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

The Sinai gets dramatic fast. This Sharm El Sheikh day trip packs Colored Canyon and the Blue Hole into one full day, with a jeep ride, snorkeling, camel ride, quad biking, a Bedouin-style BBQ lunch, and time in Dahab. It is a busy outing, but it gives you a broad taste of desert, coast, sea life, and local shopping in one go.

I especially like the striking sandstone walls and the chance to combine them with a swim among coral and fish. The guides, including Mustafa, Mido, Ahmed, Emad, and Said, have drawn strong praise for being cheerful, helpful, and clear. The main drawback is the pace: the schedule can change, and snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and some extras may cost more than the advertised $21.

Key things to know before booking

• The Colored Canyon is an 800-meter sandstone gorge with yellow, purple, red, and gold rock walls, plus some uneven walking and scrambling.
• Blue Hole snorkeling is a major highlight, but the sea can be choppy and a life jacket may be required.
• The day includes several separate activities, including a jeep safari, camel ride, quad bike ride, lunch, beach time, and a Dahab shopping stop.
• The $21 price offers strong value, though snorkeling gear is not included and optional Blue Hole, Abu Galum, and ATV activities depend on the package selected.
• Good footwear and extra water matter, especially for the rocky canyon and the long day in the heat.
• Pickup times vary by hotel, so confirm your exact collection time the day before.

Why this day trip is worth considering

This outing is aimed at people who want more than a standard beach day. In one trip from Sharm El Sheikh, you get desert rock formations, Red Sea snorkeling, Bedouin food, coastal riding, and a short look at Dahab.

That range is the main selling point. You are not spending the entire day on a bus or at one beach. You keep changing settings, which helps the hours pass quickly. The tradeoff is that none of the stops feels slow or private. You are fitting several major activities into one packed day.

At $21 per person, the value looks very good if the basic transport, guide, canyon visit, lunch, camel ride, and shopping stop are included as described. The final cost needs a little care, because snorkeling equipment is excluded and some versions include Blue Hole, Abu Galum, or the ATV ride only when selected.

Early pickup from Sharm El Sheikh

Your day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact time depends on where you are staying, so do not rely on a general departure time. Confirm it one day before the trip, and allow for a possible delay of up to 10 minutes.

The road to Dahab gives you a useful change of scene. Sharm El Sheikh is built around resort beaches and organized tourist facilities. Dahab feels more relaxed and more connected to desert and coastal life. The journey is part of the experience, though you should expect an early start and a long day before returning to Sharm.

The guide is an important part of the day. The strongest praise has gone to guides such as Mido, Mustafa, Ahmed, Emad, and Said, with particular appreciation for their patience, humor, explanations, and willingness to help. The exact guide cannot be promised, but the guide’s role is more than pointing out stops. You will need someone to manage transfers, explain local customs, and keep several activities moving.

Walking through the 800-meter Colored Canyon

The Colored Canyon is the most unusual land stop. Its sandstone walls form a narrow, twisting route through the desert, with bands of yellow, red, purple, and gold shaped by erosion.

The gorge is about 800 meters long. You will not simply stroll along a flat path. The route can include rocky surfaces, narrow passages, and sections where you need to place your feet carefully. One useful piece of advice is to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes rather than flip-flops or smooth-soled sandals.

I like this part because it rewards attention. Look closely at the walls instead of rushing only to take photographs. The colors change with the angle of the sun, and the tight turns make the gorge feel more like a natural maze than a typical sightseeing viewpoint.

The guide also provides an explanation of the canyon and its formation. That context helps you understand why the rock has such strong bands and grooves. The visit is not a technical climbing trip, but anyone who feels unsure on uneven rock should take it slowly and follow the guide’s route.

The order of stops may change. One account of the day had snorkeling and lunch before the canyon, despite the planned sequence suggesting the canyon would come first. This is worth knowing in advance. The operator may adjust the order to suit conditions, transport, or the day’s timing.

