Egypt spiritual retreat 11 Days

Arrival at Cairo International Airport, met and assisted by our representative, and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

We begin our exploration of Lower Egypt at Saqqara, home of the Step Pyramid of Djoser — designed by the architect Imhotep and considered the world’s earliest monumental stone structure. From here, we descend into the subterranean vaults of the Serapeum, standing beside its 24 granite-and-diorite boxes, each weighing 70–100 tonnes. Their interior precision — flat walls and sharp corners cut into some of the hardest stone in Egypt — remains a genuine and unresolved puzzle for archaeologists and engineers alike.

Arriving early matters here — not only to avoid the crowds, but because the Giza Plateau in early morning light carries an atmosphere that’s simply different from later in the day. The plateau is quieter, the light extraordinary, and the site’s energy at its most palpable.

7:15 AM — The Great Pyramid of Khufu. We recommend entering as early as possible to be among the first inside.

Afterwards, we tour the wider Giza Plateau, including the Great Sphinx.

Optional additions available today: Private Dawn Access Between the Paws of the Sphinx, and Private Night Access to the King’s Chamber (see “Optional Private Access Experiences” above for details).

Early morning transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. We begin at the vast Karnak Temple complex, where your group can arrange exclusive private entry into the restricted Chapel of Sekhmet (optional, additional cost — see above), standing before her diorite statue in the sanctuary’s stillness. At sunset, we walk the illuminated colonnades of Luxor Temple.

Check out from your Luxor hotel and travel north to Dendera, the temple dedicated to Hathor, goddess of joy, music, and love. Descend into the temple’s subterranean crypts and view the astronomical ceiling depicting the ancient Egyptian zodiac. From Dendera, we continue north to Abydos. Overnight in a hotel adjacent to the Abydos Temple.

A full day at Abydos, the ancient cult centre of Osiris and one of Egypt’s oldest sacred sites. Today includes an optional private, subterranean authorisation to enter the Osirion (additional cost — see above), descending below the main temple level among its monumental granite megaliths, where the “Flower of Life” pattern is carved into the stone. Afterwards, we drive back to Luxor for an overnight stay.

Afterwards, check out and drive back to Luxor

Overnight in Luxor 

We begin the day touring Luxor’s West Bank: the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple. From here, we transfer to Esna and board our traditional, wind-powered Nile Dahabiya. Over the coming days, we move at the river’s own pace — using the quiet decks for daily meditation and reflection as we sail south. Dinner on board.

After breakfast, we sail toward Edfu to visit its well-preserved temple, dedicated to the god Horus. Dinner on one of the Nile’s islands or on board. Overnight on board.

An early sail toward Gebel el-Silsila, the sandstone quarries that supplied stone for many of Egypt’s temples, where the Nile narrows dramatically between cliffs carved by both nature and ancient hands. We continue south to visit the dual temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated jointly to Sobek and Horus. The Dahabiya docks near an island for the night. Overnight on board.

After breakfast, we sail to Daraw to visit its well-known camel market and walk through the village. We return to the boat for lunch before continuing south, followed by a barbecue dinner hosted by the boat’s crew.

Disembark after breakfast for a guided tour of Philae Temple, followed by transfer to Aswan Airport or your hotel. End of our services.