Travel Guide

Place to Visit: Mt Sinai

Biblical Mountain of the 10 Commandments

Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Mt Sinai lies in the centre of the Sinai peninsula, towering over St Katherine’s Monastery at its foot. Travellers come to the mountain to climb it in time for sunrise and deliberate its biblical associations.

Great Reasons To Visit

  • Follow in Moses’ footsteps and climb Mt Sinai
  • Climb in late afternoon for sunset and a less-crowded experience
  • Explore St Katherine’s Monastery – site of the Burning Bush

Background

After fleeing to the Sinai having killed an Egyptian, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush whereupon he was commanded to rescue the Israelites from Egypt. Moses returned to Egypt and brought the Israelites into the Sinai, famously parting the Red Sea to do so.

Climbing Sinai Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights speaking with God and received two stone tablets on which were inscribed the 10 Commandments, the basis of Jewish and Christian law. Today people come to climb the mountain and visit St Katherine’s Monastery, said to be the site of the Burning Bush.

Relaxing

Visit the Fan Sina women’s co-operative whilst in the area for an opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy and help out local Bedouin women.

Mt Sinai

The mountain is a non-technical climb made by thousands of ordinary people every year. Steps lead to the top which can be busy at sunrise. The view is incredible, a series of peaks rolling away in the distance, bathed in a warm glow. At the foot of the mountain lies St Katherine’s Monastery, founded in the 3rd or 4th century the fortified wall was added in the 6th century by Justinian I. According to tradition the monastery was founded on the site of the Burning Bush and was named after St Katherine whose body is enshrined in a golden casket within the monastery.

Coloured Canyon

Inside the Coloured Canyon

Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Located in central Sinai the Coloured Canyon is just one of several wadis that deserve exploration visiting either on a camel or 4WD safari. The layers of different coloured rock are what give the can...

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Serabit al Khadem

Landscape near Serabit

Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Site of the only Pharaonic remains outside of mainland Egypt Serabit al Khadem was the turquoise mines of Egypt’s ancient rulers. A temple dedicated to Hathor, the cow-headed god, can be found at the ...

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Wadi Feiran

Feiran

Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

With many biblical associations Wadi Feiran is steeped in myth and legend as well as being one of the Sinai’s most enchanting spots. It is here that Moses struck the rock with his staff to bring forth...

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Wadi Ghazala

Wadi Ghazala

Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Named after the gazelles that are said to graze here this wide canyon is another favourite attraction on 4WD and camel safaris into the Sinai hinterland. The walls of the wadi are pitted with caves wh...

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