Off the Beaten Track

Sharm El Sheikh

 

Sharm El Sheikh which gave the Red Sea an international reputation as one of the world's most extraordinary diving destinations in the Red Sea, Egypt.

Sharm el Sheikh, The most extraordinary diving destination in Red Sea, Egypt, On T.E.N Tours Egypt We offer you a complete data base concerning Hotels / Resorts, Diving Centers, Desert Safari, Casinos, Discos, Entertainment, Car Rental, Real Estate and all other services and activities running in Sharm El Sheikh.

Imagine yourself in one of the most beautiful and famous deep-sea diving paradises in the world. Your dreams of crystal clear water, magnificent corals, exotic under water flora and rare tropical fish all come true when you visit Sharm El Sheikh on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.

Let your eyes be tantalized by the white sandy beaches and endless desert landscape, which contrast with the crystal clear blue water of the Sinai peninsula

Sharm El Sheikh has been heralded as “The City of Peace”
It is also noted for its sulphur springs, which are considered cures for those suffering from rheumatic and skin diseases.

The morphology of Sharm El Sheikh's coastline is unique.
It is the cosmopolitan capital of the peninsula of Sinai for its small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains.

Plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.
Sharm El Sheikh is basically divided into three main regions: Sharm el Maya, where the airport is based as well as many private yachts and pleasure boats that take divers to the best diving spots in the area like Ras Mohammed. Ras Om El Seed, famous for its coral reefs, has a very high cliff where many hotels are situated.

As you might expect in such a prime diving location, there is a large selection of private companies offering diving courses at all levels and it is one of the cheapest places in the world to pick up a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualification.

Sharm El Sheikh has turned out to be one of the finest places for people to enjoy the best sun, sea, sand, and hospitality of its residents.
It is surrounded by three protected areas:
Ras Mohammed Natural Protected ParkAs you might expect in such a prime diving location, there is a large selection of private companies offering diving courses at all levels and it is one of the cheapest places in the world to pick up a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualification.
Sharm El Sheikh has turned out to be one of the finest places for people to enjoy the best sun, sea, sand, and hospitality of its residents.
It is surrounded by three protected areas:

• Ras Mohammed Natural Protected Park
• St. Katherine National Park
• Nabq Protected Area
• St. Katherine National Park
• Nabq Protected Ar

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Hurghada

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village. But today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea.

Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among Europeans. Locals and others will tell you that life begins at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. They are particularly frequented by the young, but certainly many others of all ages. One may often find a rousing party centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over the action of a particular bar. They are easy to find along the main street, along with loads of inexpensive and expensive hotels.

It is also a beach resort, where thousands of older Europeans and others come with their families to enjoy the sun and fun of private resort beaches, some all inclusive. Many of these hotels offer so many activities and facilities that one may never need to leave the resort. Often, the larger resorts have zoos, playgrounds, discos, bars, a number of pools and even small theaters.

It is also a beach resort, where thousands of older Europeans and others come with their families to enjoy the sun and fun of private resort beaches, some all inclusive. Many of these hotels offer so many activities and facilities that one may never need to leave the resort. Often, the larger resorts have zoos, playgrounds, discos, bars, a number of pools and even small theaters.

Hurghada is also a city under development. Many new hotels and construction are taking place, and we can expect to see some great new hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the near future. Actually this is a busy section of the Red Sea in general. Safaga is just south of Hurghada, and Soma Bay with its beautiful Sheraton is even closer to the South. To the North is El Gouna, a highly organized resort community. Together, these communities and resort areas offer just about everything a visitor might wish for, from raucous parties to isolated scuba diving, with golf, bowling and fishing in between.

Islands near Hurghada offer all kinds of fun and excitement. Take a day trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue, or view the Red Sea from a submarine! When you're not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques, relax in the luxury holiday villages or visit the Roman Mons Porphyrites (mountain of porphyry) remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan (Father of Smoke).

Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep are also available.Other nearby islands and destinations include the Shadwan Island (Diving, snorkeling, fishing but no swimming), Shaab Abu Shiban (Diving, snorkeling and swimming), Shaab el-Erg (Diving, fishing and snorkeling), Umm Gammar Island (Diving and snorkeling), Shasb Saghir Umm Gammae (Diving), Careless Reef (Diving), Abu Ramada Island (Diving), Shaab Abu Ramada (Fishing), Dishet el-Dhaba (Beaches and swimming), Shaab Abu Hashish (Beaches, diving, snorkeling, swimming and fishing), Sharm el-Arab (Diving, swimming and fishing and Abu Minqar Island (Beaches and swimming).

	The wannabe Koh Samui of the Middle East, Dahab is 85km (53mi) north of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba, near the southern tip of Sinai. Dahab was once a sleepy backwater, but these days there are more backpackers than Bedouin, and the town has become something of a lazy layover.
There's dirt-cheap accommodation virtually on the beach and inexpensive restaurants and hotels, and the swimming and snorkelling in the Gulf of Aqaba are magnificent. Buses connect Dahab with Sharm el-Sheikh, Cairo and Suez each day.

Dakhla Oasis

Centred around the town of Mut, this oasis is nearly 200km (40mi) from Kharga Oasis and more than 250km (155mi) from Farafra Oasis. Mut is a labyrinth of old laneways and mud-brick houses clinging to the slopes of the hill. Atop the hill are the remains of an old citadel that once was the town proper. The views from this hill over the medieval town and the empty backdrop of cliffs, dunes and desert are quite fantastic. There's an old Islamic cemetery near the new town centre, and several hot sulphur springs around the town.

Nearby, Al-Qasr is an ancient little town with much of its traditional architecture still intact. The medieval atmosphere is accentuated by the narrow covered streets (built to provide shelter from the summer sun and desert windstorms) and the animals that roam through them. Many of the houses and buildings have lintels above their front doorways inscribed with the builder's name, the home-owner's name, the date and a passage of the Quran - the earliest of these dates from 924. There are three buses daily from Cairo to Dakhla.

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Marsa Alam is a fishing village on Egypt's Red Sea Coast 132km (82mi) from Al-Quseir. It sits on the T-junction between the Red Sea Coast road and the road from Edfu, 230km (142mi) inland on the banks of the Nile. There's really not much here besides an odd-looking shopping arcade, a school and a telephone office.

Swimming and snorkelling in the area are magnificent, but you have to be careful - much of this southern coastal region is mined and sometimes there's nothing to indicate the danger. A daily bus from Aswan passes through Marsa Alam.
About 145km (90mi) southwest into the desert is the Tomb of Sayyed al-Shazli, who was an important Sufi leader in the 13th century. His tomb was restored earlier last century, but you may not make it through the checkpoints.

Sidi Abdel Rahman

Sidi Abdel Rahman is a lovely waterfront town on the Mediterranean coast that's free of the hordes of tourists who flock to other Mediterranean towns. Fine white-sand beaches abound along this stretch of coast and it's easy to find your own deserted bit of paradise. The town is a centre for nomadic Bedouin who sometimes congregate at a small village nearby.
The government is actively trying to settle these tribespeople and many have traded their mobile lifestyle - living in tents and herding sheep and goats - for government-built houses of concrete. Buses from Alexandria heading for El Alamein can drop you off, but there's not much happening after the early afternoon.

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