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

The best part of this day is the sharp change of scenery: one moment you are walking between striped sandstone walls, and later you are floating above coral at the Blue Hole. I like the mix of desert, sea, food, and local life, especially the camel ride and quad bike run along Dahab’s coast.

I also like that guides such as Mido, Ahmed, Emad, and Said have been praised for keeping groups together, explaining local customs, and helping with the practical bits. The main consideration is pace. This is a packed day, and snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fins, and wetsuits may cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• 800-meter Colored Canyon: Walk through narrow sandstone walls marked with yellow, red, purple, and gold tones.
• Blue Hole snorkeling: Enjoy coral and fish from the beach, but bring money for required safety equipment.
• Several activities in one day: The package can include a jeep safari, camel ride, ATV ride, canyon walk, snorkeling, lunch, and shopping.
• Bedouin beach lunch: Stop for a BBQ meal in a tent beside the sea and mountains.
• Dahab shopping stop: Finish the active portion with time to browse local stalls and buy souvenirs.
• Strong value at $21: The price is low for a full day of transport and activities, though some extras are not included.

A packed Sinai day from Sharm El Sheikh

This is not a slow sightseeing trip. It is a full-day outing built around movement, short stops, and several different ways to see the Sinai Peninsula. You leave Sharm El Sheikh early in an air-conditioned vehicle, head toward Dahab, and then switch into a jeep for the rougher desert sections.

I like this format if you want to see more than one side of the region without arranging separate excursions. The day gives you red rock, open desert, coral water, a Bedouin meal, animals, motorized fun, and a market stop. You get a broad taste of Dahab and its surroundings rather than spending hours at one site.

The trade-off is that the schedule can feel busy. One account of the day had snorkeling and lunch before the canyon, even though the canyon appears first in the planned order. That kind of change is not a major problem, but it shows why you should treat the order as flexible.

Pickup time depends on your hotel. Confirm it the day before, and allow for a delay of up to 10 minutes. The exact timing matters because the first part of the day begins early and the drive from Sharm El Sheikh takes a good portion of the morning.

The Colored Canyon and its 800-meter stone walls

The Colored Canyon is the visual high point for many people. A jeep takes you into the desert, where you walk through a natural gorge about 800 meters long. The sandstone walls show bands of yellow, purple, red, and gold, with the color shifting as the rock catches the light.

This is not a paved walkway with handrails. You move through a natural maze, over rocky ground and through narrower sections. The walk is manageable for many people, but you should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with a good grip. Oskar’s practical advice is worth following here, particularly if you enjoy climbing over rocks or feel unsure on uneven surfaces.

The canyon guide explains how the gorge formed and gives some local context. That explanation adds value because the canyon is more than a photo stop. The folds, stripes, and tight passages show how wind and water have shaped the sandstone over time.

Bring patience for the walk. The narrow sections may slow the group, and the rough ground makes sandals a poor choice. You will want both hands free in places, so a small bag is more useful than a large backpack.

The canyon also gives the day its quietest moments. Once you are between the walls, the noise of the vehicle disappears and the setting feels far removed from the resort coast. I like that contrast. The Blue Hole brings sound, water, and activity; the canyon offers texture, shade in places, and a chance to focus on the rock.

Blue Hole National Park and the snorkeling stop

At Blue Hole National Park, you have time to sit by the sea and snorkel among coral and fish. The water is the reason for the stop, but conditions can be active. One detailed account describes choppy water and explains that a life jacket was required before entering the sea.

This is important for families and for anyone who is not a strong swimmer. Safety equipment may not be included in the advertised price. Expect possible charges for a life jacket, fins, and wetsuit, with one account reporting €10 per person for wetsuit, life jacket, and fins. Another person specifically paid £5 for a life jacket. Prices can vary, so carry extra cash and ask the guide before you reach the water.

Snorkeling gear itself is not included. You can bring your own equipment or rent it locally, but the supplied details do not confirm rental prices for every item. A bottle of water is included, though you should still carry more if possible. Small bottles at the site were reported at 100 Egyptian pounds, so buying several there can quickly erase part of the tour’s low price.

The coral and fish make this a worthwhile stop, but do not expect a calm swimming pool. Sea conditions affect how long you can comfortably stay in the water. If you are bringing children, pay close attention to the guide’s instructions and plan to use the life jacket.

The Blue Hole is also a good place to slow down. After the canyon walk and jeep ride, sitting beside the sea gives you a break before lunch and the later activities. I would not book this tour only for a long snorkeling session, since the day includes many other stops, but the water adds a welcome change to the desert scenery.

BBQ lunch in a Bedouin tent by the sea

Lunch is served at a beach camp in a Bedouin tent, with the sea and mountains nearby. The setting is part of the appeal. You are not simply stopping at a roadside restaurant; you get a short look at a traditional style of hospitality within a modern day trip.

The meal is a BBQ, and it gives you time to sit, eat, and catch your breath. This pause matters because the day involves walking, swimming, riding, and driving. If your group includes children, older relatives, or anyone who tires easily, lunch is a useful reset before the final activities.

The cultural explanation from guides such as Said can add something beyond the meal. He has been praised for explaining Bedouin ways of life, while guides including Ahmed and Emad have been noted for helping people and giving clear instructions. The quality of a day like this depends heavily on how well the guide handles transitions, especially when several families or language groups are together.

Do not expect a long, leisurely meal with an open-ended schedule. It is one part of a busy day. Still, eating beside the water and mountains gives the lunch more character than a standard included meal.

Camel ride and quad biking along Dahab’s coast

After lunch, the tour includes a camel ride along the sea. This is a short, photo-friendly activity rather than a long expedition. You get a different view of the coast and a chance to try a classic desert mode of transport.

The camel ride can be a highlight for first-time visitors, particularly children. It is also one of the calmer activities in the program. Listen carefully when mounting and dismounting, and follow the staff’s instructions.

The optional ATV ride adds the opposite mood. You ride along Dahab’s coastline and through the desert near the mountains, giving the afternoon a burst of speed after the slower camel section. The ATV is included only if you select that option, so check your booking carefully rather than assuming it comes with the base price.

I like the pairing of these two activities because they show how quickly the day changes. You go from sitting high on a camel to handling a quad bike, then return to the coast and the town. The downside is that anyone seeking a quiet cultural outing may find the motorized section too focused on excitement.

The tour description also lists Blue Hole and Abu Galum if that option is selected. Since the exact package can vary, confirm which water and ATV activities are included before paying. The base offer and add-ons are not identical.

Dahab market and the last stop of the day

The final visit is to Dahab City, where you have a short shopping stop. Expect stalls with souvenirs and locally styled items, including scarves and other small goods. Cultural Egyptian scarves are available only if that add-on is selected.

This is not a full afternoon for browsing. Think of it as a chance to pick up a few reminders of the day, look at local merchandise, and stretch your legs before the return drive. Keep your expectations in line with the timing.

I like ending in Dahab because it adds a human, everyday element after the canyon and sea. The town is not just a transfer point. You get a glimpse of its shops and stalls, and you can use the stop to buy something you might not find back at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel.

The market is also where you should keep your budget in mind. The tour price is only $21 per person, but snacks, drinks, rented equipment, scarves, and souvenirs can add up. Decide in advance how much extra money you want to carry.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full-day trip from Sharm El Sheikh. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in air-conditioned transport, a professional canyon and snorkeling guide, the jeep safari, the canyon visit and explanation, lunch in a Bedouin tent, a camel ride, water, and the Dahab shopping stop.

That is strong value if you want variety. You are paying one low base price for transport across the region and several planned activities. The tour also has a 4.5 rating from 63 recorded ratings, which supports the idea that the basic organization and guide service generally work well.

Still, do not treat $21 as the final possible cost. Snorkeling gear is excluded. Life jackets may be compulsory, and wetsuits and fins may also require rental fees. The ATV ride, Blue Hole and Abu Galum access, and cultural scarves depend on the options or add-ons you choose.

I would set aside extra cash for safety equipment, drinks, and small purchases. One person paid 100 Egyptian pounds for a small bottle of water, so the included bottle is useful but not enough for everyone during a long, hot day.

Guides, vehicles, and the rhythm of the day

The guide can make or break a multi-stop excursion. Mido has been praised for being professional, kind, polite, and attentive. Ahmed, Emad, Said, and Mustafa are also named as helpful guides, while Rahim is noted for assisting with photographs. Drivers have been described as smooth and helpful, including Abdul, who even helped with folding scarves.

The language options are English, Italian, and Arabic. Clear instructions matter here because the group moves from vehicle to canyon, canyon to water, water to lunch, and then into the riding activities.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle for the hotel transfers, with a jeep used for the safari portion. The combination is sensible. The larger vehicle keeps the long road sections more comfortable, while the jeep gives access to the desert and canyon area.

You should expect a group experience, not a private tour. The guides work to keep people together and explain what is happening, but the schedule may shift. If you need a fixed sequence, a private vehicle, or long stays at each stop, this may not be the right format.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend it to you if you want maximum variety and do not mind an early start or a full schedule. It suits first-time visitors to the Sinai who want to combine the Colored Canyon, Blue Hole, Dahab, and several classic activities without booking separate transport.

Families can enjoy the range of choices, though parents should plan for heat, rough canyon ground, choppy water, and extra safety costs. Children need close supervision during snorkeling, camel riding, and ATV activities.

It also works well for active couples and groups of friends. The canyon, camel ride, and quad bike offer plenty of photo opportunities, while lunch and the market stop prevent the day from becoming only an exercise outing.

I would hesitate if your priority is a long, relaxed beach day, a quiet cultural visit, or specialist snorkeling. The sea may be rough, the water session is only one part of the program, and the schedule can change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a low-cost, high-variety day from Sharm El Sheikh and are happy to trade a little flexibility for a lot of experiences. The strongest reasons are the colorful 800-meter canyon, the coral at Blue Hole, the Bedouin lunch setting, and the chance to add a camel ride and ATV trip.

Before you go, confirm the pickup time, check exactly which options are included, bring sturdy shoes, carry extra water money, and budget for snorkeling equipment and a life jacket. If you prepare for those details, the $21 base price offers an impressive amount of Sinai in a single day.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Sharm El Sheikh in air-conditioned transportation.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $21 per person.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English, Italian, and Arabic.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included in the tour price.

Is a life jacket required for snorkeling?

A detailed account of the activity states that a life jacket was required before entering the sea. You should bring extra money for this possible rental cost.

What food is included?

The tour includes a BBQ lunch served in a Bedouin tent on the beach in Dahab.

Is the ATV ride included?

The ATV ride is included only if you select that option.

Is Blue Hole and Abu Galum included?

Blue Hole and Abu Galum are included if you select that option.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-and-pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.