Adventure into Silence

Adventure into Silence

With guest speaker Sara Maitland, author of A Book of Silence

“What we were prepared for but were still surprised by was the deep deep peace to be found in this magical place and the deep deep companionship we discovered amongst ourselves in sharing the deep deep peace.” Read More
Elizabeth Edmunds

“It was one of those experiences that you live on for the rest of your life.” Read More
Kathryn Turner

Set in the most beautiful sandstone area of South Sinai, surrounded by spectacular weather beaten hills and wide sandy valley floors, the desert is one of the few places on earth where “the crashing sound of silence” (from the story of Elijah) can still be found. This gentle adventure will offer time and space to explore silence, with optional walks, accompanied by our Bedouin hosts.

At the start and end of each day, our special guest speaker and award winning writer Sara Maitland will lead discussions. She draws upon her highly acclaimed A Book of Silence, which explores the history of silence through fairy-tale and myth, Western and Eastern religious traditions, the Enlightenment and psychoanalysis, up to the ambivalence towards silence in contemporary society. Everyone is welcome on this non-denominational journey.

 

Journey overview

This special journey is an opportunity to spend time in one of the few places on earth where “the crashing sound of silence” (from the story of Elijah) can still be found. Based in a remote and beautiful sandstone area of South Sinai, periods of silence each day are interspersed with time together as a group and with our hosts and long-standing friends from the Muzeina Bedouin, who offer us a warm welcome in their desert home.

This unique and enriching experience has now become a sought-after annual Wind Sand & Stars retreat.

“I was so impressed by the hospitality and the way we were looked after. It was wonderful, it really helped me and was, as I had been told, transformative …”
Margaret Halsey, 2015

“This is an extraordinary trip: As much silence as you could wish for; opportunities to balance the silence with a carefully and thoughtfully planned programme of walks and talks; the Bedouin hospitality and culture. I would seriously consider this becoming part of my retreat programme every year, it is so rich and rewarding and nourishing.”
David Powell, 2014

“It was one of those experiences that you live on for the rest of your life. The combination of scenery – simplicity of living – silence – gentle companionship – beauty and hospitality – and so much more there is not room for – made it a profound spiritual experience.”
Kathryn Turner, 2013

In her widely praised A Book of Silence, the prize winning author Sara Maitland explored silence, both as a memoir of her own journey into silence and as an important cultural history.

Wind Sand & Stars are specialists in helping those who have never ventured into this type of environment before, as well as offering unusual opportunities for seasoned travellers.

All are welcome on this non-denominational journey.

Itinerary

Day 1: The Journey to South Sinai

We are met on arrival at Sharm el Sheikh International Airport by our Wind Sand & Stars representatives and spend our first night in a hotel on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Overnight 4* hotel

Day 2: Acclimatise and meet our Bedouin hosts

In the morning we depart for our desert camp, located in a beautiful and remote golden sandstone valley. We can stop on the way to see the Nawamis, remarkable tombs dating from the Bronze Age. On arrival our Bedouin hosts welcome us with cups of sweet tea and we can spend some time acclimatising to our new environment. There will be a seminar with Sara before the first opportunity to have time in the silence of the desert. Modern life gives few occasions for total silence, Sara will lead people gently a step at a time into silence and there will always be the option to stay by the fire for tea and company.
Sleep overnight under the stars

Days 3 – 6: The Journey into Silence

Awake to the glorious desert dawn and enjoy breakfast of tea with freshly baked Bedouin bread, as we take in the view of the surrounding sandstone outcrops and distant hills. There will be a morning seminar with Sara before a period of time to experience the desert silence. The length of time and portion of the day in silence will depend on the aspirations and needs of the group as the week progresses. Each day there will be an optional excursion on foot with the local Bedu who have worked with Wind Sand & Stars for 25 years, these could include a walk at dawn or in the evening and also a star walk during the night. Meals will all be prepared by our Bedouin cook and taken together, with bottled drinking water provided throughout. Each evening there will be time to gather together again, to talk and think through the experience of silence, before an early end to the evening for overnight silence broken at breakfast.
Sleep each night under the stars

