We'll start your day bright and early with a 1:00 AM pickup. Before heading out, the hotel will provide tea and coffee in the lobby to help you fuel up. From there, you'll be transferred to the starting point of your Mount Sinai ascent, accompanied by a local Bedouin guide. Get ready for an adventurous and spiritual journey as you climb the sacred mountain, following in the footsteps of countless hermits before you. Along the way, you'll find huts where you can purchase a hot beverage or rent a blanket if the weather turns chilly. As you reach the summit, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise over the mountain.
After your descent, you'll return to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. Then, you'll meet your expert tour guide to explore the historical Monastery of Saint Catherine, the oldest Christian diocese in the world, dating back to the 6th century. Inside the monastery, you'll see the Burning Bush, surrounded by a chapel built by Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, as well as the Church of Transfiguration, constructed by Emperor Justinian.
The monastery also houses the second-largest Christian library in the world, after the Vatican's. Your guide will also show you the on-site mosque, which was never used, as it was not properly oriented towards the holy Kaaba in Mecca. Along the way, you'll stop to see the rock where the Israelites planted the golden calf, and the tomb of Aaron, the younger brother of Moses.
After this comprehensive tour, you'll be transferred back to Cairo, concluding your unforgettable overnight adventure at Mount Sinai.
Meals: Breakfast