GENERAL INFORMATION

Up to these our days, the general site of the Holy Monastery of Sinai maintains its historic way of operation unaltered and it does not constitute an organized tourist site. For the Sinaite fathers, all visitors are dealt with as pilgrims from whom their respect towards the sanctity of the site, the Sinai pilgrimage sites, and their daily programme of prayer is considered as a given fact. It is considered wise policy to avoid visiting the Monastery on its official feastdays, as it is closed to the general public. As a rule, the Holy Monastery is closed on Fridays, on Sundays, as well as during the important feastdays of the Greek Orthodox Church. All the other days, the Holy Monastery is open between 9:00 AM and 11:30 noon.

Within the monastery grounds, visitors may enter the church and the area immediately adjoining the church. Likewise, the visitors’ decorum in habit and of respect towards the site is considered as given. Organized guided tours are not allowed, and recordings are not permitted. The prescribed itinerary within the monastery starts out at the gate situated on the northern wall, from where one is led to a courtyard, the location of Moses’ well, and from thence to the catholicon, and from thence to the Burning Bush and to the sacristy, whence one is led again to the exit.

For the ascent to the holy summit of Mount Sinai one must reckon on a total number of hours that varies between five and seven. There are two ways to ascend: the historic one (6th century) and the newer one (19th century), setting out on the north-eastern side of the Holy Monastery. The first one, the Way of the Steps, is sooner but steep and difficult. For most of its length, it is consists of steep steps. The second one, the Camel Trail, has an ascending course that is longer but more gradual, hence it can be done on foot. However, for most of its length one can hire one of the camels that can always be found waiting outside the Holy Monastery. After this initial course, one must continue on foot, up the steep steps that lead to the holy summit. Many visitors descend by the Way of the Steps, in order to see the more historic way.

On account of the great altitude of the site one must take into consideration the great temperature differences between the hours of day and night. Likewise, one ought to be well outfitted for hiking and to be equipped with a sufficient amount of water. A flashlight is necessary during the night march regardless of the fact that the light of the stars in combination with the altitude and the clearness of the atmosphere furnish one with satisfactory visibility.