Day 1 - Thurs, February 4th: Depart USA
Depart the US. Book your own air or travel on air miles; just give us a call if you need help booking your flight! (please note: airport transfer of $35 will apply if you do not arrive with your fearless host, David)
Day 2 - Fri, February 5th: Arrival in Cairo - Rest Day (B)
Arrive at Cairo International Airport where you'll be met by your Spirit Quest representatives who will assist you through immigrations and customs. Depart by bus to the Mena House Oberoi hotel, one of the most spectacular hotels of the world. The former hunting palace of the Khedive Ismael (the last King of Egypt), the Mena House boasts 140 years of history. Join the ranks of former guests such as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Princess Grace, and royalty from all over the world.
Take the afternoon off, relax by the pool, or visit one of the local souvenir shops.
Optional group dinner at Felfella Restaurant, a wonderful local spot featuring traditional Egyptian mezzes and fresh grilled food – be sure and try some "Om Ali," a delicious traditional Egyptian dessert.
But perhaps best of all will be the view from our hotel – where the Great Pyramid fills the sky like a mountain.
Day 3 - Sat, February 6th: Sakkara/Egyptian museum (B, L)
Today we visit the magnificent Old Kingdom site of Sakkara, the home of King Zoser's Step Pyramid. We'll explore some of the Old Kingdom's most important "noble's tombs" with their stunning relief carving that vividly bring to life the everyday world of Egypt, more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ.
At Sakkara we accelerate our spiritual work with a ceremony and initiation to open the third eye chakra. The ancient Egyptians showed the uraeus - the rearing cobra - sitting on the brow of the pharaoh as a symbol of the enlightened consciousness and the awakened perception of the initiate (just as the snake is the symbol of the kundalini energy in the Vedic system of India).
The site at Sakkara is crowned with carvings of rearing cobras - a clear indication of the spiritual energies which are found here and which are amplified and focused by the temple structure. This will be the focus of our initiation at this site: enabling our powers of discernment and clear-sight - critical tools that we'll rely on for the rest of our pilgrimage and a certain sign of the initiate.
We will have lunch on the route back at a beautiful countryside Egyptian restaurant where the bread is baked by hand, and then stop at
The Sakkara Carpet Academy for our first opportunity for some serious shopping: magnificent hand-loomed silk and wool rugs.
Day 4 - Sun, February 7th: Egyptian Museum/ Old Cairo / Coptic Museum / St. Sergio / Ar Rafaai / Overnight Train to Aswan. (B/L/D)
In the morning we set out for the famous Egyptian Museum, with its staggering collection of relics dating back to 4,000+ BC. Here we will experience first-hand the different periods of ancient Egypt and the individual artistic and architectural styles of each period. The highlight of this museum is the visit to the priceless treasures of Tut-Ankh-Amon. You will marvel at the intricate workmanship and the tiniest details of the contents of the luggage packed for this King to accompany him to the next world.
Cairo has played a pivotal role in the history of the three great Western monotheisms: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. This afternoon we’ll explore these themes while visiting “Old Cairo;” including the oldest synagogue in Egypt, the famed St. Sergio Church and the beautifully peaceful Ar Rafaii Mosque.
Late afternoon departure for Cairo's train station, where we will take an overnight sleeper train to Aswan! Watch the countryside roll by as you experience the unique adventures of traveling by rail. Enjoy dinner in the dining car, or privately in your own cabin. In the evening, your chairs will be made over into twin beds where you can stretch out and enjoy a full night's rest. The next morning, have breakfast on our way from Luxor to Aswan.
Day 5, Mon, February 8th: Aswan, Elephantine Island (B/L/D)
Arrive mid-morning in Aswan, disembark the train, and board our PRIVATE cruise ship, the luxurious dahabeya Afandina. This gorgeous ship, with almost a 1:1 ratio of crew to guests, will be our home for the next week. The Afandina, boasting incredible materials, workmanship and design, is a truly world-class experience that harkens back to an earlier era of travel. Nothing can prepare you for the magic of sailing the Nile on the Afandina.
After lunch, enjoy a felluca ride (a small delightful sailboat – peaceful and serene) around the Islands on our way to visit Elephantine Island and the Temple of Khnum. We will enjoy dinner on the boat in the evening, prepared by our private chef!
