From Sharm El-Sheikh: Colored Canyoun , Blue Hole & Dahab

Sinai packs a lot into one day. This trip combines the 800-meter Colored Canyon, snorkeling at Blue Hole National Park, a Bedouin-style BBQ lunch, camel riding, and a Dahab shopping stop. I especially like the contrast between the dry sandstone gorge and the coral-filled sea, plus the chance to see more than one side of Sinai in a single outing.

The guides also add real value. Mido, Mustafa, Ahmed, Emad, and Said are repeatedly praised for being friendly, clear, and helpful, while Rahim is noted for taking photos and helping throughout the day. The main drawback is that the low headline price does not cover every extra: snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fins, wetsuits, and the optional quad bike ride may cost more.

Key points to know before you book

• The Colored Canyon is an active walk, with rocky ground, narrow passages, and some climbing. Good footwear matters.
• Blue Hole snorkeling requires extra gear, and one visitor paid €10 per person for a wetsuit, life jacket, and fins.
• The itinerary can change order, so you may snorkel and eat lunch before visiting the canyon.
• The $21 price is strong value for transport, guiding, lunch, camel riding, and the main sightseeing, but check which options are included.
• The day is packed with activities, making it a good fit for active families and first-time visitors to Sinai.
• Bring cash and water, since one small bottle was reported to cost 100 Egyptian pounds at the site.

Why this day trip works so well

From Sharm El Sheikh, this outing gives you a broad taste of the southern Sinai region without arranging separate transport to Dahab and the desert. You leave early in an air-conditioned vehicle, then switch to a jeep for the rougher desert sections.

I like this format because the day keeps changing pace. You walk through a sandstone gorge, move to the coast for snorkeling, eat beside the sea, ride a camel, and then finish with optional quad biking and shopping. It is not a slow, quiet excursion. It is a full day with plenty of moving parts.

The trip is priced at about $21 per person, which is unusually low for the amount included. Hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned transfer, a canyon and snorkeling guide, jeep transport, lunch, bottled water, the camel ride, and the Dahab stop are covered.

Still, read the options carefully when booking. Access to Blue Hole and Abu Galum may depend on the option selected, as may the ATV ride along the coast and mountains. Cultural Egyptian scarves are also an add-on rather than a standard inclusion.

The early transfer from Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab

Pickup time depends on where your hotel is located, so you should confirm the exact time the day before. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is normal for a multi-hotel pickup, but you should be ready early.

The ride is in air-conditioned transport, a welcome feature once the desert heat rises. The early start is necessary because the program covers a lot of ground, but it also means this is not the right choice if you want a relaxed morning.

The drive toward Dahab helps set up the day. You leave the resort zone behind and head toward a more rugged part of Sinai, where desert mountains meet the Red Sea. The transfer itself is not the main attraction, but it makes the later stops possible without you needing to hire a private vehicle.

The guides are an important part of the day. Mido is praised for his professional and cheerful manner, while Ahmed is described as especially helpful with both adults and children. Emad is also noted for explaining each activity clearly. These details matter because a day with several transfers and equipment changes can become confusing without a guide keeping everyone together.

Walking through the 800-meter Colored Canyon

The Colored Canyon is the visual high point for many people. Its sandstone walls show bands of yellow, purple, red, and gold, formed into a narrow natural maze that stretches for about 800 meters.

You do not simply stop at a viewpoint and take a few photos. You walk into the gorge, following the guide through passages where the rock walls close in around you. The colors are strongest where the sunlight catches the layered stone, and each bend gives you a slightly different view.

The canyon walk is manageable for many reasonably active people, but it is not a paved stroll. The ground is rocky, and some sections call for careful footing or a little climbing. One useful piece of advice is to wear shoes with a firm sole and good grip. Sandals and smooth trainers can make the walk harder than it needs to be.

I would also avoid carrying a large day bag. A small backpack with water, sun protection, and a camera is easier to manage in narrow sections. The canyon is exposed, and shade can be limited, so a hat and sunscreen are sensible additions.

The guide provides an explanation of the canyon’s formation and history. That context helps turn the walk from a photo stop into a better reading of the rock itself. Look closely at the walls rather than rushing from one bend to the next. The changing bands and folds are the reason this stop earns its place on the program.

The order of the day may vary. The advertised sequence places the canyon first, but the group may visit Blue Hole or eat lunch before coming here. That can be a minor disappointment if you have planned around a particular schedule, but it does not change the main sights included.

Blue Hole National Park and the snorkeling stop

Blue Hole National Park offers a sharp change from the desert. Here, you have time on the beach and the chance to snorkel over coral reefs with colorful fish and other sea life.

The underwater setting is the main reason to choose this trip rather than a canyon-only safari. The contrast is striking: dry rock and dust in the morning, then clear sea, coral, and fish later in the day.

There are some practical points to take seriously. Snorkeling gear is not included in the basic package. You may need to rent fins, a life jacket, and a wetsuit, with one quoted cost of €10 per person for that set. Another visitor specifically paid £5 per life jacket, so prices can vary by arrangement or date. Bring enough cash and ask what is included before entering the water.

A life jacket may be required, and one visitor described the sea as choppy and difficult to swim in. That is especially important for children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. I would not treat the life jacket as an optional comfort item. It can make the stop safer and less tiring.

Snorkeling is also affected by conditions on the day. The trip includes a guide, but you should listen closely to instructions and avoid pushing beyond your comfort level. If you are mainly interested in relaxing beside the water, the beach gives you that option too.

The Blue Hole and Abu Galum visit is listed as included only when that option is selected. Check the booking details carefully, since the base price and the upgraded version may not cover exactly the same activities.

Lunch in a Bedouin tent beside the sea

After the morning activities, lunch is served at a beach camp in a Bedouin tent. The meal is a BBQ, and the setting does much of the work: sea views on one side, mountains and desert around you, and a chance to sit down after the canyon and water activities.

This is more than a quick packed lunch in a vehicle. The tent gives the middle of the day a local character, even though the stop is part of a packaged excursion. You can take a breather, refill your energy, and enjoy the setting before the next round of activities.

The lunch stop may happen before the canyon if the guide changes the order. That is worth knowing if you are expecting a particular meal time. The program is active enough that you will probably appreciate the food whenever it appears.

Water is included as a bottle, but I would still carry extra water from Sharm El Sheikh. One visitor reported paying 100 Egyptian pounds for a small bottle at the site, a steep price compared with what you may pay elsewhere. Staying hydrated matters in the desert, especially if you add quad biking and a camel ride.

Camel riding along the Dahab coast

The camel ride is a short, photo-friendly part of the day rather than a long desert trek. You ride along the coast and have a chance to capture pictures with the sea and mountains behind you.

I like this stop because it adds a cultural element to a program otherwise built around scenery and action. You get a brief introduction to a traditional mode of transport and a different view of the shoreline.

Keep your expectations in proportion. The ride is included as an activity, but the available information does not suggest a lengthy expedition. Think of it as a memorable break and a chance for photographs, not as a full camel safari.

Guides and drivers may help with the practical details. One account specifically praises Abdul for helping with scarves, while Rahim is noted for taking pictures along the way. If you want photos of your group rather than only selfies, ask the guide at a suitable stop.

Optional quad biking through the desert and along the coast

The ATV ride is one of the optional extras. When selected, you ride through Dahab’s coastal and mountain terrain, adding a faster, more physical element to the day.

This activity will appeal to you if you like engines, open space, and a little adrenaline. It also makes the schedule more demanding. After walking through the canyon, snorkeling, and riding a camel, you may find the quad bike fun but tiring.

Check the exact package before you pay. The ATV ride is not automatically part of every booking, and the same applies to the Blue Hole and Abu Galum option. The $21 headline rate should therefore be viewed as a starting price, not necessarily the final cost for every activity shown in the full program.

