Jeep Safari Colored Canyon Salama & Snorkeling in the Blue Hole…

The best part of this day is the change of scene. You leave Sharm el Sheikh’s resorts behind and cross the stone desert by jeep, then move from a narrow canyon to the Red Sea shore and finally into Dahab’s easygoing town center. It is a lot of Egypt in one long day.

I like the variety and the price. For $41.80, you get transport, lunch, a camel ride, time for snorkeling, and a visit to Dahab. I also like the small group limit of 15 people, which should make the day easier to manage than a large coach trip.

The main caution is the canyon description. One very poor rating says the stop was not the Colored Canyon or Salama Canyon advertised, so I would confirm the exact canyon name and route with Book Tour Egypt before departure. The overall score is 4.5 out of 5 from 27 ratings, but the canyon issue is specific enough to take seriously.

Key points to know before booking

• A full Sinai day: Plan on about 11 hours, with an early hotel pickup and roughly 90 minutes to the canyon.
• Three very different stops: The day combines a desert gorge, Red Sea snorkeling, and free time in Dahab.
• Blue Hole time is flexible: You can snorkel or relax by the water, but the entrance fee is extra.
• Lunch and a camel ride are included: Drinks are not included, so carry money for refreshments.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 15 people, though the exact group size on your date is not stated.
• Check the canyon name: A low rating raises a clear concern about whether the advertised canyon is always the one visited.

Leaving Sharm el Sheikh before the heat

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh, usually early in the morning. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, a useful feature in the Sinai, where long stretches of open desert can become very hot.

The drive to the canyon takes about 90 minutes. That is long enough to make the vehicle quality matter, especially since the complete outing lasts around 11 hours. Air conditioning will help, but you should still bring water, sun protection, and comfortable clothing for walking.

The route through the Sinai is part of the experience. You see a broad, stony desert rather than a green countryside or built-up resort strip. The change from Sharm’s hotels to the open interior gives the morning a clear sense of travel, not just a transfer from one attraction to another.

Since pickup is offered, this is simple for anyone staying in Sharm el Sheikh. The supplied information does not list individual hotels, pickup times, or a meeting point, so you should check those details after booking. Confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

Walking through Colored Canyon Salama

The first main stop is described as Colored Canyon Salama. You have about one hour to explore the gorge with a guide. The appeal comes from the rock itself: layered walls, folded shapes, and changing colors created by the canyon’s natural formations.

An hour is enough for a focused walk and photographs, but it is not a long canyon hike. You should think of this as an introduction to the gorge rather than a full-day walking trip. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and clothing that works for sun, dust, and warm weather.

The guide is meant to help you understand the rock formations and keep the group moving. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a particular named guide. The maximum group size of 15 is helpful here. A smaller group can move through a narrow gorge with less waiting, though the actual number on your date may be lower.

There is one important point to settle before you go. A one-star rating gives a detailed warning that the canyon visited was not the Colored Canyon and not Salama Canyon as expected. Because the description places this stop at the center of the morning, ask the operator to confirm the exact canyon and whether the route can change.

That concern does not cancel the attraction itself. The Sinai has striking stone formations, and a canyon walk can be a memorable contrast to the coast. It simply means you should book this tour for a general desert canyon experience unless the operator gives you firm confirmation about the named site.

Snorkeling and relaxing at the Blue Hole

After the canyon, the route continues toward the Blue Hole near Dahab. This is the day’s main water stop. You have time to snorkel in the Red Sea or relax beside the water, so you do not need to enter the sea if you would rather take a break after the morning walk.

The Blue Hole is known for clear water, colorful sea life, and the dramatic setting along the coast. The tour description promises time in the water, but it does not state how long the snorkeling period lasts or list equipment rental. Ask what equipment is supplied before you leave Sharm.

The Blue Hole and Abu Galum Nature Reserve entrance fee is not included. That extra cost is easy to overlook when comparing prices, so budget for it separately. Drinks at the restaurant are also excluded.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. This is a mixed sightseeing day, not a dedicated snorkeling trip. Canyon walking, lunch, camel riding, and Dahab are all part of the schedule. If your main goal is to spend hours in the water, a snorkeling-only trip may give you more time at sea. If you want one day that combines coast and desert, this format offers better variety.

The order of the day also matters. After an early start and a canyon walk, the Blue Hole provides a welcome change of pace. You can cool off, look at the reef, or simply sit near the water before lunch.

Lunch, the camel ride, and Bedouin hospitality

Lunch is included and is described as a meal with the Bedouins on the beach. This adds a local setting to the day instead of keeping you inside a standard restaurant throughout the excursion.

