St Catherine's Monastery
- Address:Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula, Mt Sinai
- Hours:Open 9am - 12pm. Closed Fri, Sun, and all Greek Orthodox holidays
- Admission:Free
Holy Place, Nature & Wildlife, Off-the-Beaten Path, Religious Experience, Walking / Hiking, Monastery, Monument - Historical, Mountain
2:01 AM Monday, May 28
Clear. Pleasantly warm.
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This legendary Greek Orthodox St. Catherine Monastery is one of the oldest places of worship in the world.
Founded in the 4th century, the monastery stands on the site where Moses saw the burning bush. When you visit, it’s possible to see a living descendant of that very bush.
The walled monastery complex includes a fortress, chapel, the 6th century Church of the Transfiguration and monastic buildings. The monastery was never attacked, so its famous library of rare manuscripts, priceless icons, reliquaries and artworks is complete.
Towering 2,285 meters (7,495 feet) above the monastery is Mount Sinai. For many, the trek to the summit is a highlight of a visit to the monastery, either by following the camel trail or climbing the Steps of Repentance. At the top you’ll be rewarded by spectacular views, plus the knowledge that you are standing on the spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Latest Reviews All St Catherine's Monastery Reviews »
An amazing experience! Very friendly and knowledgeable Egyptologist and Bedouin guides. The great advantage to a private tour is being able to ask questions and gain information that you possibly wouldn't ask on a 'group' tour. I went up the first part of Moses' Mountain by camel (an hour and a half on a camel is a LONG time - I literally couldn't feel my legs when I had to get off it again!) I recommend wearing long trousers - not just knee length shorts as I did! Then there are 750 'steps' to climb - very sandy and can be slidy - particularly when going up at night. We had a gorgeous moonlit night an the starts were amazing! At 4.45am we reached the summit and it was COLD!! Sunrise was 5am and it was as though someone had instantly turned on the heat - and WHAT a sight! Wouldn't have missed it for the world - worth all the exersion of getting to the top!! As you're climbing pretty much all night you are exhausted by the time you reach the bottom of the mountain again (unless I'm more unfit than I think!) and I was half falling asleep over breakfast at St Catherine's monastery. Bring a sarong or something to cover your legs if not wearing long trousers - if you don't have one, they'll supply a sheet type thing, but you must wear it! All in all the trip was WELL worth the price and effort - a real 'once in a lifetime' experience! I loved it and can't say enough about the Egyptologist and the Bedouin guide, they were fantastic - and both spoke fanstastic English! A brilliant trip by Viator - would definitely book excursions through them again!
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Excellent tour, the bedouin guide made it great! It's a fantastic and unique experience.
Very happy with the guide and the driver as well.
The whole tour was incredible! Our tour guide, Ahmed was great. He and my husband hit it off immediately. Within 30 minutes they were joking and laughing ... and it didn't stop the entire way! He was very knowledgeable and even accompanied us up the mountain. He helped with the negotiation with the Bedoiuns for our camels. Our Bedouin guide, Mohammed was excellent as well. He was very quiet at first, but as he loosened up, he was joking around with the other guys too! I was really impressed with how many languages he spoke! This was by far, the best part of our trip to Egypt!
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World Heritage-listed St. Catherine’s Monastery is at the foot of Mount Sinai, on the Sinai Peninsula. The best way to get here is on an organized tour.
You could also take a bus from Sharm el Sheikh, then pick up a local taxi from the nearby village of Al Milga.
