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alittlenomadchristina · 4 years

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Complete Guide To Starting A Company & Obtaining Residency Permit in Montenegro, THE best place in Europe

Montenegro is becoming one of the most interesting countries for foreigners looking to relocate to Europe as well as digital nomads looking to establish a base in a convenient location and timezone.

Why, you ask?

Because this stunning country offers a very cheap and low-tax way of living and because it is so easy to obtain a residency permit which you can turn into a permanent residency permit after 5 years.

Not only is the immigration process significantly more complicated in most other European countries, the tax burden is also so much lower in Montenegro - both on a business and personal level. With some minor details to consider, generally there is a flat tax of only 9%.

Once you have the status of a permanent resident in Montenegro, you have almost equal rights to Montenegrin citizens - except for the right to vote. After 10 years, you even have the opportunity to get Montenegrin citizenship.

Even without a Montenegrin passport, the residency permit already allows for hassle-free traveling into the Schengen-Area.

Side note: Montenegro is expected to become a member of the European Union in 2025. While that may be one of the easiest and cheapest ways for people with very weak passports to get a EU-passport (even now you already get visa-free access to 120+ countries), it can have negative consequences for those of us with strong passports only looking to have a low-tax home base and be free of overly bureaucratic EU-regulations. It all depends on what your motivation and goal is. Nevertheless, this is still future talk and nothing to be concerned about too much at this moment.

The tiny country is the rising star in the Balkans and not as “behind” as people (who have never been) might think. Quite the opposite, actually.

Besides low taxes, you can look forward to:

political stability

warm and welcoming locals with a relatively high level of English

incredibly beautiful nature, great climate and low distances (in some months, you can go skiing in the mountains and swimming in the sea on the same day!)

visa-free entry for visitors from most countries

great flight connections thanks to several airports close-by, not only in the capital Podgorica

delicious local wine ;)

Obtaining residency through starting a company vs. real estate investment: Why you shouldn’t obtain residency through real estate investment, even though it sounds easier

You can find quite a lot of information online that advertizes the option to obtain Montenegro residency through real estate investment.

It sounds extremely tempting at first, and in fact it’s the reason why I started looking into Montenegro in the first place. The unbelievably low requirements intrigued me, and they really are true, it’s not false information.

Basically, absolutely anyone, no matter their citizenship, can become a Montenegrin resident by buying any habitable property (not just land). There is NO MINIMUM investment, the only requirement is that for each person you need 12 square meters of space.

This means that you can simply buy an apartment anywhere and voila, you’re a resident in Europe. While prices for places along the coast are rising fast, in the countryside, this means you can get away with spending just 10.000€ or so for a small apartment that needs to be renovated. Obviously, a nice place will cost you quite a bit more (and renovating here will be a hassle), but for people with extremely low budgets this is actually possible.

Once everything is in your name and processed legally, you can apply for the residency and renew it every year for 5 years to get your permanent residency.

Now, what they don’t tell you is that

residency through real estate investment can never lead to citizenship (which is bad news for those looking to get a stronger passport) and

you are not allowed to leave the country for more than 1 month per year (which is REALLY bad news for those digital nomads and perpetual travelers looking for a base)

When you get your temporary residency through your company on the other hand, you are free to travel as much as you want and you have the chance to get a passport.

Therefore, I think whatever your motivation is for relocating to Montenegro, a cheap real estate investment isn’t the way to go as it limits your freedom of travel and option to obtain citizenship.

While starting a company comes with some monthly costs, they are still quite low and the much better option for Montenegrin residency.

Individual & Business Taxes in Montenegro

Officially, as a resident, you are subject to tax in Montenegro on your worldwide income. While that is the official law, in reality, nobody really cares about the rest of your income as long as you pay the taxes on your Montenegro business.

Obviously, I don’t recommend doing anything illegal - I’m just reporting from what’s happening in practice as opposed to theory.

There is a flat tax of 9% in Montenegro.

This applies to your business, but also to your personal income tax (your salary), though the 9% tax rate on individual income only applies up to the average salary, which is around 750€ a month (subject to changes). Anything higher than that will be taxed at 11%.

In other words: Assuming your salary is 2.000€, you will pay 9% on the first 750€ and 11% on the remaining 1.250€.

Additionally, municipalities are allowed to charge a surtax which varies from about 13% to 15%. This percentage only applies to what you paid in taxes to the federal government, not your entire salary.

The 9% flat tax rate also applies to investment income - interests, dividends and capital gains.

The VAT (Value Added Tax) in Montenegro has just been raised from 19% to 21%. The reduced rate for basic supplies such as food is 7%.

How to get a (permanent) residency permit in Montenegro through starting a company

So, how does the concept of founding a company and obtaining a residency permit in Montenegro work?

Basically, you establish a company and hire yourself as the director. That way, you will get a work permit which is the ground for your residency permit.

The good news is that this company does not have to actually operate. You may use it as sort of a shell company without really conducting any business.

Now, you do have to pay yourself a salary of which a portion goes to health insurance and into your pension fund. The absolute minimum to which this can be reduced is a (part-time) salary of 100 Euros per month, of which 45€ goes towards taxes, health insurance and pension. The remaining 55 Euros are your salary as a director.

45€ of 100€ sounds like a big portion, but keep in mind that these are the costs for the company as well as the employer, which in this case is basically both the same person - you.

Keep in mind that this gives you full health insurance in Montenegro and they have a pretty good healthcare system (dentists have an especially good reputation though I haven’t used any myself yet).

Obviously, you can also use this company to actually conduct a real business. This works for people who work online just as well as for offline businesses.

In fact, there’s a bazillion business opportunities in Montenegro. The start-up scene and general development is still many years behind Western Europe and even more behind Northern America. After all, the country is still pretty new and has been through a war not too long ago, which followed a long era of communism.

You can simply copy concepts that have been proven successful in the “West”, maybe tweak them a little, and be wildly successful here. Especially when you’re a hard worker, because the work ethics in Montenegro, to be completely honest, are not the greatest - thanks, communism. Don't worry, they say that about themselves, too - not just my two cents ;)

The Montenegrin government is also investing heavily into the economy, developing the country in general and giving tax incentives to attract investors and businesses. In the end of this article, I will show you some plans for the IT-sector e.g. that make MNE extremely interesting for tech startups.

Step 1: Company Formation in Montenegro

Starting a company in Montenegro is relatively fast and easy - IF you have a local partner. Navigating the Montenegrin bureaucracy and language barriers without a local expert is probably possible, but results in a lot of stress and headache.

Luckily, the costs for having this done for you are pretty low, thanks to the overall low salaries and low cost of living in this beautiful Balkan country. The headache of doing it yourself is simply not worth it.

In terms of the different legal forms, founding an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is most common and I would definitely recommend choosing this structure, because of (well, you guessed it) the limited liability that protects your private assets. Also, the required capital for an LLC is only 1 Euro.

If you want to go all-in in Montenegro, you do have the option to form a joint stock company, the minimum capital for this is 25.000 Euro. My local partner Ivana is certainly able to set this up for you (just send me a request), but in this article I want to focus on LLC’s and the possibility of easily acquiring a residency permit in this European country through that.

What are the costs of starting a company in Montenegro?

Setup costs:

My local partner Ivana and her company can take over the entire process of the company registration for you for 1.500€. This includes all government fees, notary fees and service fees.

There are quite a few formalities that need to be done, which I list for you below together with the residency requirements.

Monthly and yearly costs:

As mentioned before, you have to pay yourself a minimum salary of 100 Euros of which 45 Euros go into health insurance, taxes and retirement fund.

Of course, there are bookkeeping requirements which should be done by a professional. If you conduct no or minimal business (use the company only for your residency permit), my local accountant will do this for you for only 110€ per month. As your business activities grow, so do the costs, of course.

There is an annual report required which is already included in this price, my accountant chooses to do this without any extra charges for his clients.

Regarding the business address, you may either use your private address in Montenegro or choose to use the business address of my local partner firm for no extra charge.

Basically, this amounts to costs of 155 Euro per month - 110 Euro for accounting and 45 Euro for health insurance etc. - for which you will actually get the insurance and retirement fund, so this is not just “wasted”.

Talk about a good deal!

How long does it take to start a company in Montenegro?

The entire filing process for the (LLC) company takes about 7 days in Montenegro. Ivana and her team will accompany you to all necessary appointments.

Step 2: Residency Permit for Montenegro

What are the costs for a residency permit in Montenegro?

My local partner Ivana and her company can take over the entire process of the residency permit for you for 1.000€. This includes all government fees, translation fees, notary fees and service fees that I list below.

Please note that you need a high school or university diploma. This is the only cost that is not included yet because there are two different prices. High school diploma nostrification is 150 Euro, for university diploma it’s 300 Euro.

You do not have to use your highest/latest diploma, the high school degree is just enough, even if you do have a university degree. So you can keep these costs down to 150 Euro.

How long does it take to obtain a residency permit in Montenegro?

The entire filing process for the residency permit takes about 15-20 days in Montenegro. Ivana and her team will accompany you to all necessary appointments.

There are quite a few formalities, translations and certifications that need to be done, which I list for you below together with the company requirements.

What are the required documents and services for the company formation and residency permit?

In the before mentioned investment, all of the following services are included, except where marked separately.

Please be aware that other agencies you may find online do not even list all of these required documents and services, which means they are not included in their prices and you will have to pay them extra - but you will only find out later.

They may also not include a required tax of 67€ in their prices or the 30€ tourist tax that is legally required. That’s the difficulty of doing business in foreign countries, you just don’t know before.

We don’t do that.

Passport with visa (your job)

Translation of passport (included)

Passport certification with a notary (included)

Certification of special power of attorney (included)

Original high school or university diploma (certificate and document with marks) (your job)

Translation and Nostrification of diploma (EXTRA: high school 150€, university 300€)

Police/criminal records from your country of citizenship, no older than 6 months

Translation of criminal records (included)

Either rental contract or house title in your name (if you don’t have this, some landlords refuse to give you a contract, Ivana can do this for you for 200€ extra)

Montenegrin Bank account + confirmation that you have 3.650€ in it: 10€ for every day of the year as proof you can support yourself. (If you don't have this, we can figure it out for you but only through private conversation)

Insurance (included)

Medical (included, they will go with you to conduct exam that you are fit to work)

Police tax (included)

White Touristic Card (Proof you paid tourist tax for 30 days as legally required - included)

Formal job application to hire yourself as a director (included)

Also, no other company offers a solution if you can’t afford to put 3.650€ in a Montenegrin bank account.

Getting residency permits for family members (and friends)

Do your spouse and your children get a residency permit if you have one?

Yes, they can get residency through you as a director. You need to show a Marriage Certificate and/or a Birth Certificate though.

Is it possible to hire relatives (not just spouse - other family) and/or friends in order for them to get a residency permit as well or does everyone have to start their own company?

Family members can work in your company and get residency through that, but only after a year of your stay. Friends can get a job in your company, but their stay is terminated after 3 years so they won’t be able to get permanent residency.

Step 3: Permanent Residency & Citizenship

Obtaining a permanent residency permit

For the first five years of your stay in Montenegro, you will have to renew your residency permit every year.

All of your documents, like the school diplomas, police records etc. will be kept in a file and do not have to be renewed. What you do need to do every year is the medical check that proves you’re physically able to work (very basic test).

In addition to that, you need to pay your taxes, social contributions etc. on time so that you get a confirmation from the tax administration. That’s it.

Sometimes you will read that you are not allowed to leave Montenegro for more than 6 months in this 5-year period. That’s not true - it’s only the case for the residency through real estate investment.

Again: There are no requirements in regards to physically being in Montenegro for a certain amount of time in order to get the permanent residency.

The only thing you really do need to do is to renew your residency permit every year without exception for 5 years in a row. If you miss one year, the clock will be set back and you need to do another 5 years continuously.

Obtaining citizenship in Montenegro

After you’ve been in the country for 10 years with valid residency permits, you are able to apply for citizenship. I haven’t been through the process myself and it’s a fairly new country (Montenegro regained its independence in 2006) so in general, not many people have.

Some sources say you have to do sort of an exam on the country in Montenegrin language, but you are allowed to bring a translator. Some say you have to prove basic language skills.

I can’t say anything for sure right now, but since that’s at least 10 years in the future for you, it’s not really important right now.

The big downside of Montenegrin citizenship is that dual citizenship is, under most circumstances, not recognized. Therefore, it may currently not be as interesting for residents who already have an EU passport. Although, once Montenegro joins the EU, the passport rank will increase a lot so there won’t be a big difference then.

If you’re currently a citizen of a country with a weaker passport though, it may be very interesting for you, even if you do have to give up your current passport.

Once Montenegro joins the EU, you will naturally have the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union. IF the EU still exists then - after all, since 2020, nothing is certain anymore and we have absolutely no idea how the world will look like in a few years ;)

Anyway. As of now, with a Montenegrin passport, you have visa-free access to 120+ countries, including all of Europe’s Schengen Area, Russia, UAE, North Macedonia and Turkey. You are also eligible for the E-2 Investor Visa treaty with the United States, which means you can live and work in the USA.

Summary

Phew, that was a lot of information - I know.

To sum it all up, Montenegro is a very, very interesting country for expats who want to move to Europe as well as Digital Nomads and Perpetual Travelers to establish a base in a European country.

Apart from the incredible landscapes, warm weather and friendly nature of the people, it is a tax haven compared to the neighboring EU-countries.

Though there is quite a bit of bureaucracy involved, thanks to the relatively low income level, it’s very affordable to simply have everything done for you.

The entire process of starting a company and obtaining a residency permit will only take about 20-25 days total.

With the ability to easily turn your residency permit into a permanent residency permit and even citizenship without any travel restrictions, it becomes even more interesting.

Internet is fast, cheap (Sim card with 500GB mobile data per month for 10€) and reliable. Most of the locals speak English quite well and are very happy about foreigners moving to their country - unlike Western countries where there’s generally a completely different vibe.

Me personally, I’ve completely fallen in love with this beautiful country where you have everything at your fingertips: dramatic coastlines, warm and beautiful seas and beaches, charming architecture, impressive canyons and mountains and picturesque lakes.

Montenegro is like a whole content in one tiny country - an amazing combination that is hard to find anywhere else.

The government is working hard at supporting the economy and incentivizes start-ups. Since this isn’t important for everyone, I’m gonna add the following support plans in the end here and conclude my guide about probably my new favorite European country at this point.

IT & Innovation: Tax Support Program

The following information is rather new and will have to be discussed with our lawyers on ground. Basically, this is the idea (translated from Montenegrin):

"The Montenegro government finally turned to the IT community and adopted a new strategy for the IT sector development in the country for 2020-2024. IT and innovations sphere is recognized as one of the priority areas of the economy.

Funds in the amount of 30 million Euros are provided for its development in the framework of a direct partnership between the Montenegrin government and the national economy.

The main points of the strategy are as follows:

Creation of the Montenegrin strategic IT cluster - 300,000 euros

Establishment of the Center for e-commerce support - 150,000 euros

Introduction of global online payment systems in Montenegro

Creation of a center for innovations with virtual and augmented reality technologies - 25.5 million Euro

Innovations in the public sector - 339,000 euros

Constant support for innovative startups - 500,000 euros

There are also significant benefits for investors, namely:

Startups are exempt from paying taxes for the first 5 years

Significant reduction of tax & fees on salary - up to 50%

Exemption from payment of taxes and fees when participating in innovative projects

Income tax exemption of up to 100% when reinvesting in innovative projects

Exemption from income tax up to 100% when investing in startups and funds for investment projects

Exemption from income tax when donating funds to research institutes

Reduction of real estate and construction tax for innovative activities infrastructure

Establishment of the Fund for innovations

Originally Published Here: Complete Guide To Starting A Company & Obtaining Residency Permit in Montenegro, THE best place in Europe

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alittlenomadchristina · 4 years

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Hurghada Snorkeling Guide: 7 Best Snorkel Spots

Finding the best Hurghada snorkeling spots can be a bit tricky.

Although the resort town is one of the most popular snorkeling (and diving) destinations in the Red Sea area, only rarely can you snorkel directly from the beaches across from the hotels.

Unfortunately, though the sea looks amazing, the shallow waters and sandy bottoms aren’t good to see underwater life.

There’s just no reef, so in most cases, you will have to join a boat trip to get to Hurghada's snorkeling spots and explore the rich marine life of Egypt’s stunning reefs.

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Luckily, there are plenty of semi-emerged reefs and impressive coral walls around the many islands in the Hurghada archipelago.

More than 200 fixed anchoring points are spread around the reefs and islands.

This helps protect the corals from the ever-growing flock of tourists and boats wanting to see the beauty of Egypt’s underwater world.

Officially, the seas in this area are now protected zones under the same jurisdiction as Ras Mohammed National Park in Sharm El-Sheikh.

I've been living in Egypt since 2016 and dived and snorkeled all over the Red Sea.

I'm confident I can give you plenty of valuable information to plan an amazing snorkeling vacation in Hurghada.

I also created a list of 45+ Fun Things To Do In Hurghada if you need a little break from the beach.

The best time to visit Egypt is usually in spring and fall, though you can go in summer as well if you're mostly looking to spend your time in the water - otherwise it gets a bit too hot.

I have guides for scuba diving and snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh as well, in case you’re still thinking about where exactly to go in Egypt to have the best underwater experience.

