Dunya Escapes & Alice Girard present:
House of Ra: Pathways to the Soul
8 days Yoga cruise on the Nile
November 2024 – April 2025
2300 €
Alice Girard & Dunya Escapes present:
House of Ra:
Set sail on a timeless journey along the mystical Nile, aboard the traditional Dahabiya, where ancient wonders and serene waters become the backdrop of your inner journey.
From Luxor to Aswan, immerse yourself in the magnificence of Egypt’s grand temples, where echoes of the past whisper secrets to the soul.
Guided by the radiant sun god “Ra,” each day illuminates a path of inner discovery, weaving the tales of ancient lands with the journey of your soul.
This interlude transcends mere travel, merging a rich cultural expedition with a transformative yoga retreat, inviting you to explore Egypt not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing tapestry of tradition and history.
- Yoga retreat with the international Yoga teacher Alice Girard
- Dates : Autumn : 16-23 Nov 2024 / Spring: 29th march – 5th April 2025
- Immersive voyage in Egypt
- 8 days/7 nights Nile cruise on a private sailing boat (Dahabiya)
- Open to all levels (beginners included) and mixed (men/women)
- Language : EN/FR/AR
the program
the program
the program
Typical day
Embark on this sacred journey, guided by the sun god Ra, where the ancient and the eternal meet, and let the Nile’s gentle whispers lead you to new depths of being.
- 30 minutes of morning yoga routine and fresh seasonal breakfast on the Dahabiya
- A yoga workshop or flow (between 1 and 3 hours)
- Visit of Ancient Egypt temples (between 1 and 3 hours)
- Stroll in local villages
- Swim & free time on the boat
- Encounter, local and traditional evenings on the Dahabiya
Five days with yoga sessions. No practice on arrival and departure days, as well as on the first day in Luxor, which will be dedicated to sightseeing
Day to day
Day 1 - Saturday, Arrival in Luxor and boarding
[DISCOVER YOUR DAHABIYA AND YOUR GROUP]
- Arrival in Luxor
- Transfer to the boat and installation
- Dinner and overnight stay on the boat docked in Luxor
Day 2 - Sunday, Sightseeing in Luxor (Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temple)
[INTENTION, EXPLORATION AND REVELATIONS]
- Opening circle
- Typical breakfast and crew presentation
- Full day of sightseeing in Luxor (Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temple)
- Dinner and night on the boat
- The boat stays docked in Luxor. Navigation begins on Monday.
Day 3 - Monday, sunrise Air balloon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and start of the cruise
[FEMININE POWER AND TRANSFORMATION]
- Hot air balloon at sunrise
- Visit of Hatshepsut temple (from the air or after the hot air balloon)
- Breakfast on the boat docked in Luxor
- Departure from Luxor, start of the navigation
- Navigation day from Luxor to Edfu (110 km, 7 hours of navigation)
- Watch the passage through the Esna lock
- Yoga Workshop in the afternoon
- Dinner and night docked near Edfu
Day 4 - Tuesday, Horus Temple and Traditional Village Stroll
[PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY]
- Morning yoga routine
- Arrival at Edfu by boat
- Carriage ride through the city of Edfu with horses
- Visit to the Temple of Edfu dedicated to the god Horus, the falcon god
- Navigation from Edfu to Ramadi (20km)
- Walk in the village of Ramadi around the marsh and through the fields, meeting farmers working in their alfalfa, sugar cane, and date palm plantations
- Candlelight yoga flow
Day 5 - Wednesday, Hiking in the Quarries of Silsileh and Nile Activities
[STABILITY AND FLOW]
- Morning yoga routine
- Workshop yoga
- Hike in the quarries of Gebel Silsileh, the most important sandstone quarries of ancient Egypt
- Stroll in a palm grove
- Sailing and swimming in the Nile
- Traditional evening on the boat
Day 6 - Thursday, Visit to Aswan and Temple of Philae
[DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY, LOVE & COMPASSION]
- Morning yoga routine
- Yoga Workshop
- Visit of Aswan, its islands and colorful villages
- Temple of Philae or Temple of the goddess of love, ISIS
- Dinner and night on the boat
Day 7 - Friday, Kom Ombo : Sobek temple
[BALANCE AND HEALING]
- Morning yoga routine
- Early visit of Sobek Temple in Kom Ombo
- Sailing day back to Esna (120km)
- Yoga workshop
- Closing circle
- Last dinner and night on the boat
Day 8 - Saturday, end of cruise in Luxor, departure
[INTEGRATION AND GRATITUDE]
- Last breakfast on the boat (according to departure time)
- Departure from the boat
- Transfer by bus (1h, 60 km) from Esna to Luxor
- End of the House of Ra or extension in Cairo (House of Kheops escape)
Accomodations
Our
Dahabiya
Dahabiya comes from ‘Dhahab’ in Arabic, which means ‘Gold.’ It is the iconic wooden boat of the Nile with its white sails. These boats were particularly popular in the 19th century and were considered intimate alternatives to the large steamships that plied the Nile at that time. They were often used by the elite and wealthy travelers seeking a more tranquil and personalized experience. The reference to ‘gold’ in the name might reflect the color or decoration of some of them during a given period.
