Dr. Ehab Yousif has his Ph.D. in Ancient Egyptian Mythology from Alexandria University focusing on the Spirituality of Ancient Egyptians. In addition, he has studied the three major schools of spiritual meditation: Buddhism, Hinduism and Abrahamic, and is a master in practice and guiding spiritual meditation. Ehab will be your pilgrimage leader each day. Deanne Panighetti, American tour advisor, will travel with the group to ensure a smooth journey for each guest.

​

Highlights of the pilgrimage include:

Daily guided meditation, lectures and discussions, and ample time for stillness and quiet reflection, and visits to the following sacred sites:

Multi Day Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan – Sailing through the Niles is a passage of time. The Nile was seen as a diving gift, a manifestation of gods like Hapi, symbolizing fertility life and the cycle of creation and destruction, mirroring the journey of the soul. Sunrise and sunset on the Nile are powerful spiritual moments, symbolizing new beginnings and closure, fostering deep connection with the ancient landscape. 

Step Pyramid Complex at Saqqara – The entire structure and its rituals emphasized the ancient Egyptian belief in the unending cycle of life, death and rebirth. 

The Pyramids of Giza – At the spiritual level the pyramid is a symbol for the integration of self and soul. The base of the pyramid stands for the body, the sides show the spiritual attempts, the point symbolizes the harmonious union of the human with the “higher self”.

Philae Temple Complex – Built by the last dynasty of ancient Egypt, the Ptolemaic. It is dedicated to Isis (the goddess of healing, birth and magic), her husband Osiris, and their son Horus. The temple is one of the last places where ancient Egyptian religion survived after Christianity swept the shores in 550 AD.

Kom Ombo Temple – It is a dual-sided temple and dedicated to two powerful forces – Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon god. One temple, two gods. One structure, two paths.

Luxor Temple – Its spiritual meaning is tied to its function as the ceremonial heart of ancient Thebes, dedicated to the divine renewal of kingship and the unification of the cosmos through festivals like the Opet Festival. It was dedicated to the Theban Triad (Amun, Mut, and Khonsu) and was seen as a place where the pharaoh and gods met to ensure cosmic order.

Karnak Temple - Its spiritual meaning centers on being an ancient Egyptian sanctuary and the earthly home of the gods, particularly Amun-Ra. It was a major hub for religious festivals like the Opet Festival, a place for rituals, and a symbol of pharaonic power and the connection between the mortal and divine worlds. 

The Temple of Hathor at Dendera – It is a spiritual center dedicated to the goddess of love, beauty, music and motherhood, embodying concepts of joy, life and rebirth. It was a place of pilgrimage, healing and religious celebration, where the connection between the divine and the earthly was reinforces through rituals, festivals, and elaborate art.

Valley of the Kings - The Valley of the Kings' spiritual meaning lies in its connection to the ancient Egyptian beliefs of death, rebirth, and the afterlife, with the location symbolizing the pharaoh's journey through the underworld to achieve eternity. The west bank of the Nile was associated with the setting sun and death, while the natural pyramid shape of the peak, al-Qurn, represented rebirth and ascent to the divine. The elaborate, hidden tombs were designed to protect the pharaoh's body and possessions, with their walls covered in religious texts to guide the deceased's soul through the afterlife to be reborn eternally. 

Medinet Habu Temple Luxor - The Medinet Habu temple's spiritual meaning is multifaceted, serving as a mortuary temple for Ramses III, a cult center for the god Amun, and a place for religious rituals and festivals. It was designed to ensure the king's eternal life in the afterlife, to celebrate his divine right to rule, and to participate in important religious ceremonies like the Festival of Opet. The temple's fortifications also symbolized a link between the sacred and the secular, and a way to protect the spiritual and physical community. 

Abydoss Temple - Abydos Temple – The temple is rooted in ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, resurrection, and the cult of the god Osiris. It was considered a sacred burial ground for early pharaohs and a major pilgrimage site where rituals, including an annual festival, reenacted the myth of Osiris's death and rebirth. The temple's architecture and inscriptions also served to legitimize pharaonic rule by linking the king to the divine lineage of the gods and ancestors.

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) – is an archaeological and national museum located near the Pyramids of Giza. Dedicated to Ancient Egypt and its culture, society and artifacts, it is the largest museum in the world for a single civilization.