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Mt. Catherine - Galt el Azraq Walk (5 days) Mt. Catherine (2642m) is the highest peak in Egypt, with beautiful views onto wide wadis and the entire central mountain region including Mt. Sinai which lies just below. Along the way the hiker will encounter the Rock of Moses, the ancient Monastery of Forty Martyrs, orchards and gardens, a small canyon with rock pools, rock shelters under massive formations, a stunning view down to the lowlands and the Gulf of Suez, a mountaintop spring by the ruins of a Byzantine church, the biggest rock pool in the Sinai - Galt el Azraq, a hidden granite basin with lush vegetation, and another ancient Monastery with tall cypress trees and olive groves. See trek in images Inquiries and reservation | Day 01 | Highlights: Rock of Moses, Monastery of the Forty Martyrs, Ramadan's garden, Mt. Catherine
- Morning Departure from the Town of St. Catherine’s
- Hike through Wadi el Arbain
- Bedouin wishing rock
- Rock of Moses (Hajar Mousa) and it’s greek orthodox chapel
- Monastery of the Forty Martyrs and it’s garden
- Break at Ramadan’s garden
- Ascent of Mt. Catherine through Wadi Shaq Musa
- Long ascent on a good path. Will break as needed
- Lunch break at the summit
- Stunning views
- Orthodox Church
- Descent through Wadi el Ahmar to Wadi Shaq
- Arrive at Campsite (cameleers have set everything up a few hours beforehand)
- Beautiful Bedouin orchard
- Dinner
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| Day 02 | Highlights: Granite pools of Wadi Shaq, Byzantine hermit cell and monastic settlement, Bedouin gardens, Roman well, Mt. Umm Loz
- Breakfast
- Hike through the narrow canyon Wadi Shaq
- Interconnected granite water pools
- Wadi Mathar, a wide valley in Mt. Catherina’s shadow
- Bustan - Walled gardens built to withstand flash flooding and retain soil
- Byzantine Praying Cell (Hermit Cave)
- Well preserved monastic settlement
- Easy climb up Wadi Rhazana
- Beautiful view of Wadi Mathar
- Lunch in a Bedouin Garden and the location of the first night’s camp
- Climb up Mt. Umm Loz
- Option to stay back and relax in the garden area
- Mt. Umm Loz is the center of the high mountain range known as head of the mountains
- Return to Garden Camp for Dinner
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| Day 03 | Highlights: Wadi Jibal, Byzantine church, rock cliff of Masba Abu Gharun, the spring of Ain Najila, Bab el Donya, Farsh Rummana
- Breakfast
- Hike through Wadi Jibal
- Byzantine church ruins and many gardens
- Ascent oo Masba Abu Gharun
- Mountaintop basins
- Superb view of the Southern Mountain Region including Jebel Umm Shomar
- Lunch break at Ain Najila, a natural spring
- Byzantine church ruins
- Optional climb up Bab el Donya – magnificent views on the gulf of Suez
- Descent through Naqb Baharia Canyon
- Dinner at garden campsite in Farsh Rummana
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| Day 04 | Highlights: Wadi Talaa Kibira, the water pool of Galt el Azraq, rock signs at Farsh Umm Sila
- Breakfast
- Descent towards Wadi Talaa Kibira
- Beautiful ponds and creeks all along this narrow valley
- Hike to Galt el Azraq
- Largest granite pool in the High Mountain Region
- Swim and Rest
- Climb to Farsh Umm Sila basin
- Rojom (piled rocks left as markers)
- Lunch under a huge boulder providing shade
- Descent through Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Tinya
- Dinner at garden campsite in Wadi Zawatin
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| Day 05 | Highlights: Water fountain at Wadi Tubuq, the canyon of Sid Daud, the Monastery of Cosmas and Damianos
- Breakfast
- Descent through Wadi Tubuq, a sandy valley littered with boulders
- Gardens including a 1000 year old Mulberry tree
- Fountain source emanating from a rock
- Option of returning to St. Catherine’s early
- Or continue down into Sid Daud
- Trail leads through narrow chimneys and small caves
- Wadi Talaa
- Lunch break in garden
- Monastery of Cosmas and Damianos
- Olive Groves and cypress trees
- Spring and deep cliffs
- Return to St. Catherine’s via Wadi Quez
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See trek in images Inquiries and reservation
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