Sheikh Sina: Trekking The South Sinai Mountains

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Overlooking the Gulf of Suez / Photo Sheikh Sina

The Sinai Peninsula is somewhere I’ve yet to venture. It’s an area dripping in the history of people, the earth, religion and is of huge strategic importance.

Separated from the rest of Egypt by the Suez Canal in the west and bordered by Palestine in the east, it has enough historical significance to interest even the most reluctant historian and a whole host of impressive geological formations to boot. As part of a journey into the Middle East, or a trip in its own right, a trek in the South Sinai Mountains looks unmissable.

Noha El Shoky contacted us through Facebook shortly after we published ‘6 Lessons We Can Learn From Bedouin Culture‘, and asked if we could help promote Sheikh Sina Bedouin Treks.  Our ‘Projects‘ section is for exactly this purpose, and Sheikh Sinai’s integration of social, environmental and economical factors into their business makes them exactly the sort of project we are eager to help.  The following is a list of some of the reasons that we think they’re great.

• Employ local people: Guides and cameleers from 8 tribes are part of a rotation system employed by Sheikh Sina.
• Discourage mass tourism.
• Currently serve the existing but little known mountain tourism industry in South Sinai.
• Stress local participation, ownership and business opportunities: Sheikh Sina is exclusively Bedouin run.

Although Bedouin led South Sinai excursions have been around for decades, their aim is to put these mountain circuits on the world’s trekking map and to protect them. Maintaining and improving the current offerings by installing composting toilets, maintaining deep water wells, building eco-lodges along the routes is all part of their plan to help reduce the impact of a growing tourism trend on Sinai’s unique ecosystem.

“Most tourists only go up to Mount Moses and pass on other amazing trails and destinations as El Galt El Azraq, Gabal Abas Pasha, Gabal El Bab, Gabal El Banat. The walks down the beautiful wadis of St. Katherine’s like Wadi Jebal, Wadi El Arbaein, Zwateena, Abu Seila and many others revive your soul as the interesting rock formations, dykes, and even quartz hills hit your eyes and the scents of mountain mint (habaq), and Oregano tickle you nose.”

- Sheikh Sina

One ecolodge (Al Karm) is currently bookable online and treks range from three to ten days with approximately 6 hours of moderate walking each day.

“The income generated by this industry will not only help us take control of our own local development, but will also allow our people to gain access to further education, professional training, health facilities, improved housing and utilities, and generally a better quality of life.”

- Sheikh Sina