EGYPT SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Nov / Dec 2010
FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
CAIRO / LUXOR / ASWAN / NILE CRUISE
AND WESTERN DESERT “19 days / 18 Nights”
Brought to you by:
Soul Haven Wholistic Therapies
and
Personal Development Centre
Shop 4, 157 Smith Street, South Penrith, NSW 2750.
P.O Box 7155, South Penrith, NSW 2750.
Ph: 02 4704 8500
Tess Mobile: 0414 762 711
Email: soul.haven@optusnet.com.au
Day 1: Sydney/Cairo
Depart Sydney via Singapore Airlines.
Depart Sydney via Singapore Airlines.
Day 2: Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met and assisted, transfer to your hotel Intercontinental Pyramid Park Resort Hotel, after check in you will have time for rest and relaxation then “Group meeting before dinner”. Evening Surprise Event – You will love this! (B.L.D)
Day 3: Cairo
Early Morning Meditation Class in Hotel gardens. Breakfast at Hotel. Depart 9am for a morning tour to one of the old Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramid of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. We will have time to experience the sarcophagus inside the king’s chamber of the great pyramid, following a camel ride into the desert of the Giza Plateau. We will visit the great sphinx of Giza which dates back to 2620BC before having lunch in an authentic Egyptian restaurant where you get to experience the true hospitality of Egypt along with the delicious taste and display of the Egyptian cuisine. After Lunch we will visit Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Return to the hotel for group discussion before dinner. There will be time allocated to go shopping for additional food supplies, for our desert trip the following day. (B.L.D)
Day 4: Cairo / Western Desert
Early Morning breakfast. At 6:30am departure to the desert. Stop over for lunch in Bahareyia, the first Oasis on our trip, and get a sense of primitive living of the Bedouins. We will continue to the white desert, where we’ll stop to explore Crystal Mountain for a silent meditation. This is a wonder in the middle of the desert as the whole mountain is a giant crystal. Then continue to Beer Regwa (a spot in the desert) to transfer into jeeps. Tour in the White desert (new or old) before settling at our camp site. We will group together for a humming meditation after setting up camp. Dinner and evening entertainment performed by our hosts around the campfire, and dancing under a blanket of thousands of stars. (B.L.D)
Day 5: White Desert / Ain Hudra
Pilates / Yoga Body Breathing Class before breakfast. Touring the white desert and the mushrooms, which is an area in the desert that has white rock formations formed into mushrooms. We will spend some time sitting in silence on these amazing rock formations. There will be time for photos. Lunch at Ain Hudra, then continuing east to the gigantic sand dunes and setting up camp. Dinner and night stories / spiritual charades. (B.L.D)
Day 6: Sand Dunes / Farafra Oasis
Early morning meditation. Breakfast in the Sand Dunes, and then touring the desert for a site excursion. Drive to Badawyia Hotel in Farafra Oasis for check in and lunch. Afternoon walk in the Oasis to Badr Museum (not obligatory but definitely recommended), having dinner in Badawyia Hotel. After dinner, driving to the hot springs for a natural warm bath and then back to the Hotel. (B.L.D)
Day 7: Farafra Oasis / Dakhla Oasis
Breakfast in Farafra Hotel, depart to Dakhla Oasis, one of the most beautiful Oases in the World with its wonderful palms and mineral springs and Desert scenery. Check into Hotel and have lunch, then go visit the old village and see how people used to live in the Oasis thousands of years ago, and how similar it is to their current lifestyle today. Time for rest and relaxation. Dinner and a group meeting for a quick briefing for the rest of the trip. (B.L.D)
Day 8: Dakhla Oasis/ Kharga Oasis
Late start of the day, relaxation in the hotel around the pool and an opportunity to have a walk in the Oasis and see the old village and interact with the locals. Activation Meditation before lunch in the Hotel, and later in the afternoon continue our trip to Kharga Oasis to have dinner and an early night in Kharga Hotel for our big day tomorrow. Discussion on how we felt in the desert and what we learnt. (B.L.D)
Day 9: Kharga / Luxor
Light Breakfast. 5am departure from Kharga to Luxor. This trip takes around 4 hours to complete. Arrive Luxor around 9am. Transfer check in, to 5 Star Nile Cruiser with Deck Pool. Enjoy a wonderful morning tour of the East Bank of the Nile River in Luxor where you will see Karnak and Luxor Temples, the largest, richest and most preserved Temples in the World directed by a specialist Egyptian tour guide. Lunch will be served on board your cruise vessel. There will be an option to visit other museums, Luxor and Mummy museum. Dinner served on board cruise vessel. Sleeping overnight, aboard in Luxor. Evening Entertainment. (B.L.D)
Day 10: Luxor / Esna Loch / Edfu
Breakfast on board. Early morning excursion, accompanied by a tour guide to the West Bank of the River Nile in Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir EL Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. If we have time, we will visit the age old alabaster factory who use ancient techniques to hand manufacture alabaster lamps, vases, jars and many Egyptian statues made of alabaster. Re-board the ship for lunch and afternoon tea while sailing to Edfu via the Esna Loch. We will cross the loch and have the privilege of watching this unique experience where the cruiser will be crossing to different levels of water. Spiritual activity if time permits. Dinner and overnight aboard in Edfu. Entertainment / Galabia Party on board. (B.L.D)
Day 11: Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Early morning active meditation. Breakfast on board. Morning tour, visiting Horus Temple at Edfu. Transfer back to the ship and sail to Kom Ombo. Lunch on board the cruise. Upon arrival at Kom Ombo, visit the temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris. Dinner and overnight aboard in Kom Ombo, sailing to Aswan. Entertainment on board. (B.L.D)
Day 12: Aswan
Very early day starting with a Sail boat ride to Isis temple for an Om sounding meditation and a tour in the temple. Isis Temple Philae is the oldest surviving Temple dedicated to the Sacred Feminine Isis, desecrated by the Romans and turned into a Church which was closed down by Emperor Constantine in 500 AD. Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the high damn. Return to the cruiser for lunch. After lunch free time for resting and napping. Dinner on Cruiser and then visiting the markets of Aswan. Overnight aboard in Aswan. Entertainment on board. (B.L.D)
Day 13: Aswan
Breakfast on board before we disembark from the cruise ship. Transfer to 5 star hotel in Aswan. This is a free day, where anything is optional. Optional Spiritual Activity. Optional day trip to Abu Simbel or Aswan Museums. In the afternoon another visit to the markets optional and a traditional Dinner. (B.L.D)
Day 14: Aswan/ Cairo
Early Morning active mediation. Breakfast in Hotel then late check out. Afternoon Felucca sailing on the Nile around the Islands and visiting the Botanical Gardens. Then heading to the Feteer shop (traditional Egyptian Pizza) for a unique oriental meal before getting on sleeper train to return to Cairo. (B.L.D)
Day 15: Cairo
Breakfast in the Hotel. Tour to Mohamed Ali Citadel Mosque and Museums, and Coptic Cairo, Egyptian cuisine lunch between visits or after Coptic Cairo sightseeing depending on time. Return to the Hotel with the rest of the day free for relaxation. Body Breathing Conscious class. (B.L.D)
Day 16: Cairo
Breakfast in the Hotel. Morning tour to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities including exhibits of King Tutankhamen and Akhenton. Transfer to the famous Felfela Restaurant for an oriental lunch. After lunch we will visit the well known Khan Al Khalili Bazaars in old Cairo to buy gifts and memorabilia from Egypt. Transfer back to the Hotel for dinner. Group Entertainment after dinner optional. (B.L.D)
Day 17: Cairo
Breakfast in the hotel. Free Day. Optional – Belly dancing class for fun, visit to bazaar again, visit to Kerdasa, revisiting the Egyptian Museum, Shopping in exclusive factories, Alexandria visit. Evening Meditation to harness all the experiences of our trip. (B.L.D)
Day 18: Cairo
Breakfast in the hotel. Free Day. Optional – Belly dancing class for fun, visit to bazaar again, visit to Kerdasa, revisiting the Egyptian Museum, Shopping in exclusive factories for Papyrus, Rugs, Egyptian Cotton Manchesters, Alexandria visit. Evening Meditation to harness all the experiences of our trip. (B.L.D)
Day 19: Cairo
Breakfast in the Hotel. Completely free day for rest and relaxation at guests leisure, however if you need any activity organized, you just need to advise us and we will be happy to oblige. Evening end of trip celebration will include closing ceremony, gift giving and surprise dinner somewhere magical. (B.L.D)
Day 20: Cairo / Sydney
A hearty buffet breakfast at the Hotel, then check out and bus transfers for return flight to Sydney. (B)
Program includes:
• Economy class airfares Sydney / Cairo / Sydney, based on Q class.
• 7 Nights in 5 Star Hotel (twin share) in Cairo on full board basis.
• 5 Nights in the Desert (twin share) on full board basis.
• 4 Nights 5 Star Deluxe Nile Cruise (twin share) on full board basis.• 1 Night 5 Star Aswan Hotel on full board basis.
• 1 Nights Sleeper Train to Cairo.
• All Meals as per Itinerary (B. Breakfast - L. Lunch – D. Dinner)
• All sightseeing tours as per itinerary including all entrance fees, transportation on luxury airconditioned bus coaches and tour guide.
• Transportation from and to airport and/or Sea port.
• All transportation from Cairo – Desert – Luxor – Aswan – Cairo.
** Tours may change slightly due to changes with Desert and/or cruise schedule**
Hotel in Cairo: 7 Nights 5 star Intercontinental Pyramids Park Resort Hotel & Pyramisa Hotels incl. B.L.D
Accommodation in Desert: 2 Nights camping in the Desert Inc B.L.D
Accommodation in Desert: 1 Night in Badawayia Hotel Inc. B.L.D
Accommodation in Desert: 1 Night in Farafra Hotel Inc. B.L.D
Accommodation in Desert: 1 Night in Kharga Hotel Inc. B.L.D
Accommodation in Aswan: 1 Night in Aswan Hotel Inc. B.L.D
Nile Cruise Luxor & Aswan: 4 Nights on 5 Stars Deluxe M/S Liberty / Emilio Inc. B.L.D
Complete Package:
Cost per person in a twin room: A$ 6000.00
Travel Insurance: Own Responsibility A$220.00 Estimate Only, Varies with Age.
Non Inclusions on this Tour: All alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks during meals, except for bottled water daily during tours and in the desert, spending money for memorabilia and gifts, and food ordered on the sleeping train from Aswan to Cairo.
Food: Meat eaters and Vegetarians are completely catered for. You just need to let us know your requirements prior to travel.
Maximum People: A maximum of 20 people will be accepted for this tour. We already have 5 definates, so please, if you are considering coming along, we will need your final decision and deposit by the 30th June 2010.
Deposits: A deposit of A$2500.00 is required to secure your place on this tour.
Final Payments: Once you have paid your deposit, you are required to pay the remainder of the package by 20th August 2010. Cash, Transfer and Visa Payments accepted
Payments to: All payments including deposits are to be paid to Soul Haven. I will provide you with bank account details to transfer your deposits and balances of payments once you are confirmed.
Passports: Your passport needs to be valid for more than 6 months.
Visas: Australian citizens are required to be in possession of a pre- arrival visa. Visas are valid for 30 days and cost $40-$45. We will arrange and pay for your visas to be processed once you have made the commitment to take this tour. I will be in close contact with you regarding this matter.
Travel Insurance: I highly recommend travel insurance as it's implemented by the Australian Foreign Affairs. Any oversees traveller must obtain travel insurance prior to travelling.
Cost of travel insurance for up to 19 days is from $220 (varilable and depending on your age) and is not included in the package costs. This covers you for any unforeseen circumstances. Any existing medical condition will be dealt with separately.
Cancellations/Refunds: Cancellations prior to 1st October 2010 will receive an 70% refund of the total payments made minus bank transfer charges. Only in very exceptional cases can there be a refund once the tour has started. In such case the refund will be 50% of the daily rate, minus 30% of the overall fee (considered as the deposit). This is normal practice with any organised tour. What qualifies as an exceptional case is completely up to the organisers.
Group Meeting: We will be holding two group meetings prior to going on this trip so that you can ask any questions during this time. Meeting time and date T.B.A.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Changing Money: The Australian Dollar is strong against the Egyptian Pound but can vary depending on the US dollar, so your spending money will go very far and you wont need to bring too much. If you bring Euro with you, the exchange rate will be even better. US dollars will also give good exchange rates. If bringing US notes, please make sure they are the new ones. Old ones are not accepted.
Money Belts: These can come in handy so that you keep your money and passport close to your body and under your clothes. However I do have to say that Egypt is a safe place and you are in the best of hands in terms of the experienced organisers.
What to bring: We will be arriving in Egypt in Winter. During the days, the temperature is rather warm, however at night and early in the morning it can get cold. Therefore both warm and cold weather clothing is required.
Suggested Requirements: Good walking shoes with grip, sandals for daily and one pair of dress shoes. Towel and toiletries. Hat, sunglasses and sunblock. A few warm jumpers. Jacket, Jeans, pants long skirts. Thick and thin socks. Loose comfortable clothes for activities such as body flow class in the desert. Mosquito repellent. Camera, film and travel diary. You may like to bring some dry food, just some things you like and cant get in Egypt (ask me if you are not sure). Head scarves are great for the desert winds.
Inoculations: Are not compulsory, but you can check with your doctor if you are not sure. An injection against hepatitis can be considered however I have been to Egypt a few times now and have never had any injections nor have I had problems while I was there.
Some things to keep in mind: This tour is something more than just an ordinary holiday. The spirit of the tour is to give yourself a chance to grow spiritually as well as to enjoy the beauty of this ancient land. The program will sometimes be quite full. With travelling and adjusting to people and practices that are new, it may occasionally feel a little intense. If you prepare your mind, you’ll be able to take these experiences as challenges, and besides having an awesome time, gather a little wisdom along the way. We’ll keep time for sharing, spiritual activities and helping each other. Be sure to let your guides (Tess & Omar) know your needs in this regard. We will do everything in our power to assist you on this journey. We want you to feel comfortable to come to us with any of your needs during this tour.
Cultural Hints and Etiquette
Temples and Religion: Religion is taken very seriously in the Middle East. It’s always important to show due respect to religious buildings, shrines, images and people at prayer. When entering a mosque, remove your shoes and leave them at the door (socks are ok). In general women must cover their heads before entering the mosque and in some mosques, a full length gown must be worn. There is no need to worry as we will discuss all these factors during our group meeting two weeks before we leave Sydney.
Dress: Middle Eastern people are very conservative about dress. Women are expected to dress modestly, with legs and shoulders covered preferably. Trousers, pants, jeans, long skirts are acceptable, but shorts and short skirts (unless on the cruise ship) are mostly offensive to many. Yolanda and I recall being stared at many times for our shoulders being exposed and our long hair freely flowing. Men should always wear a shirt in public,(unless on the cruise ship). Staying well groomed and dressing respectably vastly improves the impression you have on the local people.
Other Considerations: Kissing, and hugging is not often seen in public in Egypt, nor is holding hands (I know its tough but this is not a part of their culture to publicly display affection to their partners). Out of respect for the local culture and for the cultures of other participants (on the tour or on the cruise ship), please refrain from any ‘unnecessary’ over the top, affectionate behaviour in public (so please, no groping, grabbing or slobbing over one another if you are coming with your partner). Thanks for seeing the humorous side to this, I certainly can.
Use of Water: You will find that toilet facilities are generally reasonably clean and almost always have a tap and a hose or mug for washing oneself. Middle Eastern Culture use this system. Washing with water cleans much better than toilet paper, is more hygienic, and cools the lower chakras at the same time. If you chose to go to the toilet this way, you should wash your hands with soap afterwards, just the same as if you were using toilet paper. A note to make here is that its useful to carry around toilet wipes or tissues as some places may not have enough supplies.
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