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DIFFICULTYEasyDISTANCE28.0 kmASCENT↑ 900 mELEVATION1,450–2,146 mDURATION3 days, 2 nightsREGIONHigh Mountain Region

Three days through the high wadis to Galt el Azraq — the largest water pool in the High Mountain Region — passing Farsh Rummana on the way.

Galt el Azraq water pool circuit

Route Map

28.0km
900mascent 2146mhigh point 1450mlow point 3 days, 2 nights
Ein Tufaha, St. Katherine town
Route data: Zoltán Mátraházi (sinaimaps.com, 2014)
Base map: MapTiler · OpenStreetMap contributors
Download GPX
  • Camels carry the heavy gear while you hike with a light pack. Best of all, they always know the way home
  • Explore at your own pace on a private adventure. Take it slow, skip a leg, or climb that peak over there
  • Adventures are available the next day and included in your daily rate. Just text your guide, and it’s done.

Key Information

Day 1 — St. Katherine to Farsh Rummana

The walk starts at Ein Tufaha and climbs the Abu Jeefa pass. The route follows Wadi Tubuq and Wadi Zawatin to Naqb Zawatin, then through Rehebet Nada and into Wadi Jibal. The walk down Wadi Jibal passes Bedouin gardens before reaching Abu Gasaba and the steep gully that descends to Farsh Rummana. Overnight in a Bedouin garden in the basin.

Day 2 — Farsh Rummana to Galt el Azraq and Wadi Abu Tuweita

From Farsh Rummana the path descends Wadi Tala Kibira — a long green valley with several springs. The descent is steep in places. The pool of Galt el Azraq sits about halfway down. Time at the pool — the water is cold even in summer, swimmable in late spring through autumn. From the pool the path climbs back east into Farsh Umm Silla, a granite basin below Mt. Katharina. Overnight in this area in a Bedouin garden.

Day 3 — Return to St. Katherine via Wadi Abu Tuweita

The walk back follows Wadi Abu Tuweita — another of the high mountain wadis with Bedouin orchards along its length. There is a mulberry tree on common land in this wadi too. The path joins the standard return route through Wadi Tubuq and over the Abu Jeefa pass back to Ein Tufaha and St. Katherine.

Two nights in Bedouin gardens — Night 1 at Farsh Rummana, Night 2 in the Farsh Umm Silla or Wadi Abu Tuweita area depending on the guide's arrangements. Farsh Rummana has many gardens; the most established for hosting is the Abu Ghalabas family's garden (per Zoltán's book), though arrangements vary. Mattresses on the ground inside the arisha, blankets and pillows provided. Pit latrines. Water from the wells. Meals over the fire — bread, foul, tahina, dates, nuts, vegetable and meat stew over rice. Tea is heavy black tea with sugar and habak.
The High Mountain Region is the territory of the Jebeleya (الجبالية), one of the oldest tribes in Sinai. They descend from approximately two hundred families sent by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the sixth century to guard the newly-built Monastery of Saint Catherine. The families came from Wallachia, in what is now Romania, and from Alexandria. They are the only Sinai Bedouin tribe whose roots are not in the Arabian Peninsula. They converted to Islam in the seventh century, but until the eighteenth century some Arab Bedouin still refused to marry them, calling them "ruumi" — Byzantine. Today the tribe numbers around 4,600 people, divided into four Roba (quarters) descending from Selim, Emb, Hement, and Ntzinti. They are the only Sinai tribe who farm the land — the walled orchards in Wadi Zawatin, Wadi Tubuq, Wadi Itlah, Wadi Jibal, and Farsh Rummana are theirs. The system of trek guiding in this region is allocated by the sheikhs through a rotating cooperative — the guide for any trek is assigned through this system, not chosen by the operator. A Bedouin guide is on every trek, always from the controlling tribe, always with us from start to finish.
Wadi Tala Kibira is one of the longest steep valleys in the High Mountain Region — it drops from Farsh Rummana at over 2000 m down to around 1600 m at Galt el Azraq, then continues into the lower wadis toward Sheikh Awad. The valley is green by Sinai standards, with multiple springs and a tree line of acacia and small palms. Galt el Azraq is a natural granite pool in the bed of Wadi Tala Kibira. Underground water emerges into the basin and is held in the rock; the pool holds year-round. In summer the pool warms enough to swim; in winter it is cold but does not freeze. The pool's depth varies seasonally. Farsh Umm Silla is a granite basin below the peak of Mt. Katharina — like Farsh Abu Mahashur and Farsh Rummana, it is a flat green floor enclosed by smooth granite walls. The basin shows rock carvings from earlier visitors.
The pool is fullest in late winter through spring (February through May). Summer is possible — the walk to the pool is in the wadi shade for most of the day, but the climb back to Farsh Umm Silla on Day 2 is exposed in the midday sun. Swimming is most pleasant April through October.

What to bring

  • Hiking shoes that have already broken in your feet — not new ones. The Abu Jeefa pass on day one tests boots.
  • A 30–40 litre daypack. The operator, the guide, and the camel carry the camping gear and food.
  • A warm layer for the evening — fleece or light down. Even in October the wadi cools quickly after sunset.
  • A windproof shell. The upper sections are exposed.
  • Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for the day. Sun is the bigger problem than cold on the walking hours.
  • Sun hat with a brim, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
  • A wide cotton scarf — useful for sun, dust, and warmth in the evening.
  • A reusable water bottle (1.5 L minimum). Water is refilled from the garden wells along the route.
  • A small head torch with a red-light setting.
  • Personal toiletries. Toilet paper. Wet wipes if you want them.
  • Any personal medication. The nearest pharmacy is in St. Katherine town.

What to leave behind

  • Cotton socks. Wool or synthetic only.
  • Heavy jeans. They take days to dry if they get wet at a well.
  • Anything you can’t carry comfortably for five hours.

Peace of Mind in the Wild

Comfort & Hygiene

Clean Water: We provide ample bottled mineral water for drinking. Mountain springs are reserved for washing only to keep your stomach safe.

Nature’s Bathroom: We practice Leave No Trace. Privacy is found in nature, and some garden stays feature eco-friendly dry latrines.

Fresh Food: All meals are cooked fresh over the fire—no processed trail rations.

Solo & Social Safety

Respectful Distance: Bedouin hospitality is rooted in honor. Your guide is trained to respect your privacy—giving you solitude when you want it, and company when you ask.

Private by Default: Unlike mass tourism, you set the pace. You don't have to worry about strangers or large groups in your camp.

Safety & Connection

Signal Spots: Mobile reception is available at specific high points. Your guide knows exactly where to check in.

Emergency Link: We maintain direct contact with the tribe in town. In the rare event of an emergency, camel or 4x4 rescue reaches extraction points within 90 mins.

The Network: You aren't alone; local gardeners and herders form a living safety net around you.

Driven by Community, Rooted in Dignity

Booksinai is a community-led movement with deep roots in the desert. We operate without outside investors or corporate influence. Our entire team comes from the local community, sharing the beauty of their home through honest hospitality.

Investing in the Next Generation

Your journey creates a lasting impact far beyond the trail. We pledge 25% of all profits to educational initiatives for Bedouin children. These funds support the brightest young minds in our community, providing the tools they need to thrive. By trekking with us, you directly invest in the future of Sinai’s hereditary knowledge.

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