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
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Holy Place,
Nature & Wildlife,
Off-the-Beaten Path,
Religious Experience,
Walking/Hiking,
Monastery,
Monument - Historical,
Mountain
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
Review by Julie T, January 2013
Doing what: Private Tour: St Catherine's Monastery and Moses' Mountain at Sunrise
What can I say ... it was AMAZING!!!!! The guide and driver were awesome and made me feel safe the whole trip. The Bedouin guide up the mountain was absolutely charming and so supportive - it is not the easiest of climbs but so worth it! THANK YOU so much Viator - the trip was truly EXCELLENT!
Review by Charles, June 2012
Doing what: Private Tour: St Catherine's Monastery and Moses' Mountain at Sunrise
Viator was more expensive than booking at the hotel, but it's worth it! Our Bedouin guide for the climb, Ahmed, and the tour guide for the trip, Mohsin, were noticably more professional, friendly, and honest than all the others we observed during the tour.
Make no mistake, this is a physically demanding climb, but it is doable for reasonably active people. If you are quite sedentary, or overweight, hire a camel. However, keep in mind that the camel will only take you to the steps at the top of the mountain. These you will have to climb, and they are rustic and challenging, meaning they are not so much "steps" as strategically placed rocks.
The sunrise at the top was beautiful and well worth the journey. The view was inspiring. I could have done without the "pilgrims" who kept walking around to different spots on the summit, singing (badly) hymns at the top of their lungs. But, there isn't much to be done about that.
All in all, the tour was wonderful, Viator provided a fantastic service, and I'm glad to have done it... But, it's one of those tours I will only do once!
Review by Elinor B, May 2012
Doing what: Private Tour: St Catherine's Monastery and Moses' Mountain at Sunrise
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!
Practical Info
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.
