Where is the Sinai Peninsula located? Sinai Desert: description, area, interesting facts
I am in awe and in awe of the beauty of the Sinai Peninsula! I have been here many times and it seems that I know almost every stone, every gorge and mountain peak. But every time I rejoice as if I had conquered Mars. And yet these views are exactly what Mars resembles, at least in the form in which Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hero showed us in the film “Total Recall.” The road from Dahab deep into Sinai, to Mount Sinai and the monastery of St. Catherine, in my opinion, is the most picturesque in Sinai. One day, having swam a lot in the Red Sea, we took a minibus (on a tip from Alena Lyutikova, a girl who has lived in Dahab for almost 15 years and knows absolutely everything about Sinai) for only 450 pounds and off we go!
The colors are so bright that sometimes it seems that your eyes are dazzled -
You shouldn’t put your camera away even for a minute, gorgeous vistas open around every turn -
Small Bedouin camps are scattered chaotically across the desert -
Dangerous serpentines and sometimes broken roads await you. But all this just adds color -
The famous fork: to the left is Mount Sinai, and to the right is the road to Cairo, where you will not be allowed to enter without a full-fledged Egyptian visa (a free Sinai stamp will not work). By the way, the road to Cairo is very interesting. You will pass the largest oasis of Sinai, Waidi Feiran, then the oil workers' town of Abu Rudeis (founded by the Israelis in 1968) and the large resort of Ras Sudr near the city of Suez and the canal of the same name. There will also be an unusual object - a firing point "", where in 1967 - 1975 the Israeli military base, from where artillery strikes were carried out on Egyptian positions on the eastern side of the canal. The famous line of defense also begins there.
The monastery is colorful, but is already closed. We didn’t really try to arrive before 12 noon (visits are possible from 9 to 12), since we had already been inside several years ago. It’s no less interesting to walk around -
How a camel eats these hellish thorns without being pricked is a mystery.
In Egypt, auto rarities get a second and third life -
I wonder how this truck got thrown onto the cliff?
These and other pieces of military equipment litter part of the road to Mount Sinai. In 1967, battles took place here between the Israelis and the Egyptian army. The latter suffered a crushing defeat -
Just a kettle and just glasses in the middle of the desert. The Bedouins leave this for road-weary travelers -
Picturesque dunes where it’s fun to run barefoot -
It's getting dark, it's time to go home!
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Last week, we and a small group of sisters of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem, with Fr. Leonty and our workers visited the monastery of St. Vmch. Catherine and served the Liturgy on the top of the mountain of the prophet Moses - on Mount Sinai.
The first series of photos is our path to the holy mountain. The roads of mountains and deserts are the most enchanting journey. (a lot of photos - more than 70)
It was my first time in Sinai and in Egypt in general, so I was interested to see what everything looked like along the way. The path turned out to be not very close. At 4:30 we left Tel Aviv, at 5:30 we transferred to our pilgrimage bus in Jerusalem, which took us to the border with Egypt in the southernmost Israeli city of Eilat. We had to wait at the border for some time. The day before in Egypt, on the way to the monastery of St. Catherine's road was washed away, the rainy season began. The first washout seemed to have been eliminated by the morning, but this morning a mudflow occurred in another place and work was underway to eliminate it. Luckily we didn't have to wait long. The Israeli border was crossed well, but there was a hitch on the Egyptian side. There were no people - the season was over, but in our group there were 2 workers with Moldovan passports, and they needed some kind of special visa, which is not placed on the border. We waited almost 3 hours. In general, we were ready to leave at about 13:00 (although there was still an hour time difference).
And off we went - from the border of Israel to Mount Sinai 220 km. High-speed Egyptian minibuses for tourists cover this distance in 2 hours (well, maybe a little more). We stopped once along the way. But along the entire road for another 200 km, there are as many as 12 checkpoints, sometimes they check documents, sometimes they just look, sign some kind of piece of paper for the driver, like a permit. This is the fight against ISIS, just not far from here the other day there was a battle and Israeli border Up to 50 IS fighters were killed (aka Daesh in Arabic)
This is also a stopover on the way to Israel. Sapir station in the Arava desert
Eilat - the Red Sea splashes at the border, mountains to the right - this is Jordan
Israeli-Egyptian border, crossed it on foot
Mizraim in Hebrew, Egypt in all other languages
it’s not the season, there are no tourists, there is no officer in the booth, he also had to wait quite a while
While our Egyptian buses are waiting for us, we have a snack, since we probably took provisions for a month of travel.
m. Feodosia is already starting to film a report for the RDM website
the first Egyptian city on the way is Taba. There are luxurious hotels (as they say), equally luxurious diving among coral reefs and some completely shabby village, it feels like it’s half empty. And along the entire coast, as we drove to Nuweiba, and maybe the same thing continues to Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh: complete unfinished and abandoned buildings, a new road is being built, but in some places there is almost no road. A feeling of great desolation. But maybe it's just not the season...
first Bedouin village
Interesting - stop at a Korean-Chinese Arabic cafe. We didn’t try the cuisine, we drank water and tea.
one of the checkpoints.
