Moderate

A 72 hour challenge, completed over 3 days and 2 nights. An excellent option for beginners, first-time challenge participants, families, and any hikers who wants to take their time, seeing the sights, lingering more on the way etc. It’s also the best option for challenging weather conditions, such as hot periods of the year or after a snowfall. One of the best things about going slow at this pace is the nights it gives in the mountains. It’s a chance to connect with the area and its people. You’ll get to spend more time with your guides and cameleers, and with people you meet along the way, perhaps even sleeping in their ancient gardens.

Difficult

The classic, 24 hour option, and the way the Three Peaks Challenge is done in most places. It means one peak every eight hours. Above that – tough enough – it means walking through the night, which will slow you down. Going without sleep adds a whole new mental challenge. These factors give the 24 hour option dimensions not encountered on the 12 or 72 hour challenges and it should not be underestimated. It is a difficult challenge only fit, active and experienced hikers should attempt. If you’re not sure whether it’s the right challenge for you, the best plan is to attempt the 72 hour challenge first and go from there.

Extreme

The 12 hour challenge; as tough as it gets. Doing it this fast is a serious undertaking. The challenge isn’t just about having excellent fitness, stamina and mental reisilience. It’s about strategy: it’s about the planning and preparation put into it before. People who attempt the route this fast usually know it very well. They spend days studying the route and discovering everything about it – every twist and turn, every water source, shelter and rest stop. Put the time and training in and complete it and it’ll be a big achievement: one that’ll put you in a small group of people who’ve done Egypt’s ultimate mountain challenge this fast.