The '''Sinai Peninsula''' is the easternmost part of Egypt between the Mediterranean and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, both forks of the Red Sea. The western and northern coasts are practically uninhabited, but several Bedouin settlements-cum-tourist attractions dot the eastern coast.
Above ground is a harsh, forbidding and (in summer) brutally hot desert of parched rock. The reason most tourists come here is the vistas underwater: the Sinai coast offers some of the '''best diving''' in the world.
Cities
Dahab - the hippie mecca of the Middle East
Nuweiba - a port city
Sharm el-Sheikh - where the package tourists hang out--Las Vegas of Egypt
Taba - at the border with Israel
Other destinations
Mount Sinai - reputedly ''the'' Mount Sinai where Abrahamic scripture claims Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments, and the neighboring '''Monastery of St. Catherine'''
Basata - one of the oldest and most popular Ecolodges in Sinai. Note that Israelis are forbidden from entering the campsite.
Coloured Canyon - amongst some of the most beautiful rock formations hidden in the mountains
Understand
In 1967, Israel took control over the entire peninsula. The Suez Canal, the east bank of which was controlled by Israel, was closed. In 1979 Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty. Israel pulled out of Sinai in several stages, ending in 1982.
The tourist cities are built around previous Israeli settlements. While the original population are bedouin, most of the staff and workers in this area come from Lower Egypt and especially the canal cities.
Al Tor is the regional center of Southern Sinai, which includes Dahab, Nuweiba and Sharm. Al-Arish is the regional center of less visited Northern Sinai, close to Rafah and the border to the Gaza strip.
Talk
As is the case throughout Egypt, the language of the Sinai is the Egyptian dialect of the Arabic language and local bedouin Arabic dialects. But in tourist areas you also get by with English, and on the east coast also with Hebrew, because here many Israelis come for holidays. On Mount Sinai and in other heavy tourist zones, you are likely to encounter multi-lingual bedouin capable of conversing (and negotiating prices) in a repertoire that includes (but is in no way limited to!) French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and German.
Get in
No Egyptian visa is required, as special 14-day Sinai permits are granted on arrival at the Taba border, Taba Airport and Sharm el-Sheikh's airport. Note that this permit allows travel only on the eastern Sinai coast and the Mount Sinai with St. Catherine's Monastery.
By land
There is a busy border crossing between Eilat, Israel and Taba. See the Taba article for details on crossing in either direction.
By ferry
Two ferries run between Nuweiba and Aqaba, Jordan. One is a standard speed ferry, the other a so-called 'Fast Ferry'. For travelers interested in bypassing Israel by crossing the Gulf of Aqaba from Egypt to Jordan directly, these ferries offer some degree of convenience. Patronized mainly by Arab nationals prohibited from entering Israel, the ferries will save other travelers little time and hassle over the land route from Taba through Eilat to Aqaba.
'''Regular ferry:''' US$50, plus 50 EGP or 5 JD departure tax.
'''Fast ferry:''' US$70, plus 50 EGP or 5 JD departure tax. Though its marketing materials say, "On time departure, first class service," that is not quite true of the high-speed ferry, named the Princess. The boat departs daily from Nuweiba at 3PM, or so its schedule says. However, the consensus among regular travelers is that the real time of departure is more like 5PM. (Schedule of Aqaba to Nuweiba trips unknown.) For trips departing Egypt, passengers must arrive at the station in Nuweiba and purchase tickets by 1PM. AB Maritime, the company that owns the Princess, does not offer any baggage handling service; indeed, luggage must be stacked against the walls of the vast cargo hold beneath the passenger deck, and cannot be taken as "carry on." And, non-sensically, dirty crowded buses transport passengers from the customs terminals in both Nuweiba and Aqaba to the boat, meaning an extra busride on each end of the trip adds time to the schedule.
By train
There are trains from Cairo to Port Said at the northwestern edge of the Sinai, but no further.
Get around
Whether you're going from the airport to your hotel, traveling from beach resort to beach resort, trekking up to St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, or heading to Nuweiba to catch the ferry to Aqaba, Jordan, the trick to getting around in Sinai is to coordinate all ground transport through your hotel.
By taxi
If you're on any kind of reasonable budget, avoid at all costs the local taxis, whose prices are higher than Cairo taxis by a factor of around 10. However, it is possible to use the local taxis if you know the price in advadnce, and haggle a bit before going inside the car. 10 EGP should be considered the maximum payment for any taxi inside the cities (15 for Sharem).
By minibus
Inexpensive minibuses travel on regular schedules throughout the peninsula. The key to utilizing them is to do it through your hotel. Ask your hotel to coordinate your timetable, pick-up, and pricing. The exceptions to this hotel rule are minibuses traveling to and from Cairo, which leave all day, as soon as they are full of passengers, from Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab. In Sharm el-Sheikh, you can find these minibuses at the west end of the taxi parking lot in front of the strip mall in the center of town.
