I said yes to the sacred journey to Egypt, long before I told Maari I was going. I have known since I was young I was meant to travel to Egypt, but it needed to be more than just from a tourist perspective. I have been working with Maari for almost two years and have come to trust and adore her, and knew this would be the perfect pairing. A way to connect with Egypt and all it has to offer, in a deeper, more meaningful way than just observing "the attractions."
The experience is difficult to explain, because its so deeply personal for every traveler, but for me there are a few things that I'll comment on here, that I think many of the people in our group would probably agree with, and certainly they are incredibly meaningful for me.
The first is relating to group travel. I am very much an independent solo traveler. I was nervous/hesitant about group travel, because I tend to prefer setting my own schedule, deciding how long I want to spend somewhere and moving at my own pace. Not to mention, the anxiety about spending 2 weeks in constant presence of a group. This was always the first question my friends and family asked me when I shared that I was going on a group trip to Egypt. "How are you going to do in a group travel setting?" I will be the first to say that the people who sign up for this trip are looking for a similar experience as me. Something that Maari intentionally creates a container for. My fellow travelers were all incredibly respectful and open, and I know that Maari's process of interviewing interested travelers, creating a container that provides a safe space to be completely open, hosting zoom and in-person meetings ahead of the trip, and even how she thoughtfully pairs you with a roommate (if you're a solo traveler) will leave you feeling like you are free to be yourself, dig deep in your own spiritual journey, and also connect in a meaningful and intentional way with the group. The group as a whole and each individual member of the group added to the experience, and I fully credit Maari for being so intentional with how she constructs and leads this experience. Wow, what a relief that my biggest concern was so incredibly cared for. Thank you!
The second experience I will comment on is how perfectly the trip flowed. With so many moving pieces, and the challenge of conducting a spiritually led experience in places that are typically riddled with unassuming/unaware tourists, you would never know that the sites weren't completely blocked off for us. (Yes there are some private visits, but I'm referring to the visits that are not private visits.) Maari works tirelessly with the host travel company Quest to ensure that our days are timed just perfectly. We arrived to many sites early enough that we were the first group on-site. This allowed us to move in and out of ceremony without distraction. I always felt safe from a physical perspective, which I credit to Quest, but also and just as importantly, I felt safe from an emotional, energetic, and spiritual stand point. This is testament to Maari's awareness of where each of the people in our group was, at any given moment. She met me exactly where I was, allowing me space to grieve, celebrate, laugh, turn inward, or speak up and share. I felt so held. Thank you!! I will also add that there is a perfect mix and flow of activities that intertwined with the ceremonial and spiritual component of this trip. We enjoyed everything from fun restaurants, to live music and entertainment, history and culture lessons, tasting local cuisines, meeting and interacting with locals, racing around on tuk-tuks, and even adventure, like flying in a hot air balloon. There are no shortages of twists, turns, surprises, and excitement on this trip.
If you are looking for a trip that feeds all of your senses, boosts your connection with self and others, and offers immense opportunity for personal growth, this is it. I would recommend it 1000% if you are looking for a deeper connection with Egypt, beyond just "seeing the pyramids".