By Yasmine Al Maghraby
The Traveler’s Bucket List will be a series featured to introduce you to parts of Egypt, you may have not heard about. Egypt’s full of beautiful sites and wonders to see. But nothing beats exploring hidden gems full of adventure, wanderlust and serenity; they are must see, slices of heaven on earth; that you have to add to your Travelers Bucket List.
1. Hike Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is on the Sinai Peninsula, near Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is 7,497ft high (2,285 meters) and is next to Mount Catherine, which is the highest peak in Egypt. The hike to the top of Mount Sinai starts at Saint Catherine’s Monastery. The monastery is about 3 hours north of Sharm El-Sheikh, a popular resort town on the Red Sea. You can hike Mount Sinai as a day trip from Sharm El-Sheikh. There are two ways to hike Mount Sinai; The Camel Trail, a steady and
well known trail that’s flat and wide enough to ride a camel for 2.5 miles up but the last half mile is made up of 750 stone steps to the top of Mount Sinai. The other way to hike is known as; The Steps to Repentance, the path down is composed of 3,750 stone steps and according to myth, the trail got its name because a monk made the steps in repentance for a sin he committed. It is known that the hike up to Mount Sinai and down are easy trails and full of historic and spiritual adventure.
2. Discover The Colored Canyon
Hidden in the depth of the Sinai Peninsula, The Colored Canyon is the definition of a hidden gem. It is 800 meters long and 30 meters deep. Take a private vehicle from Nuweiba and immerse yourself in colorfully beautiful rock formations and a natural wonder. Over a million years ago the canyon was submerged underwater and was part of the Red Sea. The rock formations were created by the erosion of water on sandstone. Colorful rock formations have come together over time to create a natural painting in the middle of the desert. I can only compare the softness and colorful canyon to the city of Petra; even though The Colored Canyon was created naturally and untouched by human civilization.
3. Float in The Zeitoun Lake
The Zeitoun Lake is the largest salt lake in the Siwa Oasis. Located 600KM from Cairo, The Siwa Oasis sits in the middle of the Western Desert. Known for its healing wonders, relaxing experience and an oasis adventure. The Zeitoun Lake has a high concentration of salt which means it helps you float freely without effort. The Lake appears to be a hallucination of sparking water in the middle of the desert at first glance. It’s 120 square km of pure turquoise haven.
4. Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings
Travel to Luxor and do not just visit the Valley of the Kings by foot; it stands on the west bank of the Nile. Historically known for having the rulers of Ancient Egyptian kings buried in an empty dry river valley across the river from the ancient city of Thebes now known as Luxor; thus the name “The Valley of the Kings”. To truly explore and appreciate the historic site in all its glory;
at sunrise, take a 50 minute hot air balloon ride and watch the breath taking Valley of the Kings at peace with panoramic views of the world’s most important archaeological site.
5. The Qulan Mangrove Forest
The Qulan Mangrove Forest is located in Marsa Alam. The Qulan Mangrove Forest is part of Wadi El Gamal national park which is a protected area that is very high in biological diversity. The picturesque Qulan mangrove forest protects the shore against coastal waves preventing land erosions; providing shelter and nesting grounds for coastal birds. The serenity and peace of this incredible place can not be described.
Just imagine; trees that grow in the middle of the sea and shoreline, wouldn’t that be a breathtaking experience.