By bus
East Delta bus company: Regular cheap full-sized coaches depart daily for points throughout the peninsula from bus stations in Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab. Be sure to check schedules at the bus station, however, because the times are always changing and even hotels can get them wrong. In Sharm el-Sheikh, the East Delta bus station lies about 2km outside of town on the road toward the airport and Dahab. Call the appropriate East Delta ffice ahead to check the timings & rates that concern you:
Taba: 069 - 3530250
Nuweiba: 069 - 3520371
Dahab: 069 - 3641808
Cairo: 02 - 23428589
See
'''Desert Landscapes:''' Sinai's mountains and desert are spectacular. Rugged mountains made up of different mineral layers, contrasting with golden sand and blue skies. Trees and lush oases provide a beautiful surprise. Recommended is Wadi Ulrada and the Coloured Canyon. But many more little gems including hot springs and pharonic ruins are also to be found.
'''Sunrises and Sunsets:''' Sun rises over the Saudi Arabian Mountains and the Red Sea are a beautiful sight. As are the sunsets from the Sinai Mountains over the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia - when the sea is calm on a clear day you will see the red sea become red!
'''Underwater attractions:''' The Sinai peninsula is situated by the Red Sea and as such is an ideal point for diving and snorkeling. Various dive centers operate in each resort town/city to arrange both recreational and educational trips for all levels of experience and budgets.
Do
If you love hiking, this is the place to be, so many hiking trails, i.e Tarboush Mountain, El Galt el Azrak, Gabal El Banat, Bab El Donia mountain (gate to life) Nabateya village, St. Katherine mountain and Moses mountain. Arranging a hike and guides are fairly easy. You can base at El Karm Echolodge in El-sheikh Awwad, or the Bedouin Camp in Katerina village. Sheik Mousa, Mob:+2 0106880820 can help you hire a Bedouin guide and camels to carry luggage to your destination. You can also check [http://www.sheikhsina.com/english/ Sheikh Sina] website for Bedouin treks arrangements. Bedouins will also arrange dinner for the group. Several local organizations offer '''trekking''' and excursions into the Sinai desert. [http://www.sheikmousa.com/ The Bedouin tribe of the mountains] organizes treks in St Katherine's national park. [http://st-katherine.net/en/ Saint Katherine] website also offers information on region, treks and history.
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The Muziena Tribe offer you Coloured Canyon, Ain Hudra, The blue desert and many more beautiful places to visit. Try Sheikhs Travel at Sheikh Salem House for organising tours and safaris in east Sinai. They also offer taxi transfers from Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh or St Catherines if you can't wait for the buses. [http://www.sheikhsalemhouse.com].
Others offer '''yoga''' trips to the St Katherine's area and the desert itself (http://www.yogatravel.co.uk) where the silence and tranquility is ideal for relaxation and meditation.
'''Underwater attractions:''' The Sinai peninsula is situated by the Red Sea and as such is an ideal point for diving and snorkeling. Various dive centers operate in each resort town/city to arrange both recreational and educational trips for all levels of experience and budgets.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Harby's Place. adi Mahash. 0 KM north of Nuweiba, 40 KM south of Taba. ww.harbysplace.com. 0EU for Full board , 10EU B&B. Harby's Place is a Bedouin owned and managed eco-lodge situated in the beautiful surroundings of Wadi Mahash on the shores of the Red sea, South Sinai, Egypt. Its remote location and authentic beach huts make it an unique destination for eco-tourism and peace-seeking visitors. It is also very suitable for workshops and training courses, spiritual retreats, or similar group activities. Harby's Place operates on two fundamental principles: the Principle of Simplicity and minimal environmental impact, and the Principle of Hospitality - the highest Bedouin virtue. Guests experience the time-honoured hospitality and culture of the Bedouins in the simple comfort of the Zula. Harby's place aspires for a practical ecological equilibrium and respect to the local Bedouin culture. The camp's restaurant offers local organic and seasonal food. Just as the locals eat_c Fish and seafood cought off shore on the same day, fresh salads from locally grown organic vegetables, and Bedouin dishes as Magluba - a meal of lamb (or chicken), rice and vegetables cooked for over 4 hours on red burning coals and Sayadiya the fisherman's food ? rice and fish cooked with fish stock and local vegetables and spices.
'''Ananda Camp''', around 42kilometers south taba check point, (++2)012-356-1742. One of the most beautiful places in the coast of Taba/Neuibaa. Wooden bungalows that accommodate 2 persons two screened windows. some huts are right on the beach with rugs over sand and no electricity and others with hard tiles and electricity available. Nice hangout area and few shady ones on the beach. Clean, shared modern bathrooms are available with showers and hot water. Electricity is available throughout the camp from 6PM-12midnight. Prices: hut which comfortably accommodates 2 people costs LE60 (approx $12)per night. Meal is between LE25-LE50 ($5-$10). Drinks are reasonably priced.
Stay safe
Get out
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