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Mountain · Saint Catherine, South Sinai
Mount Sinai
A 2,285-meter mountain next to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, where tradition places the giving of the Tablets of the Law to Moses. The predawn ascent to watch sunrise from the summit is done with Bedouin guides.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai, locally called Jebel Musa (Mountain of Moses), is 2,285 meters high and rises south of Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions place the giving of the Tablets of the Law to Moses here, and the mountain has been a pilgrimage site for centuries.
There are two routes to the top. The camels’ path, longer and less steep, takes about two and a half hours on foot, and part of it can be done by camel. The Staircase of Repentance, shorter and steeper, has about 3,750 stone steps opened by monks in the valley behind the monastery. Many ascend by the first route and descend by the second.
On the summit are a Greek Orthodox chapel, built in 1934 over the ruins of an older church, and a small mosque. Most visitors climb at dawn to watch the sunrise over the Sinai mountains, when the sky is clear.
Along the route Bedouin stalls serve tea and rent blankets for the wait in the cold at altitude.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Five to six hours, including the predawn climb, the wait for sunrise and the descent.
Best time
At dawn, to reach the summit before sunrise. In spring and autumn the climb is more pleasant; in winter the cold is intense at the top.
How to get there
On foot from Saint Catherine’s Monastery, in the village of Saint Catherine. Tours from Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh arrive at the base late at night.
Tip
Bring warm clothing, a hat and a flashlight, even in summer: it is cold at the summit before dawn. Wear sturdy shoes for the descent on the stone staircase.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mount Sinai
How long does it take to climb Mount Sinai?
About two and a half hours via the camel path, or a little less via the Stairway of Repentance, which is steeper. Including the wait for sunrise and the descent, the trip takes five to six hours.
Can you climb Mount Sinai by camel?
Yes, for part of the camel path. The final stretch to the summit is on foot, up stone steps.
How high is Mount Sinai?
2,285 meters. The neighboring Mount Catherine, over 2,600 meters, is the highest point in Egypt.