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

Ein Khudra and the White Canyon from the main roadWhile most people visit it by 4x4, and you are made believe there is noother way, in fact it is very straight forward to get to the oasis on footfrom the main St. Katherine road. It is an easy 40-50-minute walk fromCafeteria Joma via the Ein Khudra pass (El Gaby Shee). The area isalso known as Sharafat Ein Khudra or Hajar Maktub. In the past youcould get a guide and camels from the cafeteria, but these days it oftenstands empty. If that’s the case, you are not taking too much risk bytrying to get to the oasis alone: you have to spot the pass to the northeast,the little gap in the small range across the plain, and head for it.There are actually car tracks in the sand from the cafeteria leading tothe pass, and once you’re at the pass it all becomes clear: suddenly theview of the basin with the green oasis opens up in front of you. Alongthe 20-25-minute walk you pass a rock outcrop encircled by a smallstone wall. This is the Rock of Inscriptions (Hajar Maktub) with ancientcarvings and ugly modern graffiti. From the pass descend to the basinand walk another 20 minutes or so to reach the oasis. To get to theWhite Canyon, or other attractions, you need to have a guide which youcan organise in the oasis. You can enter any of the gardens – first youwill be sat in an arisha and offered tea. The welcome tea is free, but ifyou need water, soft drinks or food, you will have to pay for it. If youhaven’t bought anything, do offer something for the tea. Once youdiscussed what you want, feel free to explore the gardens and basin abit. There are a lot of date palms in the gardens, water tanks (suitablefor a splash!) and simple facilities. In the basin there is a spring in acave, and another one dripping from a crack to a fountain, with theoverflowing water supporting a green trail of vegetation. There is also alook-out point over the oasis, but don’t try to reach it alone. And, whenyou’re ready, continue your trek into the White Canyon.30