Rock Climb, Hike & Snorkel in Egypt: Self-Launched from Sinai to the Red Sea

Fly into Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) — direct charter and scheduled flights run from multiple UK airports. On arrival you'll receive a free South Sinai entry stamp (no visa needed for most UK/EU/US travellers entering via SSH). Take a shared minibus transfer to Dahab (~1.5hrs, around £5-8pp) or pre-book a private transfer via a local operator for around £15. Check into your guesthouse or hotel on Dahab's famous seafront lagoon. Spend the evening wandering the relaxed promenade, grab dinner at one of the many cheap local restaurants (try Funny Mummy or Rush Inn for Bedouin-style food), and prep your kit for the week ahead.

🚌Shared minibus from SSH Airport to Dahab ~£5-8pp; or private taxi ~£15pp

🛏Dahab Paradise Hotel or similar (e.g. Bishbishi Garden Village, Nesima Resort) — budget twin/dorm from £12-20pp per night

• →Arrive at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and clear immigration (free South Sinai stamp)
• →Take shared minibus or private transfer to Dahab (~1.5hrs)
• →Check in to your guesthouse/hotel on the lagoon
• →Explore Dahab's promenade and grab dinner at a local restaurant

Start your morning with a snorkel session at Lighthouse Reef (also called Three Pools), a legendary local site just a short walk or tuk-tuk ride from central Dahab. You can rent a full snorkel set from any of the dive shops lining the front for around £4-6 per day, and entry to the reef is free — just wade in. Spend 1-2 hours drifting over the colourful coral. In the afternoon, arrange a half-day rock climbing session at Wadi Gnai through a local Bedouin guide company such as Wadi Gnai Rock Climbing or through outfitters in Dahab like Desert Divers or Emperor Divers. A guided half-day including transport and equipment typically costs £25-40pp booked locally. Bedouin guides will teach you the basics and can tailor routes to your experience (grades 4b-7b available). Return to Dahab for dinner.

🚌Tuk-tuk to Lighthouse Reef ~£1; jeep transfer to Wadi Gnai included in guide fee

🛏Same hotel as Day 1

• →Morning snorkel at Lighthouse Reef / Three Pools (free entry, hire gear locally ~£5)
• →Hire snorkel kit from a Dahab dive shop for the week (~£5-6/day)
• →Afternoon rock climbing session at Wadi Gnai with local Bedouin guide (~£25-40pp inc. transport & gear)
• →Learn basic rope techniques and safety on granite routes
• →Return to Dahab for dinner

Today you head deeper into the Sinai Desert to Wadi Hammam, a stunning rose granite canyon with climbing routes for all levels. Book a full-day guided climbing and wild camping experience through a local Dahab-based Bedouin guide company — this typically costs £45-65pp for a full day including lunch cooked on an open fire, equipment, jeep transfer, and an overnight wild bivvy with carpets and blankets under the stars. Reputable operators to contact in Dahab include Sheikh Moussa Adventures, Wadi Gnai Rock Climbing, or ask at your guesthouse for a recommended Bedouin guide (many are registered with the local climbing association). Pack a sleeping bag liner or lightweight sleeping bag and a headtorch.

🚌Jeep transfer from Dahab to Wadi Hammam included in guide day rate

🛏Wild bivvy camping in Wadi Hammam (included in guide fee)

• →Full-day guided rock climbing in Wadi Hammam rose granite canyon
• →Bedouin fire-cooked lunch in the canyon
• →Build on climbing skills from Day 2 on new routes
• →Wild camp under the stars with Bedouin carpets and blankets

Wake up to coffee and fresh bread cooked over the fire, then set off on a guided 20km desert hike (~5 hours) heading through sandstone outcrops and golden dunes towards Jebel Barqa and Makhroum. Your Bedouin guide will carry or arrange jeep support for your overnight bags while you hike light. This full desert day is typically included as part of a 2-3 night Sinai desert trekking package, which you can book in Dahab for approximately £50-70pp per day all-in (guide, meals, jeep support, camping). Alternatively, some guides offer day-by-day rates. Sleep out under the open desert sky near Jebel Barqa — on cold nights a shallow sandstone cave provides natural shelter.

