Dating back to the fourth century AD, the Orthodox monastery of St Catherine and its namesake village share a valley, defined by steep granite walls, within the Sinai desert. The drive from Cairo takes 8 hours, 6 or 7 roadblocks, 3 passport inspections (most visitors come up from the nearby Red Sea coast). Once arrived, you may find the monastery closed for a holy day, but the local Bedouin entrepreneurs can quickly arrange alternative excursions, perhaps a day hike up to the ruined fort of Abbas Pasha. Behind the monastery, of course, begin the two routes up Mt Sinai (Jebel Mousa); the climb straight up 3,700 stone stairs or the winding camel track.

These images were taken in November 2011 with Nikon D300 using RAW format, and are available for licensing. Please visit my blog.