Sinai Desert trekking holidays, Egypt
| country: | Egypt |
| location: | Sinai Desert |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From 325 - 650 (5 - 10 days) excluding flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
5 Day or 10 Day hikes available.
Variety is at the core of the Ain Khodra Region treks. Hikers choosing this program will walk through remote deserts expanses, over massive sand dunes, wind through hidden canyons, bask in the shade of age old oases, and have the chance to ride camels on the long wadi stretches that link these marvelous attractions. From beautiful sandstone formations, to massive granite peaks, to open sandy plateaus this hike offers a great overview of South Sinai's unique geological make-up. The reward for tired legs is always a dip in the red sea, whether in one of the remote Nuweiba beach camps or in Ras Abu Galum, just north of Dahab.
Walking through two different tribal territories, the Terabin in the North and the Muzeina in the South, trekkers will live a true Bedouin experience. In fact, groups of 10 or more will enjoy sleeping in the Bedouin tents (Beit el Shaar) set up for them every night.
Starting in a remote beach camp north of Nuweiba and ending at the nationally protected beach of Ras Abu Gallum, this 'horseshoe' trek offers stunning variety. With colorful canyons, green oases, sandy plateaus, large dunes, stretches of open desert and narrow gorges, the hiker will get a good overview of South Sinai's unique topography. 2 days are open to either rest and relaxation or individual exploring in especially beautiful areas.
Highlights:
Variety is at the core of the Ain Khodra Region treks. Hikers choosing this program will walk through remote deserts expanses, over massive sand dunes, wind through hidden canyons, bask in the shade of age old oases, and have the chance to ride camels on the long wadi stretches that link these marvelous attractions. From beautiful sandstone formations, to massive granite peaks, to open sandy plateaus this hike offers a great overview of South Sinai's unique geological make-up. The reward for tired legs is always a dip in the red sea, whether in one of the remote Nuweiba beach camps or in Ras Abu Galum, just north of Dahab.
Walking through two different tribal territories, the Terabin in the North and the Muzeina in the South, trekkers will live a true Bedouin experience. In fact, groups of 10 or more will enjoy sleeping in the Bedouin tents (Beit el Shaar) set up for them every night.
Starting in a remote beach camp north of Nuweiba and ending at the nationally protected beach of Ras Abu Gallum, this 'horseshoe' trek offers stunning variety. With colorful canyons, green oases, sandy plateaus, large dunes, stretches of open desert and narrow gorges, the hiker will get a good overview of South Sinai's unique topography. 2 days are open to either rest and relaxation or individual exploring in especially beautiful areas.
Highlights:
- Trekking
- Remote Bedouin Settlements
- Canyons
- Sand Dunes
- Remote Beaches
- Snorkeling
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Wadi El Maliha - Wadi Neikheil. Breakfast. Jeep drives to Wadi El Maliha where the Trek begins. A good hours walk to reach Wishwashi canyon - stop for tea. Continue on to Moyat El Maliha and its multiple palm trees. Climb up Naqb El Frea. Beautiful views onto a colorful basin dotted with trees - Farsh El Frea. Lunch at a nearby Oasis. Continue on toward the first climb of Naqb El Cottle 500m above sea level. Views of the Gulf of Aqaba on a clear day. Reach the Closed Canyon via Wadi Martasha. High sandstone walls on either side form narrow gorge littered with boulders. Continue on to neighboring Colored Canyon. This canyon is visited by many tourists everyday but the unique sandstone color formations within are well worth the walk down a well trodden path. Reach Wadi Neikheil via a plateau strewn with beautiful pebbles. Spend the first night in Wadi Neikheil. Cameleers have gone ahead to prepare the campsite for the evening. Dinner |
