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Witnessing the sunrise from the incredible Mount Sinai, which reaches an elevation of 7,497 feet (2,285 meters) in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, is an adventure that promises a breathtaking view and an unforgettable experience. You may be mesmerized by the encounter with history, spirituality, the beauty of nature, or a little bit of it all. The adrenaline you feel as you lack sleep from starting the journey through the night pushes you to continue hiking in the cool and dark morning, anticipating the sunrise and the beauty you will encounter. This guide to hiking Mount Sinai at Sunrise will hopefully inspire and allow you to be prepared as you embark on this unique journey! This was one of the highlights of my trip to Egypt and I hope you add it to your itinerary to experience it for yourself!

Significance of Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai holds immense historical and religious significance. It is known as the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God and is a reason many travelers want to embark on this hike. The area surrounding Mount Sinai also contains historical remnants, including ancient monasteries such as Saint Catherine’s Monastery, which is one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world. Beyond religion and history, Mount Sinai is known for its beauty, especially during Sunrise when the sun rises over the rugged mountains for a rewarding sight of red-toned peaks and a painted sky.  

Where To Stay When Hiking Mount Sinai

The most common places to stay in Egypt to do the Mount Sinai hike are the beach towns of Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. Both of these places can be accessed by flying into Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) and getting a taxi or pre-arranged transportation through your accommodation. These beach towns are located along the Red Sea and have absolutely stunning, crystal-clear waters, and plenty of activities outside of the Mount Sinai Hike. Dahab is my personal favorite and is worth the extra 1-hour drive from the airport, as it is a small and relaxed beach town. However, Sharm El Sheikh is also a good option and is closer to the airport and has more luxurious, all-inclusive resort options.

Check out how to spend 3-days in Dahab and the best place to stay in Dahab.

How To Book The Mount Sinai Hike

Hiking Mount Sinai at sunrise is best done through a group tour due to security reasons from the local authorities. This can easily be arranged by your accommodation or you can look at options through online booking such as here from Get Your Guide. All logistics are taken care of for you and you can solely focus on the experience and beauty of the hike.

What To Pack To Hike Mount Sinai

You should bring a daypack to carry a few essential items for hiking Mount Sinai. These essentials include water, snacks, and a headlamp. Wear sturdy shoes like sneakers or hiking boots. In addition, regardless of the season, early mornings in Mount Sinai are chilly. However, how cold depends on the season. If you are going in the Summer, this will be perfect weather before it heats up during the day. Wear layers, as it will warm up on your descent when the sun has risen. For winter, bundle up as it will be cold especially when waiting for the sunrise. I did this hike in December and luckily I was prepared to be cold, and I sure was! I wore layers with a Patagonia down jacket as my top layer, gloves, a hat, warm socks, and long pants. I was especially cold at the top waiting for the sun to rise, and even rented a blanket to cover myself. Layers are always a good idea as you can shed clothes and put them in your daypack.

Getting To Mount Sinai

In order to make it to the top of Mount Sinai before sunrise, you will have to leave the night before. This is what makes the whole experience of hiking Mount Sinai at Sunrise so exciting!

The drive from Sharm El Sheikh to Mount Sinai is about 3 hours and from Dahab, it is about 2 hours. So, you will get picked up near your accommodation around 10 p.m. the night before. The exact time depends on your location and the time of the sunrise.

I sleep well in various transportation modes, so I slept almost the whole way! If you don’t sleep well in vehicles, I would recommend you get a nap earlier in the day to get some sleep in.

Note: There are military checkpoints your vehicle will need to go through during the drive. This can make the drive slower.

Hiking Mount Sinai

Once you arrive at Mount Sinai in the very early morning, you will get out of your vehicle and go through a security checkpoint. There will be people selling items such as warm clothes if you forget anything.

Next, you will start hiking the mountain in the dark. You will probably be tired, but you will quickly snap out of it as you start hiking. 

The hike is about 3 miles one-way, with a steady, but not too drastic, incline. It is an easy to moderate hike and there are a few places along the way you can stop for a break or have tea. The total hike usually takes about 2 hours up and 1 hour for the descent.

Be prepared that there will be a lot of other people hiking with you, and you will have to stick with the group and guide you came with. However, there is still a peacefulness you will feel despite the crowds as the area around you is dark and you will be focusing on your steps. Remember to look up at the sky to see the stars! But, make sure to watch out for the camels! There will be people walking with camels asking anyone if they need to ride the camel instead of walking. Although it is hard to see in the darkness, through each step, the anticipation of seeing the true beauty around you heightens. 

You will arrive at the top with plenty of time. The tours allow a significant amount of time for the hike to accommodate all hiking skill levels. Depending on the pace of your group, you could be waiting at the top for the sunrise for about an hour. However, drink some tea or hot chocolate, have a snack, find a spot to sit, and try to keep your eyes open as you wait for the sunrise. My group was one of the first ones at the top and I got an incredible place on a rock in the front to watch the sunrise with no one in front of me! Make sure your spot is comfortable and know there will be a lot of people in the area so the spaces around you will be filled!

Once the sun starts to rise, it is truly a masterpiece! The sun slowly peaks over the rugged mountains and the horizon ignites with tones of gold. The sky slowly begins to brighten with more tones of beautiful colors, allowing you to see the true beauty of the rugged mountains in front of you. You will quickly understand why you chose to go on this crazy experience! You have plenty of time to enjoy, take pictures, and soak it all in, before starting the descent.

After you make the descent you can explore St. Catherine’s Monastery, before heading back to your transportation and ultimately back to your accommodation.

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Hiking Mount Sinai at sunrise is worth it!  Although the early wake-up call and the effort required may seem daunting, witnessing the incredible sunrise makes it all worthwhile. The colors painting the sky, the sense of accomplishment, and the connection to history, spirituality, and nature all show it is not just a hike, it is an unforgettable experience!

Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! If you hike Mount Sinai at sunrise, I would love to hear about your experience!