St. Catherine’s Monastery & Dahab City Tour from Sharm El Sheikh

This excursion offers a rare opportunity to visit one of the world’s oldest and most sacred Christian sites — St. Catherine’s Monastery, continuously operating since the 4th century. Since 2002, the monastery has been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is located in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula, at the foot of Mount Sinai (Mount Moses, biblical Horeb), at an altitude of 1,570 meters above sea level.

Remarkably, throughout its long history the monastery has never been destroyed or damaged, allowing it to preserve an exceptional collection of ancient icons and manuscripts, considered second in importance only to the Vatican Library.

Saint Catherine, whose birth name was Dorothea, was born in Alexandria in 294 AD. She was highly educated, spoke several languages, and converted to Christianity after meeting a Syrian monk. Refusing to renounce her faith, she was martyred by order of the Roman Emperor Maxentius. According to tradition, her remains were miraculously discovered three centuries later by monks on Mount Sinai, after which the monastery was named in her honor. For more than 16 centuries, it has remained an active monastic site, though without regular public services.

During the tour, you will explore the monastery’s most important landmarks, including:

• the Chapel of the Burning Bush and the sacred bush itself,

• the Well of Moses,

• the Basilica of the Transfiguration (the main church of the monastery),

• the monastery garden, crypt, and cemetery,

• the ancient library,

• and the extensive olive grove, where you can taste and purchase olive oil produced by the monks on holy land.

The trip combines profound historical and spiritual discovery with a visit to the coastal town of Dahab, offering a well-balanced day of culture, heritage, and authentic Sinai atmosphere.

Tour Program: St. Catherine’s Monastery & Dahab City Tour from Sharm El Sheikh

- Pick-up from your hotel

Your guide will meet you at your hotel gate at approximately 05:00 AM (the exact pick-up time will be confirmed after booking). The journey from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Catherine’s Monastery covers about 218 km and takes approximately 3 hours.

During the drive, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Sinai Peninsula’s deserts and mountains, while your guide introduces the day’s program and provides historical and cultural insights into the sacred sites you will visit.
Midway through the journey, there will be a short rest stop near a local shop, where toilets are available for an additional fee (small Egyptian pounds are recommended).

- Basilica of the Transfiguration – St. Catherine’s Monastery

Upon arrival at St. Catherine’s Monastery, you will visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration, located within the monastery complex. Guests will have the opportunity to attend the morning service and venerate the relics of Saint Catherine, experiencing the spiritual atmosphere of one of the world’s most important Christian shrines.

- The Burning Bush (Chapel of the Annunciation)

The next sacred site you will see is the Burning Bush — the bush that burned without being consumed, where, according to the Bible, God appeared to Moses while he was tending sheep near Mount Sinai. As described in the Book of Exodus (3:2), Moses approached the bush to understand why it was burning yet not consumed, and God called to him from the flames, commanding him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

In biblical translations, the Burning Bush is often referred to as a thorn bush; however, within the monastery grounds grows a unique sacred blackberry shrub, cultivated and carefully preserved by the monks. The Bible itself does not describe the physical characteristics of the bush, mentioning it only by its ancient Hebrew name, which appears in the Pentateuch only twice — both times referring to the revelation given to Moses.

The original bush was later relocated a few meters into the inner courtyard of the monastery. On its original site, the Chapel of the Annunciation (Chapel of the Burning Bush) was built, marked by a silver star indicating the exact place where the roots once emerged from the ground. An interesting fact is that attempts to grow this bush elsewhere in Egypt have been unsuccessful — for reasons still unknown, it only thrives within the monastery grounds.

- The Well of Moses

Also located within the monastery is the Well of Moses, mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses met seven sisters watering their sheep — the daughters of Jethro (Reuel), the priest of Midian. The monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery have preserved and maintained this well, which remains functional to this day.

- The Ancient Library

St. Catherine’s Monastery houses one of its greatest treasures — the ancient library, established in 1734 during the time of Archbishop Niciforus. It is considered one of the most important collections of early Christian manuscripts in the world, second only to the Vatican Library.

Among its most valuable holdings are:

• fragments of one of the oldest biblical texts, including parts of the 4th-century Codex Sinaiticus,

• the 5th-century Syriac Codex,

• uncial Greek manuscripts of the 4th century, including portions of the Gospel of Matthew (Codex 074),

• and a Greek Gospel dated to 717 AD.

In total, the library contains over 3,300 manuscripts and approximately 1,700 scrolls.
Please note: entry to the library requires an additional fee of approximately $5.

- Ossuary and Cemetery

Behind the monastery, near the garden, you will see the cemetery and ossuary. The cemetery includes the Chapel of Saint Tryphon and seven graves, which are reused over time. When space is needed, the remains are respectfully transferred to the ossuary, located beneath the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

The only complete skeleton preserved in the ossuary belongs to Saint Stephen the Hermit, whose relics are displayed in a glass reliquary, dressed in monastic robes.

- The Monastery Garden

The monastery garden, located beside the cemetery, is notable for an ancient underground passage connecting it to the monastery — a passage still used by monks today. The garden is lush and fertile, home to pomegranate trees, pears, quinces, apples, mulberries, cherries, plums, almonds, apricots, grapes, and vegetables grown by the monks for their own needs.

Of special significance are the olive trees, from which the monks produce holy olive oil, available for tasting and purchase — a meaningful souvenir from this sacred place.

- Lunch and Visit to Dahab City

After completing our enriching visit to the sacred sites, the journey continues with a stop in the nearby coastal town of Dahab. Here, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and have free time for a short walk and shopping, allowing you to experience the relaxed atmosphere and unique character of this popular Red Sea town.

Following the visit to Dahab, the return drive to Sharm El Sheikh begins.
The estimated arrival time at your hotel is around 17:00.

Dear guests, we kindly ask you to check the weather forecast before the trip to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

• Icon Museum: Visit to the Icon Museum is optional and available for an additional fee of approximately $5.

• Restricted areas: Please note that some areas of the monastery may be temporarily closed due to internal regulations. Unfortunately, it is not possible to know in advance which specific locations will be accessible on the day of your visit.

• Passport requirement: It is mandatory to carry both the original passport and a photocopy, as required by the tourist police at checkpoints.

• Weather conditions: We strongly recommend bringing warm clothing, as the monastery area is located in the mountains and can be noticeably cool, even during warmer months.

• Transfer comfort: According to guest feedback, the minivan transfer used for this excursion may feel tight in terms of legroom. Unfortunately, this is the responsibility of the local organizer and beyond our control. Please take this into account when planning your trip.

Additional Notes for Guests

• Dress code: Modest clothing is strictly required inside the monastery. Both men and women must wear long sleeves and clothing covering the legs. Women must also cover their heads. If needed, simple robes can usually be rented at the entrance.

• Photography: Photography is limited inside certain areas of the monastery. Your guide will inform you where photos are allowed.

• Library access: Entry to the ancient library is not always guaranteed and depends on monastery regulations on the day of visit.

• Facilities: Toilet facilities are limited and may require a small fee, so bringing small Egyptian pounds is recommended.

• Physical effort: The tour involves a long drive and walking within the monastery complex. Comfortable shoes are essential.

• Children & elderly guests: While the tour is suitable for most travelers, it may feel tiring for very young children or elderly guests due to travel time and walking distances.

• Weather dependency: In rare cases of unfavorable weather or security restrictions, the program order may be adjusted.

• Guide assistance: If you experience any issues during the tour, please inform your guide immediately or contact us directly for assistance.

This information is provided to help you plan your visit comfortably and with clear expectations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cultural experience.