NEW! LIMITED EDITION Tour!!
After a two-year collaboration with my dear friend, colleague, and Egyptian native, Hela, we are launching our small group tours to Egypt beginning in 2022! Our 11-Day itinerary is designed to take travelers on an extraordinary journey to discover Egypt through the eyes of our Egyptian friends, historians, and artisans!
Egypt has one of the longest histories of any country, tracing its heritage along the Nile Delta back to the 6th–4th millennia BCE. Considered a cradle of civilization, ancient Egypt witnessed some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion, and central government. Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, as well as the ruins of Karnak, Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Memphis, and Thebes, contribute to Egypt’s long and rich cultural heritage and remain an integral part of its national identity. The country has endured and often assimilated, various foreign influences, including Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Ottoman, Turkish, and Nubian. Egypt served as an early and important center of Christianity, but today is a predominantly Muslim country, albeit with a significant Christian minority.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE EGYPT TOUR DETAILS
- Email us at christy@traveloffthebeatenpath.com for dates and prices or to ask questions!
- CALL or WhatsApp message us at 1.717.683.2827 with your tour questions.
Notable Women in Egyptian History
While we also often associate Egyptian history with notable Pharaohs such as Ramses II, Tutankhamun (King Tut), Akhenaten, and Khufu, several women, Hatshepsut, Cleopatra, and Nefertari Meritmut, as well as Goddess Hathor, merit notable mentions in Egyptian history. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty, Hatshepsut reigned as the second historically confirmed female pharaoh. Her rise to power was noteworthy, thanks to her bloodline, education, and understanding of religion. With an impeccable bloodline as the daughter, sister, and wife of a king, Hatshepsut’s understanding of religion allowed her to establish herself as God’s Wife of Amun. While the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra actively influenced Roman politics at a crucial period and was especially known for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She came to represent, as did no other woman of antiquity, the prototype of the romantic “femme fatale”. The Egyptian queen, Nefertari Meritmut, secured her place as the first of the principal royal wives of Ramses the Great. And, Hathor, one of the most important and complex goddesses of ancient Egypt was known as the mother goddess who created and maintained all life on earth. She was also worshipped as the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, sky, fertility, music, dance, and protector of women.
What to Expect
During our 11-day/10-night tour, you’ll explore the magical history of Egypt with our personally selected specialist guides, as well as be privy to fun historical anecdotes that bring Egyptian history to life. We’ll share time with our favorite artisans visiting their workshops, dining as friends, and VIP guests aboard our dahabeya and at our favorite restaurants. We take you off the beaten path throughout to experience the beauty of Egyptian hospitality, as we know it, and combine it all with luxurious accommodations!
Hela’s Bio …
Born in Massachusetts to Egyptian parents, I was 10 1/2 years old when we returned to live in Egypt. I arrived with a very sober outlook on life here until I got my taste of freedom when I took a taxi for the first time in Cairo and began to discover the city. I learned over the years that there was so much more to Cairo than the pyramids. I explored a lot of the different neighborhoods and fell in love with the architecture, the dynamic of the bustling streets, and the history ever-present throughout the city. After university, I moved to El Gouna, along the Red Sea, to work as a development manager. But Cairo kept calling me back, and every time I returned, I would discover and venture into a new neighborhood. With each returning visit, I began to learn more about the city’s history. Deeply exploring Cairo lit a fire in my belly to become a guide. When friends and family came to visit, I shared more than what you see on the surface walking through the city. I wanted everyone to see the side of Cairo that so few know about and that I had uncovered over the years.
But my future as a guide in Egypt would get put on hold when I met a French winemaker in El Gouna, married him, and moved to France. Instead of Egypt, I started a guiding business in Bordeaux, and built my life around it; sharing the history of my adopted city with travelers from around the world. In my heart, however, I knew I would one day come back to Egypt to guide in some capacity. Becoming the first accredited Egyptian woman guide in the Bordeaux region laid the groundwork to establish me as an independent and reputable businesswoman in France. Once this happened, I felt the time had arrived to seize the opportunity to rekindle my dream of guiding in my home country.
Today, I split my time between my homes in France and Egypt. Come winter, I trade my trench coat and rain boots, for a cotton gallabeyah: destination the sun and colors of Egypt. Invigorated by the kindness of the Nile, I open the doors to all the hidden facets of this ancient country. I invite you to live a unique experience of Egypt far from bustling masses of tourists; you will have unforgettable encounters in breathtaking places.
As a native Egyptian Arabic speaker with a deep knowledge of my country’s history, I love taking travelers by the hand to show them the diversity of Egypt. The country is Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic, but not only. With me, you will visit the tribes of Nubia where the people speak languages passed down from generation to generation. I love taking travelers deep into the local culture to demystify the long-standing generalizations stigmatizing my country. Learning about the connection with ancient Egyptian mythology throughout my tours transforms each day into something new and magical. We’re visiting people and places welcomed as friends thanks to my established reputation granting me exclusive access. From shopping in the Suks, swimming in salt lakes, exploring the Pyramids and historic sites like Karnak and Dendara to venturing into the desert and cruising on the Nile, my goal is for people to gain a genuine understanding of Egypt and to have a positive experience.
- Dietary Requests & Food Allergies — We accommodate ALL dietary requests (including vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, etc) and ALL food allergies (gluten, shellfish, etc) while ensuring an amazing foodie experience for all tour guests with restrictions and/or allergies.
- CONTACT US at +1.717.683.2827 or by email at christy@traveloffthebeatenpath.com for dates and prices or to ask questions!
Egypt Photo Gallery
