Egypt Reopens Historic Sinai Valleys to Tourists After 10 Years

In the heart of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a silence stretching more than a decade is about to be broken. Rugged valleys, hidden between towering granite peaks and swept by winds carrying whispers of history, are opening once more to the world.

Egypt has announced the long-awaited reopening of several historic valleys around the sacred city of Saint Catherine in South Sinai, signaling a powerful revival for one of the country’s most unique and spiritual destinations.

Khaled Mubarak, Governor of South Sinai, said that both Egyptian and international tourists can once again visit these valleys for activities like safaris, hiking, and camping.

The decision, he explained, is part of Egypt’s sweeping “Great Transfiguration” project, an ambitious plan to transform Saint Catherine into an international beacon of eco-tourism, religious pilgrimage, and desert adventure.

The valleys now welcoming visitors — among them Wadi Sheikh Awad, Wadi Talaha, Wadi Zaghra, Wadi Al-Talaa, the Mountains of Al-Arba'een, and Al-Saba'eya — are more than mere landscapes. They are ancient corridors that have witnessed monks, Bedouins, traders, and pilgrims for centuries. Their sandstone walls glow pink at dawn and burnished gold at sunset, creating a timeless backdrop for the stories of prophets and civilizations. Yet for over ten years, these valleys remained closed to visitors, a measure tied partly to security concerns and preservation efforts. The decision to reopen them represents not only a tourism revival but also a restoration of cultural and spiritual connections.

Saint Catherine itself is nestled beneath some of Egypt’s highest peaks, including Mount Sinai — revered in Islamic tradition as the place where God spoke to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). 

Nearby stands Mount Saint Catherine, the tallest peak in Egypt, soaring over 2,600 meters above sea level. The city’s ancient monastery, rugged wilderness, and serene silence have long attracted spiritual seekers and adventurers from around the globe.

The Egyptian government hopes that the “Great Transfiguration” project — with an estimated investment of around 4 billion Egyptian pounds (approximately \$83 million) — will bring millions of tourists annually to this sacred corner of the country. 

Plans include new infrastructure, visitor services, and preservation efforts, all designed to protect the area’s fragile ecosystem while opening it to sustainable tourism. Officials envision Saint Catherine as Egypt’s capital of eco-tourism and a global hub for religious and cultural travel.

As the valleys reopen, there is a sense of both anticipation and reverence. For those who venture into Sinai’s vast silence, the desert’s secrets — hidden for a decade — are waiting to be rediscovered under the same stars that once guided prophets, nomads, and explorers through this land of awe and mystery.