A short shopping stop in Dahab

The return route includes time in Dahab City for shopping. The market has stalls selling souvenirs and other items, including local-style goods and cultural Egyptian scarves when that add-on is selected.

This is a short stop, so I would use it for browsing rather than expecting a major shopping session. Dahab is a useful place to look for a small reminder of the day, but compare prices and avoid feeling pressured to buy.

The stop also breaks up the return journey. After a day outdoors, a little time to walk among the stalls can be pleasant, though people who dislike tourist shopping may see it as less important than the canyon or snorkeling.

Guides, drivers, and how the day is managed

The most consistent strength of this outing is the human side. Mido is praised for being kind, professional, and upbeat. Mustafa is described as great fun, Ahmed as helpful to the whole group, and Emad as clear and attentive.

Said is noted for explaining the activities and Bedouin customs, while Rahim helped with photos and stayed involved throughout the day. The drivers also receive credit for smooth transfers and practical help.

That matters when you are traveling with children or in a mixed-age group. One booking included two families with four adults and four children, and the guide team was described as patient and ready to help. You should still expect a group tour, not a private guide at your sole disposal, but the staff appears to take group care seriously.

The languages offered are English, Italian, and Arabic. If you need detailed explanations, confirm that your selected language is available when booking.

Is the $21 price good value?

Yes, if you understand what the basic price covers. For about $21, the package includes transport from your hotel, the main canyon visit, a guide, jeep transport, lunch in a Bedouin tent, a camel ride, water, and the Dahab shopping stop. That is a strong bundle.

The value becomes even better if you plan to do several of these activities anyway. Arranging separate transport to the canyon, Blue Hole, and Dahab would be more complicated, and you would need to coordinate drivers and local guides yourself.

The extra costs are the main caution. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the life jacket may be compulsory. Wetsuits, fins, and the ATV ride can add to the final price. Ask for the complete cost of your chosen option before confirming.

The flexible booking terms also help. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Confirm the pickup time one day before the trip, since the exact time depends on your hotel.

Who should book this Sinai excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want maximum variety in one day. Families, first-time visitors to Sharm El Sheikh, active couples, and anyone who wants both desert scenery and Red Sea snorkeling are likely to get good value.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy guided travel and do not want to organize several transfers. The combination of English, Italian, and Arabic guiding, plus help from the drivers, makes the day easier to manage.

I would hesitate if you want long, unhurried time at the beach or a quiet cultural visit. The schedule is busy, the order can change, and several activities involve heat, uneven ground, or physical effort.

Pack closed walking shoes, a swimsuit, sun protection, extra water, and cash for equipment and drinks. If you have children with you, pay particular attention to the life jacket requirement and the sea conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is variety, scenery, and strong value rather than a slow pace. The Colored Canyon is genuinely striking, Blue Hole adds a memorable water stop, and the lunch, camel ride, and optional quad bike give the day plenty of texture.

Before paying, confirm whether your package includes Blue Hole and Abu Galum, the ATV ride, and any snorkeling equipment. With those details clear, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to see the canyon, coast, and Dahab in one well-filled day.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour includes hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and return transportation to your hotel.

How do I find out my pickup time?

Pickup depends on your hotel location. Confirm the exact time one day before departure, and allow for a possible delay of up to 10 minutes.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided in air-conditioned transportation.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included in the standard package. You may need to pay separately for fins, a life jacket, and a wetsuit.

Is the life jacket required?

A life jacket may be required for snorkeling. One account states that participants could not enter the sea without one, so bring money for this possible extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a BBQ lunch served in a Bedouin tent at a beach camp in Dahab.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride along the sea is listed as part of the included activities.

Is quad biking included in the $21 price?

The ATV ride is included only when the relevant option is selected. Check your package before booking.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also allows you to reserve now and pay later.