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DIFFICULTYHardDISTANCE7.8 kmASCENT↑ 1,050 mELEVATION1,600–2,621 mDURATION2 days, 1 nightREGIONHigh Mountain Region

A two-day ascent of Mt. Katharina, 2629 m — the highest point in Egypt — with an overnight in Wadi Shaq Musa at the base of the mountain.

Mt. Katharina, Egypt’s highest peak

Route Map

7.8km
1050mascent 2621mhigh point 1600mlow point 2 days, 1 night
Wadi Shaq Musa trailhead (4x4 from St. Katherine)
Route data: Zoltán Mátraházi (sinaimaps.com, 2014)
Base map: MapTiler · OpenStreetMap contributors
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  • 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 Wadi Shaq Musa

The walk starts at the town. A short 4×4 transfer brings the group to the trailhead near Wadi Shaq Musa, on the southern side of the mountain. From here the walk climbs gradually through the wadi to an overnight camp. The wadi is sheltered from wind by the surrounding peaks. Overnight in the camp.

Day 2 — Summit and descent

The summit day starts before dawn — usually 3 to 4 am. The path climbs the southern flank of the mountain. The lower sections are on a good path; the upper sections are loose rock with sustained climbing. The summit is reached at or near sunrise. The summit cross marks the highest point. From the summit on a clear day you see the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Gulf of Suez to the west, and Mount Sinai to the north. Descent the same day back to Wadi Shaq Musa, then back to town. Total walking time on summit day is 8 to 10 hours.

One night in a camp in Wadi Shaq Musa. The camp is a simple bivouac — tent and mattresses on the wadi floor. Toilets are dug latrines at a discreet distance. Water is carried in from the town; there are some springs in the upper wadi but not relied on. The summit day starts in the dark and finishes in the late afternoon — the camp is not occupied during the day. Day 1 dinner is over the fire — bread, foul, tahina, vegetable stew over rice, tea. Summit day breakfast is light — bread, dates, hot tea — eaten in the dark before the climb starts. Lunch on the descent is on the move.
Mt. Katharina is in the territory of the Jebeleya (الجبالية) — the same tribe that holds all of the High Mountain Region around St. Katherine. The mountain's name in Arabic is Jebel Katharina, after Saint Catherine — the patron saint of the monastery at the mountain's base. The Jebeleya tribe was sent to Sinai by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the sixth century specifically to guard this monastery and the mountains around it. The guides who lead Mt. Katharina ascents are from the Jebeleya cooperative — allocated through the rotating system the sheikhs maintain. Their knowledge of the mountain comes from generations of walking it, both for monastic pilgrimages and for the tribal grazing system that historically used the upper slopes in summer. A Bedouin guide is on every trek, always from the controlling tribe — for this route, a Jebeleya guide, with us from start to finish including the pre-dawn summit climb.
Mt. Katharina is granite — the same uplifted block of basement rock that forms the rest of the South Sinai high mountains. The summit ridge has loose granite blocks that have weathered out of the bedrock. The upper slopes are exposed to the wind from the Gulf of Aqaba, which keeps them swept clean of snow most of the winter — though snow does fall occasionally. Wadi Shaq Musa, the approach wadi, is one of the deepest wadis cutting into the southern flank of the mountain. The wadi has Bedouin gardens at its lower end and small springs that emerge from the granite walls. The summit gives the highest viewpoint in Egypt. From the top, on a clear day, you see the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez framing Sinai on both sides, with Mount Sinai (2285 m) visible to the north as a distinctly lower peak.
October to April is the recommended window. Snow can fall on the summit in January and February — not deep but enough to make the loose rock dangerous when wet. March-April and October-November have the best balance of dry conditions and manageable temperatures. Mid-summer climbs are not advised — the upper sections are exposed to direct sun.

What to bring

  • Hiking boots with ankle support and good grip — the upper mountain is loose rock.
  • A 30-40 litre daypack. Operator and guide carry the camp gear.
  • A warm layer for the summit — fleece + light down. Summit-morning temperatures drop below freezing in winter.
  • A windproof shell with a hood. The summit ridge is exposed to wind.
  • Warm gloves and a beanie — the summit climb starts in the dark and the upper sections are cold even in late spring.
  • Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for the day.
  • Trekking poles — strongly recommended for the descent.
  • A head torch with a red-light setting. Essential — the summit climb starts before dawn.
  • Sun hat with a brim, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. The summit is bright even at sunrise.
  • A 1.5 L water bottle plus a 1 L thermos for hot tea.
  • Personal medication. The nearest pharmacy is in St. Katherine town.

What to leave behind

  • Cotton clothing. Synthetic or wool only for the summit day.
  • Anything you can’t carry for 10 hours of walking.

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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