Or maybe you head north of Hurghada to scuba dive El Gouna?

But let's check out Hurghada first!

Table of Contents:

7 Best Hurghada Snorkeling Spots

Hurghada Snorkeling & Boat Trip Recommendations

Recommended Snorkeling Equipment

Hurghada Snorkeling Guide: Top 7 Snorkel Spots

Giftun Island, Abu Ramada, Magawish and Umm Gamar provide the best snorkeling in Hurghada.

I'll give you a very detailed overview for every one of them and explain what kind of corals and marine animals you will find at Hurghada's best snorkel spots.

School of fish in the Red Sea

7. Snorkeling Magawish Soraya in Hurghada (Little Magawish)

Distance to Hurghada: 30 minutes by boat

Reef health: pretty good considering the close proximity to the city

Sea conditions: calm and shallow waters

Depth: 5 - 6 meters

Magawish Soraya lies a little southwest to the island of Magawish.

The Arabic word “Soraya” means small, so it’s basically the little brother island of Magawish, but it’s providing much better snorkeling opportunities.

Little Magawish is a rocky island with a few gorgeous beaches with the water shining in a wide color palette, from azure on the coast to the deep blue sea.

You can also reach Magawish Soraya by glass-bottom boat if there are any non-swimmers amongst your travel group.

Corals at Little Magawish

You’ll find several coral blocks scattered on the bottom, not far from each other.

They reach up to the surface and are surrounded by swarms of the most colorful fish.

Lots of the stony corals are bizarrely shaped and very interesting to look at.

Soft corals along the reef wall grow in small yellow bubbles, swaying in the currents.

Similarly, sea anemones wave their tentacles, protecting the cute clownfishes (also known as Nemo’s).

[mv_video key="gftts7nzmo9gtja6qlcw" title="NEMO Clownfish in the Red Sea" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/gftts7nzmo9gtja6qlcw.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="false" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio="" jsonLd=false]

Marine Life at Little Magawish

Right as you enter the water near the shamandura, groups of sergeant majors who stay close to the surface will follow you curiously.

You’ll see schools of blue-green damselfish and red-orange and violet anthias.

Yellow and black striped bannerfish swim in couples, often around fire corals - be careful not to touch them, they are dangerous and cause painful abrasions.

Bannerfish in a small group in one of Hurghada's snorkeling spots

If you’re very quiet, you can hear colorful parrotfish nibbling on stony corals.

Blue-spotted ribbontails are very abundant in the area, most likely you will discover one or more hiding on the sandy bottom.

Maybe you’ll even spot a crocodile fish, though they camouflage very well. You might encounter little groups of goatfish and blue fusiliers as well.

6. Snorkeling Shaab Sakala near Hurghada

Distance to Hurghada: 45 minutes by boat

Reef health: quite good

Sea conditions: relatively calm and shallow

Depth: 6 meters

Close to the south of Giftun Kebir Island (Big Giftun), Shaab Sakala is a semi-emerged reef perfect for snorkeling.

Corals at Shaab Sakala

You’ll notice that especially the surface area (thanks to lots of light) is embellished with an abundance of stony coral formations.

The porites can reach several meters in diameter. Often, you can find a brightly chining, colorful giant clam in them - like a precious stone.

You’ll see broccoli corals that indeed look very similar to the vegetable and are olive-green in color. They get up to 60cm long.

Marine Life at Shaab Sakala

Plenty of parrotfish biting away at the corals, contributing to the well-balanced underwater eco-system.

Did you know that females are usually yellowish in color, with green parts near the tail and below the mouth, while males are predominantly green with some purple spots?

With a bit of luck, you can see sea turtles at Shaab Sakala. Please make sure not to chase them, watch them from a healthy distance and be respectful, as always underwater.

Spotting sea turtles while snorkeling in Hurghada

Around the sea floors, crocodile fish and blue-spotted ribbontail rays are common. Look closely and you might even discover a scorpionfish.

Squirrelfish live in the cavities of the reef wall, while bright red angelfish stay close to the surface.

Of course, you’ll also find the usual Red Sea suspects - butterfly fish, wrasses, surgeonfish and red groupers.

Hurghada Snorkeling Experiences

5. Snorkeling El-Aruk

Distance to Hurghada: 65 minutes by boat

Reef health: very good

Sea conditions: can have powerful currents, relaxing on calm days

Depth: 10-12 meters

Advice: Avoid coming here on windy days, as strong currents reduce visibility immensely

El-Aruk lies south of the stunning Big Giftun Island and west of Abu Ramada.

It’s like swimming in an aquarium, the shallow depth and extreme brightness of the reef make snorkeling at El Aruk an adventure extraordinaire!

The Arabic word “aruk” is the plural for “erg”, which describes a coral formation similar to a tower, rising to the surface.

You’ll see groups, almost colonnades, of those coral towers in different sizes and shapes here.

Corals at El Aruk

El Aruk has 3 main areas of those “ergs”:

Aruk Diana is compromised of 7 towers and lies to the southwest,

Aruk Mansur consists of 10 coral towers in the northeast, and

El Aruk Giftun as a central formation is made up of 6-7 buttresses.

You’ll usually start with the last one, El Aruk Giftun. Once you’ve explored that one, look up from the water and check where the next coral group is and swim there.

Besides the big group of high coral formations, you’ll also see countless small, circular stony corals in all shapes and sizes.

The reef walls shine in a variety of colors. A truly bizarre and unique underwater forest!

Marine Life at El-Aruk

Schools of fish in the Red Sea

Probably, you will be greeted immediately by swarms of glassfish moving in complete synchronicity.

Clouds of red anthias compete for the prettiest fish price, perfectly camouflaged pterois volitans hide in gorgonians growing vertically on the reef walls.

Big angelfish impress you with their shining blue bodies and yellow spots, bright butterflyfish join you during your snorkeling experience.

The abundance of reef fish attracts predators like trevallies and large groupers, waiting to ambush from the shadows.

On the sandy areas, you might spot large triggerfish.

4. Snorkeling Small Giftun Island

Distance to Hurghada: 60 minutes by boat

Reef health: very good

Sea conditions: usually perfect to snorkel

Depth: 5-7 meters

Advice: Avoid coming here on windy days, as strong currents reduce visibility immensely

The Giftun Islands are probably the most popular around Hurghada, with Little Giftun (Giftun el-Saghir) to the southeast of Big Giftun (Giftun Kebir).

They are connected by coral formations forming sort of a swimming pool that goes out in the open sea.

Corals at Small Giftun Island

Similar to El Aruk, you will see several coral towers that almost rise to the surface.

Thanks to the bright light and great position of circular reefs, there’s a rich coral environment here at Small Giftun.

Delicate alcyonarians subtly show off their pale pastel colors and capture plankton. In areas with stronger currents, you’ll see beautiful gorgonian fans.

Marine Life at Small Giftun Island

One of your first encounters at Small Giftun will probably be with red-orange anthias next to the reef. Sweetlips hide in the little coral terraces.

Parrotfish impress you with their colors and again, you can hear them chewing away at the stony corals if you listen closely.

Butterfly fish pairs are abundant at Little Giftun Island, as well as curious clownfish looking out of their anemone shelters.

You might find crocodile fish and spotted rays on the sandy bottoms. With some luck, you could spot a sea turtle at the outer part of the reef.

If you want to book ahead and online to avoid hassle and negotiating prices, this full-day snorkeling trip to Giftun Island for 21€ (including lunch and snorkeling equipment) is a great option.

They're also looking for dolphins, with a bit of luck you might see them during this trip!

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Alternatively, you can sail in style on a pirate ship, the largest in the Red Sea, and snorkel around the islands of Hurghada for about 55€ including lunch, equipment, wifi etc.

3. Snorkeling Shaab Ben El-Gebel

Distance to Hurghada: 70 minutes by boat

Reef health: very good

Sea conditions: usually perfect to snorkel

Depth: 4-10 meters

The translation of Shaab Ben El-Gebel from Arabic describes a “reef between the mountains”.

This small strait between the tall coral towers of the Giftun Islands is quite impressive and not far out.

You can relax at the beautiful Giftun beach between your snorkeling excursions.

Corals at Shaab Ben El-Gebel

Expect a stony, long coral formation that’s like an elongated table on the sandy floor with a depth of 4 to 10 meters.

Close to the slope facing south, many similar-looking ergs in a low pyramid-like shape with cut off tops.

The west-facing side consists of deep inlets, like underwater lagoons, with plenty of colorful reef fish.

The soft corals at Shaab Ben El-Gebel are not as colorful as in most other snorkeling spots on this list, but they do come in a great variety of shapes.

The upper area of the reef is literally covered in fire coral, which looks stunning.

Please be very careful though not to brush against the tips if you want to avoid a seriously painful burn.

Marine Life at Shaab Ben El-Gebel

Especially the shallower parts around the coral towers are inhibited by huge schools of glassfish, moving in a fast and coordinated manner.

They do that to confuse and disorient predators like bluefin trevallis since they can usually only focus on one individual at a time.

Families of clownfish live in their sea anemones here, groups of striped surgeonfish scan the sandy floor for detritus to eat.

Butterfly couples swim in unity, while the yellowfin goatfish likes to stay in big groups.

2. Snorkeling Abu Ramada

Distance to Hurghada: 70 minutes by boat

Reef health: very good

Sea conditions: usually perfect to snorkel

Depth: 5-6 meters

Advice: Snorkel the south side as the wind and current conditions are better there

Abu Ramada is the southern- and outermost island of the Hurghada archipelago. Its long, narrow and rocky formation lies south of the Giftun islands.

You will probably moor on the south side, since it is well protected from the sharp winds from the north.

Corals at Abu Ramada

Moray Eel in Egypt's Red Sea

Rising from the sandy bottom, you’ll see multiple stony coral formations which create something like an underwater oasis.

The summits of the coral towers usually serve as cleaning stations. You can see cleaner wrasses removing parasites from much larger fish like trevallies, groupers and surgeonfish.

It’s super cool to watch them enter the big fishes´ mouths and clean their grills, mostly because the fishes receiving this cleaning service change their colors as if they want to show their appreciation.

The blue and black little cleaner wrasses only grow about 10 cm long.

[mv_video key="e78oqs8zvbewiafazjzn" title="Octopus mating in the Red Sea in Egypt" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/e78oqs8zvbewiafazjzn.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="false" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio="" jsonLd=false]

Marine Life at Abu Ramada

In the open water between the coral pinnacles and reef wall at Abu Ramada, there are plenty of cornetfish who are able to change their color depending on their surroundings.

Often, you can see humphead wrasses and big schools of blackspotted snappers.

If you keep the edge of the reef to your right and swim for a few meters, you will discover the wreck of a boat sitting on the sandy floor at a depth of about 6-7 meters.

Though it hasn’t been sunk a very long time ago, it already provides valuable shelter for a variety of marine animals.

Groupers patrol their territory and huge moray eels look out of their caves.

You will see a huge variety of colorful reef fish like purple anthias, clownfish, butterflyfish and angelfish.

The boat has a permanent resident, too - a funny looking porcupinefish chilling on the outside of the little ship.

1. Snorkeling Gota Abu Ramada

Distance to Hurghada: 60 minutes by boat

Reef health: fantastic

Sea conditions: usually perfect to snorkel

Depth: 9-12 meters

Gota Abu Ramada lies about a mile south of Abu Ramada and is one of the most spectacular reefs for snorkeling and diving alike.

The marine life is so abundant, you will feel like you’re in a massive aquarium.

The elliptical reef measures up to 200 meters in diameter. There are two big coral towers about 10 meters high and as well as four smaller pinnacles.

Since Gota Abu Ramada is predominantly a dive spot, the upper reef is amazingly intact and full of colorful coral and fish.

The entire Gota Abu Ramada area contains a quantity and variety of fish that’s difficult to find anywhere else. The best part is the northeast with its pinnacles.

Corals at Gota Abu Ramada

Bright lights highlight the delicate structure of the coral polyps close to the surface.

Acropora grow in lots of different shapes, from tables parallel to the surface to those that grow up in intricate branching formations.

You wil see brain corals shaped like laybrinths and intensely shining raspberry coral.

The reef wall has lots of little cracks, like mini canyons. Along them, a variety of soft alcyonarians and gorgonians have grown.

Marine Life at Gota Abu Ramada

One of the very few places in the area where you might encounter sharks is right here at Gota Abu Ramada.

If you’re lucky, you might spot whitefin sharks who rest in the crevices running horizontally along the north wall at a depth of about 2 meters.

If you’re not a scuba diver, encountering a shark might seem scary and dangerous to you. They are harmless animals though, as long as you don’t disturb them.

Just like with pretty much every other marine animals, keep your distance and be respectful. You’re visiting their home, not the other way around.

Schools of yellow and silver goat fish can mostly be seen at about 3 meters if you keep going west with the reef to your left.

They live in such big groups, it’s like a living wall.

Sergeant Majors reflect the light beautifully, while clouds of glassfish explore the many cracks in the reef wall.

Fusiliers swim around with their mouth open to catch the abundance of plankton at the south side of the wall.

You might see giant moray eels in the open water, which is rather rare as they usually hide in caves.

[mv_video key="to4oyr4h0drovptruivu" title="Giant Moray Eel - Red Sea Egypt" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/to4oyr4h0drovptruivu.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="false" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio="" jsonLd=false]

As you reach the pinnacles at the northeast side, you will see hundreds of Red Sea bannerfish surrounding the coral formations.

Chances are good you will also encounter masked butterflyfish in the bannerfish groups, who don’t usually mingle with others much and stay in pairs.

Grunts live near the floors, close to yellowtail barracudas living in small caves.

As in most snorkeling spots around Hurghada, at Gota Abu Ramada you will also see blue-spotted rays on the bottom.

Right under all of the moored boats, very often you will find groups of striped surgeonfish who nibble on the algae on the planks.

Hurghada Snorkeling Trip Recommendations

If you want to book ahead and online to avoid hassle and negotiating prices, this full-day snorkeling trip to Giftun Island for 21€ (including lunch and snorkeling equipment) is a great option. They're also looking for dolphins, with a bit of luck you might see them during this trip!

This full-day trip focuses more on finding dolphins, and your chances are quite good to spot some. You will also have the option to go snorkeling around the reefs. At a price of ca. 30€, you will be picked up from your hotel, get lunch, snorkeling equipment etc.

Alternatively, you can sail on a pirate ship, the largest in the Red Sea, and snorkel around the islands of Hurghada for about 55€ including lunch, equipment, wifi etc.

[mv_create key="5" type="list" title="My Favorite Products For The Best Snorkeling Experience" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/61FgME2BBpPL._SX679_.jpg" layout="circles"]

Hurghada Snorkeling Guide: Pin it for later!

Originally Published Here: Hurghada Snorkeling Guide: 7 Best Snorkel Spots

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alittlenomadchristina · 4 years

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35+ Creative Gifts for Scuba Divers

Do you feel it's challenging to find gifts for your scuba diving friends?

Not sure what gifts are practical, yet creative and unique for scuba divers?

It can be hard to find gifts for scuba divers, especially when you are not a diver yourself and don’t know much about the world of scuba diving.

There’s no point in just buying expensive equipment like BCD's, regulators or wetsuits because you don’t know what to look for in terms of the quality and features.

So, the next time you want to surprise one of your scuba diving friends or family members with an ocean-themed gift for a special occasion (graduation, Christmas, birthday…) here is a handy list of easily available, creative, unique and useful gift items for scuba divers that will truly leave them feeling ecstatic for their next dive!

And the best part is, they won’t cost you a fortune!

If you do have a little more cash to spare and are looking for the best dive computer for beginners or the best dive watches under $1000 or under $300, just click the links and read my reviews.

[mv_create key="21" type="list" title="Creative Gifts for Scuba Divers" thumbnail="" layout="hero"]

[mv_create key="17" type="list" title="The Best Personalizable Scuba Diving Gifts" thumbnail="" layout="hero"]

[mv_create key="19" type="list" title="The Best Books For Scuba Divers" thumbnail="" layout="hero"]

[mv_create key="20" type="list" title="Best Ocean-Themed Board Games for Scuba Divers" thumbnail="" layout="hero"]

Gift Inspiration for Divers

And that’s a wrap!

Whether your scuba diver friend is an avid gamer or a nerdy bookworm, this list contains all the best gifts that are sure to please them!

It should have something for everyone.

And the best thing is, you can't go wrong with any of these!

Happy shopping!

Scuba Diving Gift Guide - Pin it for later:

Original Post Here: 35+ Creative Gifts for Scuba Divers

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alittlenomadchristina · 4 years

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Guide to Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor [+Videos]

If you're thinking about hot air ballooning in Luxor, this is your guide!

I've been living in Egypt since 2016 so I know the in's and out's of this country and I'm sure I can help you make the most of your hot air balloon experience in Luxor.

Bucket List Experience: Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor

I will speak a bit about whether you should even do the balloon ride, how and when to book, the prices as well as what to bring and what to expect from this experience.

And, of course, I will share lots of stunning images of my hot air balloon ride in Luxor!

[mv_video key="rs676tlteqie9qm9k5hd" title="Readers Favorite Blogs about Egypt" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1567428958/pbn7g2xjaz6lzlosfggu.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="undefined" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio=""]

Is the Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor worth it?

YES, YES and YES!!!!

