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DIFFICULTYModerateDISTANCE35.0 kmASCENT↑ 400 mELEVATION50–1,600 mDURATION3 days, 2 nightsREGIONSouth of St. Katherine

Three days descending from the southern mountains of St. Katherine through the Awlad Said wadis toward the Gulf of Suez coast. The final segment to El Tur is by transport from the village.

From Wadi Rumhan to El Tur

Route Map

35.0km
400mascent 1600mhigh point 50mlow point 3 days, 2 nights
Wadi Rumhan (4x4 access 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 — Wadi Rumhan to the upper wadis

The trek starts at Wadi Rumhan, reached by 4×4 transfer from St. Katherine. The walk descends through the Awlad Said wadis — long, gradually-narrowing valleys with occasional springs and acacia. Overnight in a Bedouin garden mid-route.

Day 2 — Through the descent country

The walk continues down through the wadi system. The mountains rise lower and lower around the route as the elevation drops. Overnight in another garden — the Awlad Said wadis have several maintained Bedouin gardens along this route.

Day 3 — Exit to the village, transport to El Tur

The walk exits at a small village at the wadi’s lower end. From here a 4×4 transfer takes the group along the road to El Tur — the town on the Gulf of Suez coast. The transfer is approximately one hour.

Two nights in Bedouin gardens in the Awlad Said wadis. The specific gardens depend on the family arrangements in place at the time of the trek — the Awlad Said tribal cooperative arranges hosts. Mattresses on the ground in 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. Tea is heavy black with sugar and habak.
The Awlad Said (أولاد سعيد) are the Bedouin tribe of the southern wadi systems below St. Katherine. They are part of the Suwalha confederation — together with the Qararsha (of Wadi Feiran) and the Awarma. The Suwalha confederation is in turn part of the Tawara alliance, the larger grouping of South Sinai tribes who view themselves as descendants of the original Arab settlers connected to the holy mountain. The tribe was recorded as resident in South Sinai by 1738 in the surveys of Richard Pococke. Their territory covers the southern reaches of the St. Katherine massif and the wadis that drain toward the Gulf of Suez. Connected ancestrally to the older Beni Wasil stock — one of the oldest Arab tribes documented in South Sinai. The tribe is subdivided into three families per the St. Katherine Monastery records: Chef (Sheikh), Msala'am, and Abu Zheri. The tribal cooperative arranges treks and the host gardens along the route. A Bedouin guide is on every trek, always from the controlling tribe — for this route, an Awlad Said guide from the cooperative, with us from start to finish.
The wadis descending from the southern flank of the St. Katherine massif drop from the granite high country into the lower volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the coastal plain. The walk passes through this geological transition over three days — granite walls high in the wadis, then transitions to mixed rock, then to the sandstone and gravel of the lower wadis approaching the coast. The descent is approximately 1500 m over three days of walking — gradual rather than steep, but sustained. The wadi floor is mostly sand and gravel; the walls drop progressively as the elevation drops.
October through April. The descent loses elevation throughout, so summer mornings can be cool in the upper wadis but afternoons are hot in the lower stretches. Winter is comfortable. Spring (March-April) is the best season.

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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