Travel guide / trips to the Sinai desert / trips to the Sinai / trips in Israel

"Sinai is one of the closest destinations to Israel, and a trip there is as exciting as traveling abroad without having to fly and incur unnecessary expenses ..."

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Hi my name is Charlie Alves, most of my life I have led and guided travelers from Israel and abroad. 

My love for hiking began in the Sinai Desert, a window into a magical world of freedom, simplicity, a crazy encounter with nature.

I came to David Cliff Field School in Sinai when I was a ten-year-old following my uncle who worked there as an principal.

I joined him everywhere he went, visits to Bedouin tents, meetings and celebrations of the Bedouin.        

How excited I was when I lit a fire with them, or slept in an outdoor sleeping bag.

Now that the borders have opened I continue to lead trips around Sinai with a great desire to convey to others the feelings I have experienced.
 

Sinai is one of the closest destinations to Israel, and a trip there is as exciting as traveling abroad without having to fly and incur unnecessary expenses.

A visit in a parallel dimension where time becomes slower, the amazing views take away the stress of the everyday and envelop you quietly.

Sinai abounds in hiking trails of all kinds - easy and short trails alongside challenging trails for the well-traveled,

Routes of several hours and routes lasting several days. Each route chosen will reveal more fascinating things about this piece of paradise.

The peninsula offers wild and stunning nature in its beauty, cliffs, wadis and mountains, sparkle of sea and blue sky.

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"Sinai is one of the closest destinations to Israel, and a trip there is as exciting as traveling abroad without having to fly and incur unnecessary expenses ..."

Hi my name is Charlie Alves, most of my life I have led and guided travelers from Israel and abroad. 

My love for hiking began in the Sinai Desert, a window into a magical world of freedom, simplicity, a crazy encounter with nature.

I came to David Cliff Field School in Sinai when I was a ten-year-old following my uncle who worked there as an principal.

I joined him everywhere he went, visits to Bedouin tents, meetings and celebrations of the Bedouin.        

How excited I was when I lit a fire with them, or slept in an outdoor sleeping bag.

Now that the borders have opened I continue to lead trips around Sinai with a great desire to convey to others the feelings I have experienced.

​

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​

Sinai is one of the closest destinations to Israel, and a trip there is as exciting as traveling abroad without having to fly and incur unnecessary expenses.

A visit in a parallel dimension where time becomes slower, the amazing views take away the stress of the everyday and envelop you quietly.

Sinai abounds in hiking trails of all kinds - easy and short trails alongside challenging trails for the well-traveled,

Routes of several hours and routes lasting several days. Each route chosen will reveal more fascinating things about this piece of paradise.

The peninsula offers wild and stunning nature in its beauty, cliffs, wadis and mountains, sparkle of sea and blue sky.

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Important information for travelers in Sinai

Before traveling to a new place, you should know what awaits us across the border and what are the procedures and guidelines, so ...  We have compiled important information for you before leaving for Sinai:

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A vacation in Sinai begins at the border terminal in Taba, known by its official name as Begin Border Crossing. Crossing the border, like any border crossing in the world, involves passport control and security checks on both sides of the border and also involves bureaucracy and procedures, fees to be paid and a few other things worth knowing because any violation of these procedures, even if done in good faith, can create unnecessary inconvenience.

The transition takes about half an hour to an hour during off-peak hours but during peak hours on various holidays may take up to several hours.

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• According to border crossing procedures to Sinai at the time of the corona until further notice it is mandatory to purchase the crossing fee in advance. The transfer fee will indicate the transfer date and the return date, no transfer will be allowed on a different date than that recorded on the payment confirmation. When purchasing the fee, you must also state your first name and passport number. The border crossing is open until further notice on Sundays-Saturdays, from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM only, and no crossing will be allowed at any other time.  

• What is allowed and what is not allowed to move from side to side: First, there is no limit to the number of bags / suitcases and their weight. However, there have been a number of cases where travelers have been stopped at the border crossing because of prohibited materials in their possession, so, before each border crossing, both from Israel to Sinai and back, even if you are convinced that you have nothing in your bag - check your bag To make sure that there is nothing that can lead to such and such inconveniences.  Please note that if a prohibited object or substance is found in your possession, even if you did not know it existed in advance, this may result in a significant delay and in more severe cases even arrest and trial that may result in permanent removal from Sinai.

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It is allowed to move

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Food  - There is no problem moving food of any kind, including fruits and vegetables, fresh or frozen meat, baby food, canned food, Passover matzah, etc. The restriction is only on quantity for commercial use. What is the quantity for commercial use? There is no clear procedure but probably if you take with you 20 cans and 5 crates of matzah someone will raise an eyebrow. As long as the quantities match the number of people and the length of time you will be in Sinai, there is no problem. Sometimes the officials will ask to taste something of what you brought during the inspection. You can be nice and allow them if you want.
 