Chrissi happy!

I've been to 56 countries and have experienced some of the coolest things you could imagine, from skydiving to scuba diving to volcano climbing and whatnot.

This balloon ride was one of the Top 3 experiences of my life. I'm usually an adrenaline junkie and parasailing e.g. bores me, but this was just WOW!!!

It's an incredibly peaceful time in the air. The balloon is literally floating, you don't feel a thing, and it's so silent. All the while you fly over one of the most amazing sceneries worldwide.

The height depends on the wind, so sometimes you fly so low over the sugarcane fields that you can almost touch them, and other times you fly high over all the other balloons.

If the wind is right, you even fly over the Valley of the Kings! It's honestly so amazing, you really can't miss this!

Flying right over the graves of Luxor

Matador Network ranked Luxor the second-best place to go hot air ballooning in the world!

Is the Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor safe?

So you've heard about the balloon crash in Luxor years ago and now you're worried whether the balloon ride is even safe?!

I get it. In foreign countries, especially not so much developed ones as Egypt, the question of safety has to come up.

There's no denying, there have been a handful of accidents over the last decades. Since then, the Egyptian government has increased their safety measures profoundly.

They can't afford people being afraid of one of their most famous tourist attractions.

Just becoming a pilot takes many years of studying now and there is no reason you should feel more afraid to go hot air ballooning here than in any other country.

Civil Aviation Observer Mahmoud Zain also said that the balloons are checked daily by accredited engineers and trainers to ensure your safety.

The "hot air balloon airport"

Just walking or driving around Cairo, for example, would be much more dangerous if you look at your chances of getting hurt in traffic vs. during a balloon ride.

My friend was terribly afraid before we went and she almost canceled. Even when she was already in the basket, she was shaking and thinking about jumping out again.

But then the balloon slowly ascended and it was such a peaceful and magical experience that all her fear was gone just like that.

What is the best time for a hot air balloon ride in Luxor?

I wrote an extensive article on the Best Times To Visit Egypt and have included the best time to travel to Luxor/do a Nile Cruise, so check that one out for more information.

In short: Avoid the summer months like the plague as it gets insanely hot. The best time to go hot air ballooning in Luxor is from October to March.

I went in October and we were lucky in the sense that it was mostly overcast (which is extremely rare in Upper Egypt) so it didn't get crazy hot during the day.

If you're especially sensitive to heat, don't go before November.

The good news is that the sunrises and sunsets are much more spectacular in winter, and the balloons go up for sunrise.

Unfortunately, because it was cloudy the day I went, the sunrise wasn't as great as it usually is.

You will see from the pictures that it's absolutely stunning either way, and most likely your experience will be even better!

Hot Air Balloon Luxor - Prices and Booking

Prices vary greatly and depend on a few different factors such as the season and where you buy your tickets from.

The balloon ride prices rise during peak seasons. It's especially busy during the holiday weeks for Europeans, as this is where most tourists are flying in from.

Prices are therefore quickly increasing in October, December, and April and you can easily pay double.

During high season it's also important to book ahead as spots quickly fill up.

Another major factor that determines the cost is where you get your balloon tickets from.

If you're on a Nile Cruise, you will be able to book a hot air balloon ride through the ship/travel agency.

Since they want their commission on this sale, they obviously charge you that on top.

Also, if you are on one of the more expensive cruise ships, or staying in a fancy hotel, you will pay much more than if you book through a hostel for example.

I paid $75 for my hot air balloon ride (I went during high season in October), and that was the absolute best price you could get.

All the other people in my group paid anywhere between $140 and $250.

Since the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound in 2016, shortly after I moved here, prices in general are constantly increasing and everything is about 2-3x more expensive now than it was then.

Therefore, if you read this article even a few months after I published it, prices might have increased again. There's no better time to go to Egypt than now!

Even though costs are going up, this is still the cheapest place to do a balloon ride pretty much anywhere in the world, especially considering the breathtaking scenery you get to see here.

The other two most famous hot air balloon spots are Cappadocia in Turkey and Bagan in Myanmar, where you pay AT LEAST twice the price, often $400-$500 for the same experience.

So where do you book your hot air ballooning experience in Luxor to get the best price?

I can only recommend booking via Getyourguide. They offer the balloon ride ticket for about 95€, and you likely won't get it any cheaper. It is operated by Sindbad Balloons, the most reputable company in Luxor from what I've heard.

Also, you really want to avoid going anywhere in Luxor figuring out buying tickets by yourself, as you're bombarded by literally everyone trying to sell you something.

Luxor is the worst city in Egypt when it comes to hassle and harassment. Honestly, if my very first trip to Egypt had been to Luxor, I surely wouldn't have moved here.

It's not dangerous, but it's annoying as F***!!!

I'm usually not someone who does group trips or books much in advance, but in this case I highly, highly suggest it. It will save you years of aging ;)

Just book the ticket online and let them pick you up straight from your hotel or cruise ship, no hassle involved.

Unless you speak Arabic and are really good at haggling, there's also no way you'll get it cheaper anywhere else.

Luxor Hot Air Ballooning - What You Need To Know Before

[mv_video key="ugj8qwolqk06gxdqwaht" title="Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor - Sunrise Takeoff" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/ugj8qwolqk06gxdqwaht.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="undefined" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio=""]

1. Go ballooning the first day you arrive

Whether or not the hot air balloons can go in the air depends on the weather conditions.

Though they fly more often than not, there is a chance that you might not be able to do the trip on the day you wish.

I highly recommend, therefore, that you book a ticket for the very first day you arrive in Luxor. That way, if weather conditions make it impossible to go that day, you can still go do it the next day (if the weather has improved).

Don't worry too much about it, most of the time they do fly, but it's always better to be prepared and have a buffer.

That's about the highest you will fly

Safety Tip: I don't know where you'll book your ticket but if that company decides to actually fly on a day that is very windy or rainy, I recommend you don't go with them.

Accidents only really happen because of bad weather conditions, so be sure to take care of your own safety first.

They're pretty careful with this now due to those mentioned accidents in the past, so it's unlikely they will go.

But you never know if there are bad sheep out there, so don't risk anything and tell them you want to go the next day instead. Shouldn't be a problem!

2. Dress in Layers

Since all the hot air balloon rides in Luxor take place around sunrise, it's still a bit cooler than in the daytime.

I went in October and was picked up at 4:30 am, but that time changes depending on what time of the year you go.

Also, temperatures go down because you'll be at a much higher altitude.

The fire heating the air in a hot air balloon

That was my thought process - I freeze easily so I always try to dress warmly.

And it was good I did, the AC was cranked up in the minivan on the way to the "balloon airport" and it was chilly on the boat.

As soon as you're surrounded by the balloons that fire up though, it gets really warm! I guess they aren't called "hot air balloons" for no reason ;)

My sweater went off pretty quickly, it got quite hot fast!

Once you're in the air, the fire is burning above your head. Not constantly, but every few seconds the captain fires it up and then lets it rest again, depending on the wind and direction he wants to go.

My best advice would be to wear a t-shirt but bring a light sweater or cardigan as well.

3. Smile for the camera!

Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone with a camera and you will surely take a lot of photos.

If you bring a DSLR ( any bigger camera), they will tell you not to use it before takeoff. Once you're in the air, you can do whatever you want.

The reason is mostly that they want to sell you the video they're taking of your group.

Sunrise over the Nile in Luxor, unfortunately, it was overcast that day!

And that's why I'm telling you you should smile ;)

From the moment you get on the boat in the morning to cross the river and get to the balloon airport until you took off, there will be a guy filming everything.

I didn't think about the camera at first, but when I later decided to buy the video, I surely didn't look my greatest at 5 in the morning, haha.

My facial expressions didn't exactly show any excitement whatsoever before having a coffee, and let's just say, it wasn't the best part of the video.

Therefore, if you're one of the people who would like to get a video to remember this amazing experience, make sure you at least look decent in it and don't keep repeating the same poses, waves, at the camera, etc.

Maybe that's a travel blogger/instagrammer disease, but I guess we all like to look good in our photos/videos.

The video costs $10 on DVD and $15 on a USB stick. Quite a steal, considering you get a 32GB USB stick with it as well.

A lot of the footage is pre-filmed as they don't actually go up in the air with you, but all the moments before and after take-off are on camera.

Most people don't really like to be filmed much, so if you do, you can definitely get a few good scenes as the cameraman is happy he has someone actually motivated to film and create some good scenes.

Swirl around, jump in the air, whatever you think you want to have on camera later.

They told me they would have the video ready an hour after they dropped us back at the hotel and I honestly didn't believe that for a second, knowing Egyptians and their time management after living here for years.

I only ordered it because I was staying a few more hours and also returning to Luxor in a few days so I thought that would give them enough time and I would actually get it.

I almost couldn't believe it when an hour later the USB stick was actually waiting for me at the reception!

So you can really trust to get your footage unless you're leaving Luxor right away after your hot air balloon ride.

4. Bring some change to tip the crew

Before you take off and as soon as you land, there's a bunch of guys holding down the basket to make sure you're not flying away.

The Ground Crew Doing The Hard Work

Upon landing, they gather the huge balloon and have quite some hard work to do. They follow your balloon while it's in the air and quickly drive to the spot you're about to land.

There is no set landing point, it always depends on the wind. So when your captain starts descending and preparing for landing, you will see they usually already arrived on ground and are waiting to help you land.

These are the guys who you're expected to tip. Remember, people make very little money in Egypt and the rising prices are due to rising costs.

Life has become quite hard for Egyptians, so they really appreciate a tip.

5. What to expect from your hot air balloon ride

A few more things you might find interesting to know:

After they pick you up from your hotel or cruise ship, you go to the docks and cross the river with a small boat (not a felucca).

They provide tea and coffee there, much needed this early in the morning!

Oh, and they ask you for your weight so they can determine who to put where in the basket to balance it out. Maybe have a diet day before ;)

It's helpful for them to know it in kilograms, so maybe calculate your weight beforehand if you use a different system to make it easy for them.

The hot air balloon baskets are quite big. They will take up to around 20 people in one balloon. It can get quite cozy.

The basket of the hot air balloon in Luxor

You have to climb a bit to get in and out of the basket, but they help you with small stairs and lift you if needed.

It's not important where exactly in the basket your spot is. The balloon turns around itself and in all possible directions all the time. You will get to see everything anyways, so don't stress.

The balloon is literally floating in the air, so you don't have to worry about motion sickness or anything. It's as smooth as can be, you don't feel anything.

The hot air balloon ride in Luxor takes around one hour.

The whole experience takes up more time, of course, with transportation and all that. We got picked up at 4:25am and were back at the hotel by like 7am.

What you see during your balloon ride depends entirely on the wind. It blows in different directions on different heights and the captain adjusts direction according to that.

Watch this video I took to get a better idea of what to expect from your hot air balloon ride:

[mv_video key="p79jfsewnjey1guqal2s" title="Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/p79jfsewnjey1guqal2s.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="undefined" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio=""]

They will always try to give you the best experience! With a bit of luck, you even get to fly over the Valley of the Kings!

Either way, you will see the Nile river from above, the farmland (mostly sugarcane), locals waving at you from the streets and rooftops, and for sure some of Luxor's open-air museum.

We flew right over the huge graves and a temple, pretty cool!

After the ride was over, we got a certificate for the completion. A nice memory if you're into collecting tickets etc.

Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor - Conclusion

Finishing up, I just want to say again that hot air ballooning in Luxor is a total bucket list experience that you really shouldn't miss!

I loved it so, so much, and I don't easily get excited.

Even my friend who had already canceled in her mind and was so afraid said that she would have regretted it so badly if she hadn't gone and it was such an amazing experience.

For me, it was the best part of my entire Nile Cruise and trip to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

Pin this Luxor Hot Air Ballooning Guide for later:

See Full, Original Article Here: Guide to Hot Air Ballooning in Luxor [+Videos]

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Best Time to Visit Egypt [by a local]

If you’re wondering about the best time to visit Egypt, this guide is for you.

Whether you’re a history buff looking to explore Cairo, the pyramids and all the ancient temples Egypt has to offer, or do a once-in-a-lifetime Nile Cruise,

or prefer to go desert hiking (like Mount Moses) or scuba diving and snorkeling the Red Sea, I’ve listed the best times to travel to Egypt for every occasion and type of traveler.

I'm a solo female expat based in Egypt since 2016 and I've experienced all seasons as well as done all the major tourist attractions.

[mv_video key="rs676tlteqie9qm9k5hd" title="Readers Favorite Blogs about Egypt" thumbnail="https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1567428958/pbn7g2xjaz6lzlosfggu.jpg" volume="70" doNotOptimizePlacement="undefined" doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement="false" ratio=""]

I can really give you an authentic overview of the best seasons for each travel purpose, not like some other travel bloggers who only visited once for a week or two.

If you're still unsure whether you want to travel to Egypt or not, here are the Top 10 reasons that might convince you.

I've also linked to many of my other insider information blogs throughout this article to find out more about all the main destinations in Egypt.

What's the best time to visit Egypt

For Pyramid Visits, Scuba Divers, Nile Cruisers, and Desert Hikers

There is a reason the Ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun.

The southern city of Aswan is the third sunniest place on Earth, with over 3,863 hours of sunshine every year.

Egypt has an African desert climate with only two seasons. A strikingly hot summer blends into a mild chilly winter, with little spring or fall weather.

If you’re used to rainy, overcast days then you are in for a real surprise! Weather in Egypt is arid and dry, with little to no rainfall.

You’ll never need an umbrella, but if you’re visiting lots of outdoor historical sites you may want one to protect you from the sun ;)

Best Time to Visit Cairo and the Pyramids

The Pyramids of Egypt are the only Ancient Wonder of the world still standing in the modern era.

They are a must-see destination for world travelers, and if you choose to visit Egypt you cannot miss them.

The Pyramids are an outdoor-only attraction. You may think there are advantages to coming in the summer; maybe the kids are out of school or its your only vacation time.

As a resident of Egypt for a few years, I can say that you will be HOT and I don't recommend it!

Temperatures climb over 100° F (38°C) easily, so if you’re going to brave the summer heat make sure to take a large supply of water and stock up on sunscreen.

The best time to visit the Pyramids would ideally be from October throughout the winter until around April.

There are also amazing night time activities at the Pyramids, such as the Pyramids Light Show. October to April this show begins at 7pm, and May to September at 7:30pm.

If you go during the winter, make sure to bring a jacket as the temperatures can drop to 50° F (10°C), though the average temperature in the winter is about 59° F (15°C).

Cairo itself is a bustling city full of activities, with gardens and museums to discover.

If you’re planning a trip that will be mostly indoors, you can absolutely visit in the summer, as most places like this will have air conditioning.

If you plan on a garden tour, or want to visit local churches or mosques, I suggest coming in the cooler months.

Best Time to Do a Nile Cruise

It’s quite easy to book a Nile Cruise, which can take you from one end of Egypt to the other.

A cruise from Cairo all the way down to Aswan takes around two weeks though, which is why most ships just go up and down the Nile between Aswan and Luxor for 4-5 days, this is where all the main attractions are.

If you want to visit Aswan and Luxor, the site of many historical temples and tombs, it is an idyllic way to view these cultural treasures.

Some travel operators will even meet you at the Cairo Airport, where you will transfer to a smaller airplane and fly to Luxor.

You will spend your days seeing amazing locations, and your nights floating on the Nile (some afternoons you'll be cruising as well).

The ancient sites are numerous with temples, grand burial sites, and even a mummification museum.

Since most of the activities are outdoors, you’ll want to avoid doing a Nile Cruise during the summer months.

Aswan and Luxor are in the south of Egypt where the heat is even more intense, with summer temperatures reaching over 104° F (40°C).

There is little shade and most of the most interesting statues and sights are directly under the hot Egyptian sun.

The best time to take a Nile cruise is from November to March. I went in October and it was bearable, but I'm used to the sun.

Even if you go in the coldest of winters, the temperatures usually fall in the 70s F(20°C), which is perfect for roaming the “open-air museums��.

If you’re interested in swimming in the Nile, aim for fall. The water will still be warm enough to enjoy, but you won’t bake under the sun. It's not the cleanest river, though.

Best Time to Scuba Dive in Egypt’s Red Sea

Egypt’s Red Sea Coast has amazing beaches and resort towns which cater specifically to tourists who are looking to go scuba diving.

If you’re interested in marine life, like dolphins and sharks, the best time to visit the Red Sea of Egypt is June and July. Though it is very hot, you will have the best chance of seeing amazing aquatic animals.

If you want to spend time in the water as well as on land, you should visit Egypt between September and March when temperatures cool off.

The water temperature can vary a lot from season to season, as well. The water will not be as warm in winter, but April and May will see water temperatures around 22°C.

In Marsa Alam, the water can be mid-80s F (28°C) in the hottest part of the summer, but I think a fall visit to the beaches is perfect.

I’ve spent time at the beaches in all seasons, and the water is just fine for swimming through most of the year.

If you’re sensitive to the cold, you might want to put on a thin wetsuit in winter. For diving, you will definitely need one unless you go in July/August/September or are not getting cold easily...

Some of the best places to go scuba diving in Egypt are the following:

Sharm El-Sheikh is not only the best scuba diving destination in Egypt, but one of the best in the entire world. Marine life is buzzing and big creatures like sharks, dolphins and manta rays stop by frequently, especially in Summer. Check my scuba diving guide to Sharm El Sheikh for more information about the best dive sites etc. I also have a guide for snorkeling in Sharm.

