Climbing Mount Sinai at Sunrise: What to Expect

Mount Sinai sunrise climb: what the night is really like

A 17-hour night from Sharm El Sheikh with a three-hour drive, a climb in the dark, a cold summit and a monastery visit once the sun is up.

Egypt Discovery editorsUpdated 26 September 20263 min readReviewed by Egypt Discovery

In short

The Mount Sinai trip is a hard night, not a lie-in with a view. You are collected at 21:00, drive about three hours to St Catherine, and start the climb at about 01:00 with a Bedouin mountain guide. The last 750 rock steps come around 04:00, and sunrise is between 05:00 and 06:30 depending on the season. The summit is 2,285 metres and close to freezing in winter. After a two-hour descent you have breakfast and visit St Catherine's Monastery, then drive back, reaching Sharm between 11:00 and 14:00.

The whole trip lasts about 17 hours, from a 21:00 hotel pick-up to a return to Sharm El Sheikh between 11:00 and 14:00.
The climb starts at about 01:00 on the camel path, takes about three hours in the dark, and ends with 750 rock steps that you must do on foot.
The summit stands at 2,285 metres and is near freezing in winter, so warm clothes, a hat and gloves matter more than you expect.
St Catherine's Monastery is closed to visitors on Fridays, Sundays and Orthodox feast days, which can change what the morning looks like.
The minimum age is 8, and the group is shared, with no more than 16 guests.

The night is long, cold and tiring, and most people who do it say the sunrise was worth it. The trip lasts about 17 hours. A shared minibus collects you from your hotel at 21:00, you climb in the small hours and watch the sun come up at the summit. After the walk down you have breakfast and see St Catherine's Monastery, then return to Sharm El Sheikh by early afternoon.

It suits you if you walk regularly, cope with a night without sleep and are happy in the cold. It does not suit anyone with a heart or knee problem, or anyone who dislikes heights and dark paths. The minimum age is 8. If you are not sure whether your group is fit enough, ask our team before booking, and check the trip page for the current price.

The timings, hour by hour

The minibus leaves at 21:00 and drives to St Catherine through the mountains of South Sinai. Allow about three hours, plus stops at the road checkpoints, so you arrive between 00:30 and 01:00. That is why your passport must be with you, not in the hotel safe. The vehicle is air-conditioned and shared with other guests, and you can doze on the way.

The climb starts at about 01:00 with a Bedouin mountain guide on the camel path, which is the gentler of the two routes. Around 04:00 you reach the last 750 steps, which are cut into the rock and are the hardest part. Sunrise falls between 05:00 and 06:30, and the time varies through the year, so you may wait at the top for a while.

The climb and the steps

The camel path is a wide track that winds up the mountain, and the pace is slow, with rests at huts along the way. You can pay a camel owner on the spot to carry you for part of the ascent, but the final 750 steps are on foot because camels cannot climb them. Expect about three hours of climbing in the dark, so a head torch is essential.

The descent takes about two hours. Many people find the walk down harder on the knees than the climb was on the lungs, so shoes with a good grip help. In daylight you see the landscape you climbed through, which is bare granite and sand, and that is often the part visitors remember. Take your time on the steps.

The cold at the top

The summit is at 2,285 metres, and in winter it is close to freezing before dawn, with wind. Even in summer the air at the top feels cold after a warm climb. Wear a warm jacket, a hat and gloves, and carry them even if the evening in Sharm was mild. Blankets can be rented at the huts, and hot drinks are sold there, both for a small payment on the spot.

Who should think twice

Be honest about the hard parts. You will be awake for more than 24 hours if you start the day normally, and the mountain is dark, uneven and busy with other groups. The huts on the way are basic. If you feel unwell on the way up, tell the Bedouin guide early, and rest at a hut rather than push on. People who dislike crowds on narrow paths may find the final steps tense.

St Catherine's Monastery and breakfast

At about 09:00 you have breakfast, which is included, and then visit St Catherine's Monastery when it opens. The entrance fee and the St Catherine Protectorate fee are included. The monastery is closed to visitors on Fridays, Sundays and Orthodox feast days, so on those days you will see the outside and the village only. Cover your shoulders and knees for the visit.

What to pack and what is paid for

Included: hotel pick-up and drop-off, the air-conditioned minibus, an English-speaking guide, the Bedouin mountain guide, breakfast, the protectorate fee, monastery entrance and bottled water.
Paid on the spot: the camel for part of the ascent, blanket rental and hot drinks at the huts.
Bring: passport, warm jacket, hat and gloves, walking shoes with grip, a head torch and some snacks.
Not included: gratuities, a torch and personal expenses.

Booking and cancellation follow the usual terms: most trips can be booked online up to 48 hours before, and you get a full refund if you cancel three or more days ahead. If you hold the free Sinai-only entry stamp, ask our team before you book, since the trip details do not say that it covers this route.

Plan with us

Mount Sinai sunrise climb: what the night is really like

Timings, the climb, the cold at the summit and St Catherine's Monastery: an honest account of the Mount Sinai sunrise night from Sharm El Sheikh.

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Frequently asked questions

How difficult is climbing Mount Sinai?

It is a steady walk of about three hours in the dark, finishing with 750 rock steps that must be done on foot. There is no technical climbing, but it is tiring after a night without sleep. A camel can carry you for part of the ascent, though not up the final steps.

What time will I be back at my hotel?

The minibus leaves St Catherine after the monastery visit and reaches Sharm El Sheikh between 11:00 and 14:00. The exact time depends on the traffic and checkpoint queues. Avoid planning a transfer or a flight on the same day, and leave the afternoon free to sleep.

Is Mount Sinai too cold in summer?

Summer nights on the summit are far milder than in winter, but the air at 2,285 metres is still cool before dawn, especially after a sweaty climb. Winter is the real concern, when the summit is near freezing. Pack a jacket either way, and add a hat and gloves from autumn to spring.

Can children do the sunrise climb?

Children from 8 upwards can join. They need to walk for several hours in the dark and stay awake through a very long night, so it works best for older children who like hiking. Under shared trip terms, children aged 2 to 11 pay half the adult price.

Will St Catherine's Monastery always be open?

No. It is closed to visitors on Fridays, Sundays and Orthodox feast days. On those days you can still do the sunrise climb and have breakfast, but you will not go inside. Tell us your dates and we can confirm whether your day falls on a closure.