The Sacred Mountain of Moses

Egypt may be the land of the pharaohs and home to a wealth of medieval treasures, but it is also considered the holy land by the Abrahamic religions. With many references in the holy books to Egypt, many miracles and sacred stories took place here. Civilizations and stories unraveled in these sacred lands.

Far from Cairo, the bustling heart of Egyptian civilization, sits the holy land of Sinai, characterized by restless desert and a world of biblical tales. It is believed that some 2000 years ago, Moses met the Holy Spirit while trekking up Mount Moses or Mount Sinai as it is also called. This story is what gives this mountain range its sacred spirit and is an important location for followers of the Abrahamic religions. Due to this reason, Mount Moses has attracted tourists from all corners of the world.

Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses or ‘Jabal Mousa’ in Arabic, is one of thousands of mountains in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. It is believed that it is the same mountain as Mount Sinai from biblical times. Mount Sinai is considered sacred not just by Christians but also by Muslims and Jews, all of whom believe that God delivered to Moses his Ten Commandments at the top of the mountain.

Where is Mount Moses Located?

The holy Mount Moses is located thousands of miles away from Cairo and is in the heart of Saint Catherine in the governorate of South Sinai. It is located directly next to Mount Catherine, meaning it overlooks the famous St. Catherine Monastery, one of the world’s oldest monasteries dating back to the 6th century.

What to Know Before Visiting

Given how sacred the location is to many of the world’s religious people as well as history lovers, Mount Moses is extremely popular year round, with thousands of tourists flocking there annually. Given its close proximity to the Red Sea resort towns of Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh and Nuewiba, Mount Moses I is usually part of a multi-pronged tour that gives you a taste of history while also providing you with the ultimate beach relaxation holiday.

Although the mountain can be trekked in a day trip, some people may want to spend the night and bask in all of its glory from sunset to sunrise. Should you want to stay overnight, the nearby village settlement of St. Catherine provides rustic and simple accommodation. If you are feeling even more adventurous and want to stay at the actual mountain, you also have the option to camp at the top of Mount Moses.

In terms of when to visit, weather in the region fluctuates between extreme cold and extreme heat between the seasons. In the summer, the hot sun combined with the arid desert climate makes it unbearably hot. In the winter, however, it can get freezing cold, to the point where it actually snows. Yes, sometimes it does snow in Egypt!

Mount Moses and Its Biblical History

The father of Judaism, Moses, was born in Egypt to a humble Hebrew slave. During this period in history, from 1650 to 1250 BC, the Hebrew people were enslaved by the Egyptian pharaohs and worked for 400 years under their reign.

As the story of Moses goes, an Ancient Egyptian oracle told the ruling pharaoh at the time that a Hebrew child would be born and he would free all of his people from the Egyptian’s slavery. Following this prophecy, the fearful pharaohs ordered that all made children of Hebrew descent must be killed immediately to avoid any kind of conflict. In an attempt to save Moses, his father sent him down the Nile River, in hopes of being found and given a better life.

Eventually, the daughter of the pharaoh found Moses and adopted him, making him a part of the royal family. He was taught and treated like royalty, without the pharaoh realizing the danger that was lurking in his own home.

Once Moses turned 40, he discovered his Hebrew origins and was angered by the treatment of the Pharaoh to his own people. He ended up killing one of the Egyptians and went into exile in the vast desert of Sinai, where he ended up living for the next forty years. He took on the role of a shepherd and even raised his own flock of animals at Mr. Horeb. As the famous story goes, Moses ended up encountering a burning bush that was incredibly consumed by its own flame. As he was marveling at this miracle, he heard a voice speaking to him from the fire, commanding him to lead his people out of slavery and take them to the mountain.

During his time in Mount Moses, the prophet received the Ten Commandments as well as specific instructions to build a portable box to keep the Ten Commandments safe. This box eventually came to be called the Ark of the Covenant. According to the Book of Exodus, the box was made of wood and gold. Upon its completion, Moses and his people departed from Mount Moses to search for the Promised Land.

Trekking Mount Moses

The mountain is pleasant and relatively simple to climb, offering magnificent views of South Sinai’s stunning greenery, sprawling mountain peaks, and the idyllic, small villages scattered around. It is easy to climb it on foot, however, if you are not down for the effort, it can be done by local donkeys or camels as well. Given that Mount Moses reached about 2300 meters high, visitors who want to hike it on food should have a moderate level of fitness.

Two well-known routes take you up to the summit: the Camel Trail and the Steps of Repentance. Both of them meet at Elijah’s Basin plateau about 300 meters below the peak. For the rest of the distance, you must trek up a series of 750 steps angled at a sharp incline. Once you get to the top, you will find a small chapel and a mosque. However, they are not open to public visitations.

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Get ready to explore the top attractions of Egypt! From the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings, Egypt is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. As you embark on your journey with Nile Cruise Vacation, you'll be transported back in time to a land of pharaohs, mummies, and ancient wonders.

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The Sacred Mountain of Moses

Where is Mount Moses Located?

What to Know Before Visiting

Mount Moses and Its Biblical History

Trekking Mount Moses

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