Attractions

World Heritage Area

World Heritage Sites are recognised for their universal and outstanding cultural and/or natural values. The 641 km² core area of the protectorate delimited by the ring dyke was declared as World Heritage Site No. 954 on four cultural criteria (see World Heritage Nomination, 2002).

St. Katherine Protectorate Visitor Centre

The location for the visitor center was chosen close to the monastery both to facilitate visitor attendance and as a control point. Fantastic views of the surrounding landscape can be experienced from the centre as it is elevated above the flood level. Through its architecture, construction, exhibits and workers, the centre aims to reflect the international value of the St. Katherine Protectorate especially as it is a World Heritage Site.

Monastery of Saint Katherine

In AD 337, the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, ordered the building of a sanctuary around the site of the biblical Burning Bush at the base of Mount Sinai, attracting pilgrims and other visitors ever since. The monastery was built around the sanctuary by Justinian in a spectacular setting at the foot of Mount Sinai which looks over the Plain of Ar Raha where the Israelites waited for Moses.

St. Katherine Town

St. Katherine is the only protectorate in Egypt containing a sizeable urban population and where a wide variety of activities take place. Situated in Wadi El Sheikh, at the headwater of the Feiran watershed, its origins date to the building of the monastery in the sixth century and several houses in Milga are from this period.

Al Karm Ecolodge

Al Karm is a small hotel based on sustainable eco-tourism, caring about the natural environment and the well-being of their inhabitants. Bedouin owned and operated, the Ecolodge is situated in the beautiful surroundings of Wadi Gharaba near Sheikh Awaad and Nagb Hawa, the traditional route to the Monastery of St. Katherine. Al Karm operates on the principles of simplicity and minimal environmental impact.

Mountains: Gebel Umm Shaumar, Gebel El Thabt, Mt. Sinai and Gebel Serbal

Gebel Umm Shaumar (2,586 m), Gebel El Thabt (2,439 m), Mt. Sinai (Gebel Musa) (2,2,80 m) and Gebel Serbal (2,070 m). These mountains are composed of rocks of various types, colours and ages; for instance Gebel Katherine is made of andesite porphyry, a volcanic rock about ten million years old.

Feiran Oasis

Wadi Feiran boasts the largest oasis in south Sinai. It has a long history of human occupation and is surrounded by many important archeological and religious sites such as Nabatean ruins, Wadi Mukattab and two ruined Byzantine churches. Premium trekking routes are found on and around Gebel Sirbal. At present there are no visitor facilities.

Wadi Nasb

This wadi with its steep sheer cliffs forms one of the most spectacular access routes to Saint Katherine and the high mountain region.

Wadi Isla

The traditional access routes from El Tur on the Gulf of Suez to the Monastery of St. Katherine followed Sikkat Musa through Wadi Hebran, or more directly through Wadi Isla to Dir Rimhan and then on to the monastery. Wadi Isla is one of the protectorate’s most beautiful wadis with a small perennial stream in its upper course fringed by thick growths of reeds.

Wadi Mandar

This is one of the largest wadi systems in the southern part of the protectorate and is home to several communities of Mazeina Bedouin. It is a popular destination for tourists from Sharm El Sheikh who come for camel riding.
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