Sinai

Our guides are the best in the business. They know the environment you will be trekking through intimately and hold the highest first aid qualifications to lead groups in remote places.

Your Bedouin guide will be the highly experienced Fraig Khedr of the Aleqat Bedouin Tribe, along with a small team of camel guides.

One of the unexpected wonders of a trek through the Sinai desert is seeing how Fraig and the team move through the desert, organise their camps, cook and generally enjoy the trek as much as we all do! In St Catherine, you will also have a dedicated guide from the local Jebeliya Tribe for the monastery and Mt Sinai.

Your 360 representative will meet you at Sharm el Sheikh Airport. We will let you know where and when nearer the time of departure.

We will be eating simple food freshly cooked on the fire. For example:

For breakfast, Bedouin bread with foul (Egyptian beans), cheese and tahini (molasses with sesame paste) and jams

For lunch: lentil soup or babaganoush (Aubergines) with Bedouin bread, or madeuse (rice and lentils) with salad. Or when we pass by a local Bedouin family, chicken or dried fish with rice and vegetables.

For dinner:  vegetables! One pot of pasta with vegetables mopped up with more Bedouin bread.

Yes, of course. A lot of Bedouin food is vegetarian so you’ll find there are generally plenty options for vegetarians. If you have any dietary requests or allergies, please let the 360 office team know when booking and we will ensure that the local teams have all of the information and can cater for your needs.

Drinking water will be sourced from mountain springs and wells, which are the main local water supplies. This will be boiled where necessary, but we do suggest bringing water purification tablets. We can bring bottled water on request for drinking, though we do encourage trekkers to avoid this due to the plastic waste. We would advise bringing your own reusable bottle on the trek.

At a minimum, 4 litres a day is allocated per trekker. The camels will carry the water supplies along with us during the trek, which we replenish at the mountain springs and wells, so there are opportunities to fill up your bottle during the day. Water will then be available when back at camp and during meals.

The 4 litres of water per trekker is there predominantly for drinking but also for your morning and evening brushing of teeth. There is no water for washing. Please bring wet wipes.

One of the main charms of this incredible expedition is that we will be sleeping out under the stars as the Bedouin do. A more amazing sleeping experience is hard to imagine!

Please bring a 3 season sleeping bag (-10 C comfort rating), a Thermarest or similar sleeping mat and, if you wish, a camping pillow. (See the Kit List for a full list.)

Fox Camp at the beginning of the expedition is a fixed camps. The rest of the time we will be wild camping under the stars – our Bedouin team will set up the camp and make a fire at each location.

This expedition is an experience of living a true desert lifestyle. Water at some camps is scarce. Washing will be wet wipe washes – there won’t be showers until we reach Dahab! Toilets will as the Bedouins do. You bury waste as the exceedingly dry temperatures of the desert disintegrate it rapidly. Toilet paper will be provided and we ask that after use you to pop it into a nappy bag and dispose of it when you can. It can also be burnt in situ.

We will move with the day. We start at sunrise and finish at sunset. We will be woken up early each morning and given a basic but hearty breakfast. After breakfast we will pack up with the help of the Bedouin guides and begin the first trek of the day for about 3 hours. A long and early lunch will be taken to avoid trekking during the hottest part of the day. We set off to walk again for another few hours or so and then we establish camp late afternoon for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Yes, you will have a chance to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. One of the greatest pleasures of this expedition is to meet and learn from the Sinai’s original desert people, the Bedouin. These incredibly humble and fun-loving people are great teachers and take delight in showing you not only the ways of their lifestyle and customs but teach you desert survival skills along the way too. You’ll join this expedition for the desert, but you’ll want to return for the Bedouin.

The weather is best for trekking in Egypt’s autumn and spring when the daytime temperatures are a bit lower – between October and April.

The average daily temperature is likely to be between 20°C and 34°C, depending on the location and the wind. Nights in the mountains will generally be about 10°C – 14°C

The water temperature of the Red Sea is usually around 26-29°C at this time of year.

Accidents can happen and anyone undertaking these adventures has to accept there is a degree of risk due to the very nature of the challenge. Our guides are in communication with each other by satellite phone and radio and our local crew are all experienced in dealing with any problem that will arise. Our guide always carries a comprehensive first aid kit, and will be certified in Emergency First Response. In the case of serious accident or illness, the guides will arrange evacuation to Dahab or Sharm el Sheikh, and the 360 office team will be on hand to assist where necessary.

