Booking Terms & Conditions
Retreat Title: Ancient Wisdom x Contemporary Consciousness
Retreat Dates: September 30 – Oct 8, 2026
Retreat Location: Sites throughout Egypt
Host/Facilitator: Claire Austin
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo - 30 Sep 2026
Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by a representative who will assist you with your visa and customs procedures. You will then be transferred by private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel near the Pyramids area. After check-in, you will have time to relax before enjoying a welcome dinner at Mena House.
Meals: Dinner at Mena House
Overnight: Marriott Mena House Garden view room
Day 2: Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara - 1 Oct 2026
After breakfast at the hotel, your exploration of ancient Egypt begins. You will visit the magnificent Giza Plateau, standing before the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and admire the Pyramids of Chephren and Mykerinos. You will also see the iconic Sphinx. After lunch with a panoramic view of the pyramids, you will continue to Saqqara to visit the Step Pyramid of King Djoser and the Serapeum from inside. Later, you return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Marriott Mena House Garden view room
Day 3: Flight to Aswan & Philae Temple / Dahabiya - 2 Oct 2026
An early flight takes us to Aswan, where we will enjoy a peaceful motorboat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the awe- inspiring Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Embark Dahabiya followed by a relaxing meal onboard. Later in the day, the journey begins with a sail toward Hardeeb Island. The night will be spent there, and dinner will be prepared and enjoyed on the shore, offering a cozy and authentic evening by the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight onboard Dahabiya
Overnight: Onboard Dahabiya (Night 1)
Day 4: Kom Ombo Temple – Sailing - 3 Oct 2026
After breakfast, the Dahabiya sails toward Kom Ombo where you will visit the unique temple dedicated to both Sobek and Horus. After exploring the temple, you will continue your gentle sail along the Nile, enjoying the peaceful scenery of rural Egypt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight onboard Dahabiya
Overnight: Onboard Dahabiya (Night 2)
Day 5: Sailing – 4 Oct 2026
After breakfast onboard, you will enjoy a relaxing day of sailing along the Nile, taking in the beautiful scenery and the peaceful atmosphere. Today is completely free for you to relax on the deck, read, or simply watch daily life unfold along the riverbanks. Dinner will be served onboard, and you will spend your final night onboard the Dahabiya overnight in Esna.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight onboard Dahabiya
Overnight: Onboard Dahabiya (Night 3)
Day 6: Disembarkation from Esna – Visit Dendera – Luxor Temple – 5 Oct 2026
After breakfast, you will disembark at Esna and drive to visit the magnificent Temple of Hathor at Dendera, known for its beautifully preserved zodiac ceiling and colorful reliefs. After the visit, you will continue your journey to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and rest. In the early evening, you will visit the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple, an atmospheric experience as the sun sets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant in Dendera, Dinner at hotel
Overnight: Luxor Hotel
Day 7: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings – Karnak Temple – Flight to Cairo - 6 Oct 2026
After breakfast, you will cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, visiting several royal tombs decorated with stunning wall paintings. You will then continue to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri. Afterwards, you will visit a local alabaster factory, where you can see traditional craftsmanship and learn how alabaster artifacts are made. Next, make a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon before returning
to the East Bank to visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious site in ancient Egypt. Later, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Late Lunch in Luxor at local restaurant
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Cairo West
Day 8: Grand Egyptian Museum and Farewell Dinner - 7 Oct 2026
After breakfast, you will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the world’s largest and most significant museums, displaying treasures including the complete collection from King Tutankhamun’s tomb. We will have lunch at GEM. The late afternoon is free till the evening Farewell Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at one of Grand Egyptian Museum restaurants, Dinner at Andria New Giza restaurant
Overnight: Hyatt Regency Cairo West
Day 9: Final Departure- 8 Oct 2026
After a relaxing breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Cairo International Airport for your return flight, concluding your unforgettable Egyptian adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional: I am exploring an Alexandria extension for guests who are interested. It would likely add 2 days to the trip. I will provide those details shortly.
Pricing: $8800 for a double room.
Single supplement: +$1900
Not Included:
· International Airfare & Travel Insurance.
· Entry Visa to Egypt.
· Any optional tours.
· Pre or post tour accommodation
· Personal spending.
· Beverages other than water.
· Tip for our local tour guide. Industry standard, USD10 per person per day, however tipping is a personal choice and relative to how much you enjoyed the tour.
Acknowledgment of Services
You understand that this retreat is hosted by Claire Austin, Owner and Founder of On the Questions L.L.C. (On the Questions), in collaboration with Egypt in Style Tours, a licensed Egyptian tour operator that provides all travel, accommodations, and on-ground logistics. I acknowledge that Claire Austin and On the Questions is not a travel agent, transportation provider, hotelier, or medical provider but rather serves as a coordinator and host for the retreat: Ancient Wisdom x Contemporary Consciousness (herein after “retreat”)
This contract for this retreat is solely between you and On the Questions.
Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability
This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party, also including minors accompanying you. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.
You acknowledge that travel includes potential risks including, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas, hazards of travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft and other means of conveyance, animal interactions, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, hazardous local customs and practices, differing levels of sanitation, differing standards of safety, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, accident or illness in areas lacking means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments.
These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of the many potential risks of travel.
You acknowledge that you and your party members are voluntarily participating in this retreat and engaging in the activities included on the itinerary with the knowledge that there may be significant dangers involved, and you and your party members agree to accept and assume any and all risks.
You further agree to release and hold harmless Claire Austin and On the Questions from any and all liability for loss, damage, injury, or expense you may incur as a result of participation in this retreat. Further, you agree that you will not file a lawsuit against Claire Austin and On the Questions for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage, or any other loss or damage.
Omissions
On the Questions is not responsible for omissions, printing and/or presentation errors in brochures, on Internet sites, or in any other media where such information may be presented. On the Questions reserves the right to make corrections as required.
I further understand and agree that On the Questions is not liable for the acts, omissions, or negligence of Egypt in Style Tours, hotels, airlines, transportation providers, or any third-party service providers. Please see the tour company’s terms of service here.
Medical Responsibility
Health Disclaimer for travel: Passengers registering for this trip accept the responsibility for being in good health; able to walk, climb steps, enjoy full sightseeing days, and easily transfer to airplane or car/van as needed. As many of the sites are not accessible to the physically challenged, those who need wheelchairs, oxygen, or other ambulatory assistance will find the tour extremely limiting in their experience. Guests with medical needs of a physical nature should bring a personal attendant to assist them.
Travel Insurance: We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance. Should you choose to travel without travel insurance coverage, you agree to take full responsibility for all expenses (trip interruption, trip delay, medical expenses, quarantine expenses, and emergency evacuation/repatriation, any reason, etc.) that may arise while traveling.
Passports, Visas, and Travel Documents
You are solely responsible for:
Ensuring your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the retreat end date
Obtaining all necessary visas or travel authorizations
Complying with any health or vaccination requirements for the destination country
No refunds will be provided by On the Questions for failure to travel due to incomplete documentation or denied entry.
Payment & Cancellation Terms
Retreat Fee
The total cost of the retreat is $8,800 USD per person, based on double-occupancy accommodations. A limited number of single rooms may be available at an additional fee of $1,900.
Payment Schedule
Initial Payment: $4,400 USD (50%) due upon registration.
Includes a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 USD.
Final Payment: $4,400 USD due by May 1, 2026.
Please note: The single room supplement will also be due by May 1, 2026.
Your reservation is not confirmed until the initial payment is received. Failure to make payments by the stated deadlines may result in forfeiture of your space and any payments made to date.
Cancellation by Participant
Cancellations before March 1, 2026:
Refund = all payments made minus the non-refundable $1,000 deposit.
Cancellations between March 1 and May 1, 2026:
Refund = 50% of the first payment beyond the $1,000 non-refundable deposit, plus any subsequent payments already made.
Cancellations after May 1, 2026:
No refunds (non-refundable commitments are made to international partners and vendors at that time).
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to On the Questions, Attention: Claire Austin, via email to Hello@ClaireAustin.xyz. Refunds, if applicable, will be processed within 30 days of written notice.
Transfer of Registration
If a participant cannot attend, they may transfer their reservation to another qualified individual with written approval from On the Questions up until August 15, 2026.
If On the Questions is able to fill the vacated spot from a waitlist or referral, the original participant will receive a refund minus the $1,000 non-refundable deposit and any transaction or administrative fees.
Cancellation or Postponement by On the Questions.
If the retreat must be postponed or rescheduled due to circumstances beyond the On the Question’s control (e.g., force majeure), participants may choose to apply their payments to the rescheduled date or receive a refund minus unrecoverable vendor deposits or transaction fees.
In the unlikely event that On the Questions must postpone an offering due to troubling weather, a natural disaster, political upheaval, disease, or some other major event(s), we cannot guarantee a credit/refund, as it would depend on whether or not On the Questions is refunded by the venue, hotel, and/or other event operators involved in the retreat. Considering all the risks associated with travel, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
Attorney Fee Provision: This agreement is deemed to be entered into in Miami Dade County, FL. The exclusive venue for any action concerning the interpretation, enforcement, or breach of any term, obligation, or duty as contained or related to these Terms and Conditions or any grievance relating to the trip shall be solely in the Superior Court of Miami Dade County, Florida. This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of Florida without regard to conflicts of law principles.
Agreement: The payment of a deposit and typed signature shall be deemed your consent to the Terms and Conditions as presented herein. It is specifically agreed that this agreement is entered into in Miami Dade County, FLA, and in the event any legal or equitable action is initiated concerning the interpretation, enforcement, or breach of any term, obligation, or duty as contained or related to these Terms and Conditions, the exclusive venue for such action shall be solely in the Superior Court of Florida, Miami Dade County.