Diving Deep,Rising High:
Egypt
If you are an adventurous soul with a yearning for deep connection to your true feminine essence, ready to remember the power of your womb and experience the vastness, stillness and wisdom of the desert, this alchemical healing & transformation retreat is for you!
The Desert Initiation
10-17 November 2024
Imagine watching the sun rise on the horizon as you sit on a sand dune, surrounded by nothing but the vastness and stillness of the desert.
As the tears of gratitude start to flow, you can feel - at a deeper level than ever before - the interconnectedness of it all.
You spent the night sleeping under the stars, lulled into a healing slumber by the crackling of the camp fire and the still vivid memories of the Shamanic Womb Journey of the evening before.
You know that you have discovered something new - yet ancient - about yourself, and that you will never be the same again.
There is something so very magical about the womb-like energy of the desert.
You feel completely held by the Great Mother in all her gentle, all-encompassing power.
The golden sand between your toes is the very sand that used to make up the primordial ocean floor....
And the protective, life-affirming feminine energy that radiates from the primeval rock formations around you reminds you of the time you were inside your mother's womb.
This is time out of time. This is your time.
Can you feel it?
Welcome to the Magic of the Western Desert!
Stillness
- Experience the healing silence of the desert as you journey within
- Allow your senses to truly rest in the void
- Embrace the insights and awakening that arise when our usual distractions are missing
Connection
- Feel the inter-connectedness of all that is
- Re-connect with the wisdom and power of your womb
- Rest and be seen in the loving energy of a Sister Circle
Oneness
- Remember that we are all truly one
- Rekindle your reverence for all of life
- Sense your star origins under the magical night skies
- Feel the presence of your ancestors around you
The Desert Initiation is a journey into yourself.
Through powerful cleansing ceremonies, shamanic journeys and guided womb meditations, you will remember who you truly are.
You will be reminded of your infinite power, your connection to ancient Egypt, your star origins and your divine mission on Earth.
The silence of the desert is an invitation to surrender, to spiral deeper than ever before into the sacred feminine wisdom and potential of your womb, and allow the beauty of your soul to shine through.
Here, the nothingness contains everything. And everything is nothing.
Highlights
- Sunrise visit to the Pyramids of Giza on the 11.11. portal
- Anointing Ceremony at Djara Cave
- Blue Lotus Tea Ceremony
- Fire Release Ceremony
- Shamanic Womb Journey
- An evening with an astronomer at eco-lodge
- One on one healing sessions at eco-lodge
What is Possible for You Here
- A deep sense of inner calm and peace;
- Knowing how to be fully present with yourself;
- Increased reverence for all of life and to the interconnectedness of it all;
- Direct connection to the vast wisdom and power of your womb;
- Rekindling of your sacred mission and purpose on Earth;
- A re-remembering of your star origins;
- A relaxed, rejuvenated and re-inspired body, mind and spirit
- Sacred sisterhood and friends for life.
Our Itinerary
Day 1 - Sunday 10 November: Saqqara Pyramid complex
Day 2 - Monday 11 November; Giza Pyramid complex & journey to the Western desert
Day 3 - Tuesday 12 November; Western desert
Day 4 - Wednesday 13 November; Western desert
Day 5 - Thursday 14 November; Western Desert and journey to Al-Haiz eco-lodge
Day 6 - Friday 15 November; Al-Haiz eco-lodge
Day 7 - Saturday 16 November; Al-Haiz eco-lodge
Day 8 - Sunday 17 November; return to Cairo
Sample Program
(please, note the timings are estimates)
7am - Body Love; gentle Kuan Yin Chi Qong movement practice (optional)
8am - Breakfast
9am - Reflection and sharing circle
10:15am - Healing Circle (for example, guided meditation, womb journey, energy medicine processes etc.)
