Israel began taking tourists into the Sinai Desert in 1967 after they captured this triangle of land between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba during the Six-Day War. Egypt regained control of their territory in 1982 as a result of the peace treaty with Israel and just two short years later, a brochure came in the mail describing an “Adventure Tour in the Sinai.”

Tourist infrastructure has grown by light years since that 1984 trip into the deserted Sinai Peninsula. The Red Sea area has become a mecca for divers and snorkelers from around the world with major resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, El Gouna, Taba, Hurghada and Makadai Bay offering holiday activities, luxury accommodation and restaurants. Sharm el-Sheikh is the most popular area with divers and tourists because of the huge drop-offs, wrecks and around 28 sites located along the coast that are easily reached by boat.

The Sinai Peninsula is divided into two Egyptian provinces with the south called Ganub Sina (“South of Sinai”) and the north named Shamal Sina (“North of Sinai”) with a strong biblical history. “…Moses…put off thine shoes…”

Sinai Peninsula map
This unusual tour of would spend five days in the Sinai Desert. Sleeping under the stars, and driving in 10-13-seater four-wheel drive vehicles driven by Bedouins and co-led by Israeli and Egyptian guides. All participants were expected to help the guides with cooking and cleaning up while this particular tour operator, Neot Hakikar, would supply all group equipment and sleeping bags. The group would hike to the top of Mount Sinai where Moses first saw the burning bush, visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, snorkel in the Red Sea and visit the Rock of Inscriptions and oases in the Sinai Desert.

ex-Marine (husband, Steve) swears that I am possessed, brain dead, delusional, and/or certifiably insane…even thinking that a trip like this would be fun. He spent years in the Marine Corps and knew what was involved while idiot (me) had never camped or even seen a sleeping bag! Ah, yes…I would learn… Nonetheless, I sweet talked him into a new, exciting adventure and off we headed to Israel where the trip would begin.