There is a wide range of activities across Sinai, on the coast, in the desert, and the mountains.
Water Sports
The Sinai Peninsula is surrounded by sea on three sides: the Mediterranean in the north, and the Red Sea, divided into the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, in the south. The coast and coral reefs along the Gulf of Aqaba, stretching from Sharm el Sheikh to Taba, form a world-class tourist destination, offering a pleasant climate year-round and some of the finest diving in the world. Sometimes referred to as the Red Sea Riviera or the Sinai Riviera, the region also offers a wide range of water sports in addition to diving and snorkelling.
Around Town
Apart from water sports, restaurants, and bars, there are many other activities visitors can enjoy in the coastal tourist towns and cities. These include markets, camel and horse riding, desert bashing with beach buggies, quad bikes, or motorbikes, short 4×4 excursions, sandboarding, and Bedouin dinner parties. Visitors can also take part in community initiatives, such as Bedouin handicraft and medicinal herb projects.
Mt Sinai Hike
The Monastery of St Katherine and Mount Sinai are among the most important and beautiful historic, religious, and natural sites in Sinai and Egypt as a whole. However, most visitors spend far too little time here and visit when the sites are at their most crowded. There are basically three options for climbing Mount Sinai:
- Mount Sinai sunrise – an overnight excursion with a night-time hike, sunrise shared with hundreds of other visitors, and a visit to the Monastery in the morning after a sleepless night.
- Mount Sinai sunset – a daytime hike, a peaceful sunset with few or no other people, and a night spent comfortably in bed.
- Hidden Mount Sinai – discovering the hidden treasures of the Mount Sinai–Ras Safsafa range on a full-day or overnight hike, enjoying a peaceful sunset and spending the night either back at your hotel or in a Bedouin garden.
Before or after your climb to Mount Sinai, a visit to the Monastery of St Katherine is a must. Built on the site of the Burning Bush and continuously inhabited since the 6th century, it is the oldest working monastery in the world.
Christian Sites
Sinai is a Biblical land, and many visitors come for this reason alone. Mount Sinai, believed to be the Biblical Mount Horeb and locally known as Jebel Musa, is a peak sacred to all three Abrahamic religions. However, many visitors do not realise that there are many more ancient Christian sites around the town of St Catherine, including dozens of ancient churches and chapels, several other monasteries, and hundreds of Byzantine monastic ruins, making the region one of the most important centres of early Christian monasticism in the world.
Hiking & Trekking
The Sinai High Mountain Region around the town of St Catherine is a fantastic yet little-known trekking destination. Egypt’s highest peak, Mt. Katherine, is located here, along with many other impressive mountains offering spectacular views. In the wadis, visitors can find water pools and cascades, canyons, historic ruins, and hundreds of lush Bedouin orchards. The high mountains extend all the way to the coastal plain in the west and south, with two of the most impressive peaks, Jebel Umm Shaumar and Jebel Serbal, located on the outer edge of the range. Treks start from the town of St Catherine, and most can be organised on short notice, along with transport if needed, although advance booking is recommended.
Walking & Camel Safaris
The real safari, the way the Bedouin have travelled for at least a couple of thousand years, is by camel and on foot. Camel safaris include periods of walking, and most people are happy to alternate between riding and walking from time to time. You can also cover the entire distance on foot, using the camel only to carry bags, food, and water. Walking and camel safaris involve camping in the desert, which is one of the highlights of the experience. They can last from a couple of days to two weeks or even longer.
4×4 Desert Safaris
South Sinai is a great off-roading destination, and many people visit at least a couple of desert sights – usually the Colored Canyon and the lovely oasis of Ein Khudra with the adjoining White Canyon. However, while a day tour is certainly better than no visit at all, an overnight tour is recommended to truly experience the magic of the desert. Excursions and 4×4 safaris can last from a single day to as long as two weeks – there are enough attractions in the interior to make every day unique.
Rock Climbing
The Sinai is a great rock-climbing destination, offering everything from beginner-friendly routes to truly world-class rock faces for experienced climbers. Around St Catherine in particular, you can find some of the finest climbing in the region in a spectacular mountain setting. While we are not rock climbers ourselves, we have worked with professional climbers and understand their logistical needs. You should know your own ability level and have your equipment, insurance, and paperwork in order, and we can take care of the local arrangements. Discover some of the most popular climbing areas and rock faces.
Body, Mind & Spirit
Sinai is a wonderful destination for those seeking rest, reflection, personal growth, or simply a break from the pressures of modern life. The combination of beautiful beaches, peaceful deserts, and majestic mountains creates an ideal setting for activities such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, fasting retreats, Reiki, holistic therapies, nature walks, and other wellness practices. The region has long attracted people in search of silence, inspiration, and spiritual renewal.
Whether you are an individual traveller looking for a quiet place to recharge or a group planning a retreat, we can help with logistics, transport, accommodation, local guides, and suitable locations. From remote desert camps and Bedouin gardens to seaside venues and mountain settings, Sinai offers a wide range of possibilities for body, mind, and spirit.
ACTIVITIES: Water Sports > Around Town > Mount Sinai Hike > Christian Sites > Hiking & Trekking > Walking & Camel Safaris > 4×4 Desert Safaris > Rock Climbing > Body, Mind & Spirit