Snorkeling at Blue Hole National Park

Blue Hole National Park provides the coastal counterpoint to the canyon. Here you can spend time at the beach and snorkel over coral with colorful fish and other marine life.

The setting is memorable because the water sits against the dry desert and mountain backdrop. You get a sharp contrast between the bare rock inland and the life below the surface. If you enjoy seeing coral and fish without committing to a full scuba program, this stop offers a useful introduction to the Red Sea.

There are two practical points to take seriously. First, snorkeling gear is not included. You may need to hire fins, a wetsuit, a mask, or other equipment. One cost reported for a package of wetsuit, life jacket, and fins was €10 per person. Another account noted a £5 charge for a life jacket alone, so prices and currencies may vary by supplier and day.

Second, the water can be choppy. A life jacket may be compulsory, and that is especially important for children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Bring extra cash for this cost, since you may not be allowed into the sea without one.

The snorkeling itself can be excellent when conditions cooperate. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a group outing, not a private marine excursion, and your time in the water is only one part of a long program. Still, the mix of coral, fish, beach, and mountain scenery makes Blue Hole one of the day’s strongest stops.

BBQ lunch beside the sea

After the morning activities, lunch is served at a beach camp in a Bedouin tent. The BBQ meal gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and get out of the vehicle for a while.

The setting adds more than decoration. A meal beside the sea and mountains feels different from eating at a resort buffet, and the tent offers a small window into the hospitality associated with desert communities. The guide may also explain aspects of Bedouin life and local customs during the day.

Do not treat lunch as a long, leisurely restaurant visit. The program has several more activities, so the stop is designed to refuel and keep the day moving. Carrying your own water is wise. Bottled water may be available, but a small bottle has reportedly cost 100 Egyptian pounds, which is high enough to make advance planning worthwhile.

The included bottle of water is helpful, but I would still bring more if you can. Heat, walking, snorkeling, and quad biking all increase how much you may need.

Camel riding along the coast

The camel ride is brief compared with the canyon and snorkeling, but it adds a traditional desert activity to the day. You ride along the sea and have an opportunity to take photographs with the coast and mountains behind you.

This is best viewed as a short scenic ride rather than an extended camel trek. It gives you the classic Sinai photograph without making the whole day about camels. If you have never ridden one, listen closely when mounting and dismounting, since the animal rises and kneels in stages.

The ride is also a chance to slow down after the more active canyon walk and snorkeling. The photo opportunities are a clear part of the appeal, and guides such as Rahim have been praised for helping people take pictures throughout the day.

Quad biking near Dahab

The ATV portion adds speed after the slower camel ride. You follow the coast and mountain area by quad bike, taking in the open terrain while riding under supervision.

This activity is listed as an option, so check that your chosen package includes it. The same applies to Blue Hole and Abu Galum. A low headline price may refer to a basic version, while the activity-packed version costs more.

Quad biking is a good fit if you want a little adrenaline and do not mind operating a vehicle on rough ground. It may be less appealing if you prefer a quiet day or are already concerned about the amount of activity packed into the schedule. Ask the operator what is included in your exact selection before you pay.

A short look at Dahab city

The final city stop is mainly for shopping. Dahab has stalls selling scarves, souvenirs, and other items that are harder to find in a standard resort shop.

This is not a full cultural tour of Dahab. You get a brief chance to browse, practice bargaining, and pick up a reminder of the day. It works best when you treat it as free time rather than a major sightseeing stop.

Egyptian scarves are also available as an add-on. They can be useful in the sun and dust, and they make a practical souvenir. If you are offered one, ask whether it is part of your package or an extra before accepting it.

The shopping stop comes late, when you may be tired. Keep your purchases manageable, and do not feel pressured to buy. The best value here is the chance to see a different side of Dahab after the desert and sea activities.

Transport, guides, and the pace of the day

The air-conditioned transport is a real benefit. The distance from Sharm El Sheikh to the canyon and Dahab makes a private car or taxi expensive, while an organized vehicle removes the need to arrange several separate transfers.

