The Gift of The Nile

You will fly into Luxor International Airport (LXR) to begin your journey and depart from Aswan International Airport (ASW) at the end of the retreat.

Our retreat begins in the legendary city of Luxor, home to iconic ancient sites like Karnak Temple and Hatshepsut’s Temple. From there, we’ll travel to Esna to board our private Nile cruise aboard Nour El Nil, stopping at lesser-traveled but stunningly preserved sites including El Kab, Edfu, Gebel Silsileh, and Kom Ombo, before ending our journey in the serene city of Aswan.

February is one of the most pleasant times to visit southern Egypt. Expect sunny days and mild temperatures, typically ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s °F (18–29°C). Evenings and early mornings can be cooler, so we recommend bringing layers.

We’ll spend two nights at Malkata House, a stylish and serene guesthouse in Luxor, and five nights aboard the beautifully appointed Nour El Nil Nile cruise—a handcrafted sailboat that offers comfort, charm, and sweeping views of the river and surrounding landscapes.

Because the retreat accommodations will be aboard a traditional dahabiya—a handcrafted sailboat designed for an intimate group experience—only shared double rooms are available. Each room is thoughtfully appointed, and you'll be paired with a fellow traveler of the same gender unless you request a specific roommate. This shared setup allows us to fully embrace the communal spirit of the journey as we sail along the Nile.

Yes, all meals are included throughout the retreat. You'll enjoy a variety of delicious dishes prepared by our hosts at Malakata House and the crew aboard Nour El Nil.

Yes, airport transfers to and from the retreat are included. Luxor Airport is about a 35-minute drive from our guesthouse, and Aswan Airport is about 30 minutes from the boat.

In Luxor, we’ll practice on an outdoor terrace. While sailing, we’ll practice on deck while the boat is docked, taking in the natural rhythms of the Nile. All practices will be tailored to suit the environment, offering both inspiration and grounding.

Yes, you will need to bring a mat and any props you require for your practice. There are many great travel yoga mats on the market. We recommend one that easily folds up that you can put in the bottom of your suitcase.

U.S. citizens traveling to Egypt for tourism must have a valid passport and a tourist visa. You can get a visa in advance online (e-Visa) or upon arrival at the airport. We highly recommend applying for the e-Visa before departure for a smoother entry experience.

No specific vaccinations are required to enter Egypt, but it's always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider or a travel clinic. 

We get hundreds of travelers each year who go on retreat alone. If you are traveling without a friend or partner, but prefer to share your room, we will do our very best to match you with another traveler of the same gender! In the case that we are not able to match you with a roommate, a discounted single supplement fee will be applied to your balance. We will notify you of this and send you an updated invoice approximately 3-4 weeks prior to your departure.

If you are traveling solo and prefer to have your own space, we recommend booking a single room. Note that single rooms for this particular trip are quite limited and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

No, gratuities are not included in the total trip price. Tipping is an important part of the culture in Egypt and is greatly appreciated by those who help make your experience smooth and enjoyable. We recommend budgeting $15–$20 per day (approximately $150–$200 for the week) to share among housekeeping and restaurant staff, local guides, drivers, and the crew on the boat, as well as your principal guide who will accompany the group throughout the journey.

Yes, all levels are welcome. You will find that wherever you are in your practice you will get just what you need out of the yoga classes on this retreat. International Yoga works only with experienced and extremely qualified teachers, which ensures that everyone's yoga needs will be met.

At International Yoga, we strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to protect yourself and your investment. Unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, political or environmental factors, health issues, or weather-related disruptions—can arise and may prevent or interrupt your travel plans. Note that because we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy, you will be responsible for 100% of any costs associated with the cancellation or interruption of your retreat should you choose not to purchase travel insurance. 

While we do not provide recommendations for specific policies, we suggest exploring options through the reputable travel insurance aggregator, InsureMyTrip. They can help you find a provider and policy that best suits your needs. For maximum coverage, we advise purchasing travel insurance within 7–10 days of placing your initial deposit.

A $1000 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip. If you cancel before November 7, 2025, we will refund your payment minus the non-refundable deposit. All payments are non-refundable & non-transferable after November 7, 2025. International Yoga must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred before the commencement of the retreat. Click here to view the Terms and Conditions to which you agree upon registration.