Pilgrimage into Desert Spirituality
Sinai Desert, Egypt – Petra, Jordan

The Art of the Journey Wisdom of the Heart
September 24 – October 3, 2010

Overview | Day-by-Day Itinerary

24/9 – Arrival in the Heart of Egypt- Cairo - Be warmly welcomed with open arms as we gather for orientation and rest.

Nestled at the base of Mt. Sinai, the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, Saint Catherine’s Monastery has been one of the greatest pilgrimage destinations in the world for over 1,500 years.

25/9 – Drive to St. Catherine’s Monastery - The Heart of Heaven -Feast the eyes upon ancient icons. Over night at St. Catherine’s Monastery

26/9 - St. Catherine’s Monastery – Sinai’s Heart - Be exhilarated this day by climbing Mt. Sinai or enjoy resting at the Monastery.  

27/9 - Sinai Desert – Heart of the Cosmos: Live passionately! We spend the next three nights in a billion star accommodation – the soft sands of the desert.

28/9 – Sinai Desert – Heart of Silence: Press the world’s pause button to take time and let the soul catch up. The day is spent slowly, slowly with a camel trek through the desert.

29/9 – Sinai Desert – Prayer of the Heart : Rediscover an ancient spiritual practice for modern-day transformation.  Enjoy unstructured time.

30/9 – Red Sea – From the Heart to the heart - Celebrate life. Following the Exodus route we end at Nuweiba on the Red Sea for a day of rest and relaxation.

1/10 – Petra, Jordan – Discover the treasures of an ancient Nabatean Civilization in the “Red Rose” city. UNESCO has described Petra as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage.”

Established around the 6th century BCE as the capital city of the Nabateans, Petra is considered to be one of the top forty places to see in your lifetime.  Built as an oasis in the desert, it is believed that Moses’ brother, Aaron, is buried nearby at
Mt. Hor, known today as Mount Aaron

2/10 – Drive to Cairo – Coming Home to the Heart –May you return with eyes that see more compassionately, ears that hear more wisely and a heart that loves more deeply. 
               
3/10 – Departures – Blessed Travels Home 

We travel as a pilgrimage community surrounding our days with prayer and meditations appropriate to the site.  The program has been structured to allow for a gentle rhythm of experiential teachings, reflection and quiet time, celebrations and free time

	Guides: Dr. Rabia is a resident of both Cairo and the Sinai and has been leading desert pilgrimages for over three decades.  His gift is in his intimate knowledge of the Sinai and the Bedouin people as well as his roots in Coptic Christianity.  Dr. Rabia and Regina have been guiding desert pilgrimages together for a decade.
	Regina Roman has been leading pilgrimages and designing travel programs since she was 18. She is a spiritual director and has facilitated numerous prayer and ritual retreats. Her gift is in the experience of The Art of the Journey based on the Desert Spirituality of both the Sinai and the Native American People.

Trip Highlights

• Camel trek through the desert 
• Crossing the Red Sea by boat to Jordon
• Visit the Red Rose City of Petra
• Sunrise climb up Mt. Sinai
• A Five-Billion Star accommodation – the soft sands of the Sinai Desert
• Rest and relaxation at the Red Sea
• Dr. Rabia, our Host – the Jewel of the Sinai
• Guided meditations as practiced by the early Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers to discover “soul-making”
• Pilgrimage  and Prayer Journal
• The Art of the Journey guided questions during all phases of the pilgrimage

Testimonials from past pilgrims of Sapira pilgrimages

“I felt so alive in the desert”- “Best trip I have ever taken – I would highly recommend it”- “It will linger within you long after you have returned” “I am so glad I made the first step just to decide to come”

“Feeling and experiencing the “peace that passes all understanding,” while in the awesome Sinai Desert, assured me that there is a Creator who loves me and who knows me.  That experience was so profound; it will remain with me the rest of my life.”

Pilgrimage, Study and Tour Cost:
USD $1,850 (plus a $500 non-refundable registration fee) per person land cost includes:

Ground transportation, double occupancy accommodations (single supplement of $250), all meals, gratuities, entrance fees, boat transportation to and from Jordan, shuttle to airport for departures, Group pick-up from airport, camel trek in the desert. Limited to a maximum of 15 pilgrims.

Travel Insurance: Participants are required to purchase Travel Insurance to protect against losses, medical emergencies or trip interruption.
Full Payment: Full payment due by July 15
Cancellations: Prior to July 15, 2010 – Full refund less registration fee of $500.
July 16 – August 31, 2010 – Refund less $1,000.
After August 31, 2010 – No Refund
Additional Forms Required:  Medical Information, Travel Information, Terms and Conditions and Community Service Form will be made available after registration is received.  A Travel Packet with frequently asked questions, a suggested reading list, packing suggestions and other information for this journey will be available.

Register for Pilgrimage into Desert Spirituality
Download Mail-In Registration Form

Our Pilgrimages  |  General Terms & Policies  |  Sapira Products
The Practice of Pilgrimage  |  Sapira News  |  About Us  |  Home