A Dahabiya cruise on the Nile is an invitation to experience the river in an authentic, peaceful, and intimate way while discovering the historical and cultural richness of Egypt.
About the Dahabiya
- Small group travel (10 to 20 participants)
- Intimacy and peaceful atmosphere
- Eco-friendliness
- Authenticity
- Access to less crowded sites
- Interaction with locals
Amenities
Your Dahabiya is a boat with two large wooden sails and a flat bottom, featuring a double deck. The upper deck is a true floating terrace designed for relaxation, yoga, and contemplation amidst the rural life along the Nile banks.
Equiped with solar panels and a generator, electricity is available most of the time.
More details
- A team ensures service and security on board
- Double cabins with private shower and toilet, dressing room, and a window overlooking the Nile
- Towels and toiletries provided, daily room service
- Indoor lounges
- Sun deck with sunbeds, and a hammock
- Lounge, dining area, and bar space
- Kitchen with a private chef
Food
During our journey, our boat’s chef will prepare the typical specialties of the country. All products are seasonal and bought daily from local markets or caught by Nile fishermen. Everything is prepared under good hygiene conditions, with water filtered through a purification system. Three meals a day are served on board throughout your stay. Please notify us in case of allergies or specific dietary requirements.
More details
- Typical specialties
- Local seasonal produce
- 3 meals a day
- Snacks between meals and for the visits
- Unlimited drinks: Tea, coffee, herbal teas, bottled water
- Drinks for purchase: Fruit juices, beers, wine (priced from €2 to €5, to be paid on-site).
Your yoga teacher
Alice
The gentleness and poetry of Alice Girard’s flows will guide your cruise on the Nile.
Alice is a yoga teacher based in Paris.
Dunya and Alice embark on this adventure to craft what Alice describes as “a multi-sensory odyssey that intertwines movement, mindfulness, and the exploration of the world”.
She will invite you to step into a realm of softness and poetry, where every moment is an opportunity to explore yourself, connect with others, and embrace the world around you.
Her own method “The Softness of Flexibility” is based on gentleness and kindness, listening to others and oneself, and the pursuit of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Your facilitator
Laura
It is with joy and emotion that Laura, the founder of Dunya Escapes will accompany you on this cruise, an adventure that will always hold a special place in her heart.
Sharing her love for Egypt, making you live authentic and unforgettable experiences, taking care of every little detail during your cruise is her most important desire.
She will be your main point of reference.
ready to join us ?
ready to join us ?
ready to join us ?
Practical
informations
Good to know
- Language : English / French / Arabic
- A mixed stay accessible to all
- Living space : Traditional sailing boat (Dahabiya)
- Yoga practice location : The upper deck of the boat.
Included
- Stay in a twin/double shared cabin on the Dahabiya.
- 3 meals per day + Hot drinks and mineral water.
- Airport transfers and welcome (arrival and departure)
- All other transfers during the stay.
- Cultural visits with an Egyptologist.
- Entrance ticket to cultural sites.
- Private hot air balloon ride
- Yoga instructor and Dunya Escapes coordinator.
- Welcome gifts.
- All yoga material is provided: Premium yoga mats, straps, blocks and blankets (possibility to bring your own yoga mat if it feels more comfortable for you).
Not included
- International flights
- Individual travel insurance
- Entry visa to Egypt
[Dunya assists and guides you on these points] - Single cabin supplement on the boat (€750)
- Internet card (€15). No wifi on board
- Paid beverages (alcohol and soda)
- Tips: approximately €50 per person for the week
House of Ra:
Pathways to the soul
Price per person
2300 €
If this escape inspires you to explore more of Egypt, Dunya can assist you in organizing an extension before or after your cruise. Egypt offers a multitude of beautiful places to discover, such as the Red Sea, Cairo and the pyramids, Fayoum, Siwa Oasis, white desert and many more. For more information, contact the Dunya team at the following address: info@dunya-escapes.com.
