Nature walks and hikes of different difficulty, fit in an afternoon or a full day. Along the way you will have a glimpse into the unique Jabaleya gardening traditions and Bedouin culture. A traditional Bedouin meal, including bread made in or over the open fire served with locally grown organic salad greens and herbs, will be prepared at el Freish garden retreat, where all walks and hikes finish. You will have some time to relax in the garden or explore its surroundings before making the short way back to town.


1. Nature walk and cultural afternoon (4-5 hrs)

Starting daily after lunch time from the Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp.
2 people – 170 LE per person (appr. 25 euro)
3 people – 130 LE per person (appr. 20 euro)
4 people – 105 LE per person (appr. 15 euro)
5+ people – 90 LE per person (appr. 12 euro)
What is included: Bedouin guide, permissions, office charges and a traditional Bedouin meal (bread made in/over open fire, olives, cheese and salad with freshly picked organic greens, a large selection of traditional spices, herbs and herbal teas, Bedouin tea and coffee, fruit and snacks).

Program
1. Short walk in Wadi Quez
Spectacular view down to a long valley leading to the distant lowlands. There is a river of green gardens in the wadi floor all along.
2. The basin of el Freish
The basin is hidden above Wadi Quez, encircled by granite ranges and connected to the lower valley by a narrow gully. After rains it turns into a waterfall and the granite pools fill with water. The garden is located right in the middle of the water course, protected from flash floods by a massive wall.
3. Jabaleya Bedouin orchard gardening – continuing Byzantine traditions
El Freish is a typical Jabaleya Bedouin orchard growing a variety of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. This type of orchard gardening, only found in the Sinai high mountains, is built on Byzantine traditions, as it was early monks from the Mediterranean who introduced it. Today it is still practiced very much the same ways and deeply imbedded in the Jabaleya culture.
4. The Maqad – sitting place around the fire in the Bedouin tent
Visitors are welcomed in the traditional tent, where they are offered tea, coffee and a wide selection of herbal teas.
5. Making Bedouin bread in fire and light meal from local organic produce and herbs
6. Free program: relaxing in garden or discovering the sights around
7. Return

2. Easy hike in hidden wadi with monastery and Bedouin gardens (6-7 hrs)

Starting in the morning from the Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp.
2 people – 190 LE per person (appr. 28 euro)
3 people – 170 LE per person (appr. 25 euro)
4 people – 150 LE per person (appr. 22 euro)
5+ people – 140 LE per person (appr. 20 euro)
What is included: Bedouin guide, permissions, office charges and a traditional Bedouin meal (poultry, meat or vegetarian dish, bread made in/over open fire, olives, cheese and salad with freshly picked organic greens, a large selection of traditional spices, herbs and herbal teas, Bedouin tea and coffee, fruit and snacks).

Program
1. Climbing the pass of Naqb el Raheb
From the saddle there are spectacular views of the town of St. Katherine on one side and the hidden valley of Wadi Tala on the other side. Note the sounds of urban life on one side, and the silence only a step away on the other.
2. The Monastery of Cosmas and Damianos
You will pass by a big grove of olives with the monastery building in the middle, amongst tall cypress trees. There are massive boulders scattered all around the garden, attesting the enormous force of occasional flash floods.
3. Bedouin and monastery gardens in Wadi Tala – possible tea break
There are other gardens, smaller but just as beautiful, in the valley. Some belong to the Monastery, others to Bedouin people. If there are people in the gardens, you might stop for a short tea break along the way.
4. The basin of el Freish
The basin is hidden above Wadi Quez, encircled by granite ranges and connected to the lower valley by a narrow gully. After rains it turns into a waterfall and the granite pools fill with water. The garden is located right in the middle of the water course, protected from flash floods by a massive wall.
5. Jabaleya Bedouin orchard gardening – continuing Byzantine traditions
El Freish is a typical Jabaleya Bedouin orchard growing a variety of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. This type of orchard gardening, only found in the Sinai high mountains, is built on Byzantine traditions, as it was early monks from the Mediterranean who introduced it. Today it is still practiced very much the same ways and deeply imbedded in the Jabaleya culture.
6. The Maqad – sitting place around the fire in the Bedouin tent
Visitors are welcomed in the traditional tent, where they are offered tea, coffee and a wide selection of herbal teas.
7. Making Bedouin bread in fire and lunch from local organic produce and herbs
8. Free program: relaxing in garden or discovering the sights around
9. Return

3. Gully descent, hidden wadi with monastery and Bedouin gardens (6-7 hrs)

Starting in the morning from the Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp.
2 people – 190 LE per person (appr. 28 euro)
3 people – 170 LE per person (appr. 25 euro)
4 people – 150 LE per person (appr. 22 euro)
5+ people – 140 LE per person (appr. 20 euro)
What is included: Bedouin guide, permissions, office charges and a traditional Bedouin meal (poultry, meat or vegetarian dish, bread made in/over open fire, olives, cheese and salad with freshly picked organic greens, a large selection of traditional spices, herbs and herbal teas, Bedouin tea and coffee, fruit and snacks).

