Return to Egypt
Sacred VIP Tour
February 15 - 28, 2027
Fourteen days. Small group. Two private hours inside the Great Pyramid with the doors closed behind us. Private visits to many sacred sites.
Led by Debra Stangl — her 27th trip to Egypt.
Round-trip airfare from JFK included.
Have you always felt an inexplicable pull toward ancient Egypt? The Pyramids, the Sphinx, the magnificent temples, the mysteries of a civilization that continues to fascinate us thousands of years later? There's something about Egypt that is almost impossible to describe until you've experienced it yourself. The extraordinary energy. The ancient wisdom. The feeling that these sacred places hold secrets just waiting to be discovered.
Imagine experiencing the magic of ancient Egypt with a small group of like-minded Soul Adventurers. Powerful ceremonies in sacred places most travelers never get to experience privately. Sailing the legendary Nile in five-star luxury. Sharing unforgettable adventures, laughter, and friendships that may last a lifetime. Egypt isn't simply a place you visit.
It's a place you feel—and a place that may change you forever.
There are trips to Egypt. And then there are experiences that most people can only dream about. Imagine having the Great Pyramid entirely to ourselves for two extraordinary hours, with the doors closed behind us. Standing between the Paws of the Great Sphinx, where ordinary tourists are never permitted. Experiencing private sacred ceremonies in magnificent ancient temples, away from the crowds, where we can truly connect with the extraordinary energy of these powerful places.
These aren't experiences you'll find on an ordinary Egypt tour.
We've spent decades exploring Egypt, building extraordinary relationships, and arranging remarkable private access to some of the most sacred places on Earth. And we've combined it all with five-star luxury, spectacular accommodations, a beautiful Nile cruise, and an intimate group of like-minded Soul Adventurers.
Egypt is extraordinary no matter how you see it. But experiencing Egypt this way? That's something else entirely.
Debra Stangl
Founder, Sedona Soul Adventures
The first time I stood in front of the Great Pyramid, in 1983, I remember thinking: I will spend the rest of my life finding my way back here. I've kept that promise twenty-six times since. This February will be my twenty-seventh trip to Egypt.
I've been leading groups back to these temples since 2004, and after more than two decades of watching what happens to people here, I know one thing for certain: Egypt doesn't just show you something. It changes you. I've watched people arrive exhausted, stuck, or simply searching — and leave as someone more fully themselves than when they got on the plane. I don't build these trips to be sightseeing. I build them to transform people, because that's exactly what happened to me, twenty-seven trips ago and counting.
Richard Kepple
My partner, in life and in this work
We married in 2017, and Richard came to Egypt with me for the first time a few months later. I'll admit, I wondered how he'd take it — Egypt is a lot, even for people who think they're ready for it. He didn't just take it. He fell for it, the way I did decades ago. He's been back with me every year since, some years twice, and this February will be his tenth trip. He's not along for the ride: he co-leads Sedona Soul Adventures with me, co-wrote our book High-Vibe Relationship with me, and by now he knows these temples the way you only can when you keep choosing to come back.
First class...incredibly well organized... We stayed in the most beautiful hotels…the food was fantastic… There was not one moment when I felt unsafe! Our group was as memorable as the hotels/cruise ship and sites. We all became friends immediately and have continued to stay in touch. Our guide was enthralling. Egypt is even more amazing than I imagined!
Jack Bellinger
I’ve traveled all over the world and I have to say my trip to Egypt with Sedona Soul Adventures was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. It brought me into self realization and believing in myself. I now know in my heart that everything is possible. Even six months later, I’m still putting together pieces that happened there and applying them in my everyday life and growing every day.
Holly Kaplan
Learn about the incredible sites, the history and the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt
February 15 - 28, 2027
Feel safe and secure with people who really know Egypt
The flight to Cairo is non-stop, leaving New York (JFK) at 12:45 pm, so arrive at the airport no later than 9:45 am to check in. The 11 hour flight arrives in Cairo at 6:05 am and Guardian Travel will meet, greet and assist us through customs and baggage claim, handling all the luggage. No wrestling with suitcases! We'll then be whisked to the fabulous Mena House Hotel in Cairo, which is right next to the Great Pyramid. Because of our early morning arrival, first night of hotel is Feb. 15.
