If you’re a leader, weary in the face of all the challenges you have had to navigate personally and professionally in this ever changing landscape that is the 21st century, someone who is ready to activate your heart & soul, connect to your destiny, cultivate social healing & unity, and be an instrument of equity and justice across differences, then join us for a travel course and retreat where you can take a true pause and witness yourself in the context of the cradle of civilization.
This travel course and retreat is ideally suited for women traveling solo or women who wish to have this experience with the people they love-spouses, partners, & family members 14 and older.
Alexandria • Cairo • Red Sea
Are you ready for transformation?
Are you seeking a path to a more enlightened life? This retreat, and the coursework you will complete in preparation, offers you and your loved ones (ages 14+) the opportunity for a profoundly life-changing shift in perspective and purpose. Maybe you are yearning to move into the next chapter of your life in the company of others seeking to understand themselves and the world we live in with more joy and clarity.
Yearning for your Forty Days in the Desert?
So are we.
We have been called to usher in a new age of epic proportions. And we cannot expect ourselves to do that without investing in the time away to hear what our heart is wanting from us. God has spoken to humanity through the ages. Let’s walk some of those paths together and emerge clear and calm with an expanded understanding of the trials of our times.
This travel course and retreat is equal parts self-care, personal development, religious history, and cross cultural exchange.
Are you ready to take on a travel adventure that will allow you to fill your cup body, mind, and spirit? Do you need some time away from juggling the day to day? Are you ushering others into a new way of being in the world and want to build your self-awareness and get aligned with your soul’s purpose? The time is NOW to take that time for yourself (and your family if you wish them to be part of this transformational process with you.)
If you’re a leader, weary in the face of all the challenges you have had to navigate personally and professionally in this ever changing landscape that is the 21st century, someone who is ready to,
activate your heart & soul
connect to your destiny
cultivate social healing & unity
be an instrument of equity & justice across differences
then join us for a travel course and retreat where you can take a true pause and witness yourself in the context of the cradle of civilization.
You will grow to:
Understand your own connection to God
Witnessing how humanity has sought to understand the Divine throughout the ages.
Learn to listen with your heart, the sensing organ of your Spirit.
Develop your cross-cultural competency in a place in the world that is often veiled in mystery and misunderstanding.
While we don’t all have the luxury of taking our forty days in the desert to listen to our heart as it communicates to us our most sacred calling, we can give ourselves the gift of a pause for perspective. We can imagine a world where we were able to take a pause, escape the day to day, and see the world and our place in it with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of purpose.
The 21st century continues to show us that we are required to show up in a new way in response to a new set of realities—pandemic, privilege, prejudice, parenting, and politics have all revealed some ugly truths about how we as a society have organized in ways that do not cultivate unity, equity, and oneness. Society is reinventing itself and we are positioned to lead the way, the new way.
Egypt holds sacred gifts and timeless wisdom.
Modern and ancient coexist. A frenetic energy intersects with deep peace and calm. The land has been a holy destination for thousands of years. The cradle of civilization rises and metamorphosizes on the banks of the Nile. You will open your powers of observation, challenge your perspectives, and rewire your neuropathways. You will literally never see the world in the same way again. You will witness the stories this land has to tell, and you will be gifted with a new lens that you will forever carry with you into your life.
This is a journey into your
heart, mind, and soul.
We will create the perfect conditions for you to discover your own soul’s call and deepest, truest light. Your response to these experiences will be uniquely yours. Our carefully curated itinerary and wisdom circles before, during, and after the retreat will enable you to engage yourself in a holistic transformation.
ThirdSpace offers you a travel experience into the heart of Egypt like no other. Our groups are limited to 15 participants (adults and young people 14 and older). While some of our travel courses are women only, the Sacred Self in Sacred Sites itinerary is open to both men and women. This trip will be open to singles, couples, and families. We co-create a supportive learning community where all you questions and curiosities can be explored.
To the western mind, the Middle East can be a place of great mystery and the thought of traveling there can cause anxiety and fear for some. We are aware of those concerns and organize your experience for your maximum comfort. Wendy Ibrahim, your travel course and retreat organizer and lead teacher, considers Egypt her second home and the place where her soul is most at ease. She has had a loving relationship with the country since 1997. Her spouse, Mogahed Ibrahim, carefully curates and orchestrates all of the details that move our days along smoothly. In his earlier years he was employed in the tourism industry working with tourists from the US, Europe, and Asia. We are accompanied at all times by a professional certified tour guide, Abdallah Rabia, who also happens to be family. Hegazy Ahmed Hegazy is our operations manager who is always one step ahead of what we need as individuals and groups. We travel domestically on a tour bus with a professional driver and in the company of a professional security guard appointed by the Ministry of Tourism. Tourism accounts for 30% of the nation’s GDP and your service providers will be certain to go out of their way to help you have an incredible experience.
If you would like to find out if seeing Egypt in this way, with our team, is right for you book a discovery call.