The jeep safari gives the day a more adventurous feel than a normal minibus excursion. Drivers and support staff also matter, because the group must move between canyon paths, beach facilities, camel areas, quad bikes, and the city.

Past participants have praised the organization and the people running the day. Ahmed has been described as especially helpful, while Emad received praise for explaining each part clearly and assisting families. Said was noted for discussing Bedouin life, and Abdul was appreciated for driving and helping with scarves. These names are useful indicators of the sort of service you may receive, but guide assignments can change.

The pace is the main logistical weakness. A day with a canyon, snorkeling, lunch, camel riding, quad biking, and shopping leaves little room for lingering. You may find the schedule changes from the advertised order. That flexibility can help the operator manage the day, but it also means you should not expect a rigid timetable.

What to pack for the best day

A few simple choices can make this outing much more comfortable:

• Wear closed, comfortable shoes with a good grip for the canyon.
• Bring plenty of drinking water, since extra bottles may be expensive.
• Carry cash for snorkeling equipment and life jackets.
• Pack swimwear, a towel, and sun protection.
• Bring a phone or camera for the canyon, camel ride, coast, and Dahab stop.
• Use a scarf or hat for sun and dust.
• Wear clothes that are comfortable for sitting, walking, and riding.

You should also be ready for sand, sun, wet clothing, and uneven ground. This is not a polished resort excursion from beginning to end. Its appeal comes from moving through real desert and coastal settings, so practical clothing matters more than dressing up.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want to see several sides of the Sinai without arranging separate excursions. Families can enjoy it too, particularly because the activities change often and the guides have been praised for helping children and adults.

It suits active people who like a full schedule. You will probably enjoy it if you want to walk through a canyon, snorkel, ride a camel, use a quad bike, and browse a market all in one day.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet beach day, a slow visit to Dahab, or a long snorkeling session. The canyon also calls for steady footing, and the sea conditions can make snorkeling harder than expected. Children and weaker swimmers should use the required safety equipment and follow the guide’s instructions.

Is the $21 price good value?

At $21 per person, the basic package offers a lot for the money. Transport from Sharm El Sheikh, a guide, jeep travel, the canyon, lunch, camel ride, water, and a Dahab shopping stop would already make this a practical introduction to the area.

The value becomes even stronger if your selected option includes Blue Hole, Abu Galum, and the ATV ride. But do not judge the final cost by the headline price alone. Snorkeling equipment is excluded, and equipment charges can add up for a family.

I would ask three questions before booking: Is Blue Hole included in my exact option? Is the ATV ride included? What will I pay for the mask, fins, wetsuit, and life jacket? Those answers will tell you the real price.

The flexible booking terms also help if your plans are not fixed. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Pickup details still need confirming the day before.

Final verdict: should you book it?

Book this trip if you want maximum variety at a low starting price and are happy with a busy day. The Colored Canyon is the visual star, Blue Hole adds a strong Red Sea experience, and the camel ride, quad bike, lunch, and Dahab stop keep the day varied.

I would skip it if your priority is unhurried snorkeling, a peaceful day by the sea, or a detailed visit to Dahab. Before booking, choose the right package, budget for equipment, bring water, and wear proper shoes.

For active families, first-time visitors, and anyone keen to sample desert and coast in one outing, this is a well-priced and memorable choice. The guides and drivers appear to be one of its greatest strengths, and that matters when a long day includes so many moving parts.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed starting price is $21 per person. Optional activities and equipment may cost extra, so check the selected package before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. You may need to hire items such as fins, a wetsuit, or a life jacket.

Is a life jacket required at the Blue Hole?

A life jacket may be required before entering the sea. The water can be choppy, and an extra charge may apply.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Arabic.

Are Blue Hole, Abu Galum, and the ATV ride included?

They are included only if the relevant option is selected. Confirm the exact package before paying.

What should I wear for the Colored Canyon?

Wear good, comfortable footwear with a firm grip. The canyon has rocky surfaces and may require careful walking or scrambling.