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 The name gives it away - a colorful canyon, also called 'Rainbow Canyon', a top Sinai highlight. Ideally you will enter the canyon 2 hours before sundown - this is when the colours really come out and the Sinai is getting really beautiful! Over thousands of years, erosion has slowly freed up sandstone layers in different reds and drew expressionist paintings into the wall, that are only visible in the shade of the canyon. It is a world of its own, you often step through the shoulder width passages, passing bizarre rock formations, while walking on powder sand-simply fantastic!
To visit the coloured canyon, we drive by jeep from Nuweiba through the checkpoint (direction Cairo) and eventually turn right into the desert. The approx. 1 hour drive now goes over a real desert road. Our driver, a real Bedouin, even lets some air out of the tires so that we don't get too shook up.
Once we reach the canyon the journey begins. We enter one of the Sinais most beautiful sights. Our Bedouin guide shows us the way. We walk for approx.100 minutes through a tight canyon with numerous sandstone layers in different colours and formations. Over thousands of years, erosion has played its part in bringing the colourful sandstone layers (yellow, red and light brown) to light.
Every now and then water has sliced itself a way though the stone and left behind a narrow passage. Here and there you can find juicy green plants growing straight out of the naked stone - unbelievable!  The walls of the canyon are approx. 60 meters high, and at two points in the journey we must climb through tight holes in the stone, hopefully the stone above us will hold... The high walls give us shadow, and also help to keep the sun out of sight, so that the colours on the walls are not ruined by the strong sun rays.
The floor usually consists of fantastic powder sand, upon which you can happily rest.  As entry and exit are at different places, you only need to follow the walls, this way you automatically find the way out of the canyon, which conveniently happens to be the exit. After exiting, we can enjoy a refreshing drink, and we happily and slowly make our way home.
Everyone should make the Colored Canyon part of their trip to the Sinai. The walk is possible for anyone. We do however advise to wear firm shoes, a light pair of trousers and some kind of cover for your head, and always make sure you have enough water with you.
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