MOUNT MOÏSE OR GEBEL MOUSSA (2,285 M)
Read moreAccording to the religions of the Book, it was perched on the summit of this mountain that Moses received the Tables of the Law. Some climb it out of faith, whether Christian or Jewish, while others do it for the sheer pleasure of it. Whatever your motivation, the steep path to the summit is breathtakingly beautiful and the final panorama breathtaking. Allow between 2 and 3 hours for the climb. Sunrise and sunset are two particularly famous and... crowd-pleasing moments. For many, it remains a unique experience, but you won't be alone. You can also sleep under the stars at the top of Mount Moses, bearing in mind that it's very cold in winter and snow is not uncommon. Beware of falling on steps made slippery by frost. In summer, many people spend the night at the summit, making it necessary to "mark" your place, but the atmosphere remains friendly and relaxed. In high season, those who prefer a quieter pace will prefer to make the ascent mid-morning, when the site deserted by visitors has regained its calm and natural splendor. Remember to bring enough water, however, as the thermometer climbs very quickly.
For the first part of the ascent, you can choose between two paths that meet 20 minutes from the summit: either the camel track (gently sloping, up to the junction), which is customary on the way up, or the steps (around 300), which are best taken on the way down. In both cases, the path is clear and marked by plastic bottles (on the right, a little to the rear of the monastery, the route of the steps; straight ahead, on a wide strip of earth, the camel trail). At the top is a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity and a mosque built over the grotto in which Moses stayed for 40 days. To the north, in the foreground, the Freiah massif and, much further back, the immense Tih plateau, so feared by the Bedouins for its lack of water. To the east, the Gulf of Aqaba and, on a clear day, the foothills of Saudi Arabia, another world. To the south-west, the huge, superb mass of Mount Sainte-Catherine (2,637 m). You may even catch a glimpse of the chapel on the horizon.
There is one precondition for this climb: you must be accompanied by a local guide. If you're carrying a heavy load, you can also hire a camel.
MONT SAINTE-CATHERINE (2,637 M)
Read moreAt 2,637 metres, Mount Sainte-Catherine (djebel Katherin) is the highest point in the region and in Egypt as a whole. From its heights, you can enjoy an extraordinary panorama of the Sinai, the most beautiful in the entire peninsula and undoubtedly in the country. At the top of the mountain stands a chapel in which the imprint of the body of Saint Catherine, martyred in Alexandria, is embedded (note that the chapel is not open to the public). The body, brought back by the monks, is still in a sarcophagus inside the church. However, your guide can use the small brazier at the top of the mountain to help you enjoy some of the best mint tea you'll ever taste. Less frequented than Mount Moses, the ascent of Mount Sainte-Catherine requires a 5-hour walk from the monastery to climb the 1,200-metre ascent.
Itinerary. There are two possible routes to the top of Mont Sainte-Catherine. The first traverses a variety of sublime landscapes (including the "Wady Djebel", which means "valley of the mountains", "balcony of the plants" and "red mountain"), passing through outstanding granite rock landscapes. The second, more direct route to the summit mainly follows a zig-zag path. This hike is easier, but the scenery is less varied. It will be used to reach Mount Moses, if the two hikes are combined.