Discover Sinai

  Looking at Jebel Safsafa and Wadi Shrij from the former Fansina building.  The route to Wadi el Arbain, also known as Wadi Leja, is via the steep Wadi Shrij under the Safsafa-Mount Sinai massif. There are Bedouin gardens along the way and in Wadi Arbain, as well as one of the ancient Orthodox monasteries known as Dier el Arbain or the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs. 

  The view of Mt Katherina, Egypt's highest peak, from El Zirri.  A long walk to visit the remote Wadi Tinya, starting from the main route from St Catherine via Abu Jeefa and Wadi Zawatin. From the latter, passing El Zirri, the route leads to the high pass of Iskikriya, and on the other side descends to Wadi Tinya. Locations worth visiting but not visited this time include Wadi Abu Tuweita and Wadi Sagr. Wadi Tinya drains to Kharazet el Shaq, a series of pools at the top of the very steep and long gully known as Wadi Shaq-Tinya, which connects to the end of Wadi Itlah. Two ways exist to the village of Abu Seils, and this time the adventurous little canyon, Ubugiya, was chosen. 

  The view of Saint Catherine from the ridge of El Freish.  The nearest Bedouin garden from St Catherine is El Freish, a secluded and cute basin with a single garden, separated from the city by a small ridge. The basin is also called Farsh Shama' - or Farsh Abu Aluan, named after the family who owns the garden. The basin drains to the junction of Wadi Qweiz-Wadi Talaa-Wadi Itlah. The latter is a straight and long valley with many gardens and a little Greek Orthodox church next to the Cave of St John the Ladder. Wadi Itlah ends at Wadi Shaq-Tinya, a steep gully coming from the high mountains, and from here you can also get back to St Catherine via the village of Abu Seila. 

  The Garden of Oda in Wadi Shaq. Another walk in the Sinai high mountains, visiting some of the previous locations as well as new ones, focusing on the beautiful Bedouin gardens. The photos show Wadi Shaq, Wadi Jibal, Wadi Bulia, Abu Jidda, and Wadi Mathar. 

  The view of St Catherine from the Abu Jeefa pass, one of the gateways to the Sinai high mountains. The locations along this walk include Abu Jeefa, Islibet, Wadi Tubuq, El Ehded, Wadi Zawatin, Abu Jidda, Wadi Jibal, and Farsh Rummana. Even in this late in the autumn, the wadis and the gardens are still very green. Many people, among them new generations of gardeners, were up tending their orchards, as they view it as a guarantee for possible harder times. 

  The garden of Sbail Taya is located near Ouda’s garden, but the surroundings are completly different. While the latter is hidden in a narrow little wadi, Sbail’s garden stands in the middle of the big, open plain of Wadi Mathar. The lush green garden can be seen from far away, and it is a stunning view whichever way you approach it. Sbail is one of the friendly Ulad Said tribesmen who have gardens in the high mountains, and he and his family spend long periods of times up there every year. There are many little attractions in the area, including the seasonal water pool known as Kharaza, and the location is also convenient to visit some of the famous peaks. 

  Recently renovated by Ouda and his son Mohammed, this garden is located in the upper part of Wadi Itlah, an easy-moderate one-hour walk from St Catherine town. It offers a magnificent view on the line of gardens below and the long mountain ranges, as well as a couple of stone rooms and a big arisha, a well-equipped kitchen, a bathroom and toilets. It is one of the most beautifully renovated gardens in the mountain wadis, without any doubt.  It is the second "herbal garden" in Wadi Itlah, the other being Doctor Ahmed's, both growing a variety of medicinal and aromatic herbs and other organic produce. Mohamed and his friend Salem Elhinaney also do work in other gardens nearby and keep bees - they are actively involved in preserving the Bedouin gardening traditions, but, at the same time, complement this activity with tourism. It is a great model, well done! This garden is a beautiful and creative mountain retreat, a tranquil little garden lodge.