Mena House Hotel (2 meals on plane)
Finally, we’re here! We settle into our rooms and have the entire day to rest up. You may wish to hang out at the beautiful pool at the Mena House so you can be completely refreshed for our action packed next day. Our first group activity will be our wonderful Welcome Dinner in the evening.
Mena House Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch on your own, Dinner)
This will be one of the most amazing days of your life. Our journey begins with a group spiritual connection ceremony. What a way to start! And then, in perfect Egyptian fashion, we'll go directly to the Pyramids - of course! Lunch will be at the beautiful 9 Pyramids, with stunning views. Next, we'll visit the Valley Temple and the Great Sphinx. Finally, for those interested in high quality Egyptian oils, we’ll have a delightful time at the perfume and Egyptian oil shop of the Fayed family, who distribute these amazing oils internationally. This evening, we are the guests of the Fayed family at their home which is literally across the street from the Sphinx. The evening culminates in the famous Sound and Light Show, which we watch from our perfect vantage point. What an action packed beginning to this incredible journey!
Mena House Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The new Grand Egyptian Museum!! Oh my Goddess, we've been waiting years for this to open! We'll spend the entire day at the Museum. This museum has the world's oldest and largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and antiquities, and is the official repository of most of the archaeological treasures of the Egyptian government from the prehistoric era to the Greco-Roman period. There is an entire wing dedicated only to King Tut! We'll see every single artifact they found in his tomb, over 5,000 pieces! Many of these have never been seen by the public before. Up close and personal, we get to examine incredible statues, mummies, jewelry and more.
Mena House Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning we take a beautiful and relaxing drive into the countryside south of the Giza Plateau to visit the incredible Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The Step Pyramid is considered by traditional Egyptologists to be the earliest, prototypical pyramid. It was designed for Pharaoh Djoser by the mythic figure Imhotep. Imhotep is recognized as the world’s first named architect and doctor as well as a scribe, priest, astrologer, vizier, and chief minister. Next is the incredible Serrapeum. The ancient Egyptians worshiped the Apis bull, huge animals that were then mummified, and the Serapeum contains many of the enormous sarcophagi they were buried in. Then, after taking a leisurely lunch, we’re off for a visit to a carpet factory and school, seeing the incredible artistry of Egyptian hand-made carpets. Late in the afternoon, we head to the airport — we fly to Luxor, home of the Valley of the Kings, for more adventures. We’ll be staying at the beautiful Sonesta St. George, which is located directly on the Nile, and upgraded to their newly renovated Royal Rooms.
Sonesta St. George Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Today is one of the most spectacular days on our amazing journey. We’ll cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. I'm so excited that we have been able to secure the coveted ticket to the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I, which was closed for many years to the public. A very limited number of people per day are allowed into this magnificent tomb and you are one of the lucky ones! Similarly, a limited number of people are allowed into the Tombs of Ramses VI and King Tut, but you will have a special ticket for all of these.Next we’ll visit the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (the female Pharaoh) and we’ll have a quick photo op at the Colossi of Memnon. Afterwards, we’ll visit an alabaster factory. Egyptian alabaster is known throughout the world over for its incredible beauty. We’ll see how it’s made and have the opportunity to purchase some of our own treasures. Later on in the day, we'll visit a fabulous jewelry shop where you can have your own cartouche made (your name in hieroglyphics!).