The Temple of Khnum
Day 6, Tues, February 9th: Aswan/Temple of Philae (B/L/D)
This morning, we have a PRIVATE VISIT to one of the most amazing sites in Egypt, the Temple of Philae: the delicate, elegant, quintessentially feminine temple of Isis.
The graceful temple and surrounding buildings of Philae were meticulously moved stone by stone from its ancient site (now submerged) to its new, higher, island home in the middle of the lake. Today it gives us – modern men and women with modern machines and incredible technical knowledge – great insight into what the ancient and intelligent peoples of the world could do with only simple technology and the will to create. During our ceremony we will anchor our intentions for the future inside the divine matrix of creation.
In the afternoon, we visit the Nubian Market of Aswan, “ The Pearl of Egypt”. With its colorful Nubian bazaar, laid-back atmosphere, warm and wonderful people and a lovely promenade along the Nile, Aswan is a favorite city in Egypt for many visitors. Dinner aboard our ship as we start to sail!Day 7, Wed, February 10th: Kom Ombo (B/L/D)
We sail to Kom Ombo, the temple dedicated to two deities: the crocodile god, Sobek, and Horus the Elder, the innate potential for enlightenment dormant within each of us. Kom Ombo was a famous healing temple in ancient days and is now both a gloriously picturesque edifice and an energy-filled ruin overlooking a bend in the Nile. After our ceremony here, we continue sailing through the countryside of Egypt on our way to the city of Edfu. You're free this evening to experience the lounge or enjoy the solitude of sailing from the ship’s upper deck.
Day 8, Thurs, February 11th: Temples of Horus, Edfu & Esna
We have a morning visit to the best-preserved temple in Egypt, the fabulous Temple of Horus the Avenger – the falcon god. Consecrated to Horus and to Set, it is the embodiment of the principles of self-mastery and resurrection; balancing the forces of dark and light. Our initiation will encompass all these themes as we empower the Horus within us.
We spend the afternoon and evening sailing on the Nile, waving at the villagers, farmers and fishermen as we slowly glide through the peaceful waters as we pass through the Esna Locks. Overnight in Esna.
Day 9, Fri, February 12th: Nile Cruise (B, L, D)
Enjoy a relaxing day off as we sail the Nile. Take in the views from one of our private decks, enjoy afternoon tea in the bar, take some time to journal or recapitulate your experiences, or watch a movie in our private living room.
Late in the day, we will arrive in Luxor, home to the greatest concentration of antiquities on the planet. Known as Thebes in the ancient world, Luxor is a friendly and fascinating mixture of the ancient and modern, the metropolitan and the rustic.
Wash off the "dust of the road" by taking a quick water taxi over to the Sonesta St. George Hotel, where you can play in the pool, with our compliments!
Day 10, Sat, February 13th: Dendera, Abydos, the Osirion and the Flower of Life (B, L, D)
In the early morning, we will drive to Dendera Temple, one of Egypt’s most beautiful temples, which is dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Love, Music and Joy. Here we meditate in the Chapel of Nut, the birthing room, as well as seeing the world’s oldest sundial, and graffiti from Napoleon’s soldiers.
Then on to Abydos, one of the most spellbinding spots in Egypt. Here at the Temple of Seti I is the birth of the Rameses style. Among the temple’s special features are the Seven Axial Chapels, whose reliefs number among the most beautiful in Egyptian art, and the ancient, enigmatic Osirion, home to the Flower of Life: the most important symbol in sacred geometry. We'll also see the bizarre "future vision" hieroglyphs which seem to show tanks, planes and helicopters.
Day 11, Sunday February 14th: Thebes, the Valley of the Kings (B, L, D)
OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Take a peaceful, delightful balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings, and enjoy sunrise while you look at the sites we will see later today!
Today is devoted to Thebes as we cross the Nile to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, where the great and mysterious funerary texts (“The Books of the Dead”) are exquisitely painted or carved into walls. We continue our visits to Mednat Habu, called by the Egyptians themselves “the most splendid of all”, and then on to the immense Colossi of Memnon. We will also stop at an alabaster factory in the Valley, where we can buy wonderful pieces for just a fraction of what we would pay at home.
Day 12, Mon February 15th: Karnak/ Luxor (B,L,D)
This morning we visit the great Karnak temple at sunrise to play in the energies of the largest spiritual site in the world. Once connected to Luxor Temple, two miles away, by a long avenue of Sphinxes (now almost fully restored), Karnak is dedicated to the Powers of Creation and exhibits profound solar alignments. Karnak is the theater in which humanity plays out its destiny.
After exploring the temple, we'll move to the "Chapel of Sekhmet," to experience one of our most powerful and beautiful initiations.
For our last night on the Nile, we will have a night visit to the magnificent structure of Luxor Temple. Here is where R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz developed his revolutionary Symbolist Interpretation; science, art, religion and philosophy are fused into one vast, coherent whole. Part of the largest temple complex in the world, Luxor is not to be missed.
Day 14, Wed, February 17th: Cairo/Khan El Khalili Bazaar / Alley of the Tent Makers (B,L)
After an early morning flight back to Cairo, we will take in the world-famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar for an afternoon of shopping and bargaining with the street vendors in this thousand year-old market.
Enjoy a set lunch at the Najib Mafouz restaurant, named after Egypt's greatest writer, who sat there each day while writing his Nobel Prize-winning novel.
Then as a special treat, we'll visit the "Alley of the Tentmakers" to truly touch an authentic face of Egypt. You can buy incredible handmade quilts, pillows, and wall hangings here, each design unique and beautiful.
Some of the remarkable hand-sewn quilts found in the Alley of the Tent-Makers
On our way back to the Giza Plateau, we visit the famous Mena Papyrus Gallery Institute, where we will see how handmade copies of old Egyptian art showing the tombs and temples are created, and how papyrus is made. Then we will check into Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel, a fabulous and luxurious hotel just a few blocks from the Pyramids. Refresh yourself with a dip in the pool, and later in the evening, treat yourself to Mediterranean or Tex-Mex at one of the great on-site restaurants.
Enjoy an evening of rest, relax by the pool, or explore local Cairo.
Day 15, Thurs, February 18th: GIZA, PYRAMIDS, and SPHINX/Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Open your heart and listen – feel the energy of the spirits… this morning we experience the most remarkable Wonders of the World: The Sphinx and the Pyramids of the Giza Plateau.
We are blessed with a private visit inside the Great Pyramid and our final initiation in the King’s Chamber. This is the spiritual keystone that will lock all of our work in place: in our psyches, our energy bodies, our hearts, our minds and in the divine matrix of creation on the invisible planes of causality. The spiritual technology of the Great Pyramid is a powerful resonator/amplifier for our intentions, so we will apply our conscious will toward creating profound change in our lives, and in the world.
Then it's on to that most mythical of creatures... As we stand between the paws of the Sphinx for our PRIVATE VISIT our Egyptian guide, who is an encyclopedia of Egyptology, will give us detailed examinations of various controversial theories surrounding these amazing structures. We will also do some special toning here to awaken the energy even further.
Rest or pack in the afternoon... Tonight you will enjoy your farewell dinner at a very special place!!!
Day 17, Fri. February 18th: Final departure (B)
Breakfast followed by transfer to Cairo International airport for your flight back home, or join us on our extension to the Red Sea! (Below)
SHARM EL SHEIKH - THE RED SEA EXTENSION
Day 1, Fri. February 18th: Continue on our Extension to the Red Sea!Fly with us to Sharm El Sheikh, where the skies are blue, the water is warm and turquoise, and all you need to do is relax! We will check into the luxurious Movenpick hotel and Spa in Sharm El Sheikh.
Have dinner at one of the 3 hotels restaurants or go out on your own to explore this delightful beach town.
Day 2, Sat. February 19th: The Red Sea (B)
Snorkel all day, lie out in the sun and work on your tan, or if you're feeling brave, get dive-certified in the place considered one of the most incredible dive spots in the world!
Day 3, Sun. February 20th: The Red Sea (B)
Enjoy another day in the Red Sea relaxing before we head back to Cairo in the evening. Stay overnight at the Movenpick Cairo airport, and enjoy great service and food!
Day 4, Mon. February 21st: Final Departure (B)
Breakfast followed by transfer to Cairo International airport for your flight back home.
* Itinerary is subject to change due to reasons beyond our control.
Accommodations:
Mena House Oberoi Hotel Feb 5th — Feb. 7th (2 nights) Bed and breakfast
Overnight Train Feb 7th (1 night) Dinner & breakfast
Afandina Private Cruise Feb 8th — Feb 16th (7 nights) Full board
Le Meridien Pyramids Feb 16th— 18th (2 nights) Bed and breakfast
