Serabit el Khadim

Trek 23

Serabit el Khadim is the most important Pharaonic ruin in the Sinai featuring the only temple outside of mainland Egypt, on the flat top of a small range. The easy climb starts at the end of the asphalt road in the settlement of the same name. You find several mines on the plateau as well as the Temple of Hathor, and get spectacular views on the desert belt and the Tih Plateau. You could descend on the other side at Umm Ajraf, convenient if you carry on to El Ramla or Wadi Mukattab.

Other names/spellings: Serabit el Khadem, Serabit el Hadim, Serabit al-Hadem


  • Serabit el Khadim: a small settlement at the foot of the mountain range of the same name, and the archaeological site. It is on the edge of the vast sandy plain known as El Ramla.
  • Coastal roads: two main routes exist from the Gulf of Suez, one via Wadi Gharandal between Ras Sudr and Abu Zenima, the other branching off the main coastal route shortly after Abu Zenima. In both places you might get a vehicle or organise a complete programme. Even if you have your own vehicle, be advised the road is tricky and you have to be accompanied by a Bedouin guide.
  • Rod el Air: the pass from the settlement to the top of the range, with carvings and inscriptions along the way.
  • Archaeological site: it consists of several little mining shafts, each with a Pharaonic carving, and the Temple of Hathor. You get far reaching views from the plateau on to El Ramla, the Tih Plateau and Jebel Hmeyer.
  • Umm Ajraf: a secluded sandy area on the other side of the archaeological site, from where you can carry on to Wadi Mukattab and Wadi Maghara via Wadi Sieh, or to the Forest of Pillars via Wadi Khamila and Ramlat Hmeyer.

See: Trek 23 


Popular posts from this blog

Geographical features: Jidda / Dyke (Dike)

Image
Originally posted on February 7, 2015 The whole southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is a mountainous area, while the High Mountain Region proper, sometimes called the Central High Mountains, is the area in the middle around the town of St. Katherine. (See Google Earth screenshots below.) Up to 80% of the massif is granite of different types formed as far back as 600 million years, but there are also mountains that are made of newer, about 10 million year-old black volcanic rock. Sandstone and limestone are found north of the mountainous tip, forming surrealistic rock formations, sandy plains and eroded layered plateaus. In the mountainous area red granite and black volcanic mountains are often found together, as we can see with the Jebel Safsafa-Mt. Sinai, the Jebel Raba-Jebel Ahmar-Mt. Katharina or the Jebel Abu Mahashur-Jebel Abbas Basha ranges. In each case much of the mass of the mountains is made of hard and smooth red granite, but the famous peaks are actually softer crumbling bl
Read more

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in South Sinai

Image
Originally posted on November 16, 2015 South Sinai features more attractions than most people think, and not all is under water. Known mostly for its Red Sea resorts, coral reefs and great diving, there is a lot to see in the interior too. Following are the 10 best known tourist attractions, the must-see places in South Sinai. 1. Ras Mohamed National Park Located near the resort city of Sharm el Sheikh, Ras Mohamed was the first National Park in the Sinai. It is famous for its underwater life and coral reefs, and so is usually visited for snorkeling and scuba diving, either by car or boat. It is a pleasant spot even if you are not into water sports. It is the southernmost point of the Sinai Peninsula and there are a number of beaches in little cute bays, as well as lookout points. Most tour operators organise programs to Ras Mohamed. >>> See photos 2. Blue Hole The Blue Hole is one of the most famous diving spots in Sinai, found near Dahab. It is submarine sinkhole, around 130
Read more

Garden of Ramadan Abu Sayyed

Image
Very easy to reach from the town of St. Katherine, it lies just below the holy peaks of Mt. Sinai on one side and of Mt. Katherine on the other side. Mt. Sinai can be reached different ways, and the full day program is definitelly recommended. There is an ancient small Orthodox monastery next to the garden, with a big stone-walled orchard, olive groves, tall cypress trees. The rock of Moses is also in the same valley. Ramadan, the owner of the garden, sometimes plays the traditional stringed intrument, the simsimiyya. He also breeds Rock Hyraxes, a cute hairy mountain creature. The terraced garden has many secluded areas away from Ramadan's family tent, with stone rooms for winter use and shady-windy open arishas for summer. There are clean toilets and showers. There are many fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, all grown organically. The garden is ideal for individuals and smaller groups who want to relax on holy land but don't want to - or unable to - walk too much or too hard.
Read more