| Day 2: | Wadi Neikheil - Aguhla Oasis. Breakfast. Continue down long sandy Wadi Neikheil. Reach Bir Biyariya via Wadi Biyariya. The well is salty and sulphury but feeds two beautiful date palms. Possibility of a refreshing wash. Continue on towards Wadi Halel Elwarr via a couple of sandstone ridges. Beautiful views of surrounding sandstone valleys. Lunch in Rainbow Canyon. Beautiful colorful sandstone rock formations. Walk down Wadi Halel Elwarr. Meet with Cairo road. Cross over into Wadi Aguhla. Tea stop under the shade of a large acacia tree. Long sandy stretch towards Aguhla Oasis. For those who want to rest their legs, this is a good opportunity for camel riding. Arrive in Aguhla Oasis for the night. Dinner. |
| Day 3: | Wadi El Ein. Breakfast. Begin day walking down Wadi El Ein, a beautiful wide open valley resembling a grand mountain avenue. Turn off into the sandy Wadi el Bregar. Lunch. Continue slowly up Wadi el Bregar to reach the beautiful Bregar Sand Dune. Beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. Set up camp. Relax. Dinner. |
| Day 4: | Open day. Breakfast. Possibility to stay back at the camp and relax, explore the beautiful Bregar area or climb Jebel Berga. (1167m) Dinner. |
| Day 5: | Bregar - Ain Hodra. Breakfast. Descend Bregar via La Glug El Bregar. Narrow windy and sandy gulley. Wadi El Hallel - Sandstone formations. Climb up Naqb El Hallel. Here is the border between Tarabin and Muzeina territories. Descent into Wadi Um Viola. Lunch. Walk towards Ain Hodra via beautiful sandy plateau. Impressive sandstone formations. Spend night in camp in Ain Hodra. Refreshing shower. Dinner. |
| Day 6: | Ain Hodra - Jebel Mahrum. Breakfast. Walk around Ain Hodra. See the age-old wells. White Canyon. Well Trodden, but beautiful sandstone canyon. Involves some climbing. Arrive on open sandy plateau. Reach St. Kathrine's road. Climb over Abu Lorshya plateau. Descent through Wadi El Gibi towards Barga plateau. Real open desert feel. Large Sandstone structures. Set up camp at the base of Jebel Mahrum. Dinner. |
| Day 7: | Open day. Breakfast. Possibility to stay back at the camp and relax, explore the beautiful Barga area or climb Gebel Barka (1004m). Dinner. |
| Day 8: | Barga plateau - Wadi Um Isma. Breakfast. Begin heading back east towards the sea across Barga plateau. Reach the Haduda Sand dune biggest in south Sinai. Choose the camel path or have a blast running down the 200m soft sand surface. Enter Wadi Haduda. Extreme scenery change with granite rock and dry waterfalls. Tea break. Join bottom portion of Wadi El Gibi and reach Dahab road. Cross road and begin climb up Naqb Um Isma. Set up camp in Wadi Um Isma. Dinner. |
| Day 9: | Wadi Um Isma - Bir Ugda. Breakfast. Walk down Wadi Um Isma. Reach Wadi Rasasa. Opportunity to ride camel on this long stretch. Climb up Naqb Lamoud (591m). From here its all downhill to the sea! Long sandy descent down Wadi Ugda. Opportunity to ride camels. Fresh, sweet water at Bir Ugda Oasis. Set up camp in canyons beyond Bir Ugda. Dinner. |
| Day 10: | Wadi Ugda - Wadi Omeyid. Continue down Wadi Ugda to Wadi Omeyid. From Wadi Omeyid see the gulf of Aqaba again and feel the cool breeze of the sea. Walk down to Ras Abu Galum, a small Bedouin settlement on the beach. Lunch. Opportunity to swim or snorkel in the afternoon. Fish for dinner! |
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
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Guides and Cameleers for this Trek are drawn from the Terabin tribe. One of the largest tribes in South Sinai, it has been missing out on much of the tourist trade over the past 10 years as more influx has gone to towns in its neighbor's territories such as Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab and St. Catherine's. This trek directly benefits the Terabin people giving work to their families.
We do not use jeeps or any other motorised vehicles for this trek. The entire program is on foot and camel leaving the least possible impact on the environment. Our company is locally owned and operated. All profits that come through booked hikes stay in South Sinai and its various communities. As much as possible, all of the food-stuff and other supplies needed during a trip are bought locally in the town of St. Catherine's directly benefiting local store owners. Our customers are redirected to locally owned business for souvenir purchases/gifts (handicraft, natural herbs shop, restaurants). Every trek booked through us contributes to our community development fund. These monies are then used for specific development and health needs in the community. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |