The walk starts at the settlement of Serabit el Khadim, reached by road from Abu Zenima on the Gulf of Suez coast. A local guide from the village joins the group here — a separate guide from the trek guide, in some cases required by the archaeological site arrangement. The climb to the temple plateau is on foot. The temple sits at about 850 m elevation. The ruins include the Temple of Hathor with its votive stones, ancient mining shafts cut into the rock, and inscriptions from the Middle Kingdom and the 18th-20th Dynasties. Time at the site for exploration. Descent to the wadi for the first overnight camp.
The walk passes Wadi Maghara and continues to the Forest of Pillars — a stand of sandstone columns weathered into vertical shapes that resemble petrified trees. The formations were formed by differential erosion of harder and softer sandstone layers. Time at the formations. Overnight in the wadi.
The walk continues to Jebel Dalal, one of the higher peaks of the Serabit region. The mountain has a distinctive flat-topped summit visible from across the wadi system. The route does not summit Jebel Dalal — only passes near its base. Overnight in the wadi.
The walk turns south toward Wadi Mukattab. The terrain gradually changes — wider wadis, more acacia, occasional springs. Overnight at the western end of the wadi system, in preparation for the inscriptions walk on day 5.
The morning walk through Wadi Mukattab. The wadi walls hold rock inscriptions from Egyptian mining expeditions — names of officials, prayers to Hathor, expedition records. Some are in hieroglyphs; others are in the proto-Sinaitic alphabet, the earliest known alphabetic writing. The route exits at the western end of Wadi Mukattab, where road access at Wadi Feiran picks up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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