St Katherine Protected Area
Nature
The high mountains of southern Sinai, including Mount Sinai and Egypt's highest summit, Mount Catherine, around the ancient Monastery of St Catherine.
- Arabic name
- محمية سانت كاترين
- Type
- Protected area
- Governorate
- South Sinai
- Area
- 4,412 km²
- Protected since
- 1988 (part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002)
- Nearest city guide
- St Catherine
- Official website
- whc.unesco.org
The protectorate surrounds the town of St Catherine and the sixth-century monastery, and it contains the country’s highest peaks: Mount Catherine (about 2,629 m) and Mount Sinai, or Gebel Musa (about 2,285 m). The monastery and its surroundings were inscribed by UNESCO in 2002.
Landscape and wildlife
Altitude brings a cooler climate, winter snow and a wide variety of plants, many of them medicinal herbs used by the local Jebeliya Bedouin. The area is home to the Sinai baton blue, one of the world’s smallest butterflies, as well as Nubian ibex, hyraxes, foxes and many birds of prey. Walled Bedouin gardens of almonds, apricots and olives hide in the high valleys.
What to do
- Climb Mount Sinai at night to watch sunrise from the summit, then visit the monastery.
- Trek to Mount Catherine or along sections of the long-distance Sinai Trail with Bedouin guides.
- Explore Wadi El Arbain and the gardens around the town.
Getting there and best time
St Catherine is about 2.5 to 3 hours by road from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab. Large-scale tourism development has been under way in the town, so check locally for any changes to routes. Spring and autumn are best; winter nights at the summit fall below freezing, and summer days are hot but tolerable at altitude.
Entry fee: a protectorate fee applies to foreign visitors; guides are compulsory for treks (last checked October 2026).
Last checked October 2026. Entry fees and access rules change; check with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or a local operator before you go. Sources: eeaa.gov.eg, whc.unesco.org, en.wikipedia.org.
Frequently asked questions
Can I climb Mount Sinai?
Yes. The classic trip is a night climb to watch sunrise from the summit (about 2,285 m), followed by a visit to St Catherine's Monastery.
Do I need a guide for trekking?
Yes, guides are compulsory for treks in the protectorate. Bedouin guides lead walks to Mount Catherine, Egypt's highest peak, and along the Sinai Trail.
What wildlife and plants are there?
Medicinal herbs used by the Jebeliya Bedouin, the tiny Sinai baton blue butterfly, Nubian ibex, hyraxes, foxes and birds of prey. Walled Bedouin gardens grow almonds, apricots and olives.
How do I get there?
St Catherine is about 2.5 to 3 hours by road from Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab. Large-scale development has been under way in the town, so check locally for route changes.
When should I go and is there a fee?
Spring and autumn are best; winter nights at the summit fall below freezing. A protectorate fee applies to foreign visitors.
