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DIFFICULTYEasyDISTANCE13.5 kmASCENT↑ 700 mELEVATION1,387–2,088 mDURATION2 days, 1 nightREGIONHigh Mountain Region

Two days in the narrow wadis west of Wadi Zawatin — granite boulders, hidden water pools, and an overnight in a Bedouin garden in Wadi Tinya.

Wadi Shaq and Kharazet el Shaq water pools

Route Map

13.5km
700mascent 2088mhigh point 1387mlow point 2 days, 1 night
Ein Tufaha, St. Katherine town
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 Tinya via Wadi Shaq and Kharazet el Shaq

The walk starts at Ein Tufaha and climbs the Abu Jeefa pass to Wadi Tubuq. From here a turn into Wadi Shaq — a narrow wadi with big boulders blocking the path. The route passes Oda’s garden, the only walled orchard in this wadi. Above the garden a small dam holds water in winter. The path continues upstream into the upper wadi where Kharazet el Shaq sits — a granite pool split in the rock that holds water through most of the year. From the pools, the route climbs over the Naqb Zawatin pass and descends into Wadi Tinya. Overnight in a Bedouin garden.

Day 2 — Wadi Tinya to St. Katherine

The morning walk runs through Wadi Tinya into Wadi Zawatin, where the path joins the standard high mountain route back through Wadi Tubuq and over the Abu Jeefa pass to St. Katherine.

One night in a Bedouin garden in Wadi Tinya, on the western side of the high mountain massif. The garden is a working orchard held by the Jebeleya families of the area. Mattresses on the ground inside the arisha, blankets and pillows provided. Pit latrines. Water from the well. Meals over the fire — fresh bread, breakfast of foul or tahina with olive oil and zaatar, lunch on the move, dinner a stew over rice or pasta. Tea is heavy black tea with sugar and a sprig of 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 Shaq is one of the narrowest wadis in the High Mountain Region — its name derives from the Arabic root meaning "crack" or "narrow split." The wadi floor is choked with house-sized granite boulders that have fallen from the walls. In places the path runs directly under them; in winter the stream passes through ponds at their bases. Kharazet el Shaq is a series of natural granite pools in the upper wadi. The pools are carved by water over millennia into the smooth granite surface. Water holds for most of the year, fed by underground seepage. The Naqb Zawatin pass between Wadi Shaq and Wadi Tinya is one of the short but steep passes that connect the western and eastern sides of the high mountain massif.
The pools hold most water in late winter and early spring (February through April). The wadi is shaded for most of the day by its narrow walls, making summer more bearable here than on exposed routes — but the pools are lower or dry in late summer.

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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