(all other photos were taken on Fuji XT-1 with 16-55mm and 50-140mm lenses)
The thing is that we had to film through the glass of our minibus; the glass had not been washed there for probably six months, and in general filming through the glass of a car with bumps and unnecessary reflections is evil. But there was no way out, so I apologize in advance for the low-quality photo. But without unnecessary sentimentality, the Sinai deserts are incomparable. If you believe the geological review, then the mountains of South Sinai, and with them Mount Moses, belong to the oldest terrestrial Precambrian rocks of volcanic origin. So to speak, from the very creation of the world. They are different in appearance from anything we know. In the next report on climbing Mount Sinai, you will see this for yourself.
But for now the path to Sinai is through Sinai.
in the Nuweiba area - a mudflow blocked the road, but it’s already possible to drive through
the valley from which the stream came
the roads are empty, which allows minibus drivers to drive as they please
Bedouin villages
very diverse desert of South Sinai
I don’t know the names of the mountains and valleys - I’d have to somehow detailed map see everything
don't see the camel? but he is, and not alone
light and darkness
and this is the second flood - just yesterday, at this time it is already completely safe
this relief reminded me of the recent photographs of the New Horizons spacecraft, which it took while flying past Pluto, only there are no bushes there, of course
streams have flooded the desert - after all, October is already ending, and there have been no good rains yet
desert boats
the closer to the mon. St. Catherine, the harsher the earthly space
Almost arrived. These are the rules - do you go alone or with a group - take a Bedouin guide, this is how jobs are created
Bedouin market near the monastery of St. Catherine
everything is elegant, Bedouin
penultimate checkpoint in front of the monastery
the grave of the prophet Harun (Muslim) - in our opinion this means Aaron
green is not grass - these are minerals
sand streams
and a few people of the desert, which is how the word “Bedouin” is actually translated
the children are wonderful, but from an early age they are trained to beg, sweets are understandable, but begging for money seems too much, the key words in the dictionary are “caramel, van dollar, van yuro”
The Sinai Peninsula is an absolutely unique and amazing place in every way. You can at least start with geographical location: Sinai is the border between Asia and Africa; in fact, the peninsula itself is considered part of the Asian continent. Its nature is also unique - the mountainous and desert areas of Sinai are almost uninhabited, which means that the flora and fauna have been preserved in absolutely pristine form. I probably haven’t heard about coral reefs and diving in local waters, unless I’m lazy. Well, and of course, the historical and cultural role of these places for all humanity is extremely important. After all, it was here that the people of Israel wandered with Moses, and right there the prophet received a divine revelation.
How to get to the Sinai Peninsula
The largest air hub in Sinai is in Sharm el-Sheikh, whose international Airport receives hundreds of flights a week from all over the world.
It is most convenient to travel directly around the peninsula as part of an excursion group. As an option - by bus, but it is better to take tickets for 1st class and for the so-called tourist buses, and not municipal ones, since they take a long time, they hardly follow the schedule, and in general their appearance leaves much to be desired.
Popular hotels in Sinai Peninsula
Entertainment and attractions
Of course, the Sinai Peninsula, like the whole of Egypt, is famous largely for its beautiful beaches, comfortable hotels, a fairly good level of service, and, most importantly, warm sea, where underwater life literally boils. It seems that this is some kind of compensation for the picturesque, but at the same time monotonous, nature of the land. However, despite the appearance of desert, there is something to see here. There are three in Sinai national parks- “Ras Abu Galum”, “Nabq” and “Ras Mohammed”. The latter, for example, is a reserve that simultaneously includes 5 ecosystems!
Another amazing natural monument The Sinai Peninsula is considered its hot springs. The most famous of them are the Sources of Moses. They arose at that legendary time when Moses led the Jews out of Egyptian slavery. Having walked along the bottom of the Red Sea, they were exhausted, many were tormented by thirst. Then the prophet struck the ground several times with his staff, and immediately water began to gush out from under the ground.
