Sinai Photo Archive

  Located a couple of hours walk from the laid-back beaches of Ras Shaitan, between Nuweiba and Taba, the Wishwashi Canyon is a pretty little place. It is just off Wadi Milha, the route to the Coloured Canyon. A little scrambling is involved to reach the point where the canyon is cut off, and water might be present here in a big pool. 

  Although it is probably the most visited sight in the Sinai interior after St. Katherine, you can still find peace and quiet at this beautiful spot. Most groups arrive mid-morning, so you could visit the canyon early morning or late afternoon without others. A lodge is at the rim of the plateau above the canyon and a cafeteria at another point where the hike usually finishes. The 4×4 track to the Coloured Canyon starts at the little oasis of Ein Furtaga, located next to the asphalt road in Wadi Watir. From the coast there is another main route on foot, and if you’re up for a longer trek, you could carry on further into the Tarabin areas. 

  Wadi Watir is a narrow winding wadi with date palms at places, the most direct way between Nuweiba and the main inland road cutting across the Sinai, connecting the Gulf of Aqaba to the Tunnel, Suez and Cairo. There are a number of Bedouin settlements along the road, including Sheikh Attiya, Bier Saora and Ein Furtaga. The offroad tracks to Ein Umm Ahmed, the Coloured Canyon and Ein Khudra oasis branch off from Wadi Watir.