Sonesta St. George (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Today we start early, as we make our way north along the Nile to the Temple of Abydos, which many consider the most sacred temple in all of Egypt. At Abydos especially, we will delve into controversial and secret versions of history that our tours are famous for. How can there be a carving of a helicopter, a tank, a submarine and and a jet plane in a temple of ancient Egypt? Pharaoh Seti I’s temple was built on top of an earlier temple of very ancient, possibly Atlantean origins, called the Osirion. Located on one of the pillars of the Osirion is the “Flower of Life”, which figures so prominently in the teachings of Drunvalo Melchizedek. We'll have lunch at one of the shops of our friends. Then it’s on to the Hathor Temple of Dendara, dedicated to one of the most beloved of the Egyptian deities, Hathor, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Here we have secured another private visit, just for our group. Just recently they have completed an ambitious project of cleaning the walls and ceilings of hundreds and hundreds of years of dirt, soot and smoke. The results are spectacular and you will not believe the original beautiful colors they have found under the grime. It’s almost as though they were covered all these years just so that we could experience these amazing colors and carvings all these thousands of years later. We'll see the famous Zodiac ceiling and the painted carvings of Nut (Goddess of the Night Sky) swallowing the solar disc at night and birthing it again each morning. Also in this temple we get a peek into esoteric Egyptian technology. We’ll be taken to see some very unusual, hidden carvings that appear to depict a kind of electrical device powering an energy tube which looks like a light bulb with serpent filaments! Our ceremonies here are always incredibly memorable.
Sonesta St. George (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Today we awaken and marvel that we are eating breakfast overlooking the Nile and in high anticipation of the day. We check out of our hotel, because we board our Nile Cruise ship today! We make our way to the Temple Complex at Karnak, one of the most amazing places in all of Egypt. Although some sections have not survived the ravages of time, it is one of the best preserved temple sites in Egypt. It is the largest temple complex ever built on this planet, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders over a span of 2500 (!) years. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples containing smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples all situated on 247 acres of land. Our guidance tells us that most if not all of the people on this trip have had many Egyptian lifetimes. If you lived in Egypt, it’s highly likely that during one or more of those lifetimes you visited or lived at Karnak. We will have our private visit to the Temple of Sekhmet, with plenty of time to experience the incredible energy of this amazing place. After our time here, we will go to a papyrus shop where we learn ancient Egyptian paper making techniques. We’ll experience Egyptian artistry first-hand, and have a chance to purchase incredible Egyptian papyrus. Next we board our beautiful cruise ship and have lunch. After relaxing on the boat for the afternoon we go for our visit to the Luxor Temple, built during the reign of Amenhotep III. For many centuries it was covered with the desert sands, so it is now one of the most perfectly preserved and beautiful temples in of Egypt.
Nile Cruise Ship (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
After the amazing time we’ve had and all we’ve seen and done, it’s time to slow down and unwind a bit as we take the day to refresh and relax as we Cruise the Nile. There are so many possibilities on board. You may want to go topside and snag some rays as you sip a drink by the pool. Maybe you’ll delight in observing the ever changing scenes drifting past along the Nile; the boats, the farms, the villages and the wildlife. Maybe it’s time for some pampering with a massage. Or possibly it’s time to just sit quietly with your journal and remember and integrate the incredible experiences we’ve had so far.
Nile Cruise Ship (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Today our ship docks at Edfu, home of a Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Of all the surviving temples of ancient Egypt, the Temple of Horus is the most complete and best preserved. As our ship continues on the Nile, we reach the Temple Complex at Kom Ombo, dedicated to both Ra-Herakhty and the crocodile god Sobek. Just next to the Temple is the new Crocodile Museum containing hundreds of mummified crocodiles discovered over the years at this site. Tonight we’ll have a really fun time at the galabaya party on our cruise ship. It’s your opportunity to walk like an Egyptian!
Nile Cruise Ship (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
This will be an absolutely incredible day! We will rise early and take a small boat to the beautiful island of Philae, home of the beautiful magical temple dedicated to Isis, the Great Mother. The energy of the Divine Feminine is very strong here. We'll also learn how this was a temple that was moved to save it from the floods that occurred from the building of the Aswan Dam; the engineering feat is almost unbelievable. Next, we will visit the Unfinished Obelisk and get a sense of the gargantuan engineering feats of the ancient Egyptians. We'll return to our beautiful Nile cruise and have a leisurely lunch. We'll have a few hours to rest or hang out on the sun deck. Then, we'll take a beautiful boat ride on the Nile, with the western sun dancing on the sparkling blue waters. Tonight there will be music and dancing on our cruise ship and if we're lucky, belly dancing!
Nile Cruise Ship (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Today we bid adieu to our floating home on the water, our Nile cruise ship, and the wonderful crew who have fed, feted and pampered us like Pharaonic royalty. Now on our way to Abu Simbel, we go deep into the southern desert. In the 1960′s, with the building of the Aswan High Dam, rising waters from Lake Nasser threatened to inundate archeological treasures all along the Nile in Upper Egypt. Through an unprecedented international effort, the most important temple, Abu Simbel, and some smaller sites were cut into massive blocks, moved to higher ground and reassembled. As we make our way to the temple site, we are nearly struck dumb by the mind-bending sight. Before us loom four colossal, 67-foot high statues (each the size of a 7-story building) of Ramses II seated on his throne, facing Lake Nasser, guarding the entrance to his temple. Exploring the inside of the temple is amazing. One hundred yards away, built into another hillside, is the Temple of Nefertari, Ramses II’s favorite wife. Six colossal standing figures 33 feet high, four of Ramses II and two of Nefertari, are cut from the rock face, along with smaller figures of the royal family. We then fly back to Cairo for our stay at the beautiful Mena House Hotel next to the Pyramids on the Giza Plateau for the astounding conclusion to our journey.
Mena House Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
And now the culmination of our journey, what we have all been waiting for. Our private time in the Great Pyramid. We'll begin with a healing ceremony between the Paws of the Sphinx. This area is closed to the general public, but as part of our Sacred VIP Tour, we'll have our own special time there. We'll then come up to the Great Pyramid. We’ll have 2 hours all to ourselves for our ceremonies. We’ll begin by going to the Queen’s Chamber and doing a special ceremony. Then it’s onto the King’s Chamber, for our ceremony of resurrection and renewal. After that, those that wish can climb into the Pit. The ceremonies inside the Great Pyramid are life changing. This evening, we’ll have our Farewell Dinner and we realize our hearts are overflowing with both joy and a little bit of sadness. Joy for all that we have experienced, learned and become; and sadness because our adventure is drawing to a close. We contemplate all the wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime adventures we have shared in the last two weeks, the lifetime friendships we have formed, and how we have been changed forever by our Return to Egypt.
Mena House Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
We awaken early as we gaze at the Pyramids and as a group, make our way to the Cairo airport. After they've helped us through the checking in process, we say goodbye to our Guardian Travel friends – and by now, they really are friends. They have taken such good care of us, done such a wonderful job of organizing and orchestrating our time in Egypt, and shared so much of themselves and their culture with us! At least we have the time on our flight to reminisce, laugh and cry with our dear travel companions. As the plane takes off and we see Cairo one last time from the air, silently, secretly we vow to return again. Chasing the sun on its westward arc, we arrive back in New York at 10:15 am, tired, happy and content, knowing that our lives have been transformed forever.
Mena House Hotel (2 Meals on the plane)
The price is virtually all inclusive — it includes round trip air from JFK to Cairo, 4 flights within Egypt, 5-star hotels, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, 5-day
Nile Cruise on a 5-star ship (The Soleil), all transportation, admission to all attractions, guides, and more!!!
The price includes:
Additional upgrades:
Business Class (full lie-down seats) is available for the round trip flight JFK/Cairo and Cairo/JFK for an additional $3200 per person (subject to availability). Additional deposit of $1,000 per person (upon confirmation).
Upgrade to a Pyramid View Room at the Mena House Hotel, $780 for 6 nights (subject to availability).
Upgrade to Grand Deluxe Room at the Mena House which is a much larger room plus soaking tub, $1650 for 6 nights (subject to availability). These rooms do not have a Pyramid view and only king size beds.
Not included:
Transportation to and from New York
Beverages, including bottled water
Insurance (medical and evacuation is required)
Tips for the cruise ship staff
Guests arranging their own flights deduct $1,000 per person (Tour Price minus flight plus four flights within Egypt); First night hotel included is Feb 15; Save an additional $500 per room if arriving on Day 2 (first Group Activity is Welcome Dinner on Day 2 (Feb 16). However you choose, you’ll enjoy private airport transfers with Guardian Travel for a seamless experience.
