For Pricing and Registration, please click HERE.
Day 1: U.S. to Cairo
Connect to JFK airport for a non-stop overnight flight to Cairo with the other AOT participants. Ask about add-ons from other major cities.
Day 2: Giza Plateau
Our local tour representative will meet us upon our morning arrival at Cairo International Airport and escort us through obtaining a visa, immigration, baggage claim, and customs. We will transfer to a private air-conditioned coach to our 4-star hotel near the Great Pyramid and Sphinx. After a rest, we will gather for an introductory meeting and welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight Giza. Five-star Le Meridien Hotel.(D)
Day 3: Giza Plateau
Our day begins with a tour escorted by Egyptologist Dr. Vivian Zaki around the Giza Plateau where we will view the Valley Temple, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, and the Sphinx. Andrea Mikana-Pinkham will lead us in a meditation to open our channels to receive the powerful transformative initiatory energies of this ancient sacred culture. Afterwards we will visit a local perfumery, learn about the ancient Egyptian art of aromatherapy, and purchase high quality essential oils to anoint ourselves during meditations at the temple sites. In the afternoon, we will visit the Awyan Wisdom Keeper Home for a lecture and meditation with Yousef Awyan from the Khemit School of Ancient Mysticism. Overnight Giza. Le Meridien Hotel. (B)
Day 4: Sakkara; Flight to Aswan; Nubian Museum Felucca/Sail Boat Ride
This morning we will take a beautiful drive through the nearby countryside to the step pyramid at Sakkara, the world’s oldest free standing stone pyramid. It was designed by Imhotep, a seer, vizier, physician, and architect to King Djoser. This is the site of an ibis shrine, where a potsherd was found with the inscription to Thoth as “the three time great.”
We will then take a short flight to Aswan where we will transfer to our hotel - the Basma. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit the Nubian Museum, within walking distance from our hotel, and then enjoy a wonderful sail boat ride and dinner at the hotel. (B/D)
Day 5: Aswan; Morning Option: Temples at Abu Simbel; Board Cruise Ship; Elephantine Island and Nubian Village Home
You have the option for an early morning flight and tour to the Temple at Abu Simbel, on the shore of Lake Nassar in the southern desert close to Sudan. Here are four colossal 67-foor high statues of Ramses II guarding the entrance to his temple and the border of Upper Egypt. On a nearby hillside stands a temple to his favorite wife Nefertari. Return to meet the group at Aswan and check into our cruise ship. Those remaining in Aswan might want to stroll on the lovely promenade along the Nile and explore the colorful souk bazaar filled with the smells and colors of Sudan and overflowing with traditional wares, basketworks, and rugs. We will then check into our Cruise Ship, and after lunch visit Elephantine Island, the Temple of Khnum, and the Nubian Village Home. There will be a reception in the ship’s lounge before dinner to meet the captain and the crew. Overnight on the Cruise Ship. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Temple of Isis, Kom Ombo Temple, Nile Cruise
In the early morning hours we will travel to the beautiful island temple of Isis at Philae, the sacred cult center of the Great Mother of the Egyptian
pantheon. In a ceremony in the inner sanctum, we will offer our heartfelt prayers and ask to receive her healing blessings. Next we will visit the Unfinished Obelisk. In the afternoon we begin our cruise sailing down the Nile River. The early evening brings us to a visit to the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo jointly dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god of strength and to Haoeris (Elder Horus, son of Isis and Osiris), where we receive initiations to balance light and dark forces within ourselves. In the evening we will enjoy a Nubian folklore show with dancers and drummers. Overnight on the Cruise Ship. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Edfu Temple, Nile Cruise, Luxor
The morning will have brought us to the beautifully preserved Edfu Temple dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus where we will receive a powerful initiation to connect us to our higher self. Some of the earliest Egyptian zodiacs were found here and at nearby Esna that date from the Ptolemaic period. We will spend the afternoon on the cruise ship studying the astrological symbolism of Egyptian zodiacs and decans. We will arrive in Luxor in the late in the evening. “Galabaya Night party on Cruise Ship. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Hatsheput’s Temple
After breakfast, we will depart for the Necropolis of Thebes, along the West Bank of the Nile. In the Valley of the Kings and Queens, we will visit the mortuary temples of ancient pharaohs, including Dier al Bahari, the tomb of the female pharaoh Queen Hatsheput. The tombs are richly decorated with scenes of both daily and instructions on the mysteries of the afterlife. We have arranged for a special tour of a small Ptolemaic oracular temple dedicated to Thoth and Imhotep, where the hermetic revelations of the astrological doctrines may have been inspired by the night oracle. After a visit to the local alabaster factory, we return to our cruise ship for lunch and a free afternoon to rest or explore Luxor on your own. In the evening after dinner, you can take an optional Luxor by Night tour in a Horse Drawn Carriage. Overnight on Cruise Ship (B/L/D)
Day 9: Karnak Temple with Sekhmet Chapel, Luxor Temple 
After breakfast, we will leave our floating home on the cruise ship. Our morning visit takes us to the extensive Karnak Temple complex, build to honor the Theban triad Amun the “Unseen One” to whom Hermes Trismegistus dedicated his text on medical astrology, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu who crossed the night sky as the moon-god, issued prophecies, and assisted Thoth. Karnak is also a home of the powerful lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, the patron of healers and sender of illness associated with the decan gods. Andrea will lead us in a meditation and chanting ritual to receive the fierce compassion of her transformative energy that destroys the ego. We check into our hotel in Luxor, and can tour the local papyrus factory and shop at the Radwan Emporium for sacred jewelry, amulets, statues, and other artistic treasure. Our evening visit under the stars takes us to Luxor Temple, the Palace of Mut where Amun’s effigy would travel by barque down the river for his annual conjugal visit with his wife. Overnight in Luxor. (B)
Day 10: Temple of Osiris at Abydos, Temple of Hathor at Dendera
In the morning we travel by motorcoach to Abydos, the most important pilgrimage destination for the ancient Egyptians. This is the cult center of the Osiris, the husband of Isis and the god of the underworld and regeneration. Two highlights of this extensive holy city are the mysterious Oseiron and the Temple of Seti I whose exquisite artwork is among the finest of the new Kingdom. Andrea will facilitate a sacred ceremony to invoke Osiris’ blessings for our own regeneration and renewal. Along the way we pass by Nag Hammadi, where ancient codices and Gnostic texts were found by a local shepherd boy after being buried in an earthernware jar for 1,600 years. In the afternoon we continue on to Dendera and the Temple of Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and wife of Horus. In ancient times this temple was a healing center and sacred place of initiation for the mysteries of sensual love. We will view replicas of two famous zodiac reliefs sculpted upon the astronomical ceilings of the sanctuaries. Overnight in Luxor (B/L)
Day 11: Cairo, Cairo Museum; Evening Option: Sound and Light Show at the Sphinx
Today we return to Cairo by air, and after a group lunch we will spend the afternoon touring the world famous Cairo Museum. We can see the priceless treasures of artifacts from the many historical periods of Egypt, including the contents of the tomb of King Tutankhamon. Late afternoon check in to our hotel in Giza. Sound and light show option at the Sphinx. Overnight Giza. (B/L)
Day 12: Optional Old Cairo Tour, Private Entrance into the Great Pyramid
On our final day in Cairo, you can choose to join an optional sightseeing tour of Old Cairo or your morning is free for rest and reflection. The afternoon brings us to the apex of our pilgrimage with a private entrance into the Great Pyramid for a closing ceremony and meditation in the King’s chamber. We will celebrate the conclusion of our mystical journey with a gala farewell dinner.
Overnight Giza. (B/D)
Day 13: Depart for Home
We will be transferred by motorcoach to the Cairo International Airport for our departure back home.
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
OPTIONAL TOURS
Day 5. Tuesday, October 5. AM Option: Temples at Abu Simbel
Take the optional tour this morning to the temples at Abu Simbel, located near the southern border of Egypt with Sudan. The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, the love of his life. The temple's facade is dominated by four enormous seated statues of the Pharaoh, each over 67 ft. high. The temples were shifted to higher ground in the 1960’s as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise following completion of the Aswan High Dam. Return to Aswan. Includes roundtrip flights. Accompanied by our Egyptologist/ Guide
Day 8. Friday, October 8. PM Option: Luxor by Night Carriage Ride
Enjoy the sites of Luxor by Night in a horse-drawn carriage, including a stop at an ancient water wheel that’s still in use. Accompanied by our Egyptologist/ Guide.
Day 11. Monday, October 11. PM Option: Sound & Light Show at the Sphinx
The dazzling light show with the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Sphinx and Pyramids is beautiful and inspiring! You get a glimpse back in time to see, feel, and imagine how it was when the powerful ancient Egyptians ruled. Accompanied by our local tour representative. .
Day 12. Tuesday, October 12. AM Option: Old Cairo
As ancient as history itself, Cairo occupies a singular place among world cities. With its geographical position as a crossroads, it could be the world's only city with monuments dating back to four different historical periods - the Pharaonic, the Roman, the Christian and the Islamic. Old Cairo is a very fascinating place! Visit The Citadel that was for 700 years the strategic stronghold for Cairo, overlooking the city, and easy to defend. In it there are some museums, palaces, and three mosques, including The Mohammed Ali Mosque, or Alabaster Mosque, one of Cairo's most famous landmarks. Accompanied by our Egyptologist/ Guide.
For Pricing and Registration, please click HERE.