Program
1. Climbing the pass of Abu Jeefa
The main gateway to the high mountains, with spectacular views of the town of St. Katherine. There is an old leopard trap at the top.
2. Descending the steep Sid Daud gully through boulders and small caves
This is not for everyone – although not too difficult and perfectly safe, the trek involves some climbing through small caves under boulders.
2. The Monastery of Cosmas and Damianos
You will pass by a big grove of olives with the monastery building in the middle, amongst tall cypress trees. There are massive boulders scattered all around the garden, attesting the enormous force of occasional flash floods.
4. Bedouin and monastery gardens in Wadi Talaa – possible tea break
There are other gardens, smaller but just as beautiful, in the valley. Some belong to the Monastery, others to Bedouin people. If there are people in the gardens, you might stop for a short tea break along the way.
5. The basin of el Freish
The basin is hidden above Wadi Quez, encircled by granite ranges and connected to the lower valley by a narrow gully. After rains it turns into a waterfall and the granite pools fill with water. The garden is located right in the middle of the water course, protected from flash floods by a massive wall.
6. Jabaleya Bedouin orchard gardening – continuing Byzantine traditions
El Freish is a typical Jabaleya Bedouin orchard growing a variety of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. This type of orchard gardening, only found in the Sinai high mountains, is built on Byzantine traditions, as it was early monks from the Mediterranean who introduced it. Today it is still practiced very much the same ways and deeply imbedded in the Jabaleya culture.
7. The Maqad – sitting place around the fire in the Bedouin tent
Visitors are welcomed in the traditional tent, where they are offered tea, coffee and a wide selection of herbal teas.
8. Making Bedouin bread in fire and lunch from local organic produce and herbs
9. Free program: relaxing in garden or discovering the sights around
10. Return

4. Dr. Ahmed’s Herbal Garden and Bedouin garden culture (7-8 hrs)

Starting in the morning from the Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp.
2 people – 230 LE per person (appr. 33 euro)
3 people – 200 LE per person (appr. 29 euro)
4 people – 170 LE per person (appr. 25 euro)
5+ people – 160 LE per person (appr. 23 euro)
What is included: car or microbus transfer from the town of St. Katherine, Bedouin guide, permissions, office charges and a traditional Bedouin meal (poultry, meat or vegetarian dish, bread made in/over open fire, olives, cheese and salad with freshly picked organic greens, a large selection of traditional spices, herbs and herbal teas, Bedouin tea and coffee, fruit and snacks).

Program
1. Transfer to Abu Seila settlement by car or microbus
2. Canyon of Abu Seila
A short but spectacular canyon cutting through a granite range, with dry water falls and pools along the way. It involves some climbing and balancing at one point, so people not willing to take this risk should go over the easy camel path above.
3. Dr. Ahmed’s Herbal Garden and School
Dr. Ahmed is a traditional herbalist and healer, called hakim, who grows several of the many wild mountain herbs in his garden. There will be a break in his garden to learn about the herbs and Bedouin traditions.
4. Hike in Wadi Itlah – the Chapel of St. John the Ladder
The hike will lead along more Bedouin gardens and an Orthodox chapel dedicated to St. John the Ladder. The chapel is located up on the slopes of the valley, next to the cave where the hermit spent decades in solitude, before he was elected the Abbot of Sinai.
5. The basin of el Freish
The basin is hidden above Wadi Quez, encircled by granite ranges and connected to the lower valley by a narrow gully. After rains it turns into a waterfall and the granite pools fill with water. The garden is located right in the middle of the water course, protected from flash floods by a massive wall.
6. Jabaleya Bedouin orchard gardening – continuing Byzantine traditions
El Freish is a typical Jabaleya Bedouin orchard growing a variety of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. This type of orchard gardening, only found in the Sinai high mountains, is built on Byzantine traditions, as it was early monks from the Mediterranean who introduced it. Today it is still practiced very much the same ways and deeply imbedded in the Jabaleya culture.
7. The Maqad – sitting place around the fire in the Bedouin tent
Visitors are welcomed in the traditional tent, where they are offered tea, coffee and a wide selection of herbal teas.
8. Making Bedouin bread in fire and lunch from local organic produce and herbs
9. Free program: relaxing in garden or discovering the sights around
10. Return