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Private, on your own dates · Egypt

Coptic Egypt and Mount Sinai

The Holy Family trail through Cairo and Wadi El Natroun, then across to Sinai for the midnight ascent of Mount Sinai, sunrise from the summit and Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

The route2 cities.
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7 days, 6 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Lunch and dinner on the Sinai transfer dayMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

The Cairo half of this is our Holy Family itinerary — the Hanging Church, Abu Serga, Saint Simon the Tanner in the Mokattam cliff, and the four working monasteries of Wadi El Natroun. The Sinai half is what makes it a pilgrimage rather than a tour.

You drive six hours across to Sharm El Sheikh, rest at the hotel, and leave again at 23:30 for Mount Sinai. The climb is done in darkness so that you are on the summit for sunrise — the tradition, and also the only sensible way to do it, because the mountain is punishing in daylight.

Coming down, you visit Saint Catherine's at the foot of the mountain. It has been continuously inhabited since the sixth century, making it one of the oldest working monasteries on earth, and it holds a library second only to the Vatican's among Christian collections.

Then the drive back to Cairo for the last night. It is a demanding few days and the climb is the reason to choose it.

Trip highlights

  • 01The night ascent of Mount Sinai for sunrise
  • 02Saint Catherine’s, inhabited since the sixth century
  • 03The four monasteries of Wadi El Natroun
  • 04The Hanging Church and Abu Serga in Old Cairo
  • 05The Grand Egyptian Museum and the pyramids

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip7 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Accommodation as named in the itinerary
Transport3
  • All transfers as named in the itinerary
  • All tours and transfers by private vehicle
  • Lunch and dinner on the Sinai transfer day
Entrance Fees1
  • Tours and entrance fees as named in the itinerary
Guide1
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Meals1
  • One bottle of water per person during the tours
Plan and pay separately8 items not covered by this fare
Not included8
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Egyptian entry visa
  • All tipping for guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff (the supplier suggests about USD 7 per person per day)
  • Beverages of any kind
  • Personal items such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks
  • Bank transmitting fees
  • Anything not listed under the inclusions

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

5 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route5 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Wadi El NatrounEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Sharm El SheikhEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Mount SinaiEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Egypt

IdealGoodFairAvoid
SepFair

Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.

Cairo
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Luxor
Average High
39°C
Rainfall
0mm
Hurghada
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Sharm el-Sheikh
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm

Everything is private

  • All transfers throughout the trip are private, in air-conditioned deluxe vehicles.
  • All sightseeing is on a private basis and includes the entrance fees named in the itinerary.
  • Guiding is by a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.

Tipping

  • Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the package.
  • The supplier suggests budgeting around USD 7 per person per day to cover guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff.
  • What you give is at your discretion.

Documents and flights

  • International and domestic flights are not included unless stated otherwise on the tour.
  • The Egyptian entry visa is not included and is arranged by the traveller.
  • Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay.

Meals on board

  • International menus are served on the Nile cruises and in the hotels.
  • Meals outside those named in the day-by-day plan are not included.
  • Drinks of any kind are not included, on board or ashore.

Common questions

How hard is the climb?

It is a long, steady ascent of several hours in the dark, on a camel path or the steeper Steps of Repentance. No technical skill is needed but a reasonable level of fitness is, and it is cold on the summit before dawn even in warm months.

Why climb at night?

To be on the summit for sunrise, which is the tradition. It is also the sensible option — the same climb in daylight is exposed and very hot.

What should I bring for the climb?

Warm layers for the summit, a head torch, water, and shoes with grip. Temperatures on top before dawn are far lower than at the hotel you left.

How long is the drive to Sinai?

About six hours from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh, then on to the mountain overnight. The afternoon at the hotel exists so you can sleep before the 23:30 departure.

Is Saint Catherine’s always open?

It keeps limited visiting hours and closes to visitors on Sundays and some feast days. The itinerary is built around its schedule, but access is ultimately the monastery’s decision.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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