South Sinai packs two very different worlds into a small area. On the coast, the reefs of Ras Mohammed and Dahab are some of the best snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea, a few minutes from your hotel. Inland, the red granite mountains rise to Mount Sinai, where tradition says Moses received the Ten Commandments, and the 6th-century monastery of St Catherine sits at its foot.
This itinerary gives each its due. Sharm el-Sheikh is the base for the Ras Mohammed boat trip and the restaurants of Naama Bay. Dahab, about 1–1.5 hours north, is slower and more Bedouin in feel, with the Blue Hole on its doorstep. And instead of the gruelling overnight round trip from the coast, you sleep in St Catherine before the 2am start up the mountain.
Travel advice for Sinai differs by area and can change, so check Smartraveller or SafeTravel when you book and again before you go, and make sure your travel insurance covers every part of the route. Every journey is private, with your own driver and guide, and the itinerary can be reversed or extended with diving days.
Journey highlights
- A boat day at Ras Mohammed National Park, snorkelling or diving Shark and Yolanda Reefs
- Evenings on the car-free promenade of Naama Bay
- Snorkelling the rim of Dahab's Blue Hole, or diving the Bells for certified divers
- Two nights in Dahab's relaxed lagoon-side town
- A night in St Catherine and a sunrise climb of Mount Sinai with a Bedouin guide
- St Catherine's Monastery, its Burning Bush and Justinian's 6th-century basilica
- Private driver and guide on every road day through the Sinai mountains
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo
You are met inside the terminal at Cairo International Airport, helped through the visa and luggage, and taken to your airport hotel to rest after the long flight from Australia. Entering at Cairo with a full Egypt visa avoids the restrictions of the Sinai-only entry stamp.
- Day2
Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh: Naama Bay
Take the morning flight to Sharm el-Sheikh, about an hour, and transfer to your hotel. After a swim, spend the evening in Naama Bay, Sharm's original resort centre, walking the promenade and eating at one of the seafood restaurants behind the beach.
- Day3
Ras Mohammed by boat
Leave the marina at about 8–9am on a boat to Ras Mohammed National Park at the southern tip of Sinai, about 1–1.5 hours away. Snorkel or dive the walls of Shark and Yolanda Reefs, where barracuda and batfish hang in the current and the bathroom fittings of the wrecked Yolanda lie on the sand, then stop at a second, gentler reef with lunch on board.
- Day4
Drive to Dahab
Drive about 1–1.5 hours north through the mountains to Dahab, passing checkpoints where your passport is checked. Settle in by the lagoon, and in the afternoon snorkel a shore reef such as the Lighthouse, then watch the mountains of Saudi Arabia across the Gulf of Aqaba turn pink at dusk from a seafront cafe.
- Day5
The Blue Hole
Spend the morning at the Blue Hole, about 15–20 minutes north of town, snorkelling the coral rim of the sinkhole while the water is calm. Certified divers can dive the Bells to the Blue Hole with a guide, a wall dive within recreational limits; nobody should attempt the Arch, a tunnel at about 55 metres. Afternoon free, or a camel ride along the coast.
- Day6
Into the mountains to St Catherine
After a slow morning in Dahab, drive about 2–2.5 hours inland to St Catherine, at about 1,570 metres in the granite heart of Sinai. Meet your Bedouin guide, check your warm layers and head torch, and go to bed early.
- Day7
Mount Sinai at sunrise and St Catherine's Monastery
Start around 2am up the camel path, about 2.5–3 hours of steady switchbacks followed by around 750 stone steps to the summit at about 2,285 metres, in time for sunrise; a camel can carry you to the foot of the steps. Come down to visit St Catherine's Monastery, which opens only on limited mornings, so we plan this day around its hours. Drive about 3 hours back to Sharm for a restful evening.
- Day8
Fly to Cairo and depart
Fly from Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo, about an hour, timed to connect with your international flight home via the Gulf or Asia.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo airport, 1 night | Le Méridien Cairo Airport or similar |
| Sharm el-Sheikh, 2 nights | Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh or similar, or a hotel in Naama Bay |
| Dahab, 2 nights | Le Méridien Dahab Resort or similar |
| St Catherine, 1 night | A simple, comfortable lodge in St Catherine village |
| Sharm el-Sheikh, 1 night | Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh or similar, or a hotel in Naama Bay |
What’s included
- 7 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo–Sharm el-Sheikh and Sharm el-Sheikh–Cairo
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for all transfers and road days
- Shared day boat to Ras Mohammed with snorkelling equipment and lunch, including the park fee
- Local Bedouin guide for the Mount Sinai climb
- Private guide for St Catherine's Monastery and the Sinai road days
- Airport meet-and-assist service and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia or New Zealand (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory; confirm it covers South Sinai and any diving)
- Scuba diving, dive courses and equipment hire
- Camel on Mount Sinai, monastery museum entry and donations
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and tips
Destinations on this journey
Sharm el-Sheikh & South Sinai · Dahab
Sinai and the Red Sea in 8 Days: Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab and Mount Sinai: FAQs
Is it safe to travel in Sinai?
Travel advice for Sinai differs between the coastal resorts and the interior, and it can change. Check the current advice on Smartraveller or SafeTravel before booking and before travel, and confirm your insurance covers Dahab and St Catherine. Our Is Egypt safe? guide has more.
How hard is the Mount Sinai climb?
It takes about 2.5–3 hours on the camel path, then about 750 steep steps, mostly in the dark, with roughly 700 metres of ascent. Anyone of reasonable fitness can manage it at a steady pace, and a camel can take you to the foot of the steps. See our Mount Sinai guide.
Will St Catherine's Monastery be open?
At the time of writing it opens to visitors only for a few hours on limited mornings and closes on some days and religious holidays, and hours change. We check before fixing your dates. Read more on our St Catherine's Monastery page.
Do I need to dive to enjoy this trip?
No. Ras Mohammed and the Blue Hole rim are both excellent from the surface. Divers can add dives on any coastal day; our scuba diving guide covers certification and dive centres.
Why stay in both Sharm and Dahab?
Sharm is the base for the Ras Mohammed boats and has the most hotels and restaurants; Dahab is smaller, more relaxed and closer to St Catherine. Compare them in Dahab vs Sharm el-Sheikh.
What should I pack for the summit?
A down or fleece jacket, beanie, gloves and windproof layer even in spring, plus a head torch, sturdy shoes, 1.5 litres of water and small notes for tea. Covered shoulders and knees are needed at the monastery.
