Egypt — Egypt & Middle East — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

SERABIT EL KHADIM WADI FERAN ST CATHERINES MONASTERY Blue Hole Camel trek & snorkelling Mt Sinai 2285m DAHAB Katherina Snorkelling 2642m Optional activities Gulf o f A q ab a EGYPT & MIDDLE EAST Mt Sinai/John R Jones EGYPT Between the Desert & the Deep Blue Sea TREKKING GRADE B Ref ED Bedouin Trails TREKKING GRADE B Ref BT JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS/BEDOUIN CAMPS EXPLORING THE SINAI HEARTLAND 8 DAYS CAMPING/HOTELS HIKING THROUGH THE SINAI The Sinai is a land of contrasts, encompassing barren desert landscapes, vast ranges of stunning mountains and the clear turquoise waters of the Red Sea. We follow spectacular canyons and wadis along ancient routes through the Sinai desert. We will also enjoy the ultimate wilderness experience camping out in a biblical landscape, under a blanket of stars as guests of the Bedouin themselves, before emerging at the stunning Red Sea coast to enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the world! Mount Sinai & St Catherine's Monastery Departing from St Catherine's village in the shadow of Mount Sinai (2285m), trek up the mountain reaching the summit in time for the sunset. A great way to start your journey, Moses is said to have received the 10 commandments on top of Mt Sinai. This allows us truly breathtaking views over the barren peaks of the whole region before returning back to your hotel. In this land of rockscape which sheltered prophets and hermits alike, we also visit the isolated St Catherine's Monastery, founded on the site of the burning bush and one of the first monasteries in history before making our way into the desert. Mountains & Temples After meeting the Bedouin camp crew, we travel by 4WD to Wadi Feran which has Biblical significance as it is reputed to be one of the first Christian strongholds in Sinai and then drive further in the desert to reach a traditional Bedouin Camp. The next few days are spent travelling to various desert camps including the colourful Wadis of Gebel Foga, the naturally occurring phenomenon of the Forrst of Pillars and on to Serabit El Khadim, with its old turquoise mines and dramatic Pharaonic temple ruins dating back to the 12th dynasty. We then travel through Sheikh El Grey, Sheikh Habus and Abu Zaima to Ras Mohammed, witnessing desert sunsets as we relax into the nights beneath a startling clear sky. Coral Reefs & Ras Mohammed National Park As we emerge from the desert, we reach Ras Mohammed National Park, justly famous as home to some of the world's most impressive underwater scenery and eco systems, which occupies a total of 480sqkm of land and sea. After spending a full day snorkelling in the multi-coloured reefs of the southern oasis, we drive to another prime snorkelling site, Dahab. The next morning is spent on a camel coastal trek to Ras Abu Gallum with another snorkelling opportunity in the Bay before camel trekking back to the Blue Hole. This short walking tour takes us to the very heart of the Sinai, into a land full of astonishing variety: sandstone wadis (valleys), granite mountains, fertile oases and vast sand dunes make the Sinai a place whose subtle beauty never fails to surprise. On foot, moving from camp to camp with our camel caravan, we learn about the Bedouin who inhabit these arid lands and begin to understand the mysterious allure of the desert. Mount Sinai & the Red Sea We hike from St Catherines Monastery on the first full day, to the summit of Mt Sinai, one of the highest points on the peninsula and the place where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandment. We witness a spectacular sunset, bathing the sea of lesser peaks below in golden light. After the ascent down you have dinner and stay in a local camp near the monastery. Into the Sinai Desert From our base on the coast at Dahab, we drive into the mountainous heart of Sinai and begin our walk at Wadi Haggag. Here we meet our bedouin cameleers and camp crew, no doubt with a welcoming glass of shay we then strike out on foot into the desert towards our first camp via rock inscriptions from 200BC and the Tombs of Nawamir, dating back to the bronze age. In the evening we sit around the campfire under the night sky full of stars, absorbing the special quality of tranquillity in the desert. 5Day Sinai Hike Following trails created by the nomadic bedouin over centuries, we walk across the mountains and wadis of south-eastern Sinai, through the spectacular rock formations admiring the amazing vistas of this harsh landscape. The days and nights settle into an easy rhythm, as the rush and bustle of the outside world recedes. Our last day is spent on the Red Sea, a chance to enjoy some swimming and snorkelling before the tour ends. Bedouin Trails Ref BT EGYPT SINAI Mt Sinai Sharm el-Sheikh Nawamis Tombs Optional ascent Jebel Matamir 936m FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Sharm, transfer to Dahab. 2 Hike to summit of Mount Sinai for sunset (afternoon meet Bedouin crew and hike to first camp). 3 Visit St Catherines Monastery. 4 to 6 Walking and camping bedouin-style in south-eastern Sinai. 7 Morning trek. Arrive back in Dahab. PM optional snorkelling. 8 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 1nt hotel, 6nts Bedouin camp; 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot/Camels carry luggage & equipment. Comment: A moderate hike through varied desert landscapes, with an ascent of Mount Sinai (2285m). Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), desert guide, Bedouin cameleers, cooks & camp crew. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. N i le 0 ABU AQIBA WADI MATAMIR S I N A I Wadi el WADI HAMMAM Haduda EL HEDDAIDA ST CATHERINES MONASTERY Summit at sunset Mount Sinai 2285m Jebel Katharina 2642m km 25 P E N I N S U L A EGYPT From/To Sharm el-Sheikh DAHAB Snorkelling Gulf of Aqaba St. Catherines Monastery/John R Jones Between the Desert & the Deep Blue Sea Ref ED S Sheikh Habus FACTFILE I Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Sharm; transfer Dahab. 2 Drive St. Catherines ascent of Mount Sinai in time for sunset. 3 Visit St Catherine's Monastery; meet Bedouin crew and drive to Wadi Feran. 4 4WD drive to Giebel Fuga; PM climb to temple of Hather. 5 Drive to Ras Mohammed National Park. 6 Snorkel in NP; drive Dahab. 7 Camel trek and snorkelling. 8 Fly Sharm/London. Accommodation & Meals: 4nts hotel, 3nts Bedouin Camp; 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/4WD/On foot. Comment: An offbeat exploration of the Sinai desert, come prepared for basic but reasonably comfortable conditions whilst camping. The ascent of Mt. Sinai is graded moderate. There are several off-road and therefore bumpy journeys. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus drivers, desert guide. Bedouin cameleers, cooks and camp crew. Group Size: Approx. 14 to 18. Dinosaur rock/Ernie Howard I N A GABEL FOGA Forest of Pillars EGYPT 0 90 Gul z Sue f of Trek length and gradients 2400m 2000m 1600m 1200m 800m 400m 0m Day 2 12km Mt Matamir St Catherine Abu Aqiba Wadi Hammam km RAS 75 MOHAMMED NP Snorkelling SHARM EL SHEIKH Day 3 18km Day 4 18km Day 5 24km Day 6 20km For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk

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