11:30am - 2:30pm - Comfortable drive to our next location (with a lunch break in-between)
2:30pm - Rest, reflect, journal
6pm - Sacred ceremony
8pm - Dinner
9pm - Fireside sharing (or stillness :) )
Your Cuisine
You will get to go on an exciting culinary journey, filling your belly with mouthwatering meals prepared by our trained chefs.
Your daily nourishment will feature traditional Egyptian, fully vegetarian meals made from fresh, locally harvested ingredients with a special Bedouin touch.
There will be an emphasis on delicious soups, healthy, filling salads, beans and dips such as hummus, local freshly baked breads and fresh fruit, including bananas, apples, dates and strawberries.
Strawberries in the desert, you might ask?
Yup, on this retreat, it's possible!
Your Accommodation
Whilst in the desert, you will be provided with a sleeping bag and a camping mattress, and are accommodated in modern, single tents that can be zipped up completely. There will also be extra blankets for you to use.
You also have the option of sleeping under the stars around the fire (highly recommended!)
The last three days of the retreat will be spent in the beauty of the Al-Haiz eco lodge.
Photo credit: Mahmoud Marai
Al-Haiz Eco-Lodge, Bahariya Oasis
A true home away from home, the Al-Haiz eco-lodge was created from family farm land in 2011, and is located in the Baharya Oasis, the lodge is just 4 hours south of Cairo.
There is large natural spring pool to cool off in during those hot desert afternoons, or contemplate life at sunset, as well as a Bazaar tent that offers handmade crafts; pottery, baskets, clothes, handbags, camel blankets and different herbs from the farm.
In addition to comfortable rooms, there is also a Bedouin tent for larger group gatherings, dining, tea/coffee, or just to keep cool and read a book during a hot desert afternoon.
The farm itself has many animals including camels, sheep, goats, chicken, ducks, pigeon, cows, and dogs. Many fruits and vegetables are also grown here, including a large date palm and a watermelon field.
Al-Haiz's in-house chefs are ready to accommodate any nutritional or dietary needs, and can easily prepare vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals and snacks.
Practicalities
Getting around the desert
We will be using Land Cruisers driven by our local guides - Bedouins - who know the desert inside out and are experts in driving on the desert landscapes.
At least one of our guides is also an experienced mechanic.
Daily hygiene
We will have sufficient amounts of clean water for our daily washing needs (please, be mindful of the fact that water is a precious resource in the desert, and should be used as sparingly as possible).
When we are camping in the desert, our toilets are so called desert toilets; i.e., we will designate a specific area a short walking distance from where we camp for the night, hidden from eyesight, for those times when we need to relieve ourselves.
Weather
In November, Egypt’s weather starts to mellow a little, with temperatures dropping throughout the country.
In the desert, day time temperatures are expected to reach 25-29 degrees Celsius, whilst at night, it gets considerably cooler.
You will have a good quality sleeping bag as well as warm blankets to cuddle in, but if you are prone to feeling cold, we recommend you bring thermal underwear, warm socks and perhaps a warm hat for the nights.
PRICING
Early Bird offer - save Euro 600 (until 5 May 2024!):
Euro 2900
Regular price: Euro 3500
Payment plans are available and agreed separately with Emmi.
Reserve your spot with a non-refundable deposit of Euro 500 below.
PLEASE NOTE:
Once your deposit has been received, Emmi will reach out to you to book a pre-retreat chat to determine that this retreat is a good fit for you (the desert initiation is not for everyone, and we want to make sure that we journey with women who are truly ready for the experience.
If we find that the trip is not a good fit for you, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation, in which case your deposit will be fully refunded.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
- If we find that the trip is not a good fit for you after the pre-retreat chat, your reservation will be canceled. In this case your deposit will be fully refunded.
- Until 15 April 2024, registration fees are fully refundable, less the Euro 500 deposit.
- 16 April to 31 August 2024, registration fees are 50% refundable.
- As of 1 September 2024, no refunds.
- In the unlikely event that we need to cancel the retreat, all monies paid to us will be returned to you in full.
