Overview
A 2,285-metre Sinai peak climbed overnight for sunrise, with a 6th-century monastery at its base.
Attraction
Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
A dawn climb above the Sinai peaks, and one of the oldest working monasteries on earth.
Why Visit Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
Few places combine a genuine mountain sunrise with a monastery that has been continuously occupied for around fifteen centuries and still holds its early icons and manuscripts.
History of Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine's Monastery was built at the order of the emperor Justinian in the 6th century around an earlier chapel. Its remoteness spared its icons during the Byzantine iconoclasm, leaving one of the most important early collections anywhere. The area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Best Time to Visit Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
October to April for the climb. Summit temperatures fall sharply before dawn in any season, so warm layers are needed year round.
How to Get to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
In southern Sinai, roughly a three-hour drive from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab. Normally done as an overnight trip departing late evening.
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Plan Your Visit to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
Want to include Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery in your Egypt itinerary? Browse our tours or ask for a custom plan.
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