Yes. It is July and it will be hot. We are planning our days accordingly. Early morning starts to beat the heat to visit places like the pyramids of Saqqare and Giza. The heat of the day will be at climate controlled indoor venues or at the hotel by the pool, or on a few occasions, at the beach.
Cairo will be our home base for this experience. We will be staying centrally located to downtown Cairo in the beautiful Marriot in Zamalek.
We will have excursions. One to famed Alexandria where we will take a day bag to spend an overnight with views of the Mediterranean Sea.
To keep with the theme of tracing humanities religious stories, we will spend a relaxing day at a Red Sea resort to slow it all down and integrate our learnings.
The Cuisine
We want you to experience Egyptian hospitality at its finest so we will be giving you a variety of delicious food experiences. Our 5 star hotel is offering a breakfast buffet daily. Our outdoor dining will be a combination of high end cuisine for tourists and local street food that makes up the fare of the daily Egyptian diet. You will eat in an Egyptian home.
Itinerary
We will be together on a journey weaving our days through the history of civilization, rich with architecture dedicated to the pursuit of the Divine, from Ancient Egyptian polytheism and monotheism to Judiasm, Coptic Christianity, and Islam. While we are experiencing the rich history in the cradle of civilization, we will get to know the metropolitan cities of modern 21st Egypt recovering from revolution. You will enjoy today’s rich, lively culture and people in a country that is on a journey to a new future worthy of the 5000 year foundation upon which it stands
You want to be on this trip if…
…you are yearning to understand yourself and your place in the world.
…you feel pulled to learn about Egypt, the cradle of civilization.
…you are trying to manifest the next chapter of your life and could use guidance, from both human and divine sources.
…you desire to equip yourself to be more confident and fluent in the face of differences—particularly people from Arab, Middle Eastern, or Muslim majority countries.
…you are ready for an adventure.
…you_________.
(Fill in the blank. I know you have a reason this trip resonates with you!)
If you would like to find out if seeing Egypt in this way, with our team, is right for you book a discovery call.
Pre-Retreat Orientation
The orientation consists of 6 self-study courses to prepare you heart, mind, and soul for this journey. Completion of the orientation is required to attend the retreat, as is attendance in Wisdom Circles in an online virtual room. At these meetings, we aim to develop and connect as a group before we meet in real space and time in Cairo, Egypt to embark on our 12-day adventure.
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Egypt is a mystical land holding ancient traditions. You will be experiencing these traditions while also getting to experience modern day Egypt.
Included:
Ground and air transportation within Egypt (car, train, airplane, boat, horse drawn carriage and camel)
Pre-Departure Orientation
Double room (single rooms available for an additional fee)
All meals
Admission tickets to antiquities (Pyramids, museum, tombs, temples, and parks)
Not included:
Airfare to and from Cairo International Airport
Souvenirs
Tips for independent transactions
Excursions you choose to do independently
Be a better steward of diversity.
Better understand your soul’s call.
Stretch your imagination.
Expand into your sacred, timeless, and whole being.
Wendy Manchester Ibrahim, PHD is the founder of ThirdSpace International. She teaches transformation, the kind of personal transformation that enables caring individuals to make a meaningful difference. The world is a classroom. And in that class we can learn to perceive differently, understand ourselves authentically, nurtue our relationships lovingly, and be instruments of change in the world we live in. She provides opportunities for deep and lasting disruption of thinking, the kind of thinking that is no longer serving the self, the soul, and the greater good. In the ThirdSpace, a new way of being emerges, our perspectives move from rigid to fluid, allowing us to invite in the most meaningful work of our lifetimes. She instigates a new level of awareness for people seeking to move away from and rise above the polarized thinking that is endemic in the world today. Together we aspire to make a bigger and better impact and co-create the kind of world we want to live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this retreat for me?
Let us help you decide. At ThirdSpace we curate an experience that is equal parts learning and exploring, self-care, and personal growth. We aim to build bridges of understanding across social and spiritual divides. We travel in small groups so we can get to know each other and reflect on our experiences together. We do a lot of walking during the course of the day. Our pace is slow with lots of built in rest. We will be looking at religious sites, discussing different perspectives of God and the Divine throughout humanity, talking about Abrahamic and polytheistic faiths, and how you think about your own relationship with spirituality. We aim to help you access and activate your own internal wisdom. You will be introduced to religious concepts that may be out of your realm of practice. While you don’t need to be religious, you do need to be open to talking about religion, faith, and God across differences with curiosity and respect. If this resonates with you, then this just might be the trip for you.
What is the itinerary?
