South
West and south-west from St. Katherine is the homeland of the Ulad Said tribe, while to the south it is Muzeina territory. Not many operators offer treks in this region, and your best choice is to find one in the town of St. Katherine. Alternatively you can try to find an independent guide in town. This is one of the least visited, most remote and untouched wilderness in South Sinai, with rugged peaks and long winding rocky wadis. There are some smaller sandy-gravely plains, a few water sources and one oasis, but the majority of the area is made of granite and volcanic ranges, a complex system of long wadis and high passes. The major attractions are far apart and whichever way you go, it will take you a day or two between major sights.
Still, there are some unique places; first, it offers a rare view on contemporary Bedouin life, as people here are by and large not in contact with tourists; then there are many archeological sites from Nabatean and Byzantine times including the monasteries of Rumhan and Antush; the oasis of Ein Kid is still very much like what an oasis used to be; from the peaks of Umm Shaumar, Thabt or Sabbah you will have a view on to the Gulf of Aqaba comparable only by Gebel Serbal at Wadi Feiran in the north-west; and the traditional pilgrim and merchant route through Wadi Isla, with a running creek at a narrow part, offers a dramatic ending as it opens up to the sandy plains at el Tur city.
Going south, it is difficult to finish the trek exactly at Sharm el Sheikh city; the best option is to end the trek in Nabq protectorate, located just north of Sharm el Sheikh. From here you can actually walk in to the northern suburbs of the city. However, to get to Nabq from the interior means going through very long wadis towards the end - which ever way you choose - so a prearranged or spontaneous 4x4 or pick-up transfer is advised unless you are very serious about doing it all on foot.
Blue Valley (Blue Desert)
An open desert plain, encircled by rugged mountain ranges, made famous by having several outcrops
Seil Rotok – Wadi Rahaba – Wadi Nasb
Wadi Rahaba is a wide sandy plain with hills and Byzantine ruins, enclosed by long mountain ranges.
Ein Kid
The open and wide upper part of Wadi Kid closes up at one point, the wadi continuing through a narrow gap and over boulders blocking the way.
Ein Umm Saida – Gebel Thabt – Gebel Sabbah
The area, wedged between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba at the tip of the peninsula, is a really remote, untouched and harsh region, with rugged mountains offering magnificent views.
Nabq Protectorate
One of the biggest protected area in South Sinai, starting from the waters in front of Dahab and stretching to Sharm el Sheikh.
Wadi Rumhan – Deir Rumhan – Deir Antush
The ruined Byzantine monasteries of Rumhan and Antush are important archeological sites
Gebel Umm Shaumar
The second highest mountain in Egypt, standing on the perimeter of the rugged mountainous interior
Seil Muajed – Wadi Isla
Seil Muajed is a long, steep and in places a tricky gully leading from the Umm Shaumar range to the lower-lying Wadi Isla.
