Mount Sinai & St. Catherine's Monastery

The most stunning locations within the Sinai Region of Egypt are undoubtedly Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Sitting majestically within this diverse location, it is simply magical with endless views and intense sunsets and sunrises

 
Location:

Situated just a short distance from Egypt’s beautiful Red Sea and all its wonderful attractions, there are few places in the world where you can be in such an awe-inspiring part of the world. Even before written history, oral traditions strongly favour this as the real site, and that spoken history has been handed down to us today. It is certainly true that the sheer magnificence of these mountains, and their isolation from everyday life, has inspired people of all religions.

 
Interesting Facts:
 
The traditional Mount Sinai is the name of a collection of peaks, sometimes called the Holy Mountains. At its southern end is Mount Musa (the mountain of Moses), traditionally believed to be the place where Moses communicated with God and received the Ten Commandments.
Mount Musa (Moses Mountain) is not the highest peak in Sinai. That honour belongs to nearby Mount Catherine which, at over 2500 metres high, is also the highest mountain in Egypt.

If you’re planning to climb Mount Sinai, several routes are available for this unforgettable spiritual and scenic experience. The steepest and shortest path, Siket Syidna Musa, features 3,750 stone steps known as the Steps of Penitence, carved centuries ago by the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery at the mountain’s northeastern base. Many travelers choose to begin their ascent at night—not only to escape the daytime heat but also to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the summit.

Alternatively, the longer route, El Bashait, offers a gentler climb and can be done on foot or by camel. The journey takes around two and a half hours, with small stalls along the path selling refreshments.

A typical Moses Mountain itinerary starts in the evening from Sharm El Sheikh, followed by a two-hour drive to the mountain’s base. After the rewarding climb, visitors watch the magnificent sunrise over the sacred peaks, then descend to explore St. Catherine’s Monastery, built between 527 and 565 CE by order of Emperor Justinian, on the very site believed to be where Moses encountered the Burning Bush.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery:

Upon entering St. Catherine’s Monastery, visitors are greeted by an extraordinary collection of ancient and sacred art. The monastery houses priceless treasures including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, European oil paintings, and countless religious artifacts that reflect centuries of devotion and craftsmanship.

It is home to one of the world’s largest collections of illuminated manuscripts, second only to the Vatican, with nearly 5,000 volumes written in a wide variety of languages. As a functioning monastery, guests are kindly asked to maintain respect for its religious setting.

At the monastery’s spiritual center lies the Chapel of the Burning Bush, a modest yet deeply sacred site believed to be located beside the very bush where Moses spoke with God. The bush, a rare species known as Rubus Sanctus, still grows nearby. The monastery’s fortified granite walls were originally built to protect its monks and treasures through centuries of upheaval. Remarkably, throughout history, leaders of many faiths have ensured its protection, preserving its legacy as a place of peace and worship.

Note: Always check the monastery’s opening times before your visit, as it may be closed on certain days.

Sinai’s Additional Attractions:

Surrounding St. Catherine’s Monastery, St. Catherine’s National Park is a remarkable natural reserve teeming with diverse wildlife and plant species, many found nowhere else on Earth. The mountains are home to the Sinai Rosefinch from Asia, Ibex and wolves from Europe, as well as striped hyenas and Tristram’s Grackles from Africa. The park also hosts several species unique to the area, including two types of snakes and around twenty native plants, such as the stunning Sinai primrose.

Thanks to careful management, the park preserves its unique ecosystem while providing visitors the opportunity to experience its extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity.