Mt. Umm Shomar trek in the Sinai, Egypt
| country: | Egypt |
| location: | Sinai Desert |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and can be adapted to suit your budget and requirements as necessary |
| price: | From €325 - €650 (5 days) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Mt. Umm Shomar, the second highest peak in Sinai (2586 m), stands on the Eastern perimeter of the high mountain range. From its peak, the entire southern horn of the peninsula can be seen on one side, and the high mountains on the other. The area is characterized by a complex system of long wadis - dried out river beds, leading down to the sea - carved out by regular flashfloods. Along the way are lush oases with date palms supporting small Bedouin settlements. The Byzantine ruins in the area, including the deserted Monastery of Antus, are not to be missed.
The area is Ulad Said tribal territory; many of them are still living the traditional Bedouin way of life. Apart from the experience of trekking through amazing landscape, this is a rare cultural insight into this distinctive culture.
Highlights:
The area is Ulad Said tribal territory; many of them are still living the traditional Bedouin way of life. Apart from the experience of trekking through amazing landscape, this is a rare cultural insight into this distinctive culture.
Highlights:
- Trekking
- Remote Bedouin settlements
- Sinai’s second highest peak
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Wadi Sdud - Rotak. Departure in Jeep from the town of St. Catherine’s to Wadi Sdud then hike down Wadi Sdud to Wadi El Malez. Walk towards and on to Wadi Eshlul and continue through Wadi Rasis to Namena where we will stop for tea at an Ulad Said settlement. Walk to campsite at Rotak. Dinner. |
| Day 2: | Rotak - Wadi Rumhan. Walk up Wadi Rofra then towards Naqb Abu Amrain where you will see views of the expansive deserts from both sides. Pass an old Bedouin cemetery and walk down to Wadi Rahaba for tea at the Protectorate Environmental centre. Visit the monastery of Rumhan and camp in Wadi Rumhan. |
| Day 3: | Wadi Rumhan. Climb Diset Narhla pass. You have the option of a 2 hr climb up Umm Shomar (2624m) or stay and visit the Monastery of Antush. Lunch at Umm Shomar. Climb back down to camp at Wadi Rumhan. |
| Day 4: | Wadi Rumhan - Sheikh Ramadan's Eco Camp. Walk down Wadi Rumhan towards Zalaga, a beautiful valley dotted with trees and see Sid Rum Han waterfall. Climb up Wadi Tarfa to see a Bedouin cemetery and Leopard trap. Lunch at En Nuetef and then walk down to Wadi Tarfa. Stay at Sheikh Ramadan's Eco Camp. Dinner. |
| Day 5: | Free day. Day five is open to relaxation at the camp or those up for more challenge can tailor a day-hike with one of the Bedouin guides. |
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
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Guides and cameleers for this trek are drawn from the Ulad Said tribe. This tribe is entirely dependent on tourism/trekking for it's survival, and over the past few years many of its members have been forced to leave their territory to go find work in South Sinai's new beach towns. The few that remain are living off the rare income from hikers. This trek directly benefits the Ulad Said people giving work to their families.
We are a locally owned and operated company. All profits that come through booked hikes stay in South Sinai and its various communities. As much as possible, all of the food-stuff and other supplies needed during a trip are bought locally in the town of St. Catherine's directly benefiting local store owners. Our customers are redirected to locally owned business for souvenir purchases/gifts (handicraft, natural herbs shop, restaurants). Every trek booked through us contributes to our community development fund. These monies are then used for specific development and health needs in the community. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |