slow down.
Photo & Silence Retreat
Guided by: Micha Eicher
With Local Bedouin Companion: Rabia Barakat
Where: The wild heart of South Sinai, Egypt
Length: 10 days
When: November 1 – 10, 2025
Language: english, german
the silence of the desert in the images.
It is rocky and rugged, sometimes sandy and soft, sometimes narrow and furrowed. It glows red, brown, ochre—and in the evening, it glows golden.
To photograph the desert means to see its power with the heart. That is what the silence invites us to do.
As the world quiets down, your inner world awakens. The eyes begin to notice beauty in the smallest things. And the ears listen to the silence.
And suddenly, you hear your heart beating—and you realize:
You are part of the desert, and the desert is alive.
Then you begin to see differently—and to photograph differently.
When your photos become an expression of your inner self,
your unique creativity can begin to flow.
That is what I invite you to.
micha eicher, photographer & author
ps. photos of the participants of the last retreat: Birgit Müller, Desirée Olsson, Myriam Neuhaus, Micha Eicher
silence
silence.
the desert is full of faces and stories.
They are waiting to be discovered and seen by you.
But they do not simply reveal themselves.
It takes a quiet mind, a grounded body, and a watchful eye.
So this travell is perfect match of slow photography and slow travelling – an invitation to see, not just to look.
capture with presence.
Take your time for a single image.
Immerse yourself in the scene, absorb it with every fiber of your being, and let it settle within you. Only then does the moment meet the lens.
Fully present in the moment, mindful of yourself and your surroundings.
Welcome
To connect with the desert means to connect with nature, with animals, with people—and ultimately, with yourself. Because those who open themselves to an unknown culture also learn much about who they are: How far does my comfort zone reach? Where can I marvel with curiosity? Where are my boundaries?
From the Bedouins, we learn to befriend the camels and to feel the desert. To experience their perspective and to meet them openly, without judgment, on equal footing—that is one of the gifts of this journey.
retreat.
A perfect match of slow photography and slow travelling. All this—and so much more — you will experience on our shared journey.
day 1
From Dahab to the White Desert, then tothe Blue Art Monument. A peacestatement in the desert: the artwork of Jean Verame. Finding your inner peace.
day 2
Jeep ride through the
southern Sinai Desert to
Camp Beit Barakat. Arrival.
Saying hi to the camels. New perspectives and a good shower.
day 3
Hiking through the desert to the ancient Egyptian temple of Serabit. A mystical place full of stories. Breathing in the silence of this powerful site. Sleeping under the stars. Night photography.
day 4
Silence. Walk or ride a camelthrough the stunning desertlandscape to Wadi UmmAgraf. Overnight stay at the camp.
day 5
Slow down Journey through variousvalleys and camel hike to the foot of Mount Gebel Hymair. Grounding and reconnecting with reflective photosessions.
day 6-10
Jeep safari via the Forest of Pillars back to Dahab.Individual time by the sea. Letting it allsettle. Optional trip to the Blue Lagoon.Final session: first photo review andshared reflections.
slow photography.
By connecting with the moment and the place, you create a greater whole—something that finds expression in your images.
It's about the process of image-making, not about technique or the perfect result.
You can take part using either your phone or a camera.
Whether beginner or advanced:
Professional photographer Micha Eicher creates space for you to see with fresh eyes, to sharpen your sense of observation, and to trust your perception.
A shift in perspective—with depth.
simple living with all the luxuries.
that’s included.
Included
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10-day retreat with photographic and cultural guidance and complete retreat organization, workshop documentation
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6-day tour through the South Sinai Peninsula, starting in Dahab, Egypt
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Experienced local tour guide
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All-inclusive desert experience: transportation, luggage transport, full board with fresh seasonal meals (mostly vegetarian, optional chicken), snacks, water, tea, coffee
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Your own camel
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Accommodation in a private igloo tent with sleeping bag and blankets
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Daily inspirational inputs
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Required permits for travelling through protected desert areas
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Tips (for guides, cooks, helpers etc.)
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Individual photography coaching and/or Human Design reading
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Small group: 3 to 8 participants
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Post-trip: 1-hour online photo review session
Your investment
Tour: EUR 1'200 per person, cash on arrival
Retreat: EUR 1'600 per person, in advance
Not included
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Travel to and from Dahab
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Visa fees
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Airport transfers
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Accommodation and meals in Dahab
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Further excursions
Travel to and from Dahab is arrangedindividually. Edelweiss Air flies directly fromZurich to Sharm el-Sheikh three times aweek. Transfer to Dahab takes about onehour and can be booked with your hotel.
Hotel Partner in Dahab
Please arrange your stay independently. E-Mail.
Special Deals
I don’t care about the money. I care about people feeling something in the desert. It’s about the story of life.
Rabia Barakat, local guide
the in-between tones.
Silence is not for everyone.
Enduring it can stir unexpected emotions.
That’s why it’s important for you to know your own boundaries—and to have tools that help you navigate any emotional waves that may arise.
One of those tools is to translate your feelings into the creative process of image-making—something this journey gives you space for.
You have the opportunity to find your very own expression through the lens and to experience a creative flow.
But maybe everything inside you stays quiet.
If you’re open to entering the experience without expectations, then you are exactly in the right place.
Special Deals
Silence can be infinitely loud.
powerful places of the desert. steeped in history. far from it all.
The Sinai is a peninsula between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea and belongs to Egypt.
However, it is the Bedouins who are truly at home here—people who once moved through the desert as nomads.
Their culture is shaped by heartfelt hospitality and deep respect.
Our Bedouin guide, Rabia Barakat, has been leading curious travelers, Egyptologists, and historians through this largely untouched part of the country for decades.
He is a true expert in his field and a trusted partner.
interested?
Then get in touch with Micha. She personally selects and brings together the group with great care. That’s why, before confirming your registration, there are a few questions to answer.
And of course—she’s happy to answer yours, too!
November 1-6, 2025 (English/German)
Photo & Silent Retreat
General terms and conditions for booking
5 days in the desert of southern Sinai. Inviting silence, transforming inner images into photographs. An arrival, a retreat and a unique pleasure. Almost untouched by tourism, traveling only with Bedouins and camels, we plunge into a unique world.
Before making a firm booking, I would like to check with you that our ideas and vibes match. The procedure is as follows:
Conversation with Micha via Zoom: Clarify questions, explore motivation
Date of birth with exact time and place for Human Design analysis: This allows us to ensure a balanced group composition.
Acceptance or rejection together with Micha
Individual organization of the trip: Flight, hotel in Dahab