Kitchen utensils and cooking utensils  - It is no problem to move any type of cooking equipment and kitchen utensils, and this includes pots, pans, knives (also large and sharp), bowls, etc. There is no problem that the equipment will be made of plastic, glass, aluminum or any other type. If you are asked why you move equipment, it can be said that you are careful about self-cooking for religious reasons.  Regarding cooking stoves, there is no uniform procedure, see below.

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Alcohol  - It is allowed to transfer alcohol that you brought from home or the duty free at the border. The official restriction is a bottle per person. In the case of beers they are not always counted as alcohol, although the official procedure is six beers per person. In practice the strictness of this is not very severe, and even larger quantities can pass. However, if you come in a group, it is advisable to split the alcohol between you and move on separately.
 

Lederman / Pocket Knife  It is allowed to move without a problem. You will probably need to open it and see the parts in it, but there is no problem getting you in. If questions arise it can be said that it is meant for peeling vegetables and fruits during your stay in Sinai.
 

Religious objects  - Religious objects can be brought to Sinai without any problem, including a tallit, tefillin and a prayer book / Torah scroll. You will probably even be appreciated by the Egyptians for being believers.
 

sports equipment  - You can go by bike to Sinai without any problem, as well as with a small surfboard and kayak. You may be asked to list the equipment that arrived with you at customs.  
 

Diving equipment  - No problem moving diving equipment at the border. However, you may be asked to wait for approval from the officer in charge of the place, which may delay entry slightly because not all terminal officials are aware of the nature of the equipment.
 

Laptop  - No problem moving. You may be asked to open and activate it to check that it does not contain pornographic materials that are prohibited in Sinai.
 

prescription medicine  - Can be inserted partially, for personal use and in the original packaging only.

A standard camera and a simple Go-Pro camera  - It is allowed to transfer standard photographic equipment.

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Things that should not be moved

Drugs of any kind - any drug is prohibited from possession and use, and this also includes licensed cannabis, cannabis oil and wine leaves. Even the most minimal amount can cause very great discomfort.
 

Prescription Narcotic Drugs - Addictive drugs, such as strong painkillers are prohibited.

Ammunition / ammunition parts and firearms - also includes tear gas, old backpacks forgotten in the bag, a bullet hanging from a chain around the neck and even an empty cartridge. Anything like this could lead to arrest and trial, and at best to a fine and permanent deportation from Sinai.

Road cameras and radar detectors (including a reverse camera) - if you will  Passing by car  Be sure to remove any camera installed on it at home because you will not be allowed to cross with cameras, even if they are not installed and thrown in the glove compartment. Same goes for radar detectors. In case the camera is with you, you will be required to deposit it at the border crossing (for a fee) until you leave Sinai. This also includes a reverse camera installed "built in" in the vehicle.  
 

Cash over 10,000 Egyptian pounds (at the exit from Sinai) - at the entrance to Sinai there is less problem with  Introducing money , what is also possible (and recommended) to deposit an initial amount of money and later withdraw at an ATM at the border crossing or at one  From the cities in Sinai . If you have a sum of money that is over 10,000 Egyptian pounds (2000 NIS) you will be required to declare it at the customs building and it is likely that a significant part of it will be confiscated.
 

Pornography - Pornographic material is prohibited in Sinai and throughout Egypt.

Skimmer - Skimmers are prohibited from entering Sinai because they are considered spy equipment.

Fishing equipment - Fishing guns and ring guns are prohibited because they are not allowed to be used in Sinai. Any equipment that is seized will be immediately confiscated.

Seashells / corals / shells / stones / antiquities - these are considered protected natural values and it is absolutely forbidden to transfer any of their kind from Sinai to Israel, even the smallest ones, even if you bought them at a souvenir shop and did not find them on the beach.

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A general list of equipment that is recommended to take to Sinai:

Passport -  Moving to another country requires a passport. A passport must be at least six months before its expiration date.

Basic first aid kit - In the bag put medications that you take on a daily basis (if any), plasters, disinfectant, toilet paper, painkillers. Note that the pills must be in their original packaging.

Sandals or hiking shoes - If you plan to walk in Sinai and not just lie on the beaches, then it is very important to bring shoes / sandals that are suitable for walking.

Swimsuit - the most basic thing

Mobile and charger - Even if you travel to Sinai to disconnect from everything, you may still need your mobile phone and charger with you. It is important for the road, for emergencies and for contacting the family.

Sunglasses - If you are sensitive to the sun, then Sinai is a place where you must bring sunglasses.

Sunscreen  - Most of the day we are exposed to the sun.

Hat - protection from the sun, especially if you go hiking.