*Registration fees must be paid in full prior to the start of the retreat.
**Registration fees are stated in Euro. You are responsible for any additional fees you may be charged by any financial institution, such as foreign currency exchange fees, if paying from a non-Euro account.
Included in the Cost
- Three nights of accommodation in Cairo (9, 10 and 17 November; double occupancy).
- Three nights at the eco-lodge (double occupancy).
- Transportation from Cairo to Western Desert and back.
- Transportation within the desert.
- All meals and refreshments (3 meals per day).
- Airport transfers from Cairo International Airport to the hotel and back to the airport.
- All camping and sleeping gear for the desert.
- One 1:1 healing session with Emmi at the eco-lodge (value: Euro 222).
- One healing massage at the eco-lodge.
- An evening with a local astronomer at the eco-lodge.
- Entry to Saqqara pyramid complex and the Great Pyramid, including King's Chamber.
Not Included in the Cost
- Your round-trip airfare from home.
- Your visa to Egypt.
- Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended!)
- Tips and gratuities (these are expected as custom by our drivers, ground handlers etc.): please, make sure you have USD 100 available in cash (approximately Euro 90) - this will be handed over to our local tour guide, who will handle the distribution of the tips).
- Souvenirs, phone calls, laundry etc.
- Between-meal snacks (we don't think you will need these, but if you feel you do, please bring them with you).
- Extra days / nights you may wish to spend in Egypt (and in this case, taxi transport to / from the airport).
Your Flights
Arrival
Arrive in Cairo anytime on Saturday 9 November.
You will be picked up from the airport and brought to our lodging place.
Departure
Depart Cairo on Monday 18 November.
Try and book your flight for after 2pm to give yourself a chance for a lie in in the morning.
The trip to the airport takes 40-60 minutes depending on traffic and our location.
Your Hosts
Emmi Mutale
Emmi is an intuitive healer, energy medicine practitioner and a shamanic Womb Priestess and teacher, dedicated to re-awakening ancient feminine wisdom. She works with women one on one and in groups, both face to face, online and in retreat settings with the intention of raising the frequency of our planet and fostering healing one womb at a time.
Trained in various healing modalities, Emmi creates sacred, safe, and non-judgmental spaces for deep transformation and facilitates the emergence of authentic connection, profound knowing and inner power for women of all ages around the world.
Founder of Feminine Revered, Emmi also hosts the Sacred Feminine Power podcast, is a two time best-selling author, and runs House of Gaia, a suburban sanctuary and a centre for healing & transformation in Lusaka, Zambia. With an MA in Human Rights, Emmi is dedicated to women’s and child rights and is an advocate for health freedom.
She has felt a close affinity to Egypt ever since she was a little girl and delights in every opportunity to travel to these ancient lands.
Daphne van den Broeke
Daphne is a Dutch poet who is inspired by Mother Earth, Nature and the transitioning of our planet. She writes to inspire, heal and bring love into the world.
It is her soul mission to bring back in balance the collaboration and communication with all forms of life.
She is a master of bringing the elements of the present moment into her work. Always true to her own inklings, Daphne’s writing embraces the insights she receives, and integrates her knowledge of the human psyche through her 20 years of experience as a psychiatric nurse.
Daphne will be holding space for everyone during the retreat, and will be available to hold your hand, hug you and listen to what needs to be shared throughout.
Mahmoud Marai
Mahmoud Marai has been exploring and travelling the deserts since 1998. He has led numerous expeditions not only in the Western Desert of Egypt but also in the Great Sahara Desert and the Empty Quarter of Arabia.
By car from Egypt, he reached the Tassili N Ajjer Mountains in Algeria and the fringes of the Tenere Desert of Niger. Mahmoud also followed the illusive ancient forty-days road from Darfour (Sudan) to Aswan (Egypt). He also explored northeastern Chad, the Ennedi and Erdi massifs, discovering amazing pre-historic sites.
