2-Day St Catherine & Moses Mountain Sunrise Tour from Cairo

Summary

Sinai Desert Adventure: Sunrise Hike & St Catherine Monastery Visit

If you’re after something more than just sightseeing in Egypt, this tour lets you climb Moses Mountain for sunrise and explore ancient St Catherine Monastery with local guides—plus you’ll get a real taste of life in Sinai along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The city lights faded behind us as we left Cairo in the middle of the night—honestly, I was barely awake when our guide knocked at my hotel door. The drive to St. Catherine took hours, but watching the desert slowly change color through the window made time slip by. Somewhere near Suez, we stopped for strong coffee at a roadside stand; even at 4am, the air was dry and cool, with a hint of dust and cardamom. By afternoon, we reached St. Catherine village—tiny streets, quiet except for a few kids chasing a football near the mosque. After checking into our simple hotel (clean sheets, hot shower—nothing fancy), dinner was served family-style: rice, grilled chicken, and warm bread that tasted smoky from the oven. I slept early; you have to if you want any chance of handling what comes next.

My phone buzzed at 1:30am—way too soon—but there was hot tea waiting downstairs. Our Bedouin guide met us outside; he barely needed his flashlight as we started up Moses Mountain under a sky full of stars. The climb is no joke—three hours of rocky steps and switchbacks—but every so often you hear someone laughing or sharing dates in the dark. By the time we reached the top, my hands were cold but my face was warm from the hike. Sunrise over Sinai is something else: gold light spilling over endless peaks, everyone just quietly watching it happen. On the way down, we stopped at St. Catherine’s Monastery—the air smelled faintly of incense and old stone—and saw the famous Burning Bush tucked behind an iron gate. Back at the hotel, breakfast never tasted so good: boiled eggs, olives, flatbread still warm from the fire. Then it was time to pile back into the van for Cairo—tired legs but a head full of new stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cairo to St Catherine

• Pick up from Cairo hotel
• Drive to St. Catherine
• Check into hotel
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 2 — Climb Moses Mountain and Return

• Early wake up and tea
• Climb Moses Mountain for sunrise
• Visit St. Catherine Monastery and Burning Bush
• Return to hotel, refresh, and breakfast
• Drive back to Cairo hotel

Top questions

How difficult is the climb up Moses Mountain?

The hike takes about three hours each way and involves uneven steps and rocky paths. It’s doable if you’re reasonably fit—our Bedouin guide set a comfortable pace and there are spots to rest along the way.

What should I bring for the overnight stay?

I’d recommend sturdy shoes for hiking, layers (it gets chilly before sunrise), water, snacks for energy during the climb, and maybe a flashlight or headlamp—even though guides have them too.

Is food included on this tour?

Yes! Dinner is served when you arrive in St Catherine (think grilled meats and local bread), plus breakfast after your hike before heading back to Cairo.

Can I visit inside St Catherine’s Monastery?

You can enter most areas of the monastery complex during visiting hours—including seeing icons and gardens—but some sections are reserved for monks only.

What’s included

This trip covers round-trip transport from your Cairo hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle; one night’s stay at a 4-star hotel in St Catherine; dinner and breakfast; entry fees to St Catherine’s Monastery; plus guiding by both an Egyptologist and a local Bedouin expert who leads your mountain climb.