Dahab Plaza Hotel
Excursions & Safaris
St. Catherine and Mt . Sinai Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain) rises 2285m and is said to be where God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses. Mt Sinai is considered sacred by the Christian Jewish and Muslim religions. St. Catherine’s Monastery is the smallest dioceses and the oldest Christian monastery in the world still in use. It also houses a rich collection of icons and precious manuscripts. The Monastery can be visited daily between 09:00 and 12.00, with the exception of Fridays and Sundays. This excursion is offered either as a day or a night trip
Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine's Monastery
Mount Sinai
Sunrise Trip (Night) Departing Dahab at 11:00 pm and ascending Mount Sinai, (about 1.5-3 hours) Once at the summit enjoy the breathtaking sunrise, We make our decent stopping off at the Monastery.
Sunset Trip (Day) The daytime excursion departs Dahab at 8:00 am and includes visiting the monastery, ascending the mountain, enjoying the spectacular view, watching the sunset, before descending via the serpentine path.
Mount Sinai
Looking Down From Mount Sinai at Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine's Monastery Famous for having a working charnel house. Saint Catherine's was founded by Justinian in the early 6th century on the site of a prior establishment named for Helena of Constantinople founded about 313 A.D. The monastery comprises the whole Autonomous Church of Sinai, under the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The site lies at the foot of Mount Sinai where Christians believe Moses received the Ten Commandments Since the Sinai is an inhospitable place, the brethren of St. Catherine's have struggled to eke out a subsistence-level existence. With the difficulty in establishing a large cemetery in the rocky ground, relics are also gathered for temporal and spiritual reasons; a reminder to the monks of their impending death and fate in the hereafter. The Archbishop of Saint Catherine's is commonly the Abbot as well. After death, he is afforded the dignity of a special niche within the "Skull-House".
Chanel House Skulls of Past Monks
The canyons are a unique natural spectacle in the middle of the Sinai desert. We visit 3 very beautiful places in one trip. Usually we spend the whole day leaving at 8 am and getting back at 6 pm. You will see the beautiful colored and white Canyons, and the Oasis of Ein Khudra.
The Coloured Canyon The Coloured Canyon presents one of the most magnificent rock formations in the world. The vegetation is very limited - lonely acacias, green capparis (capparis sinaica), tamarisk trees, willow trees, sodom apples (poisonous) and desert pumpkin. The rock formations are an incomparable attraction: They vary from sandstone to limestone and granite with veins of basalt which are apparent through the entire journey.
The White Canyon
The White Canyon is smaller than the Coloured Canyon and is made off sandstone and limestone, where the brilliant white colour comes from. It is advisable to wear sunglasses whilst observing this wonderful sight..
The Coloured Canyon
The Coloured Canyon
The Coloured Canyon
The White Canyon
The White Canyon
Ein Khudra Tucked away between yellowish sandstone cliffs close to the road linking St Catherine with Nuweiba and Dahab, lay one of Sinai's most scenic oases. Its Arabic name Ein Khudra (Green Oasis) perfectly describes theatre like locality, where gushing fresh water springs, nourish date palm gardens in the seemingly barren desert. You will have a wonderful fresh cooked barbecue in the shade of Palm Trees, resting for about one hour.
Mushroom Stone On the way to En Khoudra Oasis we pass by a big ancient mushroom shaped coral-stone. This has been a special resting place for travelling Bedouins.
Its Arabic name Ein Khudra (Green Oasis) perfectly describes the theatre like locality
Mushroom Stone
Camel Safaris Discover the splendour of the Sinai by means of various trekking routes. You camp in the desert, sleep under a million stars, and all meals are prepared Bedouin-style over an open fire. Experience the extraordinary desert landscapes: mountains, oasis and gorges. Visit places of cultural and historical importance. Trips vary from one day to a week.
Camel safari through The Sinai Mountains
The Breathtaking Sinai
Alone in the Desert
Camel Taxi to The Blue Hole
Stop off at an Oasis
Ras Abu Gallum A small Bedouin settlement spread along an isolated bay north of Dahab. The site can be reach by camel or on foot after 3 kilometres of breathtaking coastal path. Encountering fossil corals and acacia trees on the way, the vast sandy beach and pristine coral reef appears beautifully on the horizon after 1.5 hours’ trek. The hospitality of the Bedouin families living in Ras Abu Galum is well known throughout the Sinai and all visitors can experience the most relaxing snorkelling day, enjoying lunchtime dishes cooked on the open fire by traditional fishermen, who are unusually still allowed by the authorities to catch fresh fish in small quantity for their family and guests. With an early departure from Dahab we set off by 4x4 driving to the Blue Hole to the north of Dahab. Here we meet and transfer to camels. We trek for approximately 1.5 hrs along the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba until we reach protectorate beaches of Ras Abu Galum, with its unique reef communities and excellent coral gardens. The Bedouin tents are great for relaxation. We’ll spend a few hours in this tranquil location, go snorkelling and enjoy our lunch prepared and cooked by the Bedouin on their open fire. Later in the afternoon we trek back to the Blue Hole before driving back to Dahab.