To the south of the Springs of Moses, at a distance of about 100 km, there are other thermal baths - the Pharaoh's Baths and the Moses Baths.
Another unique attraction of the Sinai Peninsula can be called the Colored Canyon. It is located just an hour's drive from popular resort Nuweiba. What is a place with such an intriguing name? The canyon stretches approximately 700 m in length, and the height of the gorge sometimes reaches up to 100 m. This place will be very interesting for those who have dreamed of being on the Moon all their adult lives.
Of course, the main historical attraction of the peninsula is the monastery of St. Catherine. Its appearance is associated with the name of the Byzantine emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helen. In 330, a small church was built in Sinai, as well as a fortification so that the monks could survive the raids of nomads. Life was not easy for the first inhabitants of the monastery: they spent the night in caves, obtained their own food and prayed fervently. In addition, the monks were active in missionary work and over several centuries they managed to convert a significant part of the inhabitants of the Sinai Peninsula to Christianity.
Today, the territory of the Sinai Peninsula belongs almost entirely to Egypt. Only a small part of it relates to Israel and the Gaza Strip. In the northeast, armed conflicts continue between the Egyptian government and Islamists, who organize terrorist attacks and attacks on Egyptian security forces. Sometimes they extend to the border areas of Israel and the Gaza Strip.
South Sinai- a prosperous territory, well known throughout the world for its resorts: Sharm el-Sheikh, Nuweiba, Taba, Dahab, etc.
North Sinai remains an unstable area of the peninsula. This is due to the poverty of the population living here, regular smuggler routes and general economic backwardness. The low standard of living has also led to an environmental disaster associated with the massive pollution of the Sinai coast with plastic waste. It was here that Islamists and terrorist groups became more active, taking the local population under their influence.
The Sinai Peninsula is an ideal place to get a beautiful tan. As in many places in Egypt, there is something to see here, because according to legend, it was here that Moses received commandments from God. Tourists from all over the world flock to Egypt to get impeccable holiday conditions for little money. Gentle waves of the Red Sea, bright sun, a huge number of historical attractions make your holiday on the Sinai Peninsula unforgettable.
In this article we will try to describe all the features of holidays on the Sinai Peninsula in 2020.
For many years now, the Sinai Peninsula has been the subject of disputes and wars between Africa and Asia. There was no way they could share such a tasty morsel. Due to its location and large number of minerals, disputes continue to this day. The strategic importance of the Sinai Peninsula grew after the construction of the Suez Canal in the 19th century.
Sinai Peninsula on the map:
This territory belonged at one time to Turkey and Israel. But after much dispute and war, the peninsula returned to Egypt. Thanks to this, relative calm reigned. Holidays on the Sinai Peninsula are very different from holidays on other popular ones. Holidays in 2020 can become truly unforgettable.
Nature
The unique fauna of the peninsula can be considered one of its attractions. It is difficult to see more beautiful coral reefs anywhere else. The coast is a real paradise for divers. Many travelers come here to take an amazing dive and swim along the barrier reef.
The area is very hot. Therefore, most green oases are the subject of painstaking work by local gardeners.
The Sinai deserts are inhabited. There you can see wolves, foxes, mountain goats, hyenas and other numerous inhabitants.
Climate
The climate can be a real test for a tourist. In summer there is sweltering heat on the coast, up to 50 degrees during the day. At night the temperature is very moderate. In winter, the daytime temperature is 24-25 degrees, and the nights can be very cold. Snow sometimes falls in the mountains in autumn. Spring can be very rainy. If you are going on vacation to the Sinai Peninsula in 2020, remember that if you cannot tolerate the heat, try to spend more time by the sea and drink 3-4 liters of water daily.
Best season for vacation
The best time of year to travel is mid-autumn or early spring. During this period there is no stifling heat; the air temperature rarely rises above 30 degrees. The nights are warm, not lower than 18 degrees.
Visa
Features of the holiday
Unfortunately, the most convenient air port of Sinai has not yet adjusted the zone for Russians, so for now there will be no direct flights there. Therefore, you will have to make transfers to get there. Such services are provided only by foreign airlines.
The best option is to fly through. Its cost is about 500 euros, the time spent in the air is approximately 7 hours.
A trip with a connection in European cities– London, Geneva, Zurich.