Sedona Soul Adventures
30 Kayenta Ct., Suite #4
Sedona, AZ 86336
Attn: Egypt
Business Class (full lie-flat seats) upgrade for the round-trip JFK/Cairo and Cairo/JFK flights is an additional $3200 per person, subject to availability.
Because our Egyptian travel partners do not accept credit cards, we must add the 3% bank fee which we pay for credit cards. We recommend that you pay the balance by check, money order, or wire transfer (contact our office for instructions for wire transfer). We do NOT charge credit card processing fees for the initial deposit (up to $1,000); 3% credit card fees will be added to the balance when final payment is made by credit card.
*Prices are subject to change. Price is based on $720 in airfare taxes and fuel surcharges. Significant increases in airfare or taxes or fuel or other costs not within our control may result in higher prices.
Between October 2 - December 1, 2026 - Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars US ($750) plus any other payments made by Sedona Soul Adventures on Traveler's behalf is also non-refundable. No refunds after December 1, 2026.
Cancellation Policies and other Terms and Conditions: Click Here To Review
Feel safe and secure with people who really know Egypt
I want to be honest with you about this before you book: it's genuinely demanding. We walk for an hour or more at a stretch, often through sand, often in desert heat, and there are a lot of steps and uneven ancient stone with no railings. If you have any ongoing walking or mobility issues — even mild ones — you won't enjoy this trip.
This isn't a trip where you can sit out the physical parts and still get the experience, and I'd rather you know that now than struggle through it later. Call us with questions.
I've personally been going to Egypt since 1983, and I've been bringing groups back every single year since 2004. Yes, I believe it's safe — I wouldn't keep doing this otherwise. Tourist areas are well protected, and we travel with Guardian Travel, a company I've personally trusted since 1995.
Our per-person price assumes double occupancy — you're sharing a room with another guest. The Single Supplement is $2,999, and it gets you your own room in every hotel and on the Nile cruise for the entire trip.
Included: round-trip flights between JFK and Cairo, 4 flights within Egypt, 5 star hotels, our 5-star Nile Cruise, tips to hotel and waitstaff, every entrance fee, and your Egyptian guide. Not included: transportation to and from New York, beverages (including bottled water), tips for the cruise ship staff, and travel insurance — medical and evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
No. Only if you want to. If you don't add the Single Supplement, we'll try to connect you with another solo traveler of the same gender before the trip — but we can't guarantee we'll have a roommate match for you. That said, plenty of our guests choose the Single Supplement anyway — after a full day of temples, ceremonies, and desert heat, having your own room to fully decompress in is something a lot of people want by the end of the day.
Full details are in our cancellation policy, but the short version: your deposit has a small non-refundable portion that grows if you cancel closer to departure, and the trip is non-refundable after December 1, 2026, since that's when we've paid for your flights, hotels, and private site access on your behalf. If you are concerned you may need to cancel the trip, purchase Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.
Pack light, breathable layers — days are hot, evenings can cool off fast, especially on the Nile and in the desert. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are essential, not optional, given how much walking we do. Egypt is a Muslim country, so at religious and cultural sites we ask that shoulders and knees stay covered, especially for women. Scarves aren't required. We'll send you a full packing list once you're booked.
No vaccinations are required to travel to Egypt. Bring prescription medications in their original bottles, and pack basic remedies just in case.
Yes — our hotels and the Nile cruise ship all have wifi, though it can be slower than you're used to at home. Cell service is available throughout populated areas but can be spotty at remote sites like Abu Simbel. If you want to be fully reachable, an international phone plan or a local SIM card is your best bet.
By the time you land in Cairo, every detail is already handled — Guardian Travel meets you at the gate, your bags are taken care of before you've even thought about them, and every hotel, meal, and private site visit is already booked and waiting. You don't have to plan a single day of this trip. You just have to show up.
I have never had a trip that was such a complete experience; mind, body, heart and soul. I really felt myself open to the deep quiet of Egypt and somehow, it changed my life.
Jane Schafer
Only Happens Once In August 2027, we're leading a second journey to Egypt — a private yacht, just 18 guests, timed to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of total solar eclipse over Karnak, the longest anywhere on land until 2114. It won't happen again in our lifetimes. [See the Eclipse Tour →]