Inoculation requirements can change frequently so it is important you visit your GP or local travel clinic for the latest recommendations and to ensure you are up to date on necessary vaccinations. A health certificate regarding COVID-19 may be required.

Yes, this is always a good idea and we suggest rehydration salts, paracetamol or ibuprofen, plasters, blister treatment, muscle pain relief cream, sun protection and any personal medications. Foot powder in your socks every morning is great for preventing blisters. Please do let us know if you need a cooler box for personal medication to be stored in.

Yes, both are found in the Sinai, but it is very rare to come across them. Like most wildlife, you will find that these animals are generally more scared of you than vice versa. Your guides will give you any necessary information on what to do if you see one during the trek.

If you must leave the expedition early then we will of course help arrange this, with the local team and the 360 office crew. All costs will be for you to cover in situ, and to then recoup from your insurance company.

Yes. When travelling with 360 Expeditions you will not be able to head out until you have given the office your travel insurance details. If you are thinking of doing one or more of the adventure activities in Dahab, for example scuba diving or climbing, it is your responsibility to make sure you are covered. Please note for diving insurance most policies ask if you will be diving to 18 metres or to 40 metres.

Please see the kit list for this expedition. If you have any questions about any of the items on it, please do call the 360 office as we are happy to advise. Do be aware that the temperatures in the desert can fluctuate – you’ll want warm clothing/jacket for cool desert nights and for the Mt Sinai trek, but lighter clothes for warm/hot daytime trekking. As always, layers are best!

In the evenings you will want warm clothing such as light trekking trousers, plus a fleece and a windstopper are a good idea for the cool desert nights, but you’ll want far lighter clothes for the hotter daytime trekking. You will need good sun protection by way of a hat and sunglasses. For footwear, you’ll need a good pair of well worn in boots to trek in. If you prefer sports sandals then this is also an option and is far cooler.

(Please see the kit list)

Camels will be taking the strain for this trip, you will just carry your small daysack – Please try to make your camel pack bag no more than you would want to carry yourself! 8-10kg. Any extra weight such as spare clothes etc. can be left in storage to be waiting for you in Dahab. Please pack your kit into one soft duffel bag: this will be strapped to the camels to carry. Bags with wheels/hard suitcases are not suitable for camels.

Duffel bags are ideal for this sort of trip. Whatever bag you go for, make sure it is robust and has a large capacity. It is far better having a large capacity bag with extra room (after all, air doesn’t weigh much) than having a bag too small and finding problems packing your kit. Even having a 100 litre plus duffel bag is not too large.

You will wear your daysack every day on the trek. Your guides will advise you, but the contents should include a light fleece (if we take a break later in the day when it has cooled down or the weather changes),  sufficient water for the day, snacks, camera equipment, personal first aid kit, scarf/shawl for the sun and wind and medication, sun protection and a head torch.

Most people find they use less than half the clothes they bring – be prepared, but it is not necessary to change daily!

Please try to keep main bag on the trek to 8 – 10 kilos.

Of course you can bring more for the Dahab RnR at the end. This kit will be left behind before you head out to trek!

Your day-to-day sack should weigh no more than 3 – 4 kg and a rucksack of around 30L capacity will more than suffice. This rucksack can be filled to the brim with extra stuff when checking in at the airport. It is important that this bag has an adjustable waist belt to transfer the weight of your daily load onto your hips and from here onto your legs so that your strongest muscles do most of the carrying.

We always hope for rain in the desert, but it only comes 2 or 3 times a year. Wind is more common. It’s most important to be able to protect your skin from the sun during the day, and to stay warm when it cools off at night, so a lightweight windstopper is perfect.

We suggest Gortex trekking boots with ankle support (make sure they’re well worn in), but you can also bring trekking sandals too. Old style heavy boots are not suitable for desert sand.

Ziploc bags are perfect, or there are many specific cases available to protect your electronics.

No, this won’t be needed – but Category 3-4 sunglasses are necessary. We also suggest a cap, and a scarf or a buff.

