Excursions from Sharm el Sheikh
There's a great choice of Sharm el Sheikh excursions, and to get the most out of your holiday to Egypt it is worth doing your homework before you go. To save you the trouble though, we've selected our top five things to see and do in this fantastic, year round, Red Sea resort.
Sharm el Sheikh excursions: top five things to do
Many of the activities are centred around, and in, the sea, from scuba diving to kitesurfing, but you'll also find that there's plenty of things to do on dry land.
Try horse-riding in the desert, star gazing in an unpolluted night sky, or even hiking Mount Sinai, where Moses received the 10 Commandments. There's something for everyone and every age.
1. Discover the Sinai Desert
With its dramatic, barren landscape, mountains, valleys and canyons, the Sinai Desert to the north is on your doorstep, and there is a variety of options when it comes to choosing your transport for an excursion from Sharm el Sheikh:
- A jeep safari is a great way to explore the desert for all the family
- Ride a quad bike and you'll soon by zipping around the desert sands
- Go by horseback with Mangroovy Horses, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced rider
- Travel by camel for a chance to experience the desert as the Bedouins have been for centuries
2. Explore beneath the waves of the Red Sea
Whether scuba diving, snorkelling or enjoying the view from a glass bottomed boat, seeing the Red Sea's coral reefs is a must.
There are some excellent boat excursions from Sharm el Sheikh, with plenty of time to relax onboard while cruising across the waves, stopping at a number of dive sites along the way.
The variety of fish and the beauty of the corals is breathtaking, and the option of a glass bottomed boat means even non-swimmers, as well as the very young, can get a glimpse of this magical underwater world.
3. Perfect your haggling skills at Dahab
Dahab is a laid back little town and the perfect place to pick-up some souvenirs on an excursion from Sharm el Sheikh.
While there is still the inevitable tourist tat here you'll also find some lovely local arts and crafts for sale at good prices, including papyrus prints, exquisite jewellery, exotic perfumes, inlaid boxes and beautiful brass lamps, just don't forget to haggle.
While this can be intimidating to the uninitiated once you get the hang of it, it can really be fun. There's more to Dahab that just the bazaar though. Be sure to leave time to enjoy the beautiful Eel Garden beach and snorkel around the shore reefs.
4. Dine under the stars with the Bedouins
Venture back into the desert on your excursion from Sharm el Sheikh to enjoy some real Bedouin hospitality, help make local bread, sip Bedouin tea and indulge in a traditional feast.
While sunsets over the mountains can be spectacular, as the daylight fades and the stars come out, with no light pollution, the night sky is spectacular.
What's more, you can get a closer look through powerful portable telescopes at the planets and stars to see them in more detail than you have ever likely to have seen them before. A magical experience, perfect for couples as well as families.
5. Sunrise at Mount Sinai and a visit to St. Catherine's Monastery
For an unforgettable excursion from Sharm el Sheikh, climb Mount Sinai where Moses received the 10 Commandments and watch the sun rise over the desert, then visit the historic St.
Catherine's Monastery. Founded in the 6th century, it is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world.
While the mountain climb is physically demanding, you can travel part of the way by camel, however, there are still hundreds of steps before you reach the top.
Wear shoes with good grip and dress warmly, it gets mighty cold at night. The view across the desert as the sun comes up though is spectacular and well worth the effort; a memory that will stay with you forever.
These are just a few of the highlights from a wide choice of things to see and do in the area. Excursions from Sharm el Sheikh can be booked in advance through a number of companies including Viator*, Get Your Guide and Isango*, or with your holiday representative when you arrive.
And if you long to make these experiences your own, then visit our dedicated Sharm el Sheikh holidays page, with special offers and discounts on breaks to the Red Sea throughout 2018.
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