Mount Sinai, The Blue Desert And Ras Mohammad
Mount Sinai also know as Jebel Musa, or Mount Moses, is the name for a collection of peaks, sometimes referred to as the Holy Mountains, and also the biblical name of the peak on which Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Among all the wonders of Nature, there is not a place more fitting for the exhibition of Almighty power. The mountain is located besides the village of St. Catherines’ and the St. Catherines’ Monastery. The 7,497 foot mountain has 3,750 steps hewn out of stone by the monks of the St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is located just to the North.
The peak is accessible by the steps, or by an easier path east of the monastery. Both lead to an amphitheater known as the “Seven Elders of Israel”. From there, you must climb the remaining 750 steps to reach the summit where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1934 and offers a truly breathtaking view.
This peak has religious significance to Islam as the place where Mohammed’s horse, Boraq, ascended to heaven. We recommend you take the steps down, as they lead you passed the fountain of Moses, a small chapel of the Virgin, and two arches, the Gate of St. Stephen and the Gate of the Law
THE BLUE DESERT & WADI FIERAN – SINAI PENSINSULA – EGYPT
Approx. 10 kms away for St. Catherines’ Monastery is a unique place in the Sinai the remarkable Blue Desert, or Blue Valley. It can be reached by car along the track which starts near the tomb of Sheikh Nabi Sala (a Muslim saint whose true identity is not entirely clear), near the crossing between the road leading to the monastery and that which takes you to the Wadi Feiran.
The Blue Desert owes its name to the numerous rocks scattered across an area of nearly 15 square kilometers- the Belgian artist Jean Vera Me painted them blue in 1980. This was done to commemorate the end of the conflict between Egypt and Israel. Over 10 tons of paint were needed to complete the work.
The asphalt road that goes down into the Wadi Feiran leads to the largest and most magnificent Wadi (“valley”) in the Sinai Peninsula. After a long stretch it opens out onto the coast of the Gulf of Suez. This was the ancient route taken by pilgrims on their way to Saint Catherine and which, according to tradition, had been travelled by Mosa himself.
In the Wadi Feiran you can see the largest palm grove on the Sinai Peninsula. In addition you can visit a small nunnery and an archaeological site that is situated nearby. Excavations have revealed the ruins of several churches, which date back to the IV-VII centuries AD, and that demonstrate the importance of this place in ancient times.
RAS MOHAMMED – SINAI PENISULA – EGYPT
The peninsula of Ras Mohammed is located on the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula, about 20 kilometers from Sharm El-Sheikh (8 miles by sea). It is an unspoiled place of extraordinary beauty and of great natural interest and was declared a National Park in 1983.
There are several different routes to follow inside the Park, enabling visitors to discover all its beauty; each route is marked with different colors. Those who wish to explore the fascinating sea beds will find numerous beautiful dive sites; among them are the very famous Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef.
The second half of August tens of thousands of storks (Ciconia Ciconia) and other migratory birds stop at Ras Mohammed during their long, annual journey from Northern Europe to Southern Africa. The Park is open from dawn to sunset.
There is a nominal entry ticket cost with an extra charge for cars. It is possible to camp in designated areas as long as you notify the ticket office or one of the Park offices. To enter Ras Mohammed you will need to show your passport at the Egyptian check-point on your way out of Sharm El-Sheikh.
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