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A sand dune near 'Areg in the Siwa depression, on the edge of the Great Sand Sea.

Experiences · Desert & sand

Sand, rock and a night sky with nothing in the way.

About these experiences

From a quad on the desert edge near the pyramids to a night among the White Desert's chalk: choose how you want to move through the desert, and compare how long you spend doing it, what it asks of you and what we check first.

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Starting prices are the lowest to expect; times are our planning estimates. Every detail is confirmed before anything is arranged.

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Comparison of Sunrise on Mount Sinai, The White Desert after dark
Sunrise on Mount Sinai RemoveThe White Desert after dark Remove
Starting price
Starting priceUSD 65Per person on the small-group night climb.Your written quote confirms the price for your party, dates and choices.
Starting priceUSD 99Per person at the lowest group rate; solo travellers and couples pay more.Your written quote confirms the price for your party, dates and choices.
Where it startsSt Catherine, from Sharm El Sheikh or DahabBahariya
ActivityHiking & climbsCamps & night sky
Skill or certificationA steady night climb; no technical skillNone; comfort with a simple camp
Minimum ageTeenagers used to walkingWe discuss it for families
Time actually doing itAbout 2.5–3 hours up and 1.5 hours downSunset, the night and first light
Total timeOvernight, about 14 hours from Sharm El SheikhOvernight from Bahariya
Best seasonYear-round; the summit is freezing in winterOctober to April; nights are cold
What you seeSunrise over the Sinai mountains, then St Catherine's MonasteryChalk formations, the night sky and dawn
What it asksA night without sleep and a steady climb at altitude, then the descent. It is cold on the summit in every season, and freezing in winter.A long road transfer, a simple camp, cold desert hours after sunset and flexibility around wind and protected-area rules.
What we confirm first
  • A registered Bedouin guide for the climb
  • Warm layers, a torch and water; blankets can be hired near the top
  • The monastery's opening hours for your date, which change with religious holidays
  • The route to St Catherine, which stays outside the area the UK government advises against
  • Permits, exact route, licensed vehicles, camp location and environmental practice
  • Sleeping equipment, meals, water, sanitation and dietary handling
  • Weather, communications, emergency plan and whether astronomical guidance is actually available
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Tours

Desert tours and overnight trips

Guided days with transport and the arrangements taken care of, each on request.
All tours
Photography credits (4)

Ahmed Yousry Mahfouz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Bilal Detailz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Ibrahim El-Mezayen, CC BY-SA 4.0; Bernd Out, CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and cropped for display.

Questions?

Not sure which desert & sand experience fits?

Tell us where you are staying, when, and who is coming. We reply with what fits, the price for your party and what we confirm first. Nothing is booked until you accept.

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Photography credits (8)

Roland Unger, CC BY-SA 3.0; Berthold Werner, CC BY 3.0; Norhan Elmaghrabi, CC BY-SA 4.0; Egy2030, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sara Nabih, CC BY-SA 4.0; Fadyhesham0, CC BY-SA 3.0; Ahmed Yousry Mahfouz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Mohamed kamal 1984, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and cropped for display.