Sinai Traverse
8 Days
Min 6 max 12
€1599/pp
Hiking the Sinai Desert in Egypt
Deep within the Sinai Peninsula, between the azure waters of the Red Sea and the towering, sacred desert mountains, lies a world that has changed little over the centuries. A place where nomadic peoples and Bedouin tribes have made the desert their home—a wilderness of colorful canyons in a palette of red, purple, and gold, mountains of spiritual significance, and lush oases whose waters have sustained caravans for centuries.
On foot, accompanied by the camels and Bedouin of the Sinai, we follow in their footsteps and traverse paths forged by generations of pilgrims, nomads, and traders before us, seeking out the wild roots of this region. Moving together as a caravan, we journey through the Valley of the Palm Trees, crossing mountains and wadis, and scrambling over rocky terrain. Along the way, we camp in the wild and in the Sinai’s “gardens” beneath a sky filled with a million stars. As we immerse ourselves in the rugged desert landscape, we discover traditional Bedouin culture, experience the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle, and enjoy the hospitality of the local people.
Wild-eyed, fulfilled, and inspired by a week in the desert, we descend to the nearby coast of Dahab—where the desert meets the sea—for a refreshing dip in the Red Sea. Yalla!
5.0 (60 reviews)
Theme & level: Sinai group tour
Wild Rootsis the theme of this group tour through the Sinai in Egypt—a journey to a place where nature and culture are inextricably linked. We live like and alongside desert nomads, trekking on foot across the peninsula’s wilderness.
We hike for about seven to nine hours a day, covering a total of over 140 kilometers across six days of walking, with a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 3,800 meters. At times, we will be trudging through sand, scrambling over rocks, or walking through wadis. A good level of basic fitness and experience with long-distance hiking in hilly terrain is desirable. Experience with (wild) camping or a Wild Human trip is an asset but not required.
Impression
Your guide on this trip
Nick Platje
Gedreven wildernisgids en Mountain Leader. Eindeloos nieuwsgierig naar andere culturen en groot liefhebber van pionieren op ongewone plekken. Wordt doorgaans waargenomen met camera. In een vorig leven was Nick marinier. Zijn mantra: als het maar wild is.
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Experiences
There are no specific reviews for this trip — read experiences from other adventurers below.
Practical
Cost
Cost includes:
- 7 overnight stays: wild camping in the wadis and on the plateau, one night in simple Bedouin accommodation, and one night in a walled garden.
- breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- camels during the trek
- jeep transport and local transport
- use of Rewild tents
- a Dutch guide
- Bedouin guides
- 24-hour back up support from the Netherlands
Not included are any personal expenses, your flight to Sharm el-Sheikh, a visa, tips for the local team, and travel insurance. We recommend taking out insurance with the NKBV.
Logistics
Logistics: You arrange and pay for your own flight from the Netherlands to Sharm el-Sheikh. We recommend flying directly with Transavia from Amsterdam Schiphol: outbound flight HV5337 on Saturday, January 9, 2027 (AMS 13:10 → Sharm el-Sheikh approx. 18:00) and return flight HV5338 on Saturday, January 16 (Sharm el-Sheikh 20:05 → AMS approx. 00:45, arriving Sunday night). We will coordinate flight times via a WhatsApp group so that you can travel with the group. A minibus transfer will take you from the airport to Wadi Baba’a, where the trek begins. The trip concludes in Dahab (located about a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Sharm el-Sheikh); the return journey to the airport is organized by Rewild. On the return day, you will depart from the gardens of Sheikh Awad around 08:30, have lunch and go for a swim in Dahab, and arrive at the airport well in time for your flight home. Local logistics are included in the price.
Nutrition
Meals: Meals are organized by Rewild and are included in the package price. We will eat local Bedouin cuisine, freshly prepared over the fire. You may wish to bring along some extra snacks of your own preference for the journey.
