Red Sea Retreat: Sharm El Sheikh
Five days where Sinai's mountains meet the clearest water in the northern hemisphere — reefs, desert evenings and deliberate idleness.
Overview
Sharm El Sheikh sits at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where desert mountains drop into water so clear the reefs read like maps from the surface. It is Egypt's great exhale — which is exactly how this itinerary treats it. Two anchor days are arranged privately: a boat day in Ras Mohammed National Park, whose coral walls at the meeting point of the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba rank among the finest snorkelling on earth, and a Sinai desert evening of Bedouin tea, grilled dinner and astronomy in some of the darkest skies reachable from any resort. The rest is unscheduled on principle. Works as a stand-alone escape or the closing chapter of a longer Egypt journey — Luxor is under an hour's flight away.
Itinerary
Arrival on the Red Sea
- Private airport meet and resort check-in
- Orientation over drinks — the week shaped around your preferences
Ras Mohammed by boat
- Full-day private boat into the national park
- Two or three snorkelling stops over coral walls and gardens
- Deck lunch on board
At leisure
- A free day — introductory dive, spa or simply the beach
- Evening stroll through Old Market Sharm and the Al Sahaba Mosque
Sinai desert evening
- Late-afternoon 4x4 into the Sinai interior
- Bedouin tea, charcoal dinner and star-gazing far from resort light
Departure
- Morning at leisure and private airport transfer
Included & not included
Included
- 4 nights' accommodation in a 5-star Red Sea resort (half board)
- Private full-day Ras Mohammed boat charter with snorkelling equipment
- Sinai desert evening with Bedouin dinner
- Private air-conditioned transfers
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Bottled water every day
Not included
- Scuba diving (arranged on request with licensed centres)
- Marine park fees where applicable
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Tipping (gratuities)
- Personal expenses
- Optional extras — Abu Simbel, camel rides, dinner cruise, drinks
Good to know
When is the sea warm enough?
Essentially always. Water temperatures run 21 °C in winter to 28 °C in late summer; snorkelling is year-round, and even January is comfortable in a shorty wetsuit, which the boat carries.
Do I need to be able to dive?
No. Ras Mohammed's reefs rise close enough to the surface that snorkelling shows you most of the spectacle. If you want to try diving, we arrange a licensed introductory session at your resort's house reef.
Does this combine with the Nile itineraries?
Perfectly — that is how most guests use it. Luxor–Sharm is a short flight, and four Red Sea days after a week of temples is the best-ordered version of Egypt we know.
Is this journey right for you?
- Travellers who prefer a private, guided experience
- Those with a deep interest in ancient history and culture
- Visitors who want a curated itinerary rather than self-guided travel
- Anyone seeking high-quality, professionally managed logistics
- Travellers seeking large group or coach tours
- Budget-focused independent backpackers
- Visitors looking primarily for nightlife or beach holidays
Preparation reading
Guides to help you prepare for this journey.
Egypt Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to Egypt — visa requirements, the best time to go, getting around, top destinations, culture and practical essentials.
Egypt Visa Guide
How to get an Egypt tourist visa — visa on arrival, e-Visa, eligibility by nationality, costs, and what to expect at immigration.
Best Time to Visit Egypt
Egypt's best travel season is October to April, when Nile Valley temperatures are mild and monuments are comfortable to explore. Here is what to expect season by season and destination by destination.
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Talk to a local expert
Our team lives and breathes Egypt travel. Share what draws you here — we'll help you design the journey that fits.