Ras Abu Gallum
From Ras Abu Gallum to the Blue Hole by Camel
Even Camels get Thirsty!
Nabq National Park Nabq is situated on the coast between Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh. This 600 km2 desert area was declared a conversation area in 1992. Here you can find a 4 km long mangrove forest. Mangroves belong to the amphibic vegetation and grow in flat, sandy areas along tropical coasts.
So-called stalk roots are tightly interwoven both in and above the water. The roots are able to filter the saline water and salt is excreted via the leaves of the trees. Nabq is the natural habitat for a large variety of plant species as well as various animals like Starks, herons, desert foxes, gazelles and hyenas.
Underwater around Nabq you can even find populations of the extremely rare Manatee also called “Sea Cows� or "Dugongs". Open daily from morning to sunset. Entrance fee is 5$.
Spreading to over six hundred square kilometres (two hundred square miles), Nabq is a perfect location to contemplate the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, especially the lagoon, where hermits and mud crabs, among other creatures roam around freely on the shores. The Park’s authorities are very strict in their regulations and policies to maintain the area’s delicate natural balance, upheld by its occupants. Like for example, the mud crabs that play a crucial role in the oxygenation and fertilization of the land in the area, simply with their constant and vehement – and seemingly useless - digging. Nabq contains the largest mangroves forest in Sinai. These plants are a true wonder of nature, as they manage to purify seawater from its salt with its roots and expel the unwanted salt from the back of its leaves. That way they live without eroding the coastline by preventing residues from reaching the soil.
The mangroves’ shallow water also provides shelter to all kinds of marine life, big and small, where they come to place their eggs. Above water, birds use their branches to nest, as their location is convenient due to their closeness to a rich source of food.
Mammals of Nabq National Park Hyrax
Nubian Ibex
Gazelle
Bird Life of Nabq Osprey Heron
Stork
Nabq National Park
Among the birds that live or pass through the area during migrations are herons, ospreys and storks.
Other wild animals living in the oasis include foxes, hyenas and gazelles, among others. Local population – mainly consisting of Bedouin fishermen - reaches its height during the migration season of snappers, when they move from the Gulf of Aqaba to the warmer waters of Ras Mohamed to mate.
One of Nabq’s interesting sights is the Maria Schroeder wreck, which sank back in 1965 along the coral reefs, The Maria Schroeder is a proof of how dangerous this region can be shipping.
The Maria Schroeder Proof of how dangerous this region can be shipping.
Masada and the Dead Sea An early morning drive from Dahab to the Taba boarder and cross over from Egypt into Israel. Drive through the Arava valley and Negev Desert to Masada, a mountain-top fortress in the midst of the desert overlooking the Dead Sea, famous as the last stronghold of the Jewish Sicarii rebels against the Romans. Ascend by cable car and visit the ruins including King Herod’s winter palace, the synagogue, living quarters, bakery and hot baths with spectacular mosaics, whilst re-living the tragic story with explanations from your guide. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Kibbutz Ein Gedi for a buffet lunch, then on to the Ein Gedi Spa where you can relax in the sulphur pools. The lowest point on earth. Cover yourself with the famous therapeutic black mud of the Dead Sea, and spend the afternoon experiencing the unique floating sensation that only the Dead Sea can provide. Return to the border for onward transfer back to Dahab.
Masada
The unique floating sensation that only the Dead Sea can provide.
Cover yourself with the famous therapeutic black mud of the Dead Sea
Petra Jordan We drive north from Dahab to Taba and take a short boat trip to Aqaba Jordan. Your Jordanian adventure starts here travelling along the Desert Highway, through the Moab Mountains along the King’s Highway to The Rose Red City of Petra.
Visit the Treasury and Amphitheatre and wander around the ancient rock tombs and burial places, accompanied by a knowledgeable Jordanian guide. Few sites in the world capture the imagination as dramatically as the breathtaking Nabataean structures of Petra, carved into brilliantly coloured rock face which rise toward the skies in continually changing shades of red, orange and pink.