Mahmoud is claimed to be one of the last Egyptian desert explorers, with a total desert driving distance of 300,000 km in extreme, harsh desert topographies.
Mahmoud is our local lead tour guide, who will take care of the logistics of the trip, make sure we are comfortable at all times, and share his incredible wisdom with us.
We look forward to welcoming you to Egypt!
Photo cred: Emmi Mutale
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this retreat for me?
If you are yearning for stillness, deep healing and a deep connection to yourself and the sacred, then YES!
The desert with its silence and vastness is an opportunity for deeper connection - but it can also feel overwhelming, and is not for everyone.
That's why you will have a chat with Emmi before confirming your participation, to make sure the trip is right for you.
What if I cannot afford this?
This retreat is very reasonably priced considering how much you will receive.
To make it easier on your finances, opt for the early bird price and extended payment plans, if need be (please, discuss this with Emmi on your preliminary call).
How can I make time for this?
This is a matter of you prioritising YOU.
If sacred ceremony and deep healing in the silence and vastness of the desert are calling you; you need some time 'off-grid'; and are wanting to connect with your own and collective womb consciousness, start making space for the retreat now.
Do I have to participate in everything?
Because this retreat is both an inner journey and a group journey, and a real opportunity for deep healing, we recommend that you participate in all of its components.
However, you need to listen to your body, too; if you need to step out of a process and spend more time on your own, you are welcome to. One of the hosts will check on you to make sure you are ok.
Can I bring my partner/child?
The Desert Initiation is a women's retreat and not meant to be a family holiday - it is a deep dive into your healing and transformation, and our recommendation is that you come by yourself.
If you are in a relationship with a woman, you are welcome to come as a couple.
I'm concerned about traveling with people I don't know
The retreat is an opportunity to understand at a deeper level where these concerns arise from, and start to heal them at a deep level.
From past experience, I KNOW that retreats like this attract people that are meant to meet, whether it's for lifelong friendships or for healing and growth opportunities. Trust!
Can I do laundry during the trip?
You will have an opportunity to do laundry at the eco-lodge.
Where do I fly into?
You will fly into Cairo International Airport.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
The retreat cuisine will be fully vegetarian.
If you have allergies or intolerances (gluten, dairy etc.), let Emmi know.
What do I pack?
Plan for casual, comfortable and laid back.
It will be hot during the day and chilly at night, so if you are prone to feeling cold, make sure you've got thermal underwear for the nights.
During the day, light cotton or linen clothes are the best - you will want to cover your arms and legs from the sun, too.
White and other light colours are recommended.
Sun hats, sun screen (preferably organic/natural) and sun glasses are a must.
Bring comfortable walking shoes / sandals.
Bring a note book to for journalling, too!
Will I have WIFI/cellular connection?
Whilst in Cairo and Giza, you will have WIFI connection (it may not be top speed, though).
Whilst camping in the desert, you will not have WIFI connection - it's time to unplug and disconnect from the external world and go within.
At the eco-lodge, there will be intermittent wifi coverage, but it is not highly reliable.
Please, prepare mentally to be off-grid and out of coverage for most of this journey.
Why are there men with us if this is a women's retreat?
In Egypt, it is important - and expected - to have a local guide with us no matter where we go.
The local guides are responsible for all the logistics of the trip, and make sure our journey runs as smoothly as possible.
It is much more common for the local guides to be men than women.
The men I choose to work with are extremely considerate and kind, will make themselves as invisible as possible, and will not interfere with our daily practices and processes.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, you do. You can purchase a visa for USD 25 at the airport (we will provide updated info on this in case the fee increases).
Do I need insurance?
Yes, we recommend you take out travel, medical and trip cancelation insurance for the entire journey. Our intention is to make the retreat happen no matter what, but we have no control over potential international or local travel restrictions etc.
I have other questions
Great! Please, email Emmi at emmi@femininerevered.com, and she'll come back to you soonest.