Day 7: Visit St Catherine’s Monastery and return to the modern world *

We head into the mountains where the Monastery of St Catherine lies at the foot of Mount Sinai, a site where early hermits sought solitude and silence in the desert. Built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it is the world’s oldest continuously inhabited monastery. Inside we can visit the magnificent Basilica and also view the rare collections of icons and manuscripts in the museum.

There is an optional ascent of Mount Sinai, a steady uphill walk for 2-3 hours along the traditional camel path (with camels available for hire), then up steep Byzantine steps carved into the rocks to the summit. Below lies the Garden of Elijah, where it was told that Elijah hid from God on the mountain.

We can enjoy our evening absorbing the special atmosphere of the Monastery and reflecting upon our time in Sinai, as we also begin to prepare ourselves for our return journey.

O/n St Catherine’s Monastery guesthouse

Day 8: Depart

In the morning we enjoy a final seminar with Sara before we depart for Sharm el Sheik and our flight home.

Please note all desert itineraries are subject to change.

* The final itinerary for St Catherine’s Monastery will depend upon the group, local conditions, flight times and also Monastery opening times.

Costs

Land arrangements from £1,250

Flight £550- £650 approx. (depending upon time of booking)

Minimum number 10

 Cost Includes

  • All local transport and accommodation
  • Full board (two cooked meals & picnic lunch in the desert including bottled drinking water)
  • Qualified leader and local guides
  • St Katherine Protectorate National Park fee and Museum entrance fee
  • Comprehensive travel insurance

Cost Excludes

  • Egyptian Visa (US$25)
  • Gratuities £60 (invoiced)
  • Single Supplement £40 per person (invoiced)
  • Soft drinks, alcohol and any other personal expenses
  • Additional transport and accommodation for separate arrival or onward travel outside the main itinerary
  • Additional insurance premium for clients 65 years or over

Visa

UK , EU and USA passport holders travelling direct to Sharm El-Sheikh, for a maximum of 15 DAYS, do not require a visa prior to travelling as a free entry permission stamp will be granted upon arrival. If travelling via Cairo a visa MUST be obtained on arrival in Cairo Airport. If you do not hold a British, EU or US passport please refer to the Egyptian Consulate www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/Visas.php for guidance.

Get in touch

[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]

A unique experience and a privilege to share the Bedouin’s way of life, for a short time.

Guest, Sinai Summits, April 2019

It was the most wonderful trip, so glad I took up this opportunity. All beautifully organised – well done.

Icons of St Catherine’s Guest November 2022

Enthralling and beyond my hopes, it was a deeply spiritual experience at many levels. I am still raving about it all to anyone who crosses my path!

Icons of St Catherine’s Guest November 2022

“The whole trip was AMAZING – thank you so much.”

Francis Burkitt, St Catherine tailor made, August 2017

We got more out of our adventure than we had ever hoped for, thanks to a country of huge diversity and historical interest and to a very special guide.

Cunningham family, Jordan, April 2017

So many thoughts about our wonderful trip to St Catherine’s; the fantastic warmth of welcome from the Egyptians, Fathers Justin and Nilus, and the unique history which we felt privileged to be given access to. In my book, how could one not enjoy and be inspired!

Julia Palmer, St Catherine’s Retreat, February 2017

“Huge thanks to all at Wind, Sand & Stars for an amazing trip. John’s passion for Ethiopia fires his erudition and he gave us more insights into the country, past and present, than we could ever have gained from local guides.”

Christine Dunmow, Exploring Ethiopia’s Orthodox History with John Binns 2016

© Copyright 2024 Wind Sand & Stars. Company Reg. 0315 1618. VAT No: 709 3461 33