Mount Sinai (Gebel Musa)

Mount Sinai, known in Arabic as Gebel Musa (Mountain of Moses), is one of the most sacred mountains in the world, revered by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Rising 2,285 meters above sea level in the heart of the Sinai Peninsula, this dramatic peak attracts pilgrims and hikers from around the world who make the pre-dawn ascent to witness a legendary sunrise from its summit.

The Climb

Two routes lead to the summit: the longer, more gradual Camel Path (approximately 2.5 hours), and the steeper Steps of Repentance — 3,750 stone steps carved by monks. Most visitors begin the Camel Path around 2-3 AM, switching to the final stone staircase near the summit, to arrive in time for sunrise. The experience of watching the sun rise over the vast Sinai mountain landscape, painting the peaks in shades of gold and red, is profoundly moving regardless of one's religious beliefs.

At the Summit

The summit features a small chapel and a mosque, symbolizing the mountain's significance to multiple faiths. On clear days, the views extend across the rugged Sinai landscape to the Gulf of Aqaba. The descent is typically via the Steps of Repentance, passing the Elijah's Basin where the prophet is said to have hidden.