Mount Sinai and visit to St. Catherine’s monastery
- $21 for ages 12 and above
- $11 for children aged 6-11
- Free for children under 6
- Transfer from the hotel around 9:00 PM, depending on the hotel's location.
- Visit to the icon gallery.
- 3-hour ascent of Mount Sinai via the Camel Path.
- Witnessing the sunrise on the mountain.
- Descent from the mountain.
- Visit to St. Catherine's Monastery.
- Transfer to Sharm El-Sheikh, arrival at the hotel around 1:00 PM.
*The order of activities may vary depending on the flow of tourists.
- Passport and a copy of the passport.
- Water, dry snacks from the hotel, or snacks.
- Headgear.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Comfortable footwear.
- Warm clothing in winter months.
- Money for personal expenses.
Included:
- Transportation service.
- Transfer in a modern tourist bus with air conditioning and toilet facilities.
- Guide.
- Entrance tickets to the mentioned attractions.
Not included:
- Additional expenses not included in the program.
- Rental of a camel for the mountain ascent.
- Rental of a woolen blanket at the mountain summit.
- Drinks, snacks.
Mount Sinai, also known by other names such as Sinai, Horeb, Har Sinai in Hebrew, and Jebel Musa in Arabic, has been a sacred place for Christians since approximately the 4th century. It is believed that it was here that God appeared to Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments. This place holds immense significance for the three major religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to legend, those who climb Mount Sinai and witness the sunrise will be forgiven for all sins, regardless of their faith or language of communication. The mountain’s elevation is 2,285 meters above sea level. There are two paths to ascend the mountain. The first is the “Stairs of Repentance,” a dangerous and challenging path that the monks used, consisting of 3,750 steps, some carved into the rock and others made of boulders. The second path, called the “Camel Path,” is about 7 kilometers long and encircles the mountain several times. It is possible to rent a camel for the ascent. Both paths converge before the final 750 steps.
St. Catherine’s Monastery, founded by the decree of Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, is located at the foot of Mount Sinai. The monastery received its name in the 11th century in honor of the Great Martyr Catherine (287-305 AD). In her youth, she chose Christianity and even converted many people around her to the faith. As a result, she endured numerous hardships and persecutions throughout her life, including from her pagan father. After several unsuccessful attempts to bring her back to paganism, Emperor Maximinus ordered Catherine to be executed by beheading. According to legend, after her execution, angels carried Catherine’s body to the summit of Mount Sinai. Monks from the Transfiguration Monastery, who found the saint’s relics, recognized them by a ring that Catherine received from Jesus Christ. Since then, the relics of St. Catherine have been kept in the monastery’s church.