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Mount Sinai desert safariEgypt desert safari from Cairo to DahabThis Egypt desert safari is the ideal way to see the best Egypt has to offer in just a few days. Travel from the lively city streets of Cairo and the neighbouring pyramids of Giza, across sand dunes in the Sinai desert to the laidback beaches of Dahab. On route you'll pass by gorges in a rainbow of colours and dreamy green valleys. You'll even get a chance to watch the sun rise from the top of Mount Sinai (optional and free of charge). You can make your trip as active and adventurous as you want it to be. At night you'll camp out at the base of Mount Sinai and during the day you'll visit Saint Catherine's Monastery where Moses received the Ten Commandments.Your guide will travel with you throughout this trip. He'll find the most idyllic desert camping spots for you. He'll also tell you whatever you want to know about the rugged landscape, the Bedouins and the legendary myths of the Sinai. This module can also be added to your itinerary after a visit to Dahab. In that case you'll simply do the Sinai route in reverse from Dahab to Cairo. This module is a unique experience and no two trips are the same! As our guides are very individual, they will decide on the exact route of your trip and location of your overnight camp. To give you a general idea of what to expect on this trip please read the description below. |
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3 days/ 2 nights Departs daily |
Accommodation |
2 nights in a dome tent with shared facilities |
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Price |
Please see our Contact Us page for more details |
Includes |
Transport, guide & meals (2x breakfast, 3x lunch, 2x dinner) |
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Transport |
Private transport by Land Cruiser and minibus |
Excludes |
Tips |
Day 1: Cairo - Serabit el-KhadimA spectacular journey is planned for the first day of your Egypt desert safari. In the early morning you'll be collected from your hotel in Cairo in a minibus and drive to the starting point of your Jeep Safari in Abu Zenima (about a 3 hour drive). You'll then continue by jeep through the Sinai desert to the top of Wadi Matala where there is a beautiful panoramic view over the desert. You will also drive to Sheikh Qura where a small tomb has been contructed for a local Bedouin sheikh, located on a high sand plateau. Naturally you'll also stop off at one of the desert's natural water sources, a desert oasis.Late in the afternoon you'll reach the valley near Saint Catherine's Monastery, Serabit el-Khadim. You can head out and visit the Pharaoh ruins or the spellbinding mountain-top temple dedicated to the Goddess Hathor. This is the area where camp will be set up for the night. Your guide will set up your tent and prepare dinner. We suggest you bring along your own sleeping bag liner. At night you'll sleep beneath the stars as you dream about the Sinai wadis and Moses Mountain. |
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Day 2: Serabit el-Khadim - Saint Catherine's MonasteryAfter a peaceful night of slumber, you'll climb out of your tent for an Egypt desert safari breakfast with a sprawling view of your surroundings. After you've helped your guide to take down the camp, it's time to head back into the Sinai Desert.Today you'll set off on another scenic journey, this time through Wadi Mukattab or the 'Valley of Inscriptions'. This valley is known for its steep rocky walls containing ancient writing and graffiti. You'll continue on past the stunning Feiran Oasis, surrounded by a walled valley of date palms with lush gardens and a small local village. In the late afternoon your guide will set up camp in the surrounding area of Saint Catherine's Monastery. After a campfire dinner you'll retreat to your tent for a good night's rest beneath a blanket of stars. Those who are willing to walk up Mount Sinai will only spend a few hours a the camp before starting the ascent, with an aim to reach the top in time to watch the sunrise (please see below for further details). |
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Mount Sinai's Peak The adventurous at heart can climb Moses Mountain on the first or second evening of this Egypt desert safari. The view from 2285m is incredible. The best part is when the sun slowly creeps out above the mountain peaks and paints the mountains every shade of gold. It's quite a climb, but you'll be well rewarded in the end.If you decide to climb the mountain your guide will take you up late at night. After a mountaintop sunrise you'll go back down. You'll reach Saint Catherine's Monastery at the foot of the mountain around 8:00 in the morning (it opens at 9:00). The monastery is closed on Sundays and during Egyptian holidays; however the view from the outside is just as inspirational. If you would like to hike to the top of the Sinai just let us know on your quote request form. The climb and visit to the monastery are free of charge. Your guide will pick a campsite close to the mountain for you. |
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Day 3: Saint Catherine's Monastery - Ain Khudra Oasis - DahabAfter a quiet breakfast in the desert, you can visit Saint Catherine's Monastery. The monastery is completed walled in and is now inhabited by Greek monks.After you've helped take down the camp, your Egypt desert safari trip continues towards Dahab. On the way you'll stop at the desert oasis of Ein Khudra, a picturesque oasis with lush gardens, encircled by steep mountain ranges and impressive vertical cliffs. From here you'll walk through the infamous narrow sandstone canyon; the White Canyon (a little climbing is involved). Sometime later in the afternoon you'll reach Dahab, where you can spend your time as you please. You can end your trip with our relaxing Golden palm tree beaches of Dahab module. If you've already travelled through Egypt and want to end your trip with this Egypt desert safari, you can also do this module in reverse; flying into Dahab and travelling through the Sinai desert to Cairo. Click here for the description of this Sinai desert safari in reverse. |
Egypt desert safari accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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