Destination: Egypt

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Sinai

BEDOUIN, BEACHES & THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Head first to St Katherine’s Monastery. The monastery is a must for the complete biblical experience; it has the burning bush, a famous Byzantine church and a stunning icon collection. Arrange a hike with a Bedouin guide through the spectacular St Katherine Protectorate.



Then, take a sleeping bag up Mt Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, and set your alarm in order to catch the spectacular sunrise.

Relax on a beach to recover from your mountain-climbing exertions. If you prefer small resorts, Dahab is the place to arrange camels for diving or snorkelling trips to nearby reefs, such as those at the Ras Abu Gallum Protectorate. A trip to Ras Mohammed National Park, home to some of the world’s most spectacular reefs, is a must. Serious divers can arrange trips to more remote reefs or to the world-famous Thistlegorm wreck.

Back on dry land, there are plenty of Bedouin in Dahab or Nuweiba who can arrange camel or jeep treks to such natural wonders as the Coloured Canyon. On your way back to Cairo allow for a detour to the impressively remote temple remains at Serabit al-Khadim, where the ancient Egyptians mined turquoise.

Travelling to Egypt?
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