360 Expeditions will be booking flights on your behalf. We provide confirmation of flight times and departure terminal approximately eight weeks before your departure date. Please be aware that flight schedules are subject to change. Please ensure that you have checked flight details before setting out for your flight.

You will need money for tipping, (please see the tipping FAQ) The amount of money you will need additionally depends on how many souvenirs you wish to buy or how much you plan to drink/eat in Dahab or which activities you wish to add in Dahab.

Aside from the activities, we would recommend you budget approximately £150 for lunch dinner snacks and drinks while Dahab based

Egyptian pounds (LE) can be purchased in the UK before travel or you can simply use an ATM on arrival / in Dahab,  which often gives the best exchange rate.

Our local crew work extremely hard to assure that your expedition runs well. While tipping is not compulsory, it is and always has been very much part of the culture, and tips are always greatly appreciated and we operate on the bases that we will be tipping.

As a guideline, for a group of ~14 trekkers, we ask that you bring 4,000 LE Egyptian pounds (~£100 British pounds) in Egyptian pounds with you on the trek. This must be brought with you or you must get this out at the airport on arrival.

Please have the bulk in 100 and 200 dominations. This must be brought with you, or you can get this out at the airport on arrival.

There are also a few new ATMS in St Catherine village and at the monastery.

For the end of the trip there are plenty of ATMS in Dahab

We ask that you give this £100 (4,000 LE in Egyptian pounds) to your leader the first night so they can divvy up the tips and make many envelopes!

We appreciate this is a little backward forwards BUT makes for smooth sailing as we will be tipping at regular intervals.  Any tip money left over can be split between the group at the end for a well-deserved beer!!

Tips will be given (not limited) to the following crew members;

Mt Sinai guide // St Catherines Monastery guide // fox camp staff // Bedouin cooks // multiple camel guides // main guides //

*We also suggest you have 800LE Egyptian Pounds (~£20)  in your back pocket during the trek for any small buys.

*Please note the tipping amounts will increase if we are a smaller group – The above is based on a group of 14 trekkers. 360 will amend the advice in email format when smaller teams.

Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (LE – as a loose guide 1.00 GBP = 35 EGP). However, you should keep an eye on the changing exchange rates.

ATMs are widespread in more urban areas and often offer the most favorable rates. When receiving local currency, always ask for small bills, as larger bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases.

There are many restaurants in Dahab, serving local foods as well as a variety of international cuisine. £10–15 per meal should be plenty, although you can eat local meals such as falafel and Koshari for only a few British pounds, (£2-£3) or the local equivalent. (Koshari is a popular Egyptian street food, made with rice, lentils, and pasta, which is then topped with a spicy tomato sauce and caramelized onions – it’s delicious!)

Although foods are reasonable prices the foods, drinks, pancakes, and ice creams do add up fast!

Yes, absolutely – it’s a great place to learn!

A PADI Discover Scuba Diving course (a 1 day / 2 dive introduction to scuba diving) will be 65 euro. Otherwise, the full PADI Scuba Diver course is 225 euro. PADI Scuba Diver starts online with 3 chapters of theory before you arrive, then when in Dahab you have 3 underwater skill sessions and 2 Open Water dives. It qualifies you to dive to 12m with a professional guide. Please chat to the 360 office in advance if you would like to book this for your trip.

At any time, with any PADI Dive Centre worldwide, you can upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver with another 2 days. Unless you wish to extend your time in Dahab, you would not have time for the full Open Water course and certification.

Dives, with a guide, will be approx 27 euro per dive. A refresher dive or a night dive would cost an additional approx 10 euro. This includes your equipment rental.

If you are an Open Water Diver but would love the chance to dive the Canyon and Blue Hole, you can do the PADI Advanced course. This is a 2 day course and offers you 5 dives, for 225 euro. All theory can be completed before arrival. Please chat to the 360 office in advance if you would like to book this for your trip.

Many people bring their own snorkel and mask, others prefer to hire this, along with fins, in situ.  There are many options but once you have your kit you can just jump in! If you wanted to travel down the coast to an alternate snorkelling spot this can be arranged, there will be a small charge depending on the site, or if you wish to have a guide and/or rent equipment.

Fully equipped self-sufficient climbers should budget 25 euro per day for permissions, transportation and lunch, or 20 euro for a half day.