Our home base will be a beautiful downtown Cairo hotel along the banks of the Nile. You will begin on day one with a visit to a spa where you will receive one service with the option to upgrade to multiple services. We will dine with a view and gather our energy for the touring to begin. You will have visits daily to amazing destinations like the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, The Pyramids of Saqqara and the ancient City of Memphis. You will visit ancient Egyptian temples, Coptic churches, mosques, and synagogues and marketplaces that have been bustling for over a thousand years.You will visit Alexandria and see the lands of Cleopatra, the wonder of the great library, the Mediterranean Sea. You will spend a day at the Red Sea. We will have the opportunity to witness the making of beautiful crafts and purchase them if we choose-carpets, glasswear, textiles, metal work, papyrus, and more. The details of the itinerary are on the retreat web page and are subject to change. We will eat a combination of foods including meals in places that typically serve locals, in Egyptian homes, and at our five star hotel buffet. You will have the opportunity to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
What is included in my registration?
Your registration is all inclusive once you arrive. You will be responsible for your own international airline ticket arriving at Cairo International Airport on Wednesday, January 7 and departing Monday, January 19. You will be picked up from the airport and transported to the hotel. All of your meals are included. All of your domestic transportation is included. All entry tickets to museums, antiquities, and entertainment are included. Some gratuities are included. You will be accompanied by a professional guide, a professional driver in a clean, climate controlled bus.
What is your cancellation policy?
REFUND POLICY in PANDEMIC UNCERTAINTY A $500 deposit is required at the time of registration. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum or if COVID travel restrictions make travel impossible. In both cases your deposit will be returned in full. To protect your investment, you are required to purchase and show proof of travel & trip cancellation insurance. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options.In the event you choose to cancel, your $500 deposit is refundable until 45 days before departure. After 45 days prior to departure, your $500 deposit is 100% non refundable. For the remainder of registration fees, any cancellation between May 24, 2021 and June 24, 2021 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. You can recoup the remaining fees with a claim on your travel insurance. Any cancellation made after June 25, 2021 will result in a total loss of funds.
I need a roommate – how do I arrange that?
All prices listed are double occupancy so you will have a roommate in a room with two beds. You will be matched with another participant or you can request someone specifically if you have a friend or family member coming along. Single occupancy room upgrades are available at an additional cost.
Can I bring my kids/partner?
Yes. Young people aged 14 and up are welcome to join if a parent is with them. They are expected to fully participate in the pre-trip orientation and reflection sessions during the retreat. Spouses and partners are welcome. They will also be expected to be full participants in the experiential learning aspect of the travel course and retreat.
Where do I fly into?
Cairo International Airport (CAI). We can assist you with choosing an itinerary if you need help. We have flown in on most airlines and had layovers in most of the available airports to be able to make recommendations. You will be responsible for purchasing your own tickets. Trip cancellation insurance is required to help you reduce the risk of loss. Our refund policy is taking into account the current situation with the pandemic.
Is there transportation from the airport to the retreat venue?
Once you touch down in Cairo, you are 100% in our care. You will have a VIP pick up at the airport, have assistance with your visa (which can be purchased at the airport), customs, and luggage. Currently, Egypt is requiring proof of a negative COVID test to enter the country without needing to quarantine.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
At most of our locations you will have the capacity to choose your own food from the buffet or the menu. Egypt has a diet that includes a lot of bread. If you have gluten intolerance it may be a little more difficult to accommodate your needs 100% of the time.
We choose to keep our trips alcohol free. This may not be the right group for you if you are accustomed and attached to drinking cocktails during your vacation.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
As with everywhere in the world, COVID 19 is a current travel concern. Egypt has had a fairly well controlled pandemic response. If you have the opportunity to receive a COVID vaccine before traveling, we would recommend that for you.
Despite pervasive stereotypes about the Middle East and Arab world, Egypt is actually a very safe place to travel. We keep abreast of US Embassy in Cairo travel advisories and avoid any places that may be considered unsafe for tourists. You can register with the US Embassy to receive your own updates. It is good to have the embassy know you are in the country in the event of an emergency, they are available to serve you.
What is the weather like?
January Weather in Egypt
Cairo 48° / 64°
Alexandria 48° / 63°
The weather tends to be slightly humid and breezy in Cairo with cooler temperatures on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
What do I pack?
We will supply a recommended packing list during orientation.
How can I offset the impact of my traveling by plane?
We have scheduled the first day after your arrival as a day to get acclimated. We will have an orientation and spa day with opportunities to rest and get used to the time difference.
Still have a question?
Email us at wendyibrahim@thirdspaceinternational.com
Refund policy
$500 deposit is required at the time of registration. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum or if COVID travel restrictions make travel impossible. In both cases your deposit will be returned in full. To protect your investment, you are required to purchase and show proof of travel & trip cancellation insurance. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options. In the event you choose to cancel, your $500 deposit is refundable until 45 days before departure. After 45 days prior to departure, your $500 deposit is 100% non refundable. For the remainder of registration fees, any cancellation between May 24, 2021 and June 24, 2021 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. You can recoup the remaining fees with a claim on your travel insurance. Any cancellation made after June 25, 2021 will result in a total loss of funds.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the retreat or ThirdSpace, you can email wendyibrahim@thirdspaceinternational.com or fill out the form.
