Northern Africa and the Middle East - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 140

An endlessly photogenic vista of mountain
passes and shimmering desert, it also has some
of the oldest human settlements in the world
- as the meeting point of Europe and Africa
it is scattered with ruins from the Pharaohs
onward. Among these expanses of rock and sand
lie fertile valleys where Bedouin nomads and
traders have gathered for as long as anyone can
remember.
Excluded by by the development of urban
life, the Bedouin are one of the poorest groups
in Arab society. But if, like them, you'd rather
escape the chaos of Cairo, their unparalleled
knowledge of the desert makes them the perfect
guides. Sheikh Sina, a Bedouin-run operator
that works with eight Bedouin communities,
offers treks to remote areas of the South Sinai
Mountains. The eight treks on offer vary
between three levels of difficulty and can include
visits to tribes, snorkelling, exploring canyons
and much more; camels carry your equipment
and food so you need only be burdened by your
daypack.
Some nights you'll pitch camp along the way,
in sand dunes or lush oases; at other times you'll
stay with Bedouin groups in their tents. And if

you plan on seeing St Katherine's Monastery
while here, it's worth including a stay at the El
Karm Ecolodge, located in Wadi Gharba about
three hours' walk along the old pilgrims' route
to the monastery. Solar powered and constructed
from the rocks that surround it, few places feel
as much a part of their environment as this
peaceful stone lodge.
Sheikh Sina was founded to equip Bedouin
guides with hospitality and language skills, and
to secure their livelihoods, install amenities such
as wells and compost toilets, and promote small
businesses. Its success shines through in the
welcome the Bedouin provide. Diyafa (the code
of hospitality) is for the Bedouin the highest of
virtues, and there is no more important practice
than to honour your guests.

Camel trekking among the
vast expanse of rock and
sand in southern Sinai

Need to know Sheik Sina's offices are located in
the town of St Katherine, accessible by bus from
all over Egypt (for details see W st-katherine.net).
Treks last about six hours each day, with camps
set up by your guides each night. For further info
on treks, itineraries, ecolodges and the southern
Sinai region see W www.sheikhsina.com; T +20
693 470 880.