🚌Jeep support (bag transfer) included in guide fee

🛏Wild camping near Jebel Barqa (included in Bedouin guide package)

• →20km guided desert hike through sandstone canyons and golden dunes (~5hrs)
• →Jeep support carries your main bag to the next camping spot
• →Explore the dramatic landscape around Jebel Barqa and Makhroum
• →Dinner and stargazing in the dunes with your Bedouin guide

Start with an 8km morning hike visiting Jebel Makhroum and Mattamir before the highlight: El Hadudeh, Sinai's largest sand dune. Scramble up and run/slide down for a genuinely fun moment. Continue through scenic Wadi El Ajabi before the jeep picks you up. En route to Ras Abu Galum, stop for lunch at a Bedouin home in Bir Swair — a simple but memorable meal. Arrive at the remote coastal settlement of Ras Abu Galum, wedged between desert mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba, and cool off in the crystal clear sea. Sleep in a simple beach camp hut or on the beach under the stars — basic beach huts are available for around £8-12pp.

🚌Jeep transfer from desert to Ras Abu Galum (~included in guide package or ~£10pp extra)

🛏Basic beach hut or beach bivvy at Ras Abu Galum (~£8-12pp)

• →Morning hike to Jebel Makhroum and Mattamir (~3hrs, 8km)
• →Scramble up and down El Hadudeh, Sinai's largest sand dune
• →Walk through scenic Wadi El Ajabi
• →Lunch in a Bedouin home at Bir Swair (included in guide package)
• →Swim and relax on arrival at Ras Abu Galum beach
• →Stargazing on the beach by the Red Sea

Spend a full morning snorkelling the pristine coral reef of Ras Abu Galum, one of the most biodiverse stretches of the Gulf of Aqaba — no booking needed, just wade in with your hired gear. Optionally walk 4-6km to the Blue Lagoon, a serene turquoise bay. In the afternoon, take the classic 4km coastal hike (or hire a camel for ~£8-12) to the world-famous Blue Hole, a 100m-deep marine sinkhole fringed by spectacular coral. Snorkel the outer reef and take in the dramatic scenery. Return to Dahab by shared jeep or local taxi (~£5-8pp). Celebrate with a hearty farewell dinner at one of Dahab's excellent seafront restaurants.

🚌Shared jeep Ras Abu Galum to Dahab ~£5-8pp

🛏Back at your Dahab hotel/guesthouse

• →Morning snorkelling at Ras Abu Galum coral reef (free entry, use hired gear)
• →Optional walk to Blue Lagoon (4-6km each way)
• →Afternoon hike or camel ride to the Blue Hole (~£8-12pp for camel)
• →Snorkel the outer reef at the Blue Hole (free access)
• →Return to Dahab by shared jeep (~£5-8pp)
• →Farewell dinner at a Dahab seafront restaurant

Your final morning is yours — lounge on Dahab's lagoon beach, get in one last snorkel session at the nearby reefs, or treat yourself to a traditional Bedouin massage (~£15-25). Dahab also has excellent bouldering routes if you want to keep climbing. Take a shared minibus back to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (SSH) in the late afternoon (~£5-8pp). If your flight is early or you'd rather be close to the airport, you can pre-book a private transfer (~£15pp). Consider extending your stay — Dahab is a world-class base for diving courses, advanced bouldering, and desert treks.

🚌Shared minibus Dahab to SSH Airport ~£5-8pp; private taxi ~£15pp

🛏Check out — transfer to airport

• →Morning at leisure: beach, snorkelling, bouldering or local massage (~£15-25)
• →Optional extra snorkel session at Lighthouse Reef (free)
• →Shared minibus or private transfer back to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport