Mount Sinai Sunrise Climb and St Catherine’s Monastery

Sunrise from the summit

You leave the coast in the late evening, reach the foot of the mountain around midnight and climb by torchlight with a Bedouin guide. The path takes most people around two and a half to three hours, with tea huts along the way. From the summit you watch the sun rise over the granite peaks.

The descent

You come down by the camel path, or by the Steps of Repentance, by tradition 3,750 stone steps cut by monks, which is steeper and harder on the knees.

St Catherine’s Monastery

At the foot of the mountain stands one of the oldest working monasteries in the world, with the chapel of the Burning Bush tradition. Its opening hours are short and it closes on some days and religious holidays, so we confirm what you can see with your quote.

Good to know

It is cold at the summit before dawn, even in summer, and freezing in winter. Bring warm layers, a torch and good walking shoes. Camels can be hired for part of the way up.