Extreme Egypt

From Red Sea diving to desert safaris and sand boarding, find out why Egypt is a growing destination for extreme sports in 2015

Traditionally Egypt has been a holiday destination for history fanatics hoping to explore the ancient world. World-famous for its temples, pyramids and wonderfully preserved crypts and artefacts, few people would associate Egypt with extreme sports.

But with bags to offer in the way of world-class dive sites, sandboarding, bungee jumping and mountain trekking, Egypt is quickly building a reputation as a top destination for adventurous travellers.

Here we take a look at some of the exciting activities on offer:

Trekking up Mount Catherine

Mount Catherine is the tallest mountain in Egypt, offering views over the whole of Sinai on a clear day. It is named after  St. Catherine of Alexandria, a woman who was tortured and eventually beheaded in around 260AD for her Christian beliefs. Legend has it, angels carried her body away into the Sinai Mountains, where monks later found it in the 9th or 10th century, after one of them had a vision it was there.

Today you can still visit her remains in a sarcophagus in St Catherine’s church, located at the foot of Mount Sinai. On the way you can also visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush – featuring in Exodus 3:2 when God told Moses to take the people of Israel out of Egypt.

The sublime views from Mount Catherine will awe anybody hoping for their own ‘religious experience’, with walkers required to navigate remote canyons and steep, narrow trails over the spectacular landscape. Once at the summit, trekkers are treated to a 360º view over Sinai, including the jagged peak of Mount Sinai which, although dominating from the ground, looks like a mere hillock from 8,625ft.

Tip: Time your ascent to coincide with sunrise at the summit. Watching the  rocky landscape transform from dusky blue to a bright, burning orange is something you will never forget.

Sandboarding

Originally trending in the Emirates, sandboarding has quickly become one of Egypt’s most popular desert sports. Anyone with moderate fitness can have a go at the safe but exhilarating sport. It is just like snowboarding but, as you probably guessed, it takes place on sand dunes. Tour operators offer a number of sandboarding excursions from Cairo, Alexandria and Mara Matrouh to a perfect spot near Siwa Oasis.

The giant dunes here were created by the wind, sweeping the sand into piles up to 140m high. This spot is thought to be one of the best in the world, where you can enjoy a whole dune to yourself and get back to your hotel in time for a swim before sunset.

During the day you will be staggered by the beauty of the dunes, and if you have time, try to drop by into the town of Siwa itself, which is inhabited by people with their own culture and language. This is one of the best places in Egypt to buy traditional local crafts.

After a long day of sandboarding – why not take a dip in the oasis’ freshwater springs and salt lakes, surrounded by lush olive orchards and palm groves?

Windsurfing

Egypt’s Red Sea offers some excellent spots for windsurfing. The English-run club Moonbeach Windsurfing near Ras Sudr is particularly recommended, offering windsurfing and kitesurfing coaching in a friendly, safe environment. At the centre you can mingle with other adventure-seekers at the bar, enjoying cold beer on the decking that overlooks the beach. It’s an ideal place to watch the action on the water when you’re not out there yourself. Instruction and equipment hire is available for all levels, whether you are learning from scratch, or improving your skills.

Instructors coach small, dedicated groups so each individual gets a decent amount of one-to-one teaching time. Moonbeach Hotel is simple but comfortable, nestled in a stunning location between the imposing Sinai desert and the turquoise-blue Gulf of Suez. The hotel benefits from being right on the beach, so guests can open their screen doors right onto the sand.

For something more exclusive, you can rent the centre’s villa and enjoy uninterrupted views of all the windsurfing action.

Hiking in Wadi Degla

Just a mere 10 minute drive away from Cairo is the nature protectorate of Wadi Degla, a tranquil retreat from the pollution and traffic in Cairo. Hikers will find a winding valley that continues into the far distance, flanked by stunning rock formations. People are only just starting to discover this quiet enclave, so for holidaymakers who find the bustling streets of Cairo too exhausting, Wadi Degla is the perfect place to take a breather.

Boulderers will love the unusual rock formations, which are ideal for exploring. Fossils can still be found here, remnants of a time where the whole valley was flooded with water. The wildlife at Wadi Degla includes various species of reptiles, birds, bats and sometimes larger creatures such as gazelles and foxes.

The area isn’t just an ideal spot for hiking – the smooth trails that run through the valley are also perfect for cycling and running. Make sure you pack a picnic or at least an apple, so you can sit down and take in the magnificent desert views.

Wreck diving

Egypt’s Red Sea is home to some of the best wreck diving in the world, thanks to its pristine waters and spectacular diversity of marine life. What started out as tragedy – ships running aground in fierce storms on coral reefs – is now a moment in time preserved beneath the waves, offering divers a haunting and fascinating experience.

There are numerous dive resorts along the Egyptian coast, offering year-round sunshine and warm waters. As one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, the Red Sea is a spectacular place with more than 1,000 species of invertebrates, over 200 species of soft and hard coral and 1,100 species of fish.

Swim with sharks, dolphins and schools of glittering tropical fish in every colour imaginable.

Bungee jumping

Known as the ‘jewel of Alexandria’s north coast’, Porto Marina boasts two international airports, swarths of glitzy bars, restaurants and luxury hotels and – the highest water touch bungee jump in the world. As if throwing yourself off a platform 150ft into the air wasn’t enough, water touch bungee involves being partly or fully submerged into water at the end of your descent.

Here you can stand on the platform, feeling the fear race through your veins as you stare out over the rooftops of Porto Marina – before leaping into the ether. This is for serious adrenaline-junkies looking for a whole new sensation.

After your hair-raising experience, head down into the Porto Marina resort and order a well-deserved cocktail and dinner from one of the many water-front restaurants.

Parasailing and water gliding

Soar up into the air and feel the wind in your face as you glide along behind a speedboat racing through the deep blue waters of Egypt’s coastline. There is a feeling of freedom that comes with parasailing and, once you’ve got over the initial fear, you can enjoy beautiful views over the coast – spotting all the sites you’ve visited during the day.

Parasailing boats are specially designed and equipped with launching platforms to ensure a safe take-off and landing. Instructors will teach you the basics so you can enjoy your experience to the max.

You can find parasailing trips at most top resorts along the Red Sea coast, including Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and El-Goana.

The waters are so clear here that parasailers can often sport brightly coloured coral reefs and tropical fish beneath the surface.

Packing for Egypt

Here are some essential items for your Extreme Egypt holiday

• Travel insurance – carry proof of coverage and 24-hour emergency phone number with you at all times
• Sun cream – Bring plenty of sun cream and apply it regularly throughout the day. The sun is hot and strong and finding shade isn’t always easy in Egypt.
• Re-hydration sachets – You can buy little sachets containing salts that, when mixed with water, creates a drink that replaces any fluids and minerals lost through dehydration or diarrhea.
• Water bottle – It can be useful to bring your own flask so you can refill as you go.
• Torch – If you travel away from major towns in the desert, you will need a torch – especially if you do climb Mt Catherine.
• Mosquito spray – There are lots of biting bugs in Egypt, so protect against them by regularly applying Mosquito repellant.
• Sun glasses – The desert sun is hot and bright, especially if you’re used to an English climate! Protect your eyes with wrap-around sunglasses that you can keep on during your adventures.