Travel guarantee and booking
The departure of this trip is guaranteed from 6 people. A maximum of 12 people can join the trip. This trip is a package tour and to comply with the legally required guarantee on package tours, Rewild uses the guarantee of VZR Garant. You can find the conditions of this guarantee scheme on the website of VZR Garant.
Insurance
To participate in Rewild trips, you must be insured for activities in mountainous areas off the beaten track. You can inquire about this with your current insurance company or purchase travel insurance from the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association.
Conditions of participation
By participating in a Rewild trip, you accept the general travel conditions, as found at the bottom of the website. The cancellation policy is also explained here.
Packing List
Sinai Traverse Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in the western mountains
After arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh, we drive for about four hours along the Gulf of Suez into the western mountains. Upon arrival, the camp is already set up and dinner is waiting. Overnight stay at Lower Wadi Baba’a.
Day 2
Wadi Shallal In-Am-Bijma
We hike through the gorge of the Wadi Shellal waterfall, past granite climbing walls, to an abandoned mining town on the Umm Bogma plateau. Overnight stay at the Wadi Baba’a waterfall.
Day 3
The Valley of the Palms to Serabit
Walking past palm groves and Bedouin farms, we traverse an ancient pass featuring rock inscriptions, heading towards the Temple of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadim. Overnight stay at Beit Barakat.
Day 4
Volcanic hills towards the Forest of Pillars
We cross the Serabit plateau and climb two peaks, heading towards a wild camp amidst the rock columns of the Forest of Pillars—a volcanic landscape dating back some 500,000 years. Overnight stay at the Forest of Pillars.
Day 5
The Tih escarpment on
We ascend to the summit of Jebel Raqaba (1,401 m) via the old Naqb Warsa Pass and continue along the edge of the plateau to our campsite on the rim. Overnight stay on the Tih rim.
Day 6
The edge and the springs of Gharba
We pass the highest point of the trek (1,405 m) and descend to a spring trickling from the rocks. Overnight stay at Wadi Gharba.
Day 7
To the gardens of Sheikh Awad
We head south through open wadis towards the high granite mountains, until we reach a walled Bedouin garden at the foot of the mountains. Overnight stay in the gardens of Sheikh Awad.
Day 8
Back to the Red Sea
After breakfast in the garden, we drive to Dahab for lunch and a well-deserved dip in the sea before heading to the airport for the flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our trips, practicalities or our story? In these frequently asked questions, you’ll find the answers quickly and easily.
What is the best time to visit the Sinai?
The Sinai Traverse takes place in January. During this period, temperatures are more suitable for an active desert trek than in the hot summer months. The next trip is scheduled for January 9–16, 2027.
How strenuous is the trek through the Sinai?
The Sinai Traverse is a challenging trek across varied terrain: sandy wadis, rocky slopes, and the climb over the Tih Escarpment to the journey’s highest point at 1,405 meters. Temperatures also fluctuate significantly—ranging from sunny days to nights hovering around freezing, or even dropping below that on the Tih ridge. Our Bedouin guides know the route inside out and adjust the pace to suit the group.
Where will we stay overnight during the Sinai Traverse?
During the Sinai Traverse, we spend the night in seven locations: five nights wild camping in the wadis and on the Tih Plateau (near Wadi Baba’a, the Wadi Baba’a waterfall, the Forest of Pillars, the Tih rim, and Wadi Gharba), one night in simple Bedouin accommodation at Beit Barakat, and the final night in the walled gardens of Sheikh Awad.
What makes this trek through the Sinai different from an ordinary tour?
The Sinai Traverse is not a traditional tour where you primarily travel from one sight to another by vehicle. The core of the experience is a multi-day trek on foot alongside the Bedouin and their camels. Along the way, you visit places often skipped on standard tours, such as the Temple of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadim and the ancient volcanic rock landscape of the Forest of Pillars.
Is the Sinai suitable for a group trip?
Yes. Precisely because the route runs through remote desert terrain, traveling in an organized group is a practical way to explore the Sinai. During the trip, you trek through the peninsula’s mountains and wadis alongside the other participants, a Dutch guide, and local Bedouin guides.
