The biblical Mt. Sinai does exist, and not surprisingly, it is in Egypt. Clearly we had no choice but to climb the famed mountain. Popular for sunrise, we chose to watch sunset from the peak, assuming it would be warmer (it was) and less crowded (it was).
Small booths with snacks, water and bathrooms lined the winding path towards the mountain top. Some even sold souvenirs, although I’m not sure who would want to carry something further up the mountain. As you near the top you start to see these wonderful little signs along the path, alerting you to the obvious. This was one of my favorites.
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IF YOU GO: Mt. Sinai, not surprisingly, is on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Although you can take tours, including hiking trips from Dahab or Sharm el Sheik, it’s a long drive. We recommend stay in St. Catherine’s, the village closest to Mt. Sinai. We walked from St. Catherine’s to and from Mt. Sinai. The village is small and during the day a bit touristy. At night it’s much more authentically local and we were glad to spend the night there in a Bedouin run hostel. The arabian peninsula is full of great hiking opportunities, remember it’s the desert and bring plenty of water and food. There are companies that will take you on hiking holidays to Dubai or Egypt.
Erik says
I did it for sunrise and, while it was crowded, it remains one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.
Jillian says
Fabulous! I think whether you do it at sunrise or sunset it’s an amazing experience. I expect the sunlight creeping across those red colored rocks was brilliant!