The Treasury Petra
Petra Jordan
Petra Jordan
Quad Biking After a short time getting the feel of the quad bike, we set off into the Mountains or The Lagoon area with our guide, convoy style, and within minutes we are whizzing around, lots of sand, lots of laughs and very little educational value on this journey of fun in the sun.
Quad Runner - Minimum age of driver is 16 years old.
Quad Biking
Horse Riding in Dahab
A great way to see the area around Dahab is on horseback. Though a taxi may get you there faster, you won't get the same perspective and you won't have nearly as much fun. Horses are Arabian, healthy and extremely well trained to take riders of all abilities. These horses will walk gently, trot and canter to pick up the pace and are easily coaxed into a full gallop, if you are looking for a thrill. Whether you're looking for a quick trip down the beach, or a day trip to a destination like Blue Hole, Three Pools or a Bedouin camp in the hills, we can organize a fantastic trip for you.
Horse Riding in Dahab
Luxor
Our Luxor tour visits the Valley of the Kings containing tombs of the Pharaohs including Ramses the Great and site of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s treasures, By British Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922. untouched for over 3000 years. The spectacular temple of Queen Hatshepsut in the rock face of Deir el Bahri. The Colossi of Memnon and an alabaster factory. Then cross from West Bank to East Bank with a boat ride on the Nile. Following lunch, visit the monumental Temples of Karnak and Luxor as well as a papyrus factory before returning in the evening.
Luxor
Jerusalem Leave Dahab late evening and drive to the Taba border, to cross over into Israel. Jerusalem is home to key sites for many major religions: The Temple Mount and its Western Wall for Jews. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims. On this trip, view the city from the famous Mount of Olives, visit the Wailing Wall and follow in Jesus' footsteps along the Via Dolorosa – the route taken with the Cross. Then visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection and end the day on Mount Zion.
The Western Wall
Via Dolorosa
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Wadi Gunei
We leave Dahab by jeep to ride south to the "Southern Oasis". Here we pause to refresh with a swim/snorkelling, or just relax amongst the palm trees before heading into the Wadi. Bedouin lunch is served and then you can explore deep into the Wadi where water erosion has formed the rocks into fantastic shapes and you can even see dry “waterfalls�, its hard to envisage that such a normally dry region can have enough rain to carve such dramatic features. After exploring/relaxing we mount up and drive back to Dahab.
Wadi Gunei
Cairo Experience all that magnificent Cairo has to offer with the expert knowledge and experience of a qualified Egyptologist. Starting with a drive through the dramatic Sinai Desert, and the Suez Canal tunnel, arrive in Cairo and visit the Egyptian National Museum and marvel at the legendary treasures of Tutankhamun, ancient artifacts and other masterpieces from the Land of the Pharaohs. View a live paper making demonstration and an explanation of hieroglyphics at the Papyrus Institute before retiring to your hotel . After breakfast the next morning, take in the breathtaking Pyramids of Giza, last surviving Wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Sphinx and Valley Temple. Round off the day with an unforgettable walk through the sounds, sights and smells of the Khan El Khalili bazaar, before beginning the return journey.
Cairo
Dahab’s world Famous “Blue Hole”. Here, where the mountains meet the sea, nature has created a unique and beautiful geological formation. The sheltered waters inside the blue hole are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, while the more adventurous can swim out to the reef wall to see the amazing marine life. The restaurants here offer opportunities for refreshment and relaxation. You can also venture up into the mountains for a fantastic view of the area, or walk along the shoreline to see the ancient fossilized reef created over one million years ago when the sea level dropped.
The Blue Hole
Bedouin Dinner Drive by jeep from Dahab about 2 hours before sundown. Then transfer to camels to reach the entrance of the desert riding through the valleys with amazing panoramic view of the mountain of Dahab.
Enjoy the fantastic Sinai sunset from the top of the Wadi! Followed by a Bedouin dinner surrounded by candle light in the middle of the desert and enjoy traditional Bedouin tea with real Sinai herbs. Memories that will last a lifetime.
Bedouin Dinner
Ras Mohammed National Park
Ras Mohammed was the first of the five Egyptian National Parks. It is world renowned as a snorkelling and diving centre, and does not disappoint. As the coral reef drops precipitously away the number, variety and sheer beauty of the brightly coloured marine fish, as well as the corals themselves, are breathtaking.
It’s not unusual to find a turtle swimming close by and all kinds of colourful reef fish. A good idea to bring a waterproof camera and capture the scene as it unfolds before you.
Ras Mohammed National Park
Dahab Plaza Hotel
We look forward to seeing you!