Hotels near Coloured Canyon

The Coloured Canyon (Wadi Al Wishwashi in Arabic) is a 700 m sandstone gorge near Nuweiba, 175 km north of Sharm El Sheikh. The walls rise 40 m on either side and shimmer in shades of red, yellow, ochre, and pink as the sun moves overhead. The full hike takes 60-90 minutes through narrow chimneys and over short scrambles - moderately challenging but doable for anyone with average fitness.

Day trips combine the canyon hike with a Bedouin lunch (grilled chicken, salads, sweet tea) and usually finish with a swim and snorkel at Ras Abu Galum or Dahab's Blue Hole on the way back. Tours cost USD 65-90 including transfers, guide, and lunch, leaving Sharm at 6:00-7:00 AM and returning by 7:00 PM. Wear sturdy trainers - flip-flops are unsafe on the rock scrambles.

Pro Tip: Time the hike for late morning, around 11:00 AM, when the sun is high enough to light the full canyon walls but you are still inside before the afternoon heat. Bring 2 litres of water per person - the gorge has zero shade once you are inside.