Guided climbing with equipment rental is 55 euro for a full day, including lunch, or 40 euro for a half day. Guided climbs are suitable for all levels, including beginners. These prices also apply to bouldering, and include bouldering pads.

The instructors at our recommended climbing school are Single Pitch Rock Climbing Instructors, certified under the Austrian Alpine system, as well as certified Emergency First Responders.

Mainly single pitch, from French 3a to 7b.

The main climbing season is between October and April, when there are always routes in the shade. During the hotter months, half days generally start around 2 or 3pm, finishing at sunset, or you start early in the morning before the heat builds.

Wadi Qnai climbing areas are a 20 to 40 minute drive from Dahab, depending on which crag you’re climbing.

On full days, lunch, drinking water and Bedouin tea are included. No food is included for a half day of climbing, and it’s recommended that you bring snacks and water.

The school is fully equipped with rental equipment and everything necessary for safety during the climb. If you are already a climber, we would suggest you bring your own shoes.

Definitely! A ‘Try Climb’ is 55 euro for a full day, including lunch, or 40 euro for a half day of climbing.

You could also sign up for the full Beginner Rock Climbing course, Top Rope Climber, which runs over 2 days and costs 195 euro.

Yes, there are climbs at this level in all 3 main climbing crags in Wadi Qnai. You might want to do a day in Wadi Qnai (Camel Canyon and Waterfall), and a second day in Wadi Hamam (10 routes 5c-7a). Wadi Hamam is a 45 minute drive outside Dahab, with high transportation costs, so to make it cost effective we suggest a minimum of 2 climbers, though the more people that join, the more to split the transport costs between. There is also world class bouldering in Dahab.

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot take you on this trip without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip and to cover, at a minimum, medical evacuation and coverage for any activities in you wish to partake in Dahab.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

Personal fitness is important for this trek, and we have included a training programme in the brochure which should see you at peak fitness! If you are struggling from day one then this is likely to impact on your enjoyment of the rest of the trip. Physical preparation does not have to be Herculean: concentrate on cardiovascular exercise during the week by taking short runs when time allows and try to spend at least 2 weekends a month going on long walks (a decent six hours or 12 miles) carrying a rucksack of around 5kg in a reasonably hilly environment.

Put 5 one litre bottles of water into your rucksack! This kind of regime will not only prepare your body for carrying minor loads but will harden your body against the big days on the trek itself. In addition, it will help you break in your boots and get used to your equipment.

Generally no, although there are a few areas where it is possible to pick up a signal. Your guide will have a satellite phone for emergency use.

Egypt uses the standard Euro ‘C’ and ‘F’ type plugs, so you will need an adaptor for Dahab.

We’re in the desert, there is dust and sand all around us, even in the air, and the last thing you want is for your camera to pack up half way through the trek so you need to take care of it. For things that will stay in your kit bag most of the time like (hopefully) your mobile phone, hermetically sealing food bags or stuff sacs will be fine for the duration of the trek and are cheap to buy. For kit that will come out more often like a camera, consider small rolltop waterproof bags from OverBoard (English) Ortlieb (German). If you go the whole hog and think about buying a Peli Case or similar, remember these are quite expensive, as well as quite heavy and cumbersome depending upon the size, although very good.

Prevention is better than cure in many cases: take a soft, small cleaning brush or air blaster to dust off your camera at the end of each day, or should you accidently drop it in the sand. Remember to take great care when wiping or dusting the lens – blow surface dust off first before polishing it otherwise you’ll end up scratching the lens. If you’re using an SLR, try to avoid changing lenses out in the open, wait until you get out of airborne dust and sand, and keep the lens cap on whenever you’re not using it.

There will be no charging facilities on the trek – if you wish to charge any electronics in the desert, we recommend you bring your own solar chargers and/or power banks.

While we will do everything we can to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times. As with travel in any foreign country, you need to look after yourself and your possessions and be aware of your surroundings, and this is no different.

Luggage can be left with the team after our visit to St Catherine, and this will be safely stored and brought to meet you in Dahab. If you wish, you can leave bag with swim/snorkel/dive gear that can be sent to meet you in Ras Abu Galum. While we are confident of the storage facilities, please do be aware that bags are left at your own responsibility.