You can use the services of tour operators in neighboring countries of Belarus or Ukraine, from whose airports direct flights depart to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Where to stay?
The majority of tourists strive for the “Source of Moses”. Legends are made about its healing power. According to one of them, the prophet Moses hit the ground with his staff and at the same moment a healing spring began to flow from it.
Tourists who want to cope with diseases of the joints and bones go to the “Pharaoh’s Baths,” which were visited by the kings of Egypt many thousands of years ago. Water breaks out from under the rocks and rushes into the sea.
Entertainment
The most popular entertainment in the resorts of the Sinai Peninsula is diving and snorkeling. At every step they offer training. Equipment for this type of leisure can be rented. Fans of diving and snorkeling should know that these sports can be practiced here all year round.
Entertainment includes walks along the coast in a jeep, and from October to April on camels. For European tourist- it's exotic.
What to see?
Those planning a holiday to the Sinai Peninsula in 2020 should know what local campaigns offer to choose from a large number of excursions. What to see, you choose for yourself.
- Wrecks and reefs can be seen in the Thistelgorm area;
- Egyptian Park - Ras Mohammed - one of the most best places for diving;
- Camel or jeep ride. The walk allows you to get acquainted with the life of the Bedouins;
- If you want to see the sunrise in Sinai, go to Mount Moses.
Kitchen
Sinai cuisine includes many traditional African dishes. Many years of European colonization, the passage of the island from one owner to another, gave the local food a European sophistication.
Don't even try to find pork dishes. The meat of this “dirty” animal is not sold in any supermarket or market. This is due to the characteristics of the Muslim religion.
Also, you won’t find “rare steak” in Sinai restaurants. All products undergo thorough heat treatment, which is due to special climatic conditions. The local heat can quickly spoil even fresh meat or fish.
Basics a traditional dish aish baladi - aromatic bread flatbread Any filling can be added to Egyptian bread.
The meat is usually served accompanied by rice or vegetables. Be sure to try torly - lamb with vegetable stew, seasoned with lemon and marjoram.
Arabic kofta meatballs have an amazing taste. Sinai restaurants offer chicken cooked according to an old Cairo recipe. This dish will conquer any gourmet.
Never give up fish. It is prepared according to special ancient recipes and served with a variety of sauces. The “grilled fish” is very impressive.
The first courses are very tasty and rich. The local soup medemas is made from beans.
The well-known hibiscus tea comes from Egypt. This drink is offered everywhere. The cafe's visitors will also be offered a cup of aromatic coffee or black tea.
Food prices are not high. In an inexpensive restaurant, you can pay up to $3 for a three-course set menu.
It's not at all expensive to shop at local markets or supermarkets. The main thing is to move away from crowded tourist areas and shop in the same stores as the local population. For example, grant, strawberries or peppers will cost no more than $1 per kilogram. The price of vegetables is very low; a kilogram of zucchini or eggplant costs no more than 35 cents.
If the price of the products is indicated in the price tag, there is no point in haggling, but if it is not, then you can bargain for 20-30% of the cost.
Shopping
The most popular souvenir that tourists from Egypt always bring is papyrus. In second place are plates with unique Arabic designs.
Shops and markets are open until late in the evening. Here you can find souvenirs for every taste. Tourists will be offered expensive items, such as handmade carpets. Be sure to purchase Arabic colorful jewelry. They are not expensive at all, but they look very beautiful.
A special Sinai souvenir is a T-shirt with a picture of a diver on it. The main thing is not to forget to bargain always and everywhere. 
Tour price
Very often the price of a trip to the Sinai Peninsula depends on the choice of tour operator. How more company, the wider the range of its capabilities and the companies with which it works. Therefore, before the final purchase, it is worth “probing” several agencies and comparing their prices for the same items.
The next important determining factor in price is the class of the hotel; the higher it is, the more expensive the tour.
Sales at the beginning of 2020 tourist packages to Egypt is not carried out by Russian and tour operators. It is planned that direct flights to Cairo will be available to Russians at the beginning of the year. Flights to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport will become possible presumably in the fall of 2020.
The minimum cost of an all-inclusive tour for seven nights in a three-star hotel will be 30 thousand rubles per person and more.
The Sinai Peninsula is a paradise for a perfect holiday. The warm waters of the Red Sea, endless beaches with velvet sand, excellent service and Arabic cuisine make the resorts of the peninsula a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Many people fall so much in love with the local landscapes and hospitable hotels that they are ready to return to Sinai every year.
Even more about the peninsula in the video:
