Tucked into the rugged terrain of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula near Nuweiba, the Colored Canyon reveals a dramatic landscape sculpted by millions of years of water erosion. This 800-meter-long sandstone labyrinth soars up to 40 meters high, its walls narrowing to barely a meter in places, creating an intimate passageway through geological time. Vibrant bands of deep crimson, ochre, and gold streak across the rock, a natural palette resulting from mineral deposits like iron oxide and magnesium that transformed ancient seabeds into a chromatic masterpiece.
Navigating the canyon involves clambering over weathered boulders and traversing smooth, undulating rock faces that reflect light with an almost metallic sheen. The experience shifts with the desert climate—summer temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F), making cooler months (October–April) preferable for exploration when temperatures range from 18–25°C (64–77°F). Beyond its visual drama, the site whispers of human history: Bedouin communities have long utilized it as a natural corridor, and local lore even threads it into narratives of biblical journeys across Sinai.
Guided hikes here often connect to broader Sinai adventures, from the coral-rich reefs of Dahab to starlit Bedouin camps, yet the canyon's silence and scale remain its most arresting qualities. Its raw, untouched state—free of major infrastructure—draws comparisons to Jordan's Petra, though it remains distinctly shaped by elemental forces rather than human hands. For travelers, the canyon offers not just a hike, but a tactile encounter with Earth's artistic legacy.
5 stars! The tour to the Colored Canyon was an amazing experience! The guides were simply fantastic, they accompanied us with serenity and professionalism all day, explaining every detail and making us feel at ease. We snorkeled in crystal clear waters along the reef, a relaxing camel ride through the desert and an exciting quad bike adventure! And the final touch was Fabrizio's photo shoot, which captured us in beautiful and unforgettable moments. The company was great and we had a really memorable day. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to discover the beauty of the Colored Canyon!" 😊👍📸 Special thanks to Osama guide of extreme precision and professionalism!
Maria Pletenytska
5
Reviewed: 2025-05-03
Sharing as many pictures and videos as I can because this is really beautiful! Worth a video if you are in Sharm el Sheik - its just unbelievable how beautiful the rock formation is!
Jason Vick
4
Reviewed: 2025-02-12
A short walk but quite steep for 100 metres but smooth rock. Very red.
Alice Vassy
5
Reviewed: 2025-01-09
Beautiful canyon, worth visiting during any tour in Egypt. There could be a lot of other tourist and can be crowded, the rocks and formations are not like in the photoshoped brosures so don't get very excited. The road to the canyon is a fun jeep safari ride trough the sand, it is worth visiting once.
Tímea T.
4
Reviewed: 2023-07-26
We came as part of a Dahab tour.
We were transported among the sand dunes by a Jeep- was fun!
The canyon itself is amazing- we'd had an easy hike down in the canyon. Wear good shoes! The sand is hot- so my advice is no sandals, wear socks. At the exit there is a beduin family offering tea and selling handmade crafts.
Keith Dredge 
Maria Pletenytska 
Jason Vick 
Alice Vassy 
Tímea T. 
