Sharm el Sheikh

At St Catherine’s Monastery the most sanctified building is the church with the chapel of the Burning Bush from which God spoke to Moses. The chapel is dedicated to St Catherine, the legendary martyr of Alexandria, who was tortured for her Christianity. Her body disappeared and, according to legend, was transported by angels to the highest mountain peak in the Sinai. Three centuries later some monks of the Monastery, following a dream, found her body and placed it in a gold-plated sarcophagus, which now stands in the Basilica Choir.

The Monastery holds some of the world’s best preserved and priceless ancient manuscripts and icons, some of which are actually on display in the church.

A buffet lunch, including refreshments will be served at a deluxe beach resort on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Na’ama Bay has become a leading tourist resort, and is often referred to as the ‘capital of the Egyptian Riviera’. Enjoy a day relaxing and using the facilities of a deluxe hotel beach resort. The trip includes return transportation, admission and use of the swimming pool and private beach.

During your stay, take an inclusive hour-long glass-bottom boat trip and admire the amazing underwater world beneath you. Unique and wonderful corals of all shapes and sizes, as well as a multitude of rainbow-coloured schools of fish, present a panorama of unsurpassed beauty.

Enjoy a selection of dishes from the hotel buffet, including a glass of wine or beer, mineral water, tea or coffee.

Step aboard your 4x4 Jeep for a journey into the Sinai Desert. Along the way, pass by towering rock formations, the occasional acacia tree and, with a little luck, wild camels roaming free. Sheep and goats graze on the sparse desert vegetation, trying to survive in this arid, harsh environment. Several stops will be made, allowing you time for unique photo opportunities.

Experience another aspect of life in the desert by riding high on the back of a camel. You’ll be met by a group of Bedouins with their camels and the ‘caravan’ will follow a rocky trail, reaching a Bedouin tent after a ride of approximately 30 minutes.

Experience Bedouin hospitality as you enjoy refreshments of aromatic tea and unleavened bread.

After a short rest, you’ll head back to Sharm el-Sheikh, passing by the beautiful Egyptian Riviera resort of Na’ama Bay.

Your scenic drive takes you 35 miles south of Sharm el-Sheikh to the peak of the Sinai Peninsula. Ras Mohamed is the most beautiful site in Sinai and strictly maintained as a natural national park.

Ras Mohamed is renowned for having the most exquisite coral reefs in the world and for being a refuge to rare marine life. The sea area from Tiran island all the way to the National Park of Ras Mohammed is notable for its sharply defined raised fossil coral platforms which represent ancient shorelines.

See mangrove swamps with their special flora, before arriving at one of the small beaches of the reserve for free time to enjoy swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling.