Egypt's Red Sea coast runs from the Gulf
of Suez to the 
Sudanese
border. Its mineral-rich red mountain ranges inspired the mariners
of antiquity to name the sea Mare Rostrum, or the Red Sea.
Hermits seeking seclusion founded early
Christian monasteries here, sharing the wilderness with camel-trading
Bedouin tribes. Today, the crags and limestone wadis of the Eastern
Desert remain relatively unexplored, home to ibex and gazelle.
But the Red Sea itself, dotted with coral reefs, fringed by ancient
ports, teeming with underwater life, has a rich maritime history
which stretches back to Pharaonic times.
The
thermal winds that once sped clippers to the east still bring
thousands of migrating birds to the shores of the Red Sea, making
it a paradise for bird-watchers. Today, the ancient ports are
better known as some of the best diving and fishing resorts in
the world. Here, you will find over 800 fish species, including
the deadly stone-fish, the equally dangerous butterfly-fish, as
well as surgeon fish, jellyfish such as the cassiopei, crabs that
sometimes overrun the shore in the evening and some species of
shark. Sunbathers relax on white sand beaches, or find shade in
the mangrove lagoons that line the coast, while snorkellers explore
the reefs. And the underwater wonder of the Red Sea remains a
living tapestry of vibrant corals and exotic fish, waiting for
you to discover its secrets.
Location:
The east coast of mainland Egypt bordering
the Red Sea
How to get there:
From outside Egypt
Some international flights now go to Hurghada, otherwise fly direct
to Cairo then either take an internal flight (see below) or go
overland by bus or car. Contact your travel agent for details.
From Cairo
Overland
You may like to book a tour through a travel agent or hire your
own transport. Bear in mind that desert driving has special requirements
and be sure to get a suitable vehicle and guidance on possible
hazards. 0therwise you can travel to each location by bus or service
taxi and arrange trips from there.
Suez:
Service taxis or East Delta Bus Company buses from the Koulali
terminal, near Ramses Station. By train from Ramses Station.
Ain El Sukhna:
Buses or service taxis from Suez or by private transport from
Cairo
Hurghada:
Service taxis or buses (including Superjets) from Ahmed Helmi
terminal, near Ramses Station or from Abdel Mounim Riyad terminal,
near the Ramses Hilton
Hotel.
Safaga, al-Quseir, Marsa Alam, Berenice:
Buses, service taxis or tours from Hurghada. You may need a special
permit to visit Berenice, check at the Frontiers Administration
office in Cairo.
St. Anthony's and St. Paul's monasteries:
Special pilgrim tours are arranged from Cairo by the YMCA (Tel:
917360) and the Coptic Patriachate (Tel: 960025). Tours can also
be arranged through Misr Travel and other tour operators. The
Hurghada bus will drop you at the foot of the mountain, about
13 km. away from the monasteries, otherwise private transport
is the best way to get there.
By air
The following airlines fly to Hurghada:
Egyptair.egyptair@idsc.gov.eg Tel: +20-2-5750600
(Cairo)
Sinai Air Company. Tel: +20-2-776893/760948 (Nile Hilton Hotel)
ZAS Tel: +20-2-2918030 (Novotel, Cairo)
