Quick answer
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, about 2,285 metres) is the granite peak above St Catherine's Monastery where tradition says Moses received the Ten Commandments. Most people climb it overnight with a Bedouin guide, taking about 2.5–3 hours on the camel path and the final 750 or so steps to watch sunrise from the summit chapel.
Why do people climb Mount Sinai?
For many it is a pilgrimage to the mountain of the Ten Commandments; for almost everyone it is one of the great sunrises in the Middle East, with ranges of bare red granite turning pink and gold below you. Jebel Musa (the Mountain of Moses) has been identified with the biblical Sinai since at least the 4th century, when hermits settled in the valleys around it. Scholars debate whether this is the mountain described in Exodus, but Jews, Christians and Muslims have revered it for some 1,600 years.
The mountain sits within the St Katherine Protectorate and the UNESCO-listed Saint Catherine Area. Mount Catherine next door, at about 2,629 metres, is Egypt's highest peak. The monastery at the foot of the climb has its own guide: see St Catherine's Monastery.
Camel path or Steps of Repentance?
Most people go up the camel path, which zigzags at a steady gradient for about 2.5–3 hours, then climb the final 750 or so stone steps to the top; the Steps of Repentance are shorter but much steeper, with about 3,750 steps in all.
| Camel path | Steps of Repentance | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Behind the monastery | Beside the monastery walls |
| Gradient | Gentle switchbacks, then about 750 steps | Steep and relentless, uneven steps |
| Up in the dark? | Yes, the usual night route | Not recommended |
| Camels | Can carry you to the foot of the final steps | No |
| Best use | Ascent for sunrise | Descent in daylight |
The Steps of Repentance were laid by monks, by tradition as an act of penance. Coming down them after sunrise you pass the stone Gate of Confession and Elijah's Basin, a small plateau with an ancient cypress and the Chapel of Elijah, where the two routes meet. Knees take a beating, so walking poles help.
What is at the summit?
The summit is a small rocky platform crowned by the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, built in 1934 on the site of a 6th-century church, with a little mosque beside it. The chapel is normally locked, but people gather against its walls to wait for dawn. Just below is a cave where, by tradition, Moses sheltered during his 40 days on the mountain.
Bedouin huts on the final stretch sell tea, hot chocolate and snacks, and rent blankets and thin mattresses for the wait. Expect company: on a busy morning hundreds of people line the ridge, so climbers who want space should walk a little way along the rocks to the east.
How is the night climb timed?
Plan to leave St Catherine around 2am, reach the summit 30–45 minutes before sunrise, and be back at the monastery by mid-morning.
- From a night in St Catherine: the easiest option. Sleep early, meet your guide at about 1.30–2am, and visit the monastery afterwards if it is open that day.
- From Dahab: trips usually leave around 11pm and drive about 2–2.5 hours, so there is little sleep.
- From Sharm el-Sheikh: about 3 hours each way, which makes a long night; we suggest a night in St Catherine instead.
Sunrise varies from about 5am in June to about 6.30am in January, so your guide adjusts the start. A sunset climb is an alternative: start about three hours before sunset and come down by torchlight. The village itself is changing, with a large government tourism development under construction at the time of writing.
What should you bring?
Warm layers matter most: before dawn the summit is often near or below freezing from December to February, and cold even in spring and autumn. Snow sometimes falls in winter.
- A down or fleece jacket, beanie, gloves and a windproof layer, even if the valley felt warm the evening before.
- A head torch with spare batteries; the path is unlit.
- Sturdy shoes with grip; sandals are a poor idea on the steps.
- At least 1.5 litres of water, snacks and small Egyptian pound notes for tea and camels.
- Your passport for checkpoints on the drive.
Our hiking in Sinai guide covers longer treks with Bedouin guides in the same mountains.
Guides, fitness and travel advice
Climbs are led by guides from the local Jebeliya Bedouin, and anyone of reasonable fitness can manage the camel path at a steady pace. Altitude is moderate and rarely a problem, but the climb is about 700 metres of ascent. A camel can carry you to the foot of the final steps, which you must walk; camels are paid separately, in cash. Our camel riding guide covers welfare and etiquette.
A small protectorate fee may be collected; check the current amount locally. Travel advice for Sinai differs by area and can change: check Smartraveller or SafeTravel and confirm your travel insurance covers St Catherine.
Mount Sinai: FAQs
How long does it take to climb Mount Sinai?
About 2.5–3 hours up the camel path and final 750 or so steps, plus time at the top. Allow 5–6 hours for the round trip from St Catherine.
Can you ride a camel up Mount Sinai?
Yes, to the foot of the final steps. The last section, about 750 steps, must be walked.
Is Mount Sinai suitable for children or older travellers?
Fit teenagers usually manage well. Younger children and travellers with knee or heart problems may prefer to skip the climb and visit the monastery only; see our Egypt with kids guide.
How cold is the summit?
From December to February it is often near or below freezing before dawn, with wind chill, and it can snow. Even in April or October expect single-digit temperatures.
Can we visit the monastery after the climb?
Yes, if it is open that day. At the time of writing it opens to visitors only on limited mornings and closes on some days and religious holidays, so build your plan around its hours.
