Fly at c. 3.15pm from London Heathrow to Cairo (time in the air: c. 4 hours 30 minutes). Spend two nights in central Cairo.

Cairo. Visit some of the most important monuments of Coptic Cairo: the churches and museum. Lunch in Al-Azhar Park, followed by free time in Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Eastern Desert, Ain Sokhna. Leave Cairo for the desert monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul. Continue up the Red Sea coast to Ain Sokhna. Overnight Ain Sokhna.

Sinai, St Catherine’s. Cross through the tunnel under Suez Canal into Sinai, through mountainous landscape via Wadi Sikh to Wadi Mokattab with its many rock inscriptions, through Wadi Feiran to St Catherine’s Village. Spend two nights in St Catherine’s Village.

St Catherine’s Monastery, Mt Sinai. Morning tour of St Catherine’s. The monastery grew around a chapel founded by Empress Helena in ad 337 on the site of the Burning Bush, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims; the fortified walls and the church were provided by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, and the icons and manuscripts, in unparalleled numbers, date from the Byzantine period. We arrange special access to parts not usually visited (subject to confirmation). Optional climb up Mt Sinai; or take an easier walk up El Malga or a desert drive.

Central Sinai, Nuweiba. The day is spent off-road exploring some of the most spectacular sights of central Sinai: Wadi Genah, Wadi Safra, rocks of Gebel Barqa. Bedouin lunch near Holy Mountain followed by the prehistoric settlement of Nuwamis and its mysterious dry-wall circular stone tombs. Continue to the Red Sea coast to spend two nights in Nuweiba.

Nuweiba. Optional camel trek and walk through Wadi Ghazala to the oasis of Ain Khudra. Yellow and red sand, pink sandstone, black basalt rocks and green palm trees make this one of the most beautiful areas of Sinai. Picnic lunch in the oasis near a clear water spring then drive through Wadi Khudra. Bedouin dinner under the stars in El Magaza.

Nuweiba to Heliopolis. Drive north along the coast to Salah el-Din Village and take the short crossing by boat to Pharaoh’s Island, believed to be the ancient Phoenician port of Eziongeber. Visit the imposing Ottoman fortress. Drive to Cairo via the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel passing under the Suez Canal. Overnight in Heliopolis.

Fly to Heathrow, arriving at c. 1.30pm.