The information does not specify the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. Drinks are not included, and buying them at the restaurant will cost extra. Carry Egyptian pounds or another accepted payment method for drinks and small purchases, since the tour price does not cover every expense.

The camel ride is also included. It is best viewed as a short cultural activity and photo opportunity rather than a long desert trek. The duration is not stated, so ask the operator if the camel ride matters greatly to you.

The combination of lunch and camel riding gives the middle of the day a more traditional feel. Still, the exact setup can vary, and no detailed description is provided about the Bedouin location, meal, or riding route. The value is in the setting and the mix of activities, not in a guaranteed extended camel expedition.

An afternoon walk through Dahab

After the Blue Hole and lunch, you continue to Dahab. The town is described as a former hippie community, and the plan gives you time for a leisurely walk and souvenir shopping.

Dahab offers a different mood from Sharm el Sheikh. Instead of spending the whole day at a resort or natural site, you get a chance to see a town with a relaxed tourist center and time to browse. The schedule does not list specific shops, monuments, or a guided walking route, so your visit is likely to be independent and informal.

I like this part because it keeps the excursion from feeling like a chain of photo stops. You can walk at your own pace, look for holiday gifts, and take a break after the more active parts of the day. The drawback is that the available time is not stated. Since the day includes a canyon, snorkeling, lunch, and a camel ride, Dahab time may be limited.

Do not expect a detailed city tour from the information provided. You are being given a chance to stroll and shop, not a structured history lesson. That suits you if you prefer free time. It may disappoint you if you want a guide to explain Dahab’s past and local life.

What the $41.80 price really covers

At $41.80 per person, the price is low for an 11-hour outing that includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, a camel ride, the canyon stop, Blue Hole time, and Dahab.

The value is strongest if you want several experiences in one day. You avoid arranging separate transport to the canyon and Dahab, and you do not need to plan lunch along the route. The small maximum group also adds practical value, at least compared with a very large group tour.

The price is not all-inclusive. You must pay for drinks and the entrance fee to the Blue Hole and Abu Galum Nature Reserve. Other services not listed are also excluded. Add those costs before deciding if the tour fits your budget.

There is also a time cost. An 11-hour excursion with an early start can leave you tired, especially if your hotel is far from the pickup route. In return, you see much more than you would on a short Sharm el Sheikh outing.

The tour requires a minimum number of bookings to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this trip if you want to combine desert scenery, Red Sea water, and Dahab without arranging several excursions. It suits first-time visitors to the Sharm area who want a broad taste of the Sinai in one day.

It also fits active holidaymakers who are comfortable with an early pickup, a canyon walk, a camel ride, and snorkeling. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but you should still consider your own comfort with uneven ground, heat, and a long day.

Families may like the variety, although parents should check the canyon walking conditions and the snorkeling arrangements directly with the operator. The tour information does not give age limits or child pricing.

I would be more cautious if you want a carefully paced trip with long stays at each site. The day covers a lot of ground, and the time at the canyon, Blue Hole, and Dahab is limited or not fully stated.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring water, sun protection, a hat, and footwear that can handle a rocky gorge. Pack swimwear and a towel if you plan to snorkel, and keep a dry layer for the vehicle ride home.

Carry extra money for drinks, the Blue Hole and Abu Galum entrance fee, and souvenirs in Dahab. Those costs are not part of the advertised price.

Ask these questions before departure:

• Which exact canyon will you visit?
• Is snorkeling equipment supplied, rented, or separate?
• How long will you have at the Blue Hole?
• How long is the camel ride?
• How much free time is planned in Dahab?
• What is the pickup time from your hotel?

These questions matter because the canyon identity and time allocation are the two areas that are least clear. You will get a better sense of the day once the operator answers them.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The weather and minimum-group conditions also apply.

Should you book this jeep safari?

Book it if the appeal is a big day of contrasts at a modest price. The itinerary gives you a canyon, the Red Sea, Bedouin-style lunch, a camel ride, and Dahab, all with transport from Sharm el Sheikh. The 4.5 rating from 27 ratings suggests the experience works well for many people.

Before paying, confirm the canyon by name. The one serious complaint about the wrong canyon is too specific to ignore. If Book Tour Egypt confirms that you will visit Colored Canyon Salama, this can be a good-value introduction to the Sinai. If the answer is vague, book it only if you are happy with a general desert canyon trip rather than a guaranteed visit to that exact site.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 11 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh is offered.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the meal is described as taking place with the Bedouins on the beach.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks at the restaurant are not included in the tour price.

Is the Blue Hole entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the Blue Hole and Abu Galum Nature Reserve is not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants. The exact group size for your date is not stated.