Egypt Adventure & Yoga Retreat: Pyramids, Sahara Oases and the Mediterranean

Day one is deliberately empty. You land at Cairo International, transfer to the Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort, and the afternoon is yours — massage, pool, or a nap in your room. Dinner is together as a group. Day two is the reason most people book: an early wake-up for exclusive access inside the Great Pyramids before public hours, where Brittany leads a meditation and the group gets time alone in the chambers. After that it's brunch at Mena House, the old palace-turned-hotel, at a table with pyramid views, and in the evening a camel ride into the desert for dinner under the stars.

Day three is a four-hour drive to the North Coast and the Jaz Almaz resort, right on the water. The afternoon and evening are unscheduled — swim, read, journal. Day four continues about four hours east to Siwa, checking into Shali Lodge in Siwa Village, then a swim at Cleopatra's Bath (a natural mineral spring, not a pool) and a traditional dinner followed by a drum circle. Day five starts with sunrise from the ancient Siwa Fortress, breakfast back at the lodge, time to wander the Old City shops, and then a jeep safari out onto the Sahara dunes for sunset, with dinner at the hot springs outside the village.

Day six is the Salt Mine Lakes, which run around 95% salinity — far saltier than the Dead Sea — so floating is effortless. You rinse off, go back for free time, then head to the Oracle Temple at sunset, the same site Alexander the Great visited. Day seven returns to the North Coast and Jaz Almaz for another open afternoon of beach, massage and rest. Day eight drives back to Cairo and the Royal Great Pyramid Inn, whose rooftop faces the pyramids and hosts the final dinner and dance party. Day nine is airport transfers.

What separates this from a standard Egypt tour is the private pyramids access — most visitors see Giza from outside with a crowd, and this itinerary gets the group in before opening. The Siwa section is also unusual; most Egypt itineraries stop at Cairo, Luxor and Aswan and never go near the western desert. The trade-off is a lot of driving: two four-hour transfers plus the return legs, so you need to be fine with long stretches in a private vehicle.

Brittany has taught yoga since 2008, opened The Yoga Underground in 2010, began running teacher trainings in 2012 and leading retreats in 2018. She has been to Egypt twice and built this itinerary with local guides. Group size is small — the North Coast text refers to "all ten of your cute little toes," implying around ten guests. An optional four-day private Nile cruise extension from Aswan to Luxor is available at additional cost.

What's included

- 8 nights accommodation in shared twin rooms with private bathrooms across 4- and 5-star hotels - All meals throughout the trip - Private before-hours access inside the Great Pyramids - Guided meditation with Brittany inside the pyramids - Visit to the Sphinx - Brunch at Mena House with pyramid views - Sunset camel ride and dinner under the stars - All private transportation between cities and sites - Private drivers and local expert guides - All activities and excursions listed in the itinerary - All entry fees and tickets - Jeep safari on the Sahara dunes at sunset - Swim at Cleopatra's Bath - Float in the Salt Mine Lakes - Drum circle in Siwa - Sunset visit to the Oracle Temple - Rooftop dinner and dance party in Cairo - Airport transfers on arrival and departure

What's not included

- International flights to and from Cairo - Egyptian Tourist Visa ($25, paid on arrival) - Travel insurance - Private room supplement ($600, optional) - Bed-share add-on for a friend ($900, optional) - Nile cruise extension (699, optional) - Personal expenses such as souvenirs, spa treatments and drinks - Anything not listed as included