Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa) and the Safsafa basins - Discover Sinai

tips are accepted by all providing services – it is not necessary, butappreciated, especially if you were happy with their work. Useful itemswhich are difficult to get locally, such as pocket knifes, torches,sandals, boots and other trekking equipment are also a good idea togive. Please respect local culture and do not make photos of women.When to comeIf you look at South Sinai as a whole, it is easy to organize treks allyear round. When it gets cold in the high mountains, it is still warmer inthe desert – when it is too hot in the desert, it is still more pleasant inthe mountains. Probably the best times are spring and autumn in bothregions, although any time is possible; there are small stone huts andcaves which can provide shelters in winter and the hot mid-day siestasare spent in shady places in summer.Dangers and annoyancesEgypt, despite the post-revolution upheaval, is generally a safe country.Demonstration which can turn violent do happen, but only in certaincities and certain parts of those cities. In tourist destinations, apart fromdowntown Cairo, there hasn’t been a single violent act. The Sinai andthe Bedouin are getting a lot of negative media coverage these days,but the media tends to blow things out of proportion and usually fails topoint out these events are concentrated in one small pocket of thepeninsula, near El Arish, Raffa and the Gaza border, hundreds of milesfrom tourist destination. In fact, there is probably no safer area in Egyptthan the Sinai desert and mountains. Violent crimes are still very rare,and petty crimes, though on the rise, are still not a real issue in Egypt.Dangerous animals do exist in the Sinai, especially a couple of snakespecies, but they keep away from humans. Along treks the more likelythreats are dehydration, sun stroke and cold. There are dangerous anddifficult paths, but the guide should understand what you want to andcan do. The guides are generally safety-conscious and innovative, buta first-aid kit is usually not available. Have some important basicmedication and supplies. You should arrange travel insurance beforeyour trip – check carefully what they offer. When on treks, yourpassport or a copy of your passport and visa might have to stay withthe operator. Leave also your insurance details and other relevantinformation, in case of emergency.One annoying thing which often happens is not sticking to plans/route.Sometimes it is necessary to change the trek for various reasons, butthere are guides who are simply lazy and want to cut corners. That’sone of the reasons why this guide is needed. Always make sure thatthe route and timing are understood by both parties before setting off.10