Dahab Overnight Trip: Moses Mountain & St. Catherine Monastery

Summary

Night Climb to Mount Sinai and Visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery

You’ll climb Moses Mountain under the stars with a local Bedouin guide, see sunrise from Sinai’s summit, and explore historic St. Catherine’s Monastery—all in one overnight adventure from Dahab.

What’s the experience like?

The van picked us up right on time—11:30 p.m., when Dahab was still quiet and the air felt cool against my skin. The drive out to St. Catherine took about an hour and a half; I remember the road was empty except for the odd truck, headlights flickering in the dark. Our driver handed out bottled water and some soft drinks, which honestly helped since it was a dry night.

We met our Bedouin guide at the base of Moses Mountain just before 2 a.m. He moved fast but stopped now and then so we could catch our breath or just listen—the silence up there is something else, broken only by footsteps or someone’s laugh echoing off the rocks. The climb isn’t easy, but you don’t need to be an athlete; there are plenty of breaks, and the guide knows every twist in the path. By around 7 a.m., we reached the top just as the sky started to lighten—no crowds yet, just a handful of people wrapped in blankets watching colors change over Sinai.

Coming down felt quicker somehow, maybe because we were hungry and thinking about breakfast at St. Catherine’s Monastery. The monastery itself is old—really old—and our guide shared stories about Saint Catherine and why this place matters to so many people. There’s something grounding about walking through those ancient courtyards with monks moving quietly past you. After breakfast (simple but filling), we headed back to Dahab, tired but glad we did it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Night Climb and Monastery Visit

• Pick up from Dahab hotel at 11:30 p.m.
• Drive to St. Catherine (1.5 hours)
• Climb Moses Mountain (2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.)
• Visit St. Catherine Monastery
• Return to Dahab hotel

Top questions

How tough is the climb up Moses Mountain?

You don’t need to be super fit—there are plenty of stops along the way, and your Bedouin guide will set a pace that works for everyone.

What should I bring for this overnight trip?

I’d recommend warm clothes (it gets chilly at night), sturdy shoes, maybe a snack or two, and your camera for sunrise shots.

Is breakfast included at St. Catherine’s?

Yes! Breakfast is served after your visit to the monastery—it’s simple but hits the spot after the climb.

What’s included

Your trip covers hotel pickup in Dahab, all transfers by private vehicle with AC, bottled water and soft drinks on board, entrance fees for St. Catherine National Park, a Bedouin guide for climbing Moses Mountain, breakfast at St. Catherine’s Monastery, plus all taxes and service charges.