Dahab is a paradise for most people, locals and expats alike, and has been my home since 2006. It's a mix of traditional Bedouins and foreigners living peacefully without any hotel- or restaurant chains, just a simple life by the beach with lots of street art and street dogs & cats. It is home to the world-famous Blue Hole, a dive site that every scuba diver should have experienced at least once. Here's my scuba diving guide to Dahab.

El Gouna is a gorgeous, European-standard town with surprisingly good diving opportunities just north of Hurghada. It’s a relatively new town, only about 30 years old, and custom-made for awesome vacations. It is clean and organized with prime restaurants, hotels, and dive centers. This is where Egypt's elite owns vacation homes and keeps their yachts - Egypt's St. Tropez. Here's my scuba diving guide to El Gouna - it shares many dive sites with Hurghada, I'm still working on the Hurghada diving guide. If your timing is good, you can also attend the El Gouna Film Festival which usually takes place in September.

My most popular scuba diving blogs:

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Scuba vacations are a great affordable adventure in Egypt!

If you’re not a scuba diver, there are also amazing snorkel and swimming opportunities. For more specific information check out my other articles linked above.

Best Time to Hike Mt. Moses and Visit the Sinai Desert

If you plan to visit Mount Moses and the Sinai Desert, be prepared.

While the city of Cairo has indoor activities that may provide you with Air Conditioned respite from the heat, the desert will give you no such luxuries.

You can also take the more direct route up the 3,750 rocky “Stairs of Repentance” to the monastery on the peak.

There are two paths to summit Mount Moses. You can climb a 2.5 hour winding trail, or hire camels for the journey.

Here are 8 Things You Need To Know Before Climbing Mount Sinai as well as my guide to St. Catherine, the monastery, and other hikes around the area where I give more details about the climate all-year round.

While the best time to visit Egypt’s mainland (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan…) would be the winter, remember that in the desert temperatures can drop almost 20° C from day to night.

I highly recommend that you take your climb up the peak of Mount Sinai in Spring, when the desert begins to bloom.

In winter, the temperatures can drop below 0°C with the possibility of snow on the mountains. For more information, I have a guide to Climbing Mount Sinai here.

For hikes other than summit climbing, and if you don’t intend to sleep in the desert, the winter is absolutely perfect as it doesn’t get so hot during the day.

High Season and Low Season in Egypt

As with all other destinations, Egypt obviously gets more crowded during the holiday seasons.

It mostly depends on the European school holidays, as most tourists who come to Egypt are from Europe due to the short distance (ca. 4-5 hour flights) and much better climate down here.

Don’t expect to see empty beach towns during these peak seasons for Easter, Summer, October, and Christmas.

As a final note, you should also check out when the Holy Month of Ramadan falls.

Ramadan is a month-long religious ‘holiday’. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and most daytime activity is suspended.

Stores may be closed during the afternoon, and restaurants will be packed exactly at sundown for the fasting break.

The best time to visit Egypt will change depending on this holiday, as the beach towns along the Red Sea and North Coast will be filled with Egyptian tourists and hotels mostly booked long in advance.

Check out when exactly Ramadan will occur here, as the time of the year always changes. I have an article about navigating traveling to Muslim countries during Ramadan here.

So, what's the best time to travel to Egypt after all?

Overall, it is very hot in June, July, and August and quite cool in December, January, and February.

You’ll have the best time in Egypt when avoiding the oppressive heat of the summer months, unless you go snorkeling and diving only.

The spring will afford you the best in blooming flowers and wildlife.

The fall will give you cooler temperatures. October is my personal favorite month of the year in Egypt, as you can do anything from Nile cruising to beach bumming.

Anytime you choose to visit Egypt will give you amazing sites and sounds that only an ancient country can provide.

The people are welcoming and accepting of tourists, and I loved it so much I made it my home.

Post Source Here: Best Time to Visit Egypt [by a local]

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Sharm El Sheikh: Snorkeling Guide

If you want to experience the stunning underwater world of Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling, this guide is for you.

Not all of the beaches provide a great snorkeling experience, and some sites can only be reached by boat.

I’m a German expat and scuba diver and I’ve been living in Sinai since 2016.

I’m sure I can provide you with some great tips and advice that will make your snorkeling holiday in Sharm El-Sheikh a fantastic one.

Besides listing all of the best Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling spots, I will also help you with some snorkeling equipment advice as well as some rules on how to act responsibly underwater and snorkel safely.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Getting started: Bring the right snorkeling equipment

There is no need for you to actually go scuba diving to discover the beauty of the Red Sea. Grab a mask, snorkel, and fins and you’re good to go.

I’d recommend bringing your own snorkeling equipment as it’s not only more hygienic, it will also save you money in the long run and make sure you won’t be struggling with foggy masks, slipping out of your fins etc.

Having the right mask and fin size for your individual needs makes everything so much easier.

I’ve listed my favorite products down below if you don’t have your own snorkeling equipment yet and you’re not sure what to look for.

Except for the winter season (let’s say December to March), you don’t need a wetsuit as the water is warm enough in Sharm El-Sheikh. If you freeze easily, you might want to rent a wetsuit at a dive centre during winter.

You can check the air and water temperatures in my scuba diving guide to Sharm.

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The correct behavior underwater

Many people who are new to the underwater world are not aware of the impact they have on marine life, so I’d like to take a minute to explain.

There are a few things you should know about how to behave underwater in order not to harm the marine life and corals.

I didn’t know most of this before I became a scuba diver and moved to Egypt.

There’s no shame in not knowing, but once you do know, please make sure you really follow this advice.

We all want to enjoy the Red Sea underwater world as long as possible so we all need to contribute to its health.

Don’t walk on the reef table. The corals are alive and are harmed by walking on them. It may also be dangerous for you as you might step on sea urchins or similar dangerous things.

Don’t touch ANYTHING underwater. Whether it’s corals or fish or anything else. Watch, but don’t touch.

Only go in the water with reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen harms corals. You can see a recommended product in my equipment recommendations. Yes, it is more expensive than regular sunscreen, but it’s not only better for your skin thanks to less (or no) chemicals, you also have a clear conscience and know that you’re not contributing to destroying the environment.

If you see bigger sea creatures like turtles or dolphins, which happens a lot around the waters of Sharm El Sheikh, don’t chase them. Admire them from a distance and be respectful, you’re a guest in their “house”, not the other way around.

Never ever feed the fish. Over time, they become dependent on humans and forget how to feed themselves which has detrimental effects on the biological balance of the system.

The Best Sharm El Sheikh Snorkeling Spots

Now that we’ve established some ground rules and know how to be respectful visitors of the underwater world, let’s get to the fun part.

Where are the best snorkeling spots in and around Sharm El-Sheikh?

Snorkeling the Straits of Tiran

The straits of Tiran consist of 4 reefs and make for some of the most amazing snorkeling in the entire Red Sea.

They absolutely burst with life and have stunning coral gardens. You don’t even know where to look first.

Beware of the currents though, they can get quite strong. Always follow the instructions of your guides.

Gordon Reef:

Gordon Reef is the most southerly of the 4 reefs.

From the surface, you can see it easily because this is where the wreck of Lovilla sunk and you see parts of the remains.

Gordon Reef teems with hard and soft corals and rich fauna. Fire corals are common as well here though, so pay attention not to accidentally touch them.

Jackson Reef:

Similar to Gordon Reef, Jackson Reef is landmarked by a wreck - the cargo ship Lara which sunk here in 1985.

Jackson is one of the best dive sites in the entire world, and you will notice this instantly even if you’re just snorkeling.

It’s a fantastic site to spot pelagic predators (like white tip reef sharks and hammerheads) and majestic sea turtles. Like in all snorkeling sites of Tiran, be aware of strong currents and fire corals here as well.

Laguna Reef:

Laguna is the calmest and most sheltered place in the Straits of Tiran which is perfect if you’re a beginner snorkeler as the currents in the Red Sea can get quite rough sometimes.

It’s a great place for your boat to stop for lunch and admire the azure waters.

Expect to see colorful hard and soft corals as well as plenty of reef fish under the surface.

Sharm El-Sheikh: Snorkeling at Ras Nasrani

Unlike most other snorkeling spots, this site can be reached by land.

The long, beautiful beach about 10km north of Na’ama Bay is a perfect spot to spend the day and dip in the water every now and then.

You will see colonies of massive pore coral heads and Tridacna shells cluster in huge numbers here.

With plenty of reef fish around, you might also get lucky and spot some larger predators.

Take care of the currents which tend to flow in the direction of the headland where they often gather momentum.

Snorkeling at Far Garden

Located at the northernmost tip of a large bay where the Hyatt hotel is situated, this snorkeling spot is another great one to explore without having to go on an all-day boat trip.

Four large pinnacles just break the surface a few metres from the reef. The abundance of hard corals really earns this spot the name “garden”.

You will see no less than 30 species of hard and soft corals which attract huge schools of multicolored reef fish.

You might very well be completely surrounded by anthias, fusiliers, or sergeant majors at times.

Snorkeling at Near Garden

Between the Sofitel and the Hyatt hotel just north of Na’ama Bay lies Near Garden, one of the busiest sites for snorkelers.

There are often lots of glass-bottom boats which you should be careful to avoid.

Just a few minutes by boat and you arrive at this snorkeling spot which expects you with a myriad of hard and soft corals on the sandy bottom.

By the tip of the reef, you’ll find a series of 4 pinnacles running in a downwards sloping line that looks like an underwater ridge.

At Near Garden, you will encounter napoleonfish, trigger fish, butterfly fish and the occasional eagle ray. Look out for blue-spotted stingrays on the sandy plateu as well!

Snorkeling at Ras Umm Sid

Ras Umm Sid is the most famous local dive site in Sharm and a paradise for snorkelers like you as well.

It’s renowned for the extraordinary fan coral forest which only starts at around 15 meters, unfortunately, so you will have to admire those from pictures.

Or maybe it’s time to finally do your scuba diving course? :)

Either way, Ras Umm Sid will be more than enjoyable with just a mask and fins as well.

Expect to be blown away by the extremely vibrant reef. You’ll probably see big schools of butterfly fish close to the reef, and parrot fish, lionfish, moray eels, schools of anthias and some big Napoleon fish.

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Every once in a while you might even spot a shark. Most likely you get to see barracudas, snappers, and jacks, too.

Snorkeling at Ras Mohammed National Park

The national park of Ras Mohammed is extra-well taken care of environmentally and therefore offers some of the best Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling spots.

There are 3 sites within this stunning area that are great for you to explore while snorkeling:

Marsa Ghozlani:

This one is definitely a favorite site of snorkelers as it’s easy to moor up and well protected from rough sea conditions.

It’s also accessible by land from within the national park, a glorious beach lets you enter the magnificent underwater world here.

Marsa Ghozlani features a reef brimming with hard corals. Surgeonfish roam around the reef plateau leading to a gentle slope which descends to around 4-5 metres.

Ras Ghozlani:

The dive and snorkeling site of Ras Ghozlani is a predominantly sandy area with stunning coral heads, stingrays, torpedo rays and butterflyfish.

It’s rather rarely visited and therefore particularly interesting for both the excellently preserved madrepores and the rich reef fauna.

You may explore the external and internal sides of the cape. On the eastern side, you’ll see many large table corals and blue-spotted stingrays resting on the floor.

Jackfish Alley:

Jackfish Alley is famous for its underwater landscape brimming with life.

The name Jackfish Alley is owed to the sandy “road” at a depth of about 20 meters at the foot of the reef wall, where plenty of jackfish live.

You can snorkel just a few meters from the reef and explore the vibrant underwater scenery that includes a beautiful coral garden as well as plenty of spy reef fish and lionfish living in caves that come out to hunt in the afternoon.

You’ll also most likely see blue-spotted stingrays and, if you’re lucky, the occasional manta ray.

I hope my Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling guide was helpful for you.

If you are thinking about doing your scuba diving certification, you should also check out my scuba diving guide to Sharm El-Sheikh to find out which are the best dive sites in the area, what’s the best time to go scuba diving, dive centre recommendations, etc.

You should also do a day-trip to Dahab, a small Bedouin village that isn't as touristy as Sharm. It has a very unique flair and you can easily go snorkeling from the shore there.

Dahab has some amazing dive and snorkel sites, including the famous Blue Hole.

Pin your Sharm El-Sheikh Snorkeling Guide for later:

See Full, Original Article Here: Sharm El Sheikh: Snorkeling Guide

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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11 Best Cenotes in Tulum, Mexico

I have spent around 5 months in Mexico and that time lead to an incredible discovery – the best cenotes in Tulum!

As soon as I stepped foot into Mexico, I instantly became cenote-obsessed and went on a hunt to find the best and most incredible ones out there!

There are over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula that are basically sinkholes emerging from the bottom of the earth in the oceanic area.

This is the largest number of cenotes any place has historically known to hold - so, you can naturally imagine the beauty this place holds!

In all honesty, though, I could not have imagined it until I witnessed it myself in person.

11 Best Cenotes in Tulum

I'm listing the 11 Best Cenotes in Tulum for you to explore here (even those that are not mentioned in the top ten lists commonly found on Google).

Tulum is a Mayan city that also was part of Coba as its major port. It is a major tourist spot mainly due to its variety of incredible cenote attractions.

Among all the trips I've taken (55 countries and counting!), this particular one to Tulum and Mexico in general is among the Top 3.

Snorkeling is one of my favorite activities in Mexico and everywhere I travel, but experiencing those underwater caves is truly unique.

To share the magic I have experienced, I will try to convey my experiences in words and will also provide a few tips and tricks that I have learned during my time exploring cenotes in Mexico.

Here's exactly what I will cover:

The Best Cenotes in Tulum

The Best Cenotes near Tulum

The best organized tours for exploring Cenotes

Tips and what to pack to have the best experience

Best Cenotes for Scuba Diving

Best Cenotes for Snorkeling

Free Cenotes in Tulum

Please note: All prices mentioned are as of October 2019.

Although I've numbered the list, it doesn't mean that cenote #1 is the best cenote. They're all stunning in their own ways and all of them are more than worth visiting!

1. Cenote Calavera

Calavera in Española (Spanish) means skull. This is quite literally the case as Calavera has two eyes and a mouth-like opening, giving it the unique shape of a skull.

Calavera is basically a little cenote that lies 3 km outside of Tulum and the surface of the water starts at four meters below ground level.

This is an open invitation to divers, although because of its narrow holes, I was told to dive in the presence of an expert.

For folks afraid of diving headfirst into it, the cenote has a ladder you can use to climb down.

Calavera is still quite unpopular, so you won't find swarms of tourists there - also making it the perfect solo travel destination!

This also naturally translates into the ticket to this cenote being quite cheap at only 100 pesos.

2. Gran Cenote

Gran Cenote is definitely one of the best cenotes in Tulum and quite popular.

It lies five kilometers from Tulum and proudly boasts fresh, sparkling, crystal blue water.

One of the most amazing things about Gran Cenote is the abundance of super cute turtles and picturesque lilypads as you can see in this video:

TURTLE VIDEO

The entry fee is 180 pesos ($10).

This cenote is a haven for experienced scuba and free divers due to its incredible depths. It is also a pretty well-known spot, much like Dos Ojos.

To catch it in its serenity and wholesome beauty, it is best to visit the cenote either early in the morning or a little before closing time.

There are many organized tours you can be a part of if you don't want to explore Gran Cenote on your own.

After listing all of the stunning cenotes, I will give you an overview of the best tours to explore them.

Most of the cenotes you can barely see from outside, they're all quite hidden (as you can see in this photo) even though some of them are really big!

3. Cenote Corazon

https://www.inspirock.com/mexico/tulum/cenote-corazon-del-paraiso-a1529180591

Lying just 8 km away from Tulum, Cenote Corazon Del Paraiso earns its name due to the specific fashion in which it has ‘nature’ grown all around it.

Its title translates to “The Heart of Paradise” and you can surely see why in the image above.

The cenote is shaped in the form of a heart due to the multiple years that brought with it the erosion of soil and minerals.

The water temperature is fairly low and much lower than most cenotes, hence making it THE spot to be during the summers.

It used to be the ancient heart of the Mayan culture and is the main attraction in Tulum to date.

Plus the visit will cost you only 80 pesos ($4) – the cheapest you’ll find!

4. Carwash Cenote (Aktun Ha)

If you are particularly into exploring and working a little before earning your beautiful view, Cenote Aktun Ha, also known as Cenote Carwash, is the place you want to be.

Lying just 9 km from central Tulum, it earned its title because taxi drivers would often go there and wash their taxis while enjoying their break.

You would think that since it is easily accessible, it might be the place to avoid because of the tourist crowds.

Well, not really.

The underlying specialty of this cenote is that even though it is easily approachable, it is usually not overpopulated making it a prime destination for divers like myself.

The entrance ticket costs 195 pesos ($10) for individuals looking for a fun diving experience.

Way below the surface of the water, there lies a mystical “garden” at your dispense to explore.

It also contains underwater caves that are more than just extraordinary!

The water tends to get warm, though during the summers because of the algae on the surface so it's even more ideal to explore in the chillier months!

5. Casa Cenote

Situated 11 km from Tulum, this particular cenote has a cave system under the surface of the water that acts as a segue between the caves and the sea.

What is unique about this cenote is that it contains both sea and freshwater. This gives you a variety of fish to be surrounded by.

Casa is almost always tourist-packed due to the fact that it is basically a huge swimming pool and allows for indulgences such as snorkeling, diving, and scuba diving.

There I am, going for a little snorkeling session after diving Casa Cenote...

Scuba diving gives you a chance to linger around the main mangrove location and sometimes you can spot the exact location where the seawater meets freshwater.

The cost of the entrance is no more than 150 pesos ($7).

6. Cenote Labnaha

If you drive 15 minutes away from central Tulum (13 km), you will land in a place as beautiful as its name.

Cenote Labnaha is largely known as one of the top sinkholes in Tulum. What's so special here is that you can go zip-lining, how cool is that?

The beauty of the place is so surreal that it has limitations to the number of visitors per day – and it is quite costly as well (880 pesos/$45).

This helps reduce the tourist footprint in the region and also aids in the maintenance of the eco-system.

All sorts of activities such as diving and snorkeling are done in the presence of trained professionals.

The entrance fee of this cenote is relatively high, but this is only because the fee deposits go directly into helping wildlife such as trees and animals that are on the brink of extinction.

Labnaha also has an Eco Park called Magic Mayan World that caters to only small groups of people. More information here.

The Best Cenotes near Tulum:

7. Cenote Dos Ojos

When translated to English, the name of this cenote means “Two Eyes”.

Physically, this is because the cenote has two sinkholes on the surface that are conjoint by a passageway about 400 meters long.

However, I call it Dos Ojos because my two eyes were under a spell after witnessing its beauty.

Located 22 km north of Tulum, it ranks top on most people’s list of the best cenotes in Tulum and it does on mine, too.

The serenity shown in the picture can only be touched if you visit early. If you get there right after the opening time, you get a chance to enjoy Dos Ojos in its grand totality for a couple of moments.

However, thanks to the tales of its mesmerizing beauty, this cenote visit does not come as cheap as some others!

The ticket for this attraction costs $14 (around 200 pesos in local currency).

Furthermore, because of its popularity, it is very crowded all the time except a few minutes into the opening time, which is great if you do not mind having people around but not so much if you want to truly experience the tranquility of the cenote.

8. Cenote Nicte–Ha

Tourist crowds can sometimes spoil the fun and take the edge off the beauty of cenotes.

Unlike the case with some other cenotes, Nicte-Ha is a cenote secluded from the population because it falls away from the tourist trail.

It is located 22km north of Tulum and quite close to Dos Ojos Cenote, so if you go exploring by yourself, you can do both in one trip.

The cenote lies above ground, making it perfect for a quick swim by gorgeous trees and other plants.

A part of the cenote also has a rock-made appendage that you can climb through making your way to the other openings to get that real explorer-vibe going.

The entrance fee will cost you around 100 pesos ($5) – which is quite cheap.

9. Cenote El Pit

Originating in the jungle, El Pit is the darkest part of the Dos Ojos cenote.

Lying 25 km north of Tulum, this pit is one of the deepest in the area.

Its rocky, narrow and adventurous opening gives it an enticing look and gives birth to an experience of a lifetime.

The pit extends about 40 meters after its opening and gets dark enough for you to carry a torch on you for the rest of the trip down.

The best part is that you get the whole entrance fee off (140 pesos) if you visit it the same day as your visit to the Dos Ojos cenote.

10. Cenote Ponderosa

Popularly known as Cenote Jardin del Eden, this cenote lies in Quintana Roo, 40 km from Tulum.

It has a terrace right above it so you can enjoy the view if you prefer not to take a dip.

This particular cenote is often referred to as an open swimming pool because of its crystal clear waters.

The visit will cost you around 120 pesos ($6), but you’ll get to experience all kinds of marine life species the cenote is home to such as the motmots, eels, turtles, and fish.

These creatures will eat the dead skin off your feet while you enjoy a quick dip into its warm clear waters.

So, all in all, you get to experience the mysterious beauty of nature first-hand along with state-of-the-art pedicure therapy.

What’s not to love here?

11. Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is gigantic enough for you to spend an entire day there exploring its mystique beauty and splendor.

Since it is quite shallow in most places, it is perfect for a day out with the family.

Way inside of the cenote (15 feet away), there is a deep cliff jump that makes exploring even more fun; giving you an opportunity for a bone-chilling cliff diving experience.

The entry fee is 137 pesos ($7) for adults.

The opulent greens in the form of vegetation make you feel like you have left civilization miles away although it is only a 50-minute drive (63 km) from Tulum.

Best Organized Tours to Tulum's Cenotes

If you don't want to explore the cenotes on your own (some can be a bit hard to find as they're quite hidden), these tours make it super easy for you to discover the highlights of Tulum's Cenotes:

4 cenote-tour starting in Tulum: This tour from Tulum takes you on a fun journey across 4 different cenotes where you can snorkel your heart out and explore the beautiful marine life as well as enjoy a traditional Mayan meal. Starting at $156.

Bike Tour of secluded cenotes and caves from Tulum: Far away from the crowds, this bike tour starts in town and takes you to the hidden cenotes, caves, and caverns of the outskirts of Tulum. Prices start from $90.

Scuba Diving Cenote Intro Course from Tulum: If you'd like to explore more of a cenote than just looking down from the surface while snorkeling, this experience will introduce you to scuba diving in just a day. Experience the sparkling light in an open lagoon surrounded by mangroves - you won't ever forget this day, promise! Price starts at $160.

Cenote, Ruins and Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tour from Cancun or Playa Del Carmen: During this day-tour you will not only explore the rock formations of Cenote Hilarios but also snorkel the reef of the Riviera Maya and explore the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Tulum. Starting from $64.

Tulum Ruins and Dos Ojos Cenote: This 5-hour guided tour starts from either Cancun, Playa Del Carmen or Downtown Tulum, wherever your hotel is. It's a great combination of exploring the ancient ruins and then cooling off in the famous Dos Ojos Cenote I mentioned above. It's a total steal starting at only $45.

Turtle Snorkeling and Cenote Exploring: Join this tour and you will get the chance to snorkel with sea turtles along the Great Mayan Reef, right in front of the Mayan ruins of Tulum. Your guides will explain more about the turtles and diverse marine life as well as the cenote system and then take you to two cenotes to explore. Starts at $88.

Tips for Visiting the Tulum Cenotes

For cenotes that lie right inside Tulum, I advise you to go very early at opening time or late around closing time.

This is where you will be able to enjoy and make the most of your visit because most tourists have either not arrived yet or already left the location.

Carry eco-friendly sunscreen. This is usually a mineral-based, biodegradable sunscreen that is not harmful to the natural environment. I recommend to bring this wherever you go in order not to destroy the corals and eco-system, but in the Cenotes of Tulum, it is officially required. I love this, great job Mexico!

Bring a towel. And then another towel. Preferably both made out of microfiber material because of their compact and quick-dry features.

Wear water-resistant shoes for cave cenotes and water-resistant shoes/sandals for water cenotes. I have a personal recommendation for you in my snorkeling equipment list below this article.

Don’t forget to pack a waterproof head torch! It can get quite dark in the underwater caves, as you can imagine.

I also always bring my own snorkeling equipment and recommend you do the same for several reasons: it's more hygienic, it saves you money, and you won't have to worry about masks and fins that don't fit, get foggy, etc.

The snorkel equipment I usually use is listed below this article.

Scuba Diving Cenotes in Tulum

If you are like me and love to scuba dive every chance you get, you should do your homework before you plan your trip.

Lots of good diving cenotes lie right outside or on the outskirts of Tulum that are not jam-packed with tourists.

This helps you avoid accidents and explore freely at your will.

Here is my list of the best diving cenotes in Tulum:

1. OxBel Ha

2. Nohoch Nah Chich

3. Dos Ojos

4. Gran Cenote

5. Angelita

Snorkeling Cenotes in Tulum

If you prefer to indulge in a less intense sport than scuba diving, then snorkeling is your best bet! Snorkeling in Mexico is a fantastic experience anyways, but cenotes are really out of this world.

There are certain restricted cenote spots that allow snorkeling. This is to reduce crowding in order that you may enjoy the glorious marine life below.

Snorkeling is done where lots of marine life swims close to the surface of the water, and a large amount of tourists is bound to disturb the natural habitat of the species.

Hence it is seen that fewer people are around during snorkeling activities.

Below is a list of the best snorkeling cenotes in Tulum that I thought would help you snorkeling fans out there:

Casa Cenote

Garden of Eden

Dos Ojos

There are fun tours that actually take you snorkeling into the underground caves of Tulum like the ones I mentioned above in the organized tours section.

Free Cenotes in Tulum

If you don’t intend to spill out any cash, you can still fulfill your cenote-obsession by checking out a free cenote in Tulum.

Just go ahead and visit the free Tulum cenote at Clan-Destino Cenote Bar.

Here, all you have to do is buy something from the bar and help yourself to a COMPLETELY free-of-cost fun exploration.

It is a 24/7 bar that helps you cool off the Mexican heat and lets you enjoy in a nature-given swimming pool all the while doing so.

Cenote Arco Maya also gives you this free of cost facility.

It is a non-commercialized cenote and is placed right at the heart of Tulum.

This cenote is well hidden, so it is not always crowded but nonetheless, is easy to find.

It is a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset, swimming in peace and meeting with locals.

Pin this guide to the best cenotes in Tulum for later:

I also have an overview of the best snorkeling spots in Mexico and the best places for snorkeling in the Bahamas.

Article Source Here: 11 Best Cenotes in Tulum, Mexico

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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The Best Dive Watches Under $300

Looking for the best dive watches under $300 to accompany you in the dark depths of the vast ocean? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Dive watches are one of the most versatile and durable types of sports watches.

Since they were first introduced at the turn of the 20th century, dive watches have come a long way in terms of durability, reliability, and style, and now serve utilitarian purposes as well.

In case you’re new to the concept of dive watches, here’s a brief crash course for you.

For dive watches to be able to survive underwater, they have to be water and corrosion-resistant. Moreover, they should have a unidirectional bezel and luminous markers to allow you to see the time in the dark depths of the sea.

If you’re looking for the best inexpensive dive watch that meets your needs without breaking the bank, then this article is just for you.

If you do have more cash to spend, I also have an overview of the best dive watches under $1000 and the best dive computers for beginners that are mostly under $300 as well.

[mv_create key="13" type="list" title="Best Men’s Dive Watches Under $300" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/617pfLwPt8L._UY550_.jpg" layout="hero"]

[mv_create key="15" type="list" title="Best Women’s Dive Watches Under $300" thumbnail="" layout="hero"]

Best Diver Watch Under 300 - Sealing the Deal!

I hope that my review of these best cheap dive watches has helped you in making your final decision.

You should know by now that having a limited budget should in no way stop you from getting a dive watch that meets your needs and expectations.

The market for dive watches has expanded a great deal now, with a wide variety of watches available at every price level so that you no longer have to sacrifice an arm and a leg to get a reliable, handsome timepiece for your aquatic adventures.

So which one is the best dive watch under 300 for YOU?

Still not sure? No worries, for I’ve summed up the results of our extensive research as simply as I could in the following section:

Best Inexpensive Dive Watch: Invicta Men's 8926OB Pro Diver Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Link Bracelet ($84)

Best Entry-Level Dive Watch: Seiko Divers Automatic Deep Blue Dial Men's Watch SKX009K1 ($228.90)

Best Durable Dive Watch: Luminox Men's 3001 Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch ($300)

Best Women’s Dive Watch: Momentum Men and Women's Quartz Watch M1 Splash ($155)

Best Overall: Citizen Watches Men's BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver ($159.99)

This Post Was Originally Published Here: The Best Dive Watches Under $300

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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The Best Dive Watches Under $1000

Are you a diving enthusiast looking for the best dive watch under $1000? Well, you’d be surprised to know that according to the explorer Don Walsh,

“More people have walked on the moon than have been to the deepest place in the ocean”.

This statement alone tells us how only a few of us are interested in exploring the seas and oceans of the world.

This is why it can be extremely difficult for divers to find the right equipment that would make your diving experience even better.

Inarguably, one of the most important diving-related equipment is a dive watch.

For those who don’t know, diving watches are watches designed specifically for underwater diving.

What makes these watches unique is their resistance to water, which is at least 1.0MPa (10 atm), the equivalent of 330ft.

According to Forbes, these are the top 7 dive watch brands:

Carl F. Bucherer

Reservoir

Omega

Panerai Luminor Submersible

Breitling

IWC

Nomos

However, not everyone can afford a watch priced over $10,000 (I sure as hell can't!) - which is why I have made a list of the best dive watches under $1000.

If you don't want to spend hours and hours searching for the best dive watch under $1,000, then this list is for you!

[mv_create key="9" type="list" title="Best Men’s Dive Watches Under $1000" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/61fVrA5pJeL._UX522_.jpg" layout="hero"]

[mv_create key="10" type="list" title="Best Women’s Dive Watch Under $1000" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/614vZ1Ow7RL._UX342_.jpg" layout="hero"]

Best Dive Watches Under 1000 - Sealing the Deal!

The top rated dive watches given above alongside their feedbacks will make it easier for you to pick out your desired watch without burning a huge hole in your pocket.

Of course, given the fast-paced world today and the need for innovation, it is up to the discretion of the user to choose a reliable model in order to get the best diving experience possible!

It is said that no other watch ages better than that of a diver.

This is also said to be the reason that hand-me-down submarine timepieces are valued much higher than those just out of a manufacturing factory.

And such pieces keep increasing in value over time, so a dive watch is actually a great investment.

Summary: Which Dive Watch Under 1000 Is Best For Your Purpose?

According to my observation and research, I have come to a certain conclusion about every watch.

The Victorinox Pro Diver is best suitable for people looking for an average-priced, premium, lasting quality item (and those who do not mind a little bit of bulk on their wrist).

Besides its functional appeal, it also looks aesthetically pleasing given the intricate choice of its colors. Standing at $750/piece, Victorinox Pro Diver is definitely a steal!

The Marathon WW194007, with its heavy government specifications, seems like the piece you would want if you want ruggedness alongside reliability.

No matter where you are, this timepiece will let you know the time with the help of its illuminating gas tube technology.

Priced at $900, its long-lasting battery life ensures you have one less gadget to worry about, with our smartphones and tablets constantly demanding attention.

The Garmin Decent priced at almost $1,000 is by far the most expensive piece but also one that seemed to be somewhat technical.

However, its incredible redeeming factors that include memory capabilities, a colored display, and superior GPS navigation facilities seem to trump everything else!

The Hamilton Khaki Navy H82335131 stands at $498 and seems like an interesting choice with its 40 mm diameter and 100 m water resistance.

It’s classy design and chunky frame makes it ideal for divers that are not willing to compromise on the design or the functionality!

The Marathon WW194026 seems to be the center of attention for this article. With a nominal retail price of just $850, it offers a whole wide range of possibilities for its customers.

The luminescent time-telling feature, as well as its ruggedness, may well leave you in awe.

If you are someone who likes watches that look heavy duty but are light on the wrist, this timepiece and you are definitely a match made in heaven!

This Post Was Originally Published Here: The Best Dive Watches Under $1000

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Best Dive Computer for Beginners (Suunto, Mares & Aqualung Review)

Have you just started scuba diving and now you’re ready to buy some of your own equipment?

“What’s the best dive computer for beginners?”, you may ask yourself.

This is an important question because it’s probably the biggest purchase you make at the beginning of your diving adventures.

Even if you’re not a beginner, if you only go scuba diving a few times a year, it doesn’t make sense to spend a fortune on something you don’t use much.

Dive computers are an essential piece of kit for safe, responsible and, of course, fun scuba diving.

They can vary in size, shape, colors, durability and quite literally everything under the sun. But it can be hard to know which one to buy.

Most purchasing guides you will find online are written by people who aren’t even scuba divers, they’re only comparing features but haven’t used them.

Not this guide. This one is actually a collaboration post.

I had a few of my friends who are divemasters and/or instructors put together their experiences with their dive computers to create a guide for you of our opinions of the top rated dive computers!

Let’s dive right in and take a look at the Suunto D4i, Mares Smart, and Aqualung i200:

[mv_create key="7" type="list" title="Best Dive Computer for Beginners" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/619sMnBlxzL._SX679_.jpg" layout="hero"]

Best Scuba Dive Computer (Value for Money): Mares Smart

So which scuba dive computer should you choose as a beginner?

Let’s take into account: affordability, functionality, and appearance.

For this reason, I would have to say the best scuba dive computer is the Mares Smart.

The price point of $349 is not too high, whilst it operates very well with all the metrics you would need as a beginner as well as for more advanced divers.

It allows for use as a normal everyday watch, with a few color variations, features such as a calendar and a stopwatch- including an alarm to wake up for your diving day.

The simplicity of this computer really tops is one of the best dive computers for beginners.

Also, it's available in all kinds of colors so there's for sure a design you will love.

Best Budget Dive Computer: Aqualung i200

Without a doubt, the stand-out of this category is the Aqualung i200 Dive Computer.

It’s leading the best affordable dive computer rating but, at the same time, does not lack essential functions for new divers, and has a few more details for the advanced.

This computer actual won SCUBALAB’s “Best Buy” award in 2017, and I can absolutely see why.

Three computers, three prices, three brands. There we have it, some of the top rated dive computers on the market at the moment.

Hopefully, this detailed guide has helped you to find out a little more about the right diving computer for you.

Best Dive Computers for Beginners - Pin for later:

[mv_create key="3" type="list" title="Recommended Products for Scuba Diving in the Red Sea" thumbnail="https://alittlenomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1564663220689-1412546143.jpg" layout="circles"]

Article Source Here: Best Dive Computer for Beginners (Suunto, Mares & Aqualung Review)

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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El Gouna Diving – Guide for Scuba Fans

The resort town of El Gouna, 20 kilometers north of Hurghada, was only opened in 1989 (my birth year!), but has managed to become one of the most fascinating places in Egypt - and the scuba diving around El Gouna is breathtaking.

It’s kind of like a mix between Venice and St. Tropez, there are more yachts than cars here and more water canals than streets.

If you’ve been nervous about coming to Egypt, El Gouna is a great start. It’s meticulously clean, quiet and hassle-free.

Besides 3 marinas, plenty of hotels, golf courses, boutiques, and delicious international cuisine, you can also enjoy an amazing time underwater.

Since El Gouna is purpose-built and consists of several artificial lagoons, there is no reef along the beaches of the town itself. By boat, you can reach some fantastic dive sites in the Northern Red Sea though.

El Gouna shares many sites to the south with its neighbor Hurghada including the beautiful horseshoe-shaped reef of Sha’ab El Erg with its spectacular coral gardens and Careless Reef.

From banks to first-class medical facilities, night clubs and restaurants to countless fun activities on land - everyone will find everything they need for a great vacation, whether you’re a diver or not.

That makes it especially easy when you as a diver go on vacation with non-divers, unlike in some other parts of the world. There’s plenty of stunning nature and diverse activities for everyone.

All the dive sites in El Gouna are only accessible by boat, as opposed to Dahab e.g., where you’ll go mostly on shore dives. You can find my scuba diving guides to Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab here.

The good thing about diving in El Gouna is that no matter how much experience you have, there is a variety of dive sites suitable for all levels, from beginners to expert divers.

Note, however, that all sites are weather dependent, especially Abu Nuhas.

Ideally, you have a few days time to make sure you’re able to dive all the best dive sites here even when the weather conditions change some plans.

The dive centers usually pick you up from your hotel around 8 am, depending on how close the dive sites you’re going to explore are to the shore.

The boat trip generally includes lunch after the second dive, and some operators offer snacks like fruit or cake in between dives.

If there are non-divers with you, they can join and just snorkel (at least on most trips, please ask before) and enjoy their time on the sea.

Did you know that so far, more than 400 species of coral have been recorded? And that 20% of the fish population in the Red Sea can not be found anywhere else in the world?

In this guide, I will first give you an overview of the best dive sites in El Gouna. After, you’ll get some more helpful tips regarding the best time to go diving in El Gouna and my recommendation for a safe dive centre.

I have to say, I was really pleasantly surprised by the quality of the diving here. I’d just come back from many days of diving in Sharm El-Sheikh as well as a one-week liveaboard from Hurghada to Marsa Alam, covering all the best dive sites of the Red Sea.

Therefore, I wasn’t expecting too much, but I’m so happy I went and got to see dolphins and had lots of other stunning underwater encounters. El Gouna is a great place to go scuba diving!

Below, I’ve listed the 5 best dive sites around El Gouna, in no particular order. It always depends on what type of diving you prefer.

I’ve asked plenty of experienced and local divers and these names are the ones that always pop up.

The 5 Best Dive Sites in El Gouna

Abu Nuhas

About 2 hours cruising time from El Gouna lies the reef of Abu Nuhas. The Arabic name means "the father of bad luck", and stems from the no less than 7 ships that have hit this reef over the years.

It’s located to the north of Shaidwan Island, close to the Suez canal and usually partially submerged which makes it dangerous for shipping.

The two wrecks Carnatic and Ghiannis D. are the most interesting ones for divers:

The Carnatic is a 90-meter (295 foot) steamer that sunk in 1869. It’s known as the "wine ship" because it carried port wine that you can still see today, sealed with corks. The wreck is broken in two pieces and lies between 16 and 24 meters (50 and 80 feet). Since currents can be strong and stirring up the sand causing low visibility, it’s best to dive the Carnatic in the morning.

The Ghiannis D. is a large, modern freighter with its deepest point at 28 meters (90 feet). It’s very interesting to explore the inside of the stern with its command bridge, residential quarters and engine room. Groupers made the central part of this wreck their home and others, like eagle rays, snappers and sharks frequently pass by.

Siyul Kebira Island (Big Siyul)

Marked by a solar-powered lighthouse, this island can be reached from El Gouna in 1.5 hours and from Hurghada in 2 hours.

It’s one of the most beautiful and least crowded dives in this area and especially suitable for beginners.

You’ll find a lagoon off the southern side that is no deeper than 25 meters (80 feet) and has a reflective coral floor.

Thanks to a lot of light, the corals are very healthy and attract a huge variety of fish: angelfish, red anthias, butterflyfish and lots of others find shelter under the magnificent acropora formations.

Turtles, giant pufferfish, lionfish, giant morays and huge schools of glass fish can often be seen here. Frequently, you’ll also spot sharks dwelling on the bottom.

Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House)

The more than 5 kilometer long reef of Shaab El Erg is horseshoe shaped and lies directly east of El Gouna.

It’s become famous because large numbers of bottlenose dolphins use this location as a shelter and most of the time you will meet them.

Besides Marsa Alam, here is actually your best chance in the Red Sea to see them in the wild. I did see them the day I went, it was amazing!

At Shaab El Erg you can also often spot turtles, crocodile fish, rays, scorpion fish, napoleons and large schools of goat fish. The corals are very colorful, too.

I was pleasantly surprised to find not only dolphins, but also so many cute tiny sea creatures like nudibranchs, and, my new favorites: christmas trees. Those are worms that come in lots of different colors and just look incredibly beautiful.

Dolphin House is just one of about 7 common dives here, but understandably the most popular one. Poseidon Garden is another option, here you’ll find lots of clams of all sorts in the huge table and brain corals.

A big number of pufferfish likes it here, too, as well as schools of butterfly fish and bannerfish.

When it’s manta season, your best chance to see them is at Manta Point. You may also get lucky and spot a reef shark. Moray Eels and turtles are common inhabitants here.

Umm Gamar Island

Umm Gamar is one of the most popular dive sites in the Hurghada archipelago. It translates to “The Mother of the Moon” because this small island is crescent-shaped when you view it from above.

The sea bed can be up to 100 meters down. Dives are made on a slope that gently drops from 15 meters (50 feet) to 75 meters (250 feet).

At this dive site you have a good chance to spot free-swimming moray eels during daytime. You may also encounter large tunas, great barracudas and sometimes an eagle ray.

Umm Gamar is also the kingdom of poisonous fish like scorpionfish, lionfish, turkeyfish and stonefish.

Always pay attention to your surroundings, try not to brush up against anything and maybe even wear gloves.

Just 5 minutes from here lies Shabrur Umm Gamar which is a great dive site for beginners.

Careless Reef

Careless Reef is the most famous coral reef in the area and the furthest dive site south of El Gouna.

It lies unprotected in the open sea which means that, especially during bad weather conditions, it can be a challenging dive and not necessarily suitable for beginners.

Careless Reef is made up of 2 large pinnacles standing on a plateau that drops off on all sides. While the seabed is no deeper than 15 - 16 meters (50 - 55 feet) between the two coral towers where your boat moors, it suddenly drops 60 meters (230 feet) to the east.

This wall is full of caverns which are the home of lionfish and glassfish. You will see all sorts of marine life at Careless Reef.

Plenty of small coral fish like angelfish and grunts swim between multicolored soft corals, red fire corals, and umbrella acropora.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot a gray shark or whitetip reef shark close to the deep cliff.

What you will definitely see are moray eels swimming fully extended around the reef, the huge creatures are one of the main attractions of the Careless Reef dive site.

Best Season For Diving in El Gouna

The climate in El Gouna is cool in winter (20°C / 68°F) and hot in summer (40°C / 104°F). Water temperatures reach up to 30°C in summer and go down to 20°C in winter.

Below you’ll find a table with air and water temperatures for every month:

WATER AND AIR TEMPERATURES

MONTH AIR TEMPERATURE IN °C SEA TEMPERATURE IN °C January 21-22 20-22 February 21-22 20-22 March 21-24 21-23 April 25-27 23-24 May 27-31 25 June 32-36 25 July 36-38 25-27 August 38-40 26-27 September 29-33 27 October 29-30 24-26 November 25 23-25 December 22 21-23

Generally, I’d say that May to October is the best time to go diving in El Gouna. There’s usually more marine life in summer, including big animals.

A 5mm wetsuit with a hood is best from the middle of November to the end of March. For the rest of the year, a 3mm wetsuit is sufficient.

Recommendations for Dive Centres

I usually travel solo and I’ve made a few bad experiences, so I know how important it is to find a trustworthy dive center where you do not have to deal with security concerns and, as a woman, harassment.

Unfortunately, though it’s not dangerous, sexual harassment is quite common in Egypt and can be really frustrating.

El Gouna is probably the place in Egypt where harassment occurs the least, it’s a bit like a European town and very relaxed.

Nevertheless, finding a good dive center isn’t always easy.

To do my research for this Diving Guide to El Gouna, the team of Emperor Divers sponsored my dives for this trip.

I've heard good things about Emperor Divers before and now that I've been diving with them myself, I can honestly confirm that everything is super organized, professional and safe.

If you're coming to El Gouna and want to explore the underwater world, you'll be in good hands with them!⠀

El Gouna Scuba Diving Guide - Pin for later:

Originally Published Here: El Gouna Diving – Guide for Scuba Fans

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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7 Essential Morocco Travel Tips You Have To Know Before Going

Why am I calling them Essential Morocco Travel Tips? Because Morocco is not an easy country to travel independently and it can quickly turn into a very stressful trip if you don't know some things before.

I'm an avid traveler, I've been to 55 countries, mostly by myself, but Morocco was challenging. I actually left the country two weeks before my flight was scheduled because I felt very uncomfortable. And I'm based in Egypt, so I'm used to some hassle, but this was next level.

[caption id="attachment_3881" align="aligncenter" width="776"] Jumping into the unknown in Morocco[/caption]

I guess my expectations were completely off, which is why I want to give you some tips before you actually get to Morocco. They'll help make your trip more enjoyable and less stressful.

That being said, the architecture and nature in Morocco are stunning, it's definitely worth a visit even though there's a lot of things I didn't like. You can get some inspiration in my photo diary of Morocco. If you're planning on doing a road trip in Morocco, I also have lots of helpful tips in this article. Let's get started!

7 Essential Morocco Travel Tips You Have To Know Before Going:

1. Be aware of scams

Tourist scams are common in many countries, and the same goes for Morocco. Whether it’s corrupt cops trying to charge you for driving misbehavior you have or have not committed, or people offering you help to find your way in the medinas. First Morocco travel tip: Don’t trust anyone, they’re out for your money and nothing else.

During all my years of traveling, I’ve never experienced as many scammers as I have in Marrakech. It makes you disappointed in humanity, seriously. Make sure you read up on the most common scams beforehand in order to avoid the drama.

2. Be prepared for hassle

Morocco is not a country that can be traveled hassle-free on a budget. If you want a relaxing vacation, be prepared to spend some money on private transportation and good hotels (you can get amazing ones starting from $100) or a fully organized tour.

This ensures you will not be hassled by bus/taxi drivers and hotel staff as well as people lurking around your riad/guest house. Especially in the medinas and around bus stations or popular tourist spots, everyone will try to offer you something and rip you off.

3. Book tours & hotels before you arrive on-site

You don’t have to book everything before you even arrive at the airport, but I do recommend booking a hotel before you arrive in a new city instead of looking for one when you get there. It’s hard to navigate there without a plan. The souks are confusing and people will ask you for money showing you the way, and in remote places everything is spread quite far so it’s hard to just scout hotels on-site.

Most regular tourists probably do this anyway, but for me as a long-term traveler or for backpackers it’s not standard. The same goes for tours like the Sahara desert tour. Once you arrive in Merzouga, the town where the tours start from, you will be stopped by dozens of people trying to sell you tours aggressively.

4. The food is really bad

One of my biggest misconceptions about Morocco was the taste of the local cuisine. I was so excited to try the famous tajines and couscous dishes, especially as a vegetarian. Oh boy, was I wrong! There was not a single tajine that I liked, and I wasn’t the only one having that problem.

Pretty much everyone I met, vegetarian or meat-eater, was extremely disappointed by the lack of flavor. Yes, the meat is well cooked, but while the markets are full of colorful spices, restaurants don’t seem to use any of them for cooking. Hard to believe, but the Moroccan cuisine was one of the bluntest I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried A LOT.

There are, of course, some good restaurants in the big cities, but you do have to spend money to get anything tasty (price level is comparable with good European restaurants). There’s also hardly any street food. So one of my Morocco Travel Tips is to have low expectations about the food and prepare to splurge a bit if you want a tasty dinner.

5. English is not widely understood

Brush up on your language skills, ladies and gentleman! It is definitely not easy to get around with English (unless you’re in a fancy hotel), so you better download a good translation app or practice your French.

I was really surprised to find out that you can actually get around with Spanish very well too, especially south of Marrakech (Atlas Mountains & Sahara Desert). I’d been living in Egypt for almost two years at that point so I usually understand at least a bit of Arabic as well, but it’s completely different than the Arabic in the Middle East.

6. Get a local SIM card

...and if it’s just for the sole reason of being able to use a translation app. I bought a Telecom sim card and had much better service all over the country than my friend who bought his Orange sim card at the airport. The price was 200 DH for 20GB (roughly 10 DH per GB), only the sim card is usually like 30 DH.

7. You can’t exchange Moroccan money anywhere else in the world.

Seriously. Whatever money you still have left at the end of your trip, exchange it at the airport as this is your last chance - I wish I had known this Morocco travel tip because I still have like 200€ in Dirhams lying around at home. Unless you want to come back soon, it doesn’t make any sense to keep it even when the exchange rate isn’t good at the airport.

Original Post Here: 7 Essential Morocco Travel Tips You Have To Know Before Going

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Hiking in Tuscany – What To Expect

Hiking in Tuscany presents you with a glorious dilemma: which stunning area will you explore first? Within its 23,000 square kilometers, this diverse Italian vacationland features everything that makes a hiker's heart beat faster.

In the north, you'll find a nearly unspoiled, rugged alpine region; in the south, the spectacular island of Elba. In between, the numerous well-developed and documented hiking trails in Tuscany lead you through idyllic cypress groves and fertile wine-growing areas.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Florence offers amazing walks[/caption]

Along the way, you'll feast on culinary delicacies of Mediterranean cuisine, and you'll learn a bit about the culture of central Italy, steeped in tradition.

Hikes in Tuscany offer amazing variety

The classic image of Tuscany – olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards – can mainly be found between Florence and Siena, in the so-called Chianti area. But hikes in Tuscany take you through even more varied types of scenery. You can meander across fields of grain and sunflowers, roam through medieval villages and explore Etruscan caves.

One thing's for sure: you won't run out of diverse scenes to photograph. Steep marble mountains in the Apuan Alps await you, as do rolling hills in the Crete Senesi and coastal or alpine tours on Elba. There's something for every taste along the hiking trails of Tuscany.

Hiker's Paradise in Tuscany: The Island of Elba

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stunning Elba Island in Tuscany - perfect for hiking adventures[/caption]

Hiking in Tuscany is not restricted to the mainland alone. The island of Elba, the scene of Napoleon's exile, is an awesome addition to Tuscany's hiking areas... and a highlight in itself. It offers avid hikers stunning sea views from its jagged coastline, gaily colored flora and fauna and picturesque hills. In the summer, you can refresh yourself in the waters of the beautiful coves, recharging your batteries.

The Best Season for Hikes in Tuscany

The ideal months for your hiking vacation are May and June, but not just because of the pleasant temperatures. The landscape breaks out in marvelous colors; orchids, gorse, maquis, and poppies are all at their best. There are even many sunny days in winter, making the evergreen-covered hilly areas glisten.

What's more, temperatures don't get low enough to make walking tours in Tuscany too challenging. It's only in July and August when temperatures can rise above 30° C, that most visitors prefer a trip to the beach over a hiking vacation in this region.

The Prettiest Hiking Trails in Tuscany

In Tuscany, both beginners and experienced hikers will find routes to suit them. If you want to go hiking with children in Tuscany, your best choice is one of the many idyllic hiking routes in the Chianti area.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Typical scenery in Chianti, Tuscany[/caption]

If you're looking for a bigger challenge, you'll find it in the Apuan Alps, or by climbing Mount Capanne, the tallest mountain on the island of Elba. If you accept those challenges, just be sure to bring sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing.

Multi-day long-distance hikes are especially lovely. You can cross the entire region, from Florence to Pitigliano, in 14 days. There are also many long-distance hiking trails and pilgrimage routes throughout the region, like St. Francis's Way.

Hiking trails in Tuscany vary greatly depending on your altitude and distance from the sea, but they lead you through beautiful landscapes and nature reserves... places that will transform your hiking vacation into a very special experience.

More information about Tuscany: https://www.visittuscany.com/en/

More Hiking Guides & Inspiration:

Hiking in Bavaria

Hiking in Zurich

Hiking in the UK

Hiking in Iceland

Climbing Mount Sinai in Egypt

Original Article Published Here: Hiking in Tuscany – What To Expect

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Hiking in Bavaria – Stunning Beauty Awaits You!

Hiking in Bavaria is everything you could wish for. Whether it be the lower mountains, the alpine uplands or the Bavarian Alps, each region has its own special charm. Just imagine your tour here: The deep valleys and the lofty summits... inhaling the scent of alpine herbs... listening to the clanking of cowbells.

More than 40,000 kilometers of hiking trails in Bavaria are waiting for you to explore them. Here you'll experience nature in all its diversity while exploring some of Germany's loveliest natural treasures on your own two feet.

[caption id="attachment_4392" align="aligncenter" width="723"] Magnificent Eibsee in Bavaria[/caption]

From adventure-filled alpine tours on the Zugspitze to idyllic lakeside paths on the Chiemsee to the Bavarian Forest National Park – in Bavaria, there's a tour for every hiker. With spectacular vistas as far as the eye can see, memories of Bavaria will endure for a long time.

Hiking in Bavaria offers something for everyone

Germany's most popular vacationland has a lot to offer. The region leaves nothing to be desired, especially for hikers. And no one is left out; you'll find hiking with children in Bavaria just as possible as summit-storming adventures. There are hiking tours for every age and experience-level; everyone gets his money’s worth, from unhurried alpine strolls to multi-day hiking tours or an arduous ascent up the tallest alpine peak.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria[/caption]

You can spend the night in a small, family-run inn or in a spa hotel, whichever you prefer. Little kids find a vacation on a farm particularly exciting. Many hosts are also delighted to welcome four-legged visitors, so you can even go hiking with a dog in Bavaria.

Man's best friend (on a leash, of course) is a welcome guest in most national parks. Yes, Bavaria will extend a truly hearty welcome to your entire family. And 40,000 kilometers of marked trails? That’s as long as a trip around the equator. What more could you ask for?

Discover Bavaria's beautiful nature

Bavaria is especially famous for its beautiful alpine regions and is home to Germany's highest mountain. But even if you're not yet ready to scale the nearly 3,000-meter-high Zugspitze, you will still be able to savor the most impressive landscapes everywhere you look.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peak of Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain[/caption]

Casual hikers will feel right at home in the Bavarian Forest, or in the Rhön and Fichtel Mountains. Old palaces and castles in the middle of secluded forests, like Neuschwanstein Castle, radiate a romantic aura. Peaceful pathways surround the many lakes in the alpine foothills, perfect for strolling... and every now and then, you can jump into the crystal-clear water to cool off.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Tegernsee in Bavaria[/caption]

Excursions to the Tegernsee, Chiemsee or Starnberger See are especially popular with kids. You can experience idyllic tours along the gorgeous Danube, Main and Isar rivers, too, admiring the prettiest of panoramas. Your hikes in Bavaria will take you through scenes that abound in variety. Indeed, the hardest part is choosing a region. But you can always return... the good-natured locals will be happy to have you.

Hikes in Bavaria are beautiful all year

Hiking in Bavaria - it brings to mind majestic alpine panoramas and mountain lakes that sparkle in the sunshine. Romantic hikes in the snow and dense forests. In the summer, beer gardens, shaded from the sun... in the winter, hearty home cooking.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bavarian Home with a view - and delicious food for hungry hikers![/caption]

Alpine challenges and low paths through mountain meadows. Bavaria’s hiking trails will quickly cast their spell on you, carrying you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making you stop and marvel at the most mesmerizing views. What are you waiting for? Get your hiking boots on and come to Bavaria!

More information on Bavaria: https://www.bavaria.by/

More Hiking Guides & Inspiration:

Hiking in Tuscany

Hiking in Zurich

Hiking in the UK

Hiking in Iceland

Climbing Mount Sinai in Egypt

This Post Was Originally Published Here: Hiking in Bavaria – Stunning Beauty Awaits You!

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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Climbing Mount Sinai Peak – Everything You Need To Know Before

Climbing Mount Sinai Peak (2285-metre / 7,497 ft.) is one of those experiences that are on many people's bucket list - for a reason! The biblical Mount Sinai is one of the most important sacred places in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions because it is the place where a covenant between God and His people was established.

All these religions have in common that they believe the biblical Mount Sinai was the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, which is why Mount Sinai is also referred to as Mount Moses. The locals call it Jebel Musa in Arabic. I'm using these words interchangeably throughout this article, they all describe the same mountain.

Besides the Old Testament, it is also mentioned in the Quran, where “God prefaces a statement on the creation of Mankind by swearing to four sacred symbols: "by the Fig and the Olive, and the Mount of Sinai (at-Tur), and this City of security (Mecca)"(Sura 95:1-3)

Don't confuse Mount Sinai with Mount Catherine though, which is the highest mountain in Egypt. On the peak of Mount Sinai, there is a Greek Orthodox Chapel (closed) and an open mosque, so if you're a practicing Muslim, this will be one of your most memorable prayer locations for sure.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] The peak of Mount Sinai during sunrise[/caption]

Even when you're not religious, it's an incredible experience and you will feel the special energy in this place. It's definitely worth it doing this challenging hike.

I will not go into detail about the history and meaning of Mount Moses, as you can read that anywhere online, but will give you some practical advice instead.

For more information about Saint Catherine, read my Ultimate Guide to St. Catherine!

I posted Instagram stories live on my account the whole time I was in St. Catherine and climbing Mount Sinai. If you want to have a look, you can find it under my highlights “Sinai Desert”.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

1. Best Season For Climbing Mount Sinai

Sinai is a hot desert climate zone, with very little rain and warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Higher regions like St. Catherine (1600 meters) receive 4-10x more precipitation than the rest of Sinai.

So what's the best time to do the Mount Sinai hike?

For me personally, spring is the best times to go to St. Catherine and hike Mount Moses. It's not too hot and not too cold. Spring is a fascinating time in the desert, as all the trees, plants and flowers in the desert start to blossom and turn it into a green scenery you would never expect to see in a desert. Summer and winter have their charm as well, though.

Mount Sinai in Winter

Winter can be really cold in St. Catherine, often below 0 ºC. How crazy is that, going to a desert and seeing snow? Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an incredible photo opportunity! On Mount Sinai, you will face extreme cold and snow is the norm, so come prepared and bring lots of warm clothes! During the day though, the sun usually keeps you warm, even in winter.

Mount Sinai in Summer

Thanks to the high altitude, it doesn't get much warmer than 30°C in summer, which makes Saint Catherine a perfect escape from the hot beach towns such as Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh, or even Cairo. Trees and fruits had time to grow and you get to taste some fresh delicacies. It's also hot enough to dip your toes or even swim in water springs.

You will need a jacket or warm sweater at night when you hike up Mount Moses though as it's so high, it's simply not possible to bet hot up there. cIt an also get pretty windy.

2. Book a tour or go by yourself? Sunrise or Sunset?

Organized tours (mostly from Dahab and Sharm El-Sheik) climb Mount Sinai in the pre-dawn hours to view the sunrise from the summit. It gets really crowded up there!

Climbing late in the afternoon to see the sunset is a much quieter, more tranquil experience, but it has two downsides. In summer, it can be pretty hot for such an intense hike in the sun, and you'll be descending in the dark, which can be a bit tricky because it's rocky terrain.

If you have enough time in Sinai, I would always recommend going without an organized tour from Sharm or Dahab. Going by yourself/with just your friends or family means you have all the time you need. You can start your hike at any time, you can take as many breaks as you like, and you can leave the peak whenever you like.

If you're not coming as part of a group, you can simply go to the monastery and hire a guide from the entrance. Especially for photographers, slow hikers or anyone with "special needs", this is the best option.

It's also a much more tranquil experience on the summit because you'll get the chance to have the place all by yourself. The huge crowds on the top make it a bit busy and touristy, to be honest. They all leave at the same time to visit the monastery when it opens at 9am, so if you stay a bit longer, it will be quiet. You can also go up earlier to reach the peak first and watch the stars.

If you want to see the sunrise, you should start sometime between midnight and 3 am, depending on your level of fitness. Those of average fitness should be able to get to the summit in no more than three hours. Alternatively, the sunset is also an impressive sight; for this you should start your climb in the early afternoon.

My ultimate tip is to hike up in the afternoon and see the sunset. Then you can make yourself comfortable for the night to sleep under millions of stars. In the last camp before the summit, you can rent mattresses and blankets so you won't be freezing. It gets really cold so you will definitely need them.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] The last camp before the peak of Mount Sinai, this is where you can rent mattresses and blankets. We slept at the very left in this picture.[/caption]

If you don't mind carrying a sleeping bag up, that would certainly be more hygienic. But when you're traveling in Egypt you shouldn't be too concerned with everything being super clean anyway, or else you'll have a hard time here. Relax, you won't die.

I would say your chances of being the only people on the peak of Mount Sinai the whole night are like 95%. A bit before the sun rises, you will see massive amounts of people arriving, it's almost surreal. Don't sleep too long, set an alarm so that you get a good spot to see the sunrise.

3. Avoiding The Crowds At Mount Sinai Peak

As you already know, most tourists climb the mountain during the night, see the sunrise at the summit and visit the monastery during the day. Therefore, if you want to avoid crowds, climb the mountain for sunset or, even better, in the night before a Sunday when the monastery is closed to visitors. There will be much fewer groups because they wouldn't be able to visit the monastery in the morning.

4. How Hard Is The Mount Sinai Hike?

There are two principal routes to the summit. The longer and shallower route is called Siket El Bashait and takes about 2.5 hours by foot. It's also called the camel route, since, obviously, you can use a camel to get up. If you're physically not able to do the entire Mount Sinai hike yourself, you can choose this option.

It's not an easy hike for sure, and you probably won't feel the need to do it again anytime soon, but it's doable. There are a lot of "cafés" on the way up so you have plenty of chances to take a break and have water, tea, coffee or some snacks.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1800"] Steep stairs - this is not part of the camel route, it's the harder one. The steps look small on this photo but they're quite high, at least for someone as short as me ;)[/caption]

I have seen many old people with walking disabilities though who have done the hike themselves - very impressive! They show it's possible, and the feeling of climbing a mountain by yourself is just different than being taken up there by a camel, the sunrise or sunset is your reward and you really earned it.

So, if you're physically able to hike, I highly recommend to do it. Go without a big group and just go slow, take as much time as you need. The Bedouin guides are super patient and will help you with whatever you carry.

The steeper, more direct route (Siket Sayidna Musa) leads up the 3750 "steps of penitence" in the ravine behind the monastery. Both routes meet for the last part to the summit.

We took the camel route up and the harder route down because we wanted to see another wadi (valley). We really felt close to dying, it was a 12-hour tour in total. My legs were wobbly and shaking and I never wanted to find a bed as badly as that day.

Weirdly though, my muscles weren't sore the next day. That really surprised me, because I'm not exercising a lot. I was extremely tired though for a few days, skipping a whole night of sleep is easier when you're 20 ;)

I'd recommend you to plan in a few days of easy-going activities and do all the other hikes you might want to do around St. Catherine before you're climbing Mount Sinai.

5. Tipping your Bedouin Guide

One thing I really want to ask everyone doing this adventure, from the bottom of my heart: Tip your Bedouin guide very generously!!! They only get a fixed price of 250 LE (May 2019: about 12€) for a whole night of extreme physical work and responsibility for you. The government sets the price, and since most people book a full tour from Dahab or Sharm, they don’t even know how much the guides earn.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Our Bedouin guide leading the way[/caption]

They're also incredibly kind people and as soon as they see you struggling just a tiny bit, they offer to carry your backpack or give you their jacket if you're cold. They'll do whatever they can to make the hike as easy as possible for you.

6. Safety at Mount Sinai

Is climbing Mount Sinai safe? Aren't there terrorists?

YES, it's safe! NO, there are no terrorists!

Most people think that St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, and Sinai in general, are dangerous places. That's because the mainstream media doesn’t distinguish between North and South Sinai. All tourist destinations, including Mount Sinai, are located in the south of Sinai and are not more dangerous than most other parts of the world. In the very northern part of Sinai, there are unrests from time to time, but you wouldn’t even be allowed to enter that area.

Good to know: Don’t be scared or put off by the many checkpoints all over Sinai. The government is trying to make Sinai as safe as can be, and while military and guns seem intimidating at first, you have nothing to worry about. Just keep your passport handy at all times.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] It's friendly everywhere in Sinai - SMILE :)[/caption]

Also, the Bedouins in Saint Catherine are securing the area by themselves, so don’t be surprised if locals stop you to ask a few questions about where you’re staying and so on. They’re adding an extra layer of security and vetting people themselves to make sure they don’t miss any suspicious activity. It's their land, after all, and they are the last people who would want trouble here.

As soon as you arrive, you will feel the special energy in St. Catherine and the Sinai desert in general. It is absolutely magical. You immediately start to feel a sense of calmness and peace.

The media portrays Sinai as a dangerous place, but I can assure you that there are few places in the world where you feel as peaceful as here, certainly no other region in the Middle East can compare. All the different religions actually live together in peace here, even though Egypt is predominantly a Muslim country.

I’m pretty sure you will feel right at home and perfectly safe and sound, at least the big majority of people do. I came as a tourist and am still here 3 years later, just like many other expats, and I feel safer here than in any city in Germany or Europe, where I come from. Please, don’t let the media scare you from coming to and climbing Mount Sinai.

7. What To Pack For Climbing Mount Sinai

As little as possible!

Cash for tea, coffee, snacks and mattresses + blankets

Second set of clothes

Thermo clothes

Light scarf/hat for hike down

8. Trekking Rules In The Sinai Desert

1. Look after water

Do not pollute water sources with soap, food scraps or anything else. Do not camp within a 100 m of water sources. Wildlife needs to drink too and will be disturbed by your presence. Do not go to the toilet within 100 m of water sources.

2. Manage your waste

Crush tin cans and plastic bottles and any other waste. You brought it in so carry it out with you. If there is no toilet, BURN YOUR USED TOILET PAPER and then bury your bodily waste. You may burn paper items and you may feed vegetable waste to the camels with the owners’ permission.

3. Respect Bedouin culture and traditions

Ask permission before using wells, as these are usually private property. Only enter private gardens if invited to do so by the owner. Ask permission before taking photographs of local people. Do not burn local firewood, use only gas stoves or firewood bought in town for cooking.

4. Respect Flora and Fauna

It is prohibited to remove any object from the Protected Area including rocks, plants, and animals. It is prohibited to disturb or harm animal or birds. It is prohibited to paint or carve graffiti, cut trees or uproot plants.

St. Katherine Protectorate was declared by the Prime Ministerial Decree under Law 102 of 1983; illegal activities can result in prosecution.

Basically: Leave no traces behind, and take nothing with you.

If you have some more time in Sinai, make sure you read my guide to St. Catherine as there are plenty more amazing things to do other than climbing Mt. Sinai and visiting St. Catherine's monastery. Did you know that you can even sleep in the monastery? Find more insider tips in this Ultimate Guide to St. Catherine!

Climbing Mount Sinai Peak - PIN this guide for later!

Pictures of the Mount Sinai Hike

Here are some more pictures of my Mount Sinai hike:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1800"] Yes, there's a toilet right before you reach the summit of Mt Sinai[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] One of the gardens the monastery owns in the mountains around[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Finally, the monastery was in sight again![/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The details of our hike. Note that we did a big detour on the way down to see some more wadis, the regular route is shorter.

Please don't use any of these photos without my written permission, I'm a member of Copytrack and you will get an invoice. The payment will be enforced by lawyers and in court, if you do use my photos.[/caption]

Post Source Here: Climbing Mount Sinai Peak – Everything You Need To Know Before

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alittlenomadchristina · 5 years

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An Extensive Guide to St. Catherine – Monastery, Hikes, Accommodation, Food etc.

Saint Catherine is not really a city but an area. As of 2004, it is a National Protectorate and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "town of St. Catherine" is called Al-Milga, a small Bedouin settlement a few kilometers from the famous monastery.

Most people only come to St. Catherine to visit the monastery and/or climb Mount Moses (aka Mount Sinai). If you have time though, I highly recommend you stay longer. The surrounding area is one of the most impressive in the world. There is a reason it's such an important area for Christians, Muslims, and Jews alike. It can't be described, you have to feel it.

With this article, I want to give you an introduction to St. Catherine. I will talk about safety, list a couple of things to do (including but not only tips for visiting the monastery and hiking Mt. Moses), tell you about a few other hikes, where to stay and where and what to eat, the best time to visit as well as what things you should pack for St. Catherine.

Is Saint Catherine in Sinai Safe To Visit?

In short: YES.

Most people think that St. Catherine, and Sinai in general, is a dangerous place because the media doesn't distinguish between North and South Sinai. All tourist destinations are located in the south of Sinai and are not more dangerous than most other parts of the world. In the very northern part of Sinai, there are unrests from time to time, but you wouldn't even be allowed to enter that area.

Don't be scared or put off by the many checkpoints all over Sinai. The government is trying to make Sinai as safe as can be, and while military and guns seem intimidating at first, you have nothing to worry about. Just keep your passport handy at all times.

Also, the Bedouins in Saint Catherine are securing the area by themselves, so don't be surprised if locals stop you to ask a few questions about where you're staying and so on. They're adding an extra layer of security and vetting people themselves to make sure they don't miss any suspicious activity.

As soon as you arrive, you will feel the special energy in St. Catherine and the Sinai desert in general. It is absolutely magical. You immediately start to feel a sense of calmness and peace. The media portrays Sinai as a dangerous place, but I can assure you that there are few places in the world where you feel as peaceful as here, certainly no other region in the Middle East can compare. All the different religions actually live together in peace here, even though Egypt is predominantly a Muslim country.

I'm pretty sure you will feel right at home and perfectly safe and sound, at least the big majority of people do. I came as a tourist and am still here 3 years later, just like many other expats, and I feel safer here than in any city in Germany or Europe, where I come from. Please, don't let the media scare you from coming to Sinai and St. Catherine.

St. Catherine Monastery

The Greek Orthodox monastery is actually called "The Holy Monastery of the God-trodden Mount Sinai" and located at the very place where God appeared to Moses in the Burning Bush, beneath the Mount of the Decalogue.

This iconic monastery, dating back to the 6th century, is one of the oldest in the world, established by the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian the Great. I will not go into more detail about the history of the monastery as it's been described countless times. This is the official website of the Sinai Monastery that covers everything you should know.

St. Catherine Monastery Entrance Fees

There is no entrance fee for the monastery, it is completely free. If you want to visit the museum with all its artifacts, however, it costs 80 LE for foreigners, 40 LE for Russian & Roman Orthodox, and 10 LE for Egyptians.

Note: It's not allowed to take photos!

St. Catherine Monastery Opening Hours

As a rule, the Holy Monastery is closed on Sundays, as well as during the important feast days of the Greek Orthodox Church. All the other days, the Holy Monastery is open between 9 am and 11:30 noon, except for Fridays, when opening hours are from 10:45 am to 11:30 am. Opening Hours of the book shop: 07:30 am - 12:00 noon; 05:30 - 07:00 pm

Holidays in 2019:

INSIDER TIP: To escape the worst crowds, try to visit during the last half hour of opening time, usually around 11 am. Most of the tour groups go directly to the Church of the Transfiguration, so it would be wise for you (if you happen to enter at the same time as a big group) to start your tour with a visit to the Sacred Sacristy.

What To Wear To Visit St. Catherine Monastery

To enter the monastery, you will need to have your upper arms and knees covered. Shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless tops are not accepted, neither for males nor for females. This clothing rule is not only recommended out of respect but strictly enforced, so cover up if you want to get inside.

Best Hikes in St. Catherine

The High Mountain Region is home to the Jabaleya Bedouin and located around the town of St. Catherine. The town itself lies at around 1600 meters from sea level, and many of the mountains around it are above 2000 meters. Mt. Katherine with its 2642 high peak is the tallest. The larger area is little known to most Westerners and a unique, captivating paradise for nature lovers and hikers.

Here is a map of the points of interest, mostly summits and valleys. To read the map, you should know that Gebel means mountain (also Gabal or Jabal), and Wadi means valley.

Mt. Moses (a.k.a. Mt. Sinai) – Gabal Moussa

Mount Moses is the most famous of all of the mountains in Sinai, and I'm sure you've heard about its significance [if not, Google is your friend ;)]. I will not go into detail about the history etc. but give some practical advice instead. I'm using the words Mount Moses and Mount Sinai interchangeably here, they're the same.

Organized tours (mostly from Dahab and Sharm El-Sheik) climb Mount Sinai in the pre-dawn hours to view the sunrise from the summit, so did I. It gets really crowded up there! Climbing late in the afternoon to see the sunset is a much quieter, more tranquil experience, has two downsides though. In summer, it can be pretty hot for such an intense hike in the sun, and you'll be descending in the dark, which can be a bit tricky because it's rocky terrain.

If you're not coming as part of a group, you can simply go to the monastery and hire a guide from the entrance. This way you can go as fast or as slow as you want. Especially for photographers, older people or anyone with "special needs", this is the best option.

Very Important: One thing I really want to ask everyone doing this adventure, from the bottom of my heart: Tip your Bedouin guide very generously!!! They only get a fixed price of 250 LE (May 2019: about 12€) for a whole night of extreme physical work and responsibility for you. The government sets the price, and since most people book a full tour from Dahab or Sharm, they don’t even know how much the guides earn.

It’s an absolutely ridiculous amount of money for this type of work and for the cost of living in Egypt, which is rising and rising after the devaluation of the currency. So, please, support the local community and tip them as much as you can. They're also incredibly kind people and as soon as they see you struggling just a tiny bit, they offer to carry your backpack or give you their jacket if you're cold. They'll do whatever they can to make the hike as easy as possible for you.

I'm writing a more detailed article about hiking Mount Moses soon, I will link to it here once it's done.

More amazing hikes around St. Catherine:

There are countless opportunities for incredible hikes in this protected area. It always depends on the time of year and your physical condition. I recommend talking to your Bedouin guide. Tell them what sort of hikes you like to do, how fit you are, what you'd like to see and let them recommend a trip. Here are two other beautiful hiking destinations:

Mount St. Catherine

Gebel Katharina (Remember? Gebel means mountain!) is the highest mountain in Egypt at 2642 meters. There's a small Orthodox church on the summit. Mount Moses lies below, and the views onto it and the whole high mountain area are stunning. The most common routes to the peak are from either Wadi el Arbain or from Wadi Shagg.

Wadi Talla

This is quite an easy hike easily reached from town. It's about 3 km each way and the difference in altitude you have to overcome is just about 60 meters. You pass beautiful gardens and an ancient monastery in Wadi Talla, which connects higher and lower wadis.

After these 3 kilometers, you reach a perfect spot to relax, have some tea and Bedouin food. The water at this spring is incredibly cold and refreshing, absolutely perfect for an extended break.

These are some more well-known hiking spots around St. Catherine, but I haven't done them personally so I can't share more information and photos, unfortunately. Ask the locals for advice :)

Wadi Jebal

Wadi Arbe’in

Bab Donya

Wadi Feiran

Gabal Abass

Gabal El-Ahmar

If you're really up for a challenge, you can hike the SINAI TRAIL. This is Egypt’s first ever long-distance hiking trail and it was founded in 2014. It's a 220 km long route that takes 12 days to complete and involves three Bedouin tribes.

Things To Do In Saint Catherine

Visit Dr. Ahmed Saleh

Without a doubt, you absolutely have to visit Dr. Ahmed when you're in St. Catherine. He is respected traditional herbalist and healer, well known all over Egypt. Not only is his knowledge about all Sinai-local herbs extensive and impressive, but he has a unique capability of diagnosing you and immediately spotting "what's wrong with you".

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Dr. Ahmed's "office". It's as simple as can be, you see it's really not about money for him.[/caption]

I was absolutely blown away, within a minute of only looking at me, he knew very intimate things that nobody else knew. Not just physical problems I had, but about what's going on in my mind. His diagnose was that my hormones are out of balance and that this causes most of my issues, physical and mental. He prescribed a tea for 40 days and asked me to check in with him and let him know how I feel after 10 days, which I did. I was more balanced and calm already. For all of this, he only charged me 100 LE (5€).

My visit is just 3 weeks ago, but when I went to Germany I immediately had all my hormone levels tested to see if he was right. I should get the results in the next few days.

Do some souvenir shopping

Shopping in St. Catherine doesn't mean malls and jewelry and clothes, I think you've figured out that much before. Capitalism couldn't be farther away from this magical place, so your shopping here will consist of locally grown plants and foods.

Dr. Ahmed Saleh has a lot of great tea and herb mixes which are not only an amazing "souvenir" for yourself but also to bring for your friends and family. I mean, who can say they got traditional herbs specifically for their health issues from the holy region of St. Catherine?

Other things you can buy in amazing, organic quality are almonds, honey, and olive oil. From the monastery, you can buy some rocks, e.g. with fossils on them.

Camel Safari

Instead of hiking, you can always take a camel. Especially a camel safari that lasts a few days is an incredible experience. The "ships of the desert" are fascinating animals and you can’t really leave Egypt before you’ve done that. I'm usually against using animals for human pleasure or entertainment, but the camels are treated fine here, not like at the pyramids or other tourist attractions.

Stargazing

With almost zero light pollution, the night skies in the desert are nothing short of mindblowing. You don't even have to climb any of the summits, the stars you see from town are already plenty.

Have Bedouin dinner in the desert

Bedouin food is simple but tasty, especially when it's cooked on a fire in the desert surroundings. It usually consists of salad, rice, potatoes or veggies, tahina or baba ganoush, and chicken or fish. The traditional Bedouin bread could easily be the tastiest bread in the whole world.

Pet the stray animals.

Sinai wouldn’t be the same without its cats and dogs. They’re friendly and won’t hurt you. Quite the opposite actually, they love to cuddle!

Ground yourself

Enjoy not caring about make-up, clothes, the latest trends, Instagram and anything that seems so important in your everyday life. Put on some harem pants and embrace your dirty feet, re-connect with nature and give your busy brain a chance to relax.

Talk to the Bedouins.

Everyone in St. Catherine (and Sinai in general) is incredibly welcoming and nice. It’s worth getting to know them and their stories. Many of them struggle with problems we never even thought about, yet they are always smiling.

Go Trad Climbing in the High Mountains

South Sinai and the area of St. Catherine offers crack climbing at its best, the possibilities are endless. There are more than 200m routes and unclimbed lines almost everywhere you look.

Go Bouldering

It's not just a great area for trad climbing but also for bouldering, with stunning blocs and loads of highballs in a unique desert setting.

Learn some Arabic

The friendly Bedouins will teach you a bit if you show interest. Many of them have very little "traditional schooling" experience, yet they speak several languages and are incredibly wise.

Have Bedouin Tea

You'll have Bedouin Tea every day and with everyone anyways. No chance you’ll get around it. Share it over a campfire and exchange stories. The beautiful thing here is, you won't feel like a tourist, but like a welcomed guest.

Have a shisha

Wind down from a day of hiking, exploring and sun by smoking a delicious shisha. There will always be people to hang out with and share.

Eat!

You will be hungry from all the adventures you get to experience in St. Catherine, so why not go to Ziko's restaurant and try as many traditional Egyptian Foods as you can - here is a list! He has lots of them on his menu, and he cooks them authentically! His falafels are to die for!

Nothing

Yes, that’s right! One of the best things you can do in Sinai is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! It’s the perfect place to forget about work, home, stress and problems.

Best Time To Visit St. Catherine

Sinai is a hot desert climate zone, with very little rain and warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Higher regions such as St. Catherine (1600 meters) receive 4-10x more precipitation than the rest of Sinai.

Winter in St. Catherine

Winter can be really cold, often below 0 ºC and you might even see snow. How crazy is that, going to a desert and seeing snow? Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an incredible photo opportunity! On high peaks, such as Mount Sinai, you will face extreme cold and snow is the norm. Come prepared! During the day though, the sun usually keeps you warm, even in winter.

Spring & Autumn in St. Catherine

For me personally, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Sinai. It's not too hot and not too cold. Spring is a fascinating time in the desert, as all the trees, plants and flowers in the desert start to blossom and turn it into a green scenery you would never expect to see in a place like this.

Summer in St. Catherine

Thanks to the high altitude, it doesn't get much warmer than 30°C in summer, which makes Saint Catherine a perfect escape from the hot beach towns such as Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh, or even Cairo. You will need a jacket or warm sweater at night when you hike up the mountains as it can also get pretty windy up there. Trees and fruits had time to grow and you get to taste some fresh delicacies. It's also hot enough to dip your toes or even swim in water springs.

Where To Stay in St. Catherine - Hotels & Camps

As I mentioned before, I highly recommend staying in St. Catherine for a few nights instead of only doing a tour to visit the monastery or hike Mount Moses. To experience the serene beauty of the mountains after the tourist hustle has disappeared, you have the option to either stay at the monastery itself or in Al-Milga, the "town of St. Catherine" a couple of kilometers from the monastery itself.

Monastery

There is a Guest House just below the monastery that offers single or double occupancy rooms, with a few rooms for higher occupancy. All rooms have private facilities. You cannot book a room through any of the major hotel booking sites but here are some reviews and photos. The telephone number of the Guest House for reservations is +20 69 3470 353.

Masoudi Lodge

Masoudi Lodge is where I stayed at and where I'll go from now on when I visit St. Catherine. I like the location, it's a bit elevated and the surroundings are beautiful. The rooms are simple but have everything you need, including hot water. You will spend most of your time outside anyway, and they have plenty of nice sitting areas, in the shade as well as under the sun, plus a fireplace. You can park your car in a spot protected from the sun as well. As always in Egypt, the staff is really friendly and speaks several languages.

Rooms are 250 LE per night. They have a private bathroom en-suite and two beds, either single or double.

Fox Camp

This is the most known camp in St. Catherine. I haven't stayed here, so I can't say much about it, but I guess it's similar to Masoudi Lodge.

Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp

Same as for Fox Camp: I haven't stayed here, so I can't say much about it, but I guess it's similar to the other camps.

Daniela Village St. Catherine

This is a bit more upscale, they have air-conditioned bungalows with en-suite bathrooms.

Morgenland Village

Morgenland is a more expensive hotel in St. Catherine that has its own huge private pool, restaurant, bar and souvenir shop. The views from the spacious rooms are amazing, and you'll have your own fridge and sometimes a bath-tub. If you need comfort and are willing to sacrifice the more authentic, local experience, this place is for you.

Where To Eat in Saint Catherine - Restaurants

There are basically only two restaurants in St. Catherine (well, actually it's Al-Milga, the town close to St. Catherine). Everyone recommended us to go to Cleopatra, they said it's cleaner and tastes well.

We tried, and honestly, I didn't like the food, my friends thought it was okay. You basically get a set, typical Egyptian menu - rice, bread, tahina, and salad. My vegetarian addition was potatoes cooked in tomatoes, also very traditional, and my friends had chicken. There might be another meat option, but that's about it.

When we discovered Ziko's restaurant, we were much more delighted. Admittedly, it's not the cleanest place, very local, but none of us got sick whatsoever. Mr. Ziko is like the Egyptian version of an old Italian grandpa in love with cooking and life in general, an absolute delight, and he makes the place what it is.

He has a huge menu and offers everything from traditional Egyptian food (check out my guide on traditional Egyptian food here) to international dishes like pancakes and of course fresh juices. It's incredibly cheap and he's a really good chef!

Packing List For St. Catherine

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1800"] The guys styling me for our hike ;)[/caption]

Thermo clothes and hiking boots

Torch for hiking at night

Sunscreen (even in winter), sunglasses, hat or scarf

Reusable water bottle (the spring water is drinkable)

Sleeping bag and mat (if you want to sleep outside under the stars or do some yoga)

Camera (countless stunning photo opportunities

A good book for a chill day (I read on Kindle to save space)

How To Get To St. Catherine

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Going from Dahab or Nuweiba to St. Catherine, you will see this friendly face on the side of the road :)[/caption]

Getting From Dahab To St. Catherine

There are no buses going from Dahab to Catherine. You could get a taxi (prices are changing every few weeks to months so I can't give you an exact amount), which takes around two hours. Or you can join one of the many organized tours that go to St. Catherine to do the Mt. Moses sunrise hike. This is a cheaper option, but they all leave late in the evening.

Getting From Sharm El-Sheikh To St. Catherine

The same that goes for Dahab applies to leaving from Sharm El-Sheikh as well. You either take a taxi or join one of the group trips. Since Sharm is bigger than Dahab, you might find a group that goes for the sunset hike so you could go earlier in the day. Ask around. If you want to book the tour ahead of time, you could join this one and simply stay in St. Catherine after your group leaves.

Getting From Nuweiba To St. Catherine

There's only one East Delta bus per day that goes directly from Nuweibaa to Saint Catherine. It leaves at 6:00 pm and arrives around 7:30 pm. You depart from the East Delta Bus Station near the port of Nuweiba.

Getting From Cairo To St. Catherine

In order to get from Cairo to Catherine, you can either fly to Sharm or go by bus. There are two East Delta buses that run daily. They leave from El-Torgoman and Almazah Station.

You can book your ticket at the station (I recommend you go a day early, or at least a few hours, especially during weekends and holiday seasons), or on their website.

Tickets can be booked from both stations or online through this website. Tickets cost around 100-150 LE one-way. I recommend you bring a sweater on the bus as they usually crank up the AC big-time. Also, you will stop at many checkpoints and be asked to leave the bus and show your luggage at Suez Canal. It's a pretty exhausting trip, but you'll be in the best place you could be to relax after - Sinai restores energy and mood immediately :)

From El-Torgoman the buses leave at 9:30 am and 11:30 am from 1 El-Adaweya, Boulaq Num.3, Boulaq. The same busses get to Almazah (ميدان الماظة، Almazah, Heliopolis) around 10:15 am and 12:15 pm.

Your expected arrival is around 7:30 pm, but don't trust that for a second. You're in Egypt. Take it as it comes and relax. Patience is the number one lesson you will learn in this country ;-)

This Post Was Originally Published Here: An Extensive Guide to St. Catherine – Monastery, Hikes, Accommodation, Food etc.

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