The mountain,
at a height of 2285 m, offers an awesome trek, via 2 distinct paths (the camel
trail and the Steps of Repentance). On our way down, you'll be able to visit St.
Katherine's Monastery, home to Greek Orthodox monks. This monastery, built
in the 4th century AD houses the Burning Bush, the Church of the Transfiguration
and Moses' Well.
The trips leaves to St. Katherine Protectorate
about 23:00 hrs (11 pm). Upon arrival, you start hiking Mt. Sinai. This depends
on your physical condition and will take about 2 - 3.5 hours. There you watch
the sunrise. On your way down you will visit St. Katherine's monastery. The bus
will then pick you up around 10:00 hrs, where you will arrive in Dahab in time
for lunch.
NOTE:
The monastery is closed
on Fridays and Sundays. Because of the high altitude and desert landscape, it is
very cold on Mt Sinai (even in the summer). So be prepared and bring a warm
jacket. Blankets are available for rental on top of the mountain, if you are
unprepared. t is recommended to bring a flashlight (torch), as you will be
climbing during the night.
A Protectorate entrance fee of 3 USD per
person is required once you enter the St. Katherine area.
Cost per person: 10 euros
Please take into consideration that these are
religious and historical sites, which should be respected. Also respect the
nature by not littering or contaminating water sources.
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