Nomadic Trek Through Egypt's Sinai Desert

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamed of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

We suggest avoiding ice and any cold drinks made from untreated local water, even in Sharm. Water will be provided throughout the trek and carried by camels and Jeeps, often taken from natural sources in the desert. This will be boiled where necessary, but we do suggest bringing water purification tablets or a different purification system for extra safety. We encourage you to bring a refillable bottle to avoid plastic waste; check out our article on water filtration systems for more information.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and lodging, and in some places, options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Egyptian cuisine is deeply rooted in ancient agricultural traditions shaped by the Nile, with a strong emphasis on legumes, vegetables, and simple, filling dishes designed to sustain everyday life. Staples such as beans, lentils, rice, and flatbreads form the backbone of many meals, often flavored with herbs and spices rather than heavy sauces. This makes Egypt reasonably suitable for vegetarian and dairy-free travelers, though meals can be repetitive and bread is almost always present. Awareness of gluten-free diets and severe allergies is more limited, particularly outside hotels and tourist centers, so travelers with specific or complex dietary requirements should be prepared to explain their needs clearly and manage their expectations.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is made aware in advance. On this trip, protein sources will mainly include lentils, beans, and whole wheat bread. If you require a higher protein intake, please consider bringing your favorite protein bars or protein supplements from home.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. On this trip, protein sources will mainly include lentils, beans, and whole wheat bread. If you require a higher protein intake, please consider bringing your favorite protein bars or protein supplements from home.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and cannot be guaranteed. Vegetarian or vegan options are the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Halal diets can be catered for on this trip. Halal food is widely available in Egypt, and in practice, almost all food served throughout the country is Halal. As a predominantly Muslim country, restaurants, hotels, and food suppliers follow Halal standards as a norm, making it easy for you to dine with confidence.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Celiac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, though options are more limited. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that gluten-free produce and ingredients are not widely available in this destination, and meals may feel repetitive. For example, baked potatoes are often substituted for bread or pasta. We recommend bringing your favorite gluten-free snacks or food supplements from home to ensure you have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free -Lactose-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. The main dairy product served is cheese, which is offered daily at breakfast. This can be easily avoided, as there are always alternative breakfast options available.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life-threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Out in the desert, you'll join a team of Bedouin guides who were born and raised in the area and know how to guide you through the remote desert environment safely and expertly. One of the unexpected highlights of the trip is watching how the Bedouins move through the desert, organize camps and cook according to ancient traditions. This is an incredible opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and get to learn survival skills from the Sinai’s original nomadic people.

This trip includes five nights of wild camping under the stars – your Bedouin team will set up the cooking area and make a fire at each location. You'll sleep under warm blankets or in your sleeping bag, with no tents or refuges. Washing will be predominantly done with wet wipes – there won’t be any showers until you reach Sharm El Sheikh.

For toilets, you can find a convenient boulder or dig a small hole, as the exceedingly dry temperatures of the desert disintegrate waste rapidly. Biodegradable paper can be burned on the fire and you will need to carry any extra waste in ziplock bags. Your host will give you a full briefing on the etiquette and practicalities of outdoor toileting. While this is all part of a wilderness adventure, it can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment, if not practiced carefully. For those who have periods, we have also written a handy guide, to help you manage these while adventuring.

There is no cell signal throughout the desert trek. Please let your loved ones know so that they don’t worry. You can give them this number for emergency calls: +20 1004040181.

You need to bring your own sleeping bag: 4-season (Dec-Jan-Feb, End Nov) or 3-season (March-April and Oct-Early Nov), as well as a travel pillow (recommended) and a good camping mattress (puncture resistant) to insulate you from cold and hard ground. Some extra thermal layers and a warm beanie hat are recommended for departures in the winter.

If you wish to extend your trip in Sharm El Sheikh, you can reserve any optional extra nights via your host (see Optional Extras for more info). Alternatively, you can also consider heading north to Dahab, an amazing adventure destination where your local host is a true activity specialist, offering a wide range of extra tours such as bouldering, climbing, diving, and mountain climbing. Just reach out to them prior to your trip and they'll be happy to provide any info and arrange extra services for you. If you wish to head to Cairo and the Pyramids, the easiest way is to fly from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo (one hour). There is also a bus connecting Sharm to Cairo which departs four times daily and takes approximately eight hours (see go-bus.com or bluebus.com).

Most foreign nationalities entering Egypt require a valid visa and most can get this on arrival. Please get a full Egyptian Visa which is $25 on arrival at Sharm El Sheikh or Cairo airports (advisable to have exact USD change). You will see visa kiosks on entry to the terminal: line up and buy your visa stamps, pick up your landing card, then join the passport control line. If arriving into Egypt via the Israel/Taba border, if you are not eligible for a visa on arrival or if you would prefer to avoid the Visa stamp lines at the airport, get an e-visa in advance from the official Egypt e-Visa portal https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. If traveling into Sharm el Sheikh Airport, you may receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival, however, travel to the eastern section of the trekking area on this trip requires a full Egyptian visa. If you are not a US/EU citizen, some nationalities must obtain a Visa before arrival from the Egyptian embassy in your country. If in doubt, please ask.

In Egypt, it is a legal requirement for all hotels and tourism operators to take a copy of guests' passports (or local ID for domestic travelers), which they must submit to the tourist police.

In addition, your host must submit a copy of your passport to the National Park authorities for permission to travel in the area visited on this trip. The application for this permission must be completed at least a day in advance, so your host asks for these in advance of travel to ensure trip preparations are complete in time for your arrival. Passport scan copies held by Much Better Adventures are deleted after your trip has finished.

Our trips to Egypt are currently running as normal. All trips are operated in line with the British FCDO travel advice and our expert security advisors. For more information and updates, please read our Egypt - Travel Advice for MBA Customers.

For current advice about traveling in Egypt, have a read of the FCDO pages here.

This trip operates in the South Sinai area of Egypt. All activities take place in FCDO green zone area from the Nuweiba-St Catherine-Fieran Road south, and west to the sea.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

This trip runs between October and April, when the daytime temperatures are lower and more pleasant for trekking (usually ranging from 64 to 86°F). Your guides will also schedule the hikes to avoid the hottest hours of the day, and will seek shade during lunch breaks. Nights can get very cold in the desert, with temperatures sometimes plummeting down to 32°F from the end of November through to the end of February. Cozy blankets are provided but a good sleeping bag is very important (3 or 4 season sleeping bag depending on the time of year - please see the gear list for more details). Be prepared to wear a beanie and warm thermals at night and this will be enough to make your experience safe and comfortable.