Once, millions of years ago these lands were all under the waters of Red Sea. Later, receded water cut out a unique geological formation that is called today Colored Canyon.
Nowadays, the canyon shows an amazing evidence of this timeless natural activity, when wind continues the process started by water. Walls of the canyon are compound of limestone and sandstone, and these waves are of a wide variety of shades, from yellow to orange and red. The age of it date back to 5000 years ago.
Colored Canyon is located in Taba, Egypt. I visited it last year with one day guided tour. It is a popular landmark among tourists and photographers, as it it easily accessible by vehicle. The closest town is Nuweiba.
Taba Protectorate is a northernmost protected area in the south Sinai governorate in Egypt.
Our tour started in Sharm El Sheikh with the first sunbeam. We got into a big tour bus and went toward the north. We passed a few checkpoints with armed soldiers. Tourist cities are very well guarded. The way took a couple of hours, so we had a stop at gas station to have a quick breakfast, and then continued the way. The landscape behind the window was monotonous: black rocks and yellow-orange ground.
Soon the bus drove us to the resting area of Bedouins. Despite the fact that the Bedouins stay away from people and civilization, they are very hospitable to tourists, but not intrusive.
I was greatly surprised by the toilet - it was a nice new building with crane with water!
Our big group was divided into 3 smaller groups. One went for a quad biking, another for riding camels. By the way, camels are extremely valuable for Bedouins. They consume everything: mild and meat for meal, clothes and ropes are made of their wool, skin goes for wineskins and other utensil, manure is used for fuel, and even urine ... is also used, I won’t specify how. And of course, there is no better vehicle in the desert than a camel. Although, I didn't see much food for them around.
My group started with SUV riding. There were about 5 Toyota Range Rover ready to go. My small group got into the back of SUV and went for a ride through the desert. We were driving not on the road, but on the sand, and the car drove all the time from side to side. Bedouins are very good SUV drivers.
Our first stop was by a big rock with a cave, where ancestors of modern nomads once lived.
A short while to take shots and look around, and we drove again toward Colored Canyon.
In the distance, there is our bus.
Taba protectorate was created to save some rare animals and birds, and water resources. This is a trail of a desert inhabitant. Scorpion?..
I know what is Alhagi, but this was the first time I saw how it looks in nature. And a camel eats it. Yummy....
And here we are - the canyon. We didn’t walk fast because shoes were stuck in the sand. Down the wooden stairs...
It was terrific. Mix of colors, textures and forms, light and shadow. Mother Nature is much more creative than we can imagine.
A tree! Acacia used to grow here, it can survive in a very harsh environment. But I think it is a different tree.
And here is the end of our short walk. Through the gap, we saw a valley surrounded by black rocks.
Our drivers get bored. We got some time for taking photos, and continued on SUV our way back to the resting place of Bedouins.
And this is all for now. If you enjoyed, you may also 2 more posts about that day:
| Desert Quad Biking, Egypt |  |
|---|---|
| Baking traditional Bedouin's bread |  |
Thank you so much for a visit!
See you on the next trip,
