Sainte Catherine (Egypt)

After a short stay at a Bedouin camp which welcomes tourists, we began the climb to the monastery in the early hours of the morning. Like the other hordes of visitors, we started walking at about 4 o’clock in the morning. The trail is a little over 7 kilometres long and slightly difficult, but it’s well worth the effort. Among the rocks which overlook the desert, the atmosphere on the trail is calm and each person can walk at his or her own pace.

Once at the summit, you have to struggle to get the best spot to see the sunrise. It’s an unforgettable sight. The intermix of colours in the desert and the yellow and orange light that paints the mountain make it by far the most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever seen. Remember to bring blankets with you because at an altitude of 1500 metres it quickly gets cold once you’ve finished walking - you will appreciate the scene all the more if you’re nice and warm.

Visiting the monastery itself did not leave make much of an impression on me. It is very simple and only a small part is accessible. Probably irritated by the tourists, the monks who still live there are not particularly hospitable.