One of the main highlights of this new trip is getting out into the wilderness of Sinai and experiencing the landscapes as opposed to the main cultural sight of the Nile Valley. You do get to see the real highlights of Cairo, enjoy some brilliant snorkeling in the Red Sea and lazing on the edge of it – and we would strongly encourage anyone who has not been to add on a few days to Luxor – however you also travel through and into a unique, historic and dramatic landscape. A couple of things stood out:
It is a long drive from Cairo, passing under the Suez Canal and past Moses’ spring, and you are likely to stop for a lunch at Pharoah’s Bath. Make sure that you have your torch to hand and swimming trunks nearby. This stop is right on the beach and includes the chance to go into a steam cave, see how long you can last in there, a scramble into a dry heat cave where a torch is a must and then a cooling dip in the Red Sea – avoiding the hot water emerging on the beach. This break in the journey takes place before you head into the Sinai mountains through sinuous wadis and stunning rock fields where small Bedouin settlements cling to the harsh landscape.
There is an otherworldly feel about St Catherine’s which is probably down to its remoteness, the strange coloured rock formations of the area and, possibly, due to the fact that it is the oldest functioning Christian monastery in existence. Certainly a wake-up call at 01.00 for the climb to the top of Mt Sinai felt pretty unworldly. Being February the climb was cold at times and always, above or below, you could see small flickering lights as others made their way up the mountain side. Arriving just below the summit in good time the choice was to wait it out in a tea shop or head to the exposed top and wait there – I definitely have no regrets about lying on the summit in the dark watching the (shooting) stars and slowly seeing the light creep up from the East. What silence existed, this is a popular spot, was broken by a dramatic pre-dawn call to prayer – the first time I have heard an acoustic version – and then a cheer and hymns as the sun appeared on the far horizon. A brilliant and beautiful experience on this holy mountain.
This climb is not going to be for every family as it will take between 3 and 4 hours and while not technically difficult in any way it is continuously uphill in the dark on a rocky path. The last stage, the Steps of Repentance, is just over 700 irregular steps – there is no other way up! A
Bedouin guide leads the group, everyone must have a torch, and the group leader will bring up the rear. There are plenty of places to stop, grab a tea, soft drink or snack on the way, even a few basic toilets, and when you reach the top you can rest up on a mat under a blanket to await the dawn. In winter it will be very cold on the way up, but especially on top, so thermals, gloves etc. will be needed. Even in other months you should plan for it to be cold on the summit while you await the arrival of dawn. The downward journey is much quicker with glorious views in all directions and the thought of breakfast at the bottom. When doing the Sinai Desert trip you can miss the climb if you wish, and just visit St Catherine’s Monastery at a more civilized time, however clearly children cannot be left behind on their own at the hotel and neither can parents send their offspring up the mountain on their own! Doing it as a family will be a great shared experience - for firstly reaching the top and then enjoying together the spectacular dawn appearing across mountainous landscape.Family adventure holidays in Egypt - Click here
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