High Flying Egypt:
An Elevated Aerial Retreat
Cairo + Beyond
October 5-12th, 2025
Join Alexandra Baackes of Alex in Wanderland and Brenna Bradbury of High Flying Retreats for a week exploring Egypt, both from the air AND with two feet firmly on ancient ground!
This is not your typical Egypt tour — we’ll slow down and soak up unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else, like sunset Egyptian wine tastings, outdoor Red Sea aerial photo shoots, pole classes with local instructors, acro-yoga along the Nile, and more. We’ll visit the pyramids, paddleboard in the Red Sea, tour the Valley of Kings, and hit all the highlights too — but with a signature Wander Women twist! This is the aerial trip of a lifetime.
A photographer will be behind the lens every step of the way, ensuring everyone leaves with profile-picture worthy shots of themselves on-the-go, in front of their favorite ancient wonders, and suspended from the sky in their new favorite aerial poses.
Where to? We’ll kick things off touching down in Cairo to gaze upon the Great Pyramids and browse Aladdin-like markets before hopping on a quick flight to Luxor to enjoy the world’s “greatest open air museum.” From there we will transport ourselves to the coast and spend some time with sand between our toes in El Gouna, the most picturesque seaside town in Southern Egypt.
This retreat is open to all levels of aerialist enthusiasts, from complete beginner to advanced professionals. All classes will be held in two (or more) back-to-back leveled groups. However, previous aerial experience is recommended so you get the most out of your aerial journey in Egypt!
The Details
The retreat will be held from Sunday, October 5th to Sunday, October 12th of 2025. The cost, including all of the below, is $4,400 for a shared room and $5,700 for a private room.
What’s Included
• Two nights accommodation at the Conrad Cairo, two nights at the Hilton Luxor and three nights at Cook’s Club, a chic adults-only resort in El Gouna
• Two meals per day, including daily breakfast
• Entrance fees and tours of all historic sights with an expert Egyptologist
• Daily aerial and/or mat movement classes
• All additional local transportation, including all airport transfers and a flight to Luxor
• A custom welcome bag
• All gratuities for tour guides, included meals, airport pickups, and drivers (we generously tip literally hundreds of dollars on your behalf, removing the stress and anxiety of when and how much to tip — typically a source of stress and hassle in Egypt!)
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to local charities
What’s Not Included
• Alcohol
• Other activities or meals not outlined in the itinerary
• Transport to and from the start and end of the retreat
• Mandatory travel insurance
The Itinerary
Subject to change, and expect surprises, but here’s the general idea!
Day 1: Say hello to Egypt! Relax poolside upon arrival in Cairo. Before the sun sets, we’ll gather to board a felucca, the traditional Egyptian vessel, for a sunset sail and a dinner of classic Egyptian fare while we get to know each other as well as Alex’s friend and our guide and Egyptologist for the week, Sameh. Got a second wind in your (felucca) sails? Great, join us for Cairo Jazz Club, the coolest place — okay, it’s one of the only places — to grab a cocktail in Cairo!
Day 2: Dreams coming true alert! Today we’ll get to see the famed pyramids and that minxy Spinx up close and personal — plus visit the world renown new Grand Egyptian Museum, freshly opened after years of anticipation — and lunch overlooking the pyramids in one of the hottest restaurants to snag a reservation at. After we finish seeing the sights, we will head to the lush neighborhood of Zamalek for lyra workshops with Brenna. In the evening, it’s choose-your-own adventure! Join us for an optional dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top of Cairo Tower, the Empire State Building of Egypt, to prep for your aerial spins, or head back to the hotel for dinner at one of the chic onsite restaurants followed by a midnight swim.
Day 3: This morning we’re headed to Maadi, a chic international neighborhood, via Africa’s first metro system. We’ll alternate restorative aerial yoga classes by Alex in a zen wellness center with flex classes by Brenna in a tree-filled studio (literally, there’s a tree growing though it!), and a workshop by VeryNile, a group that works with local women to upcycle plastic into treasures. Following classes, we’ll fuel up on lunch full of yummy greens before visiting a historic mosque in Islamic Cairo, and shop till we drop at the famous Khan el-Khalili market. After grabbing dinner-to-go from a local women’s collective, we’re off to the airport for a quick evening flight to Luxor. We’ll arrive in time to tuck into our beds and watch the moon rise over The Nile!
Day 4: Wake up in Luxor and experience a poolside acro-yoga class with Brenna and Alex. After, we’re off to Valley of The Kings, Egypt’s magical subterranean tombs filled with brightly-painted ancient hieroglyphics, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of ancient architecture. Return to the hotel for a poolside lunch and in the afternoon, choose between lounging like Cleopatra poolside, luxuriating in a spa appointment, or heading to Karnak Temple, our guide Sameh’s favorite in all of Egypt! When the sun sets, we’ll be picked up by boat and whisked to magical Luxor Temple by night followed by dinner overlooking the Avenue of the Sphinxes. Back at the hotel, head to bed, or enjoy a nightcap on the shisha deck.
Day 5: Early risers, set your alarm to check out a pretty life-highlight-level optional hot air balloon experience to see the Valley of the Kings, this time from above. Talk about flying high! After breakfast, we’re taking a nap as we drive to El Gouna — we deserve it! Squeals of excitement will be heard as we check into our chic waterfront resort before we’re off to a beachfront studio with floor-to-ceiling windows, our aerial home for the next few days. A pole class taught by a local instructor should leave us ready for festive dinners at any of Alex’s recommended spots in town — arak cocktails recommended! Finish the night partying in style at our hotel’s infamous Thursday Pool Party; the hottest in town.
Day 6: After breakfast in our stylish digs we’re back at our beachfront studio for alternating silks workshops with Brenna and bumming at the onsite beach club. After lunch at a favorite instagram-able eatery, we’re popping by an eco-friendly local brand to shop for tea, eco-sunscreen + DIY perfume souvenirs! Feeling low-key? Head back to the hotel and soak up the boho vibes. Ready to get raise the vibe? We’re off to a local beach club to sip Egyptian wine sangria under thatch-roof umbrellas, dip in the sea, and be silly!
Day 7: On our last full day, we’re sending off our trip in style. We’re setting up an outdoor rig for an aerial photo shoot alongside the Red Sea to celebrate a week to remember. The afternoon is yours to shop at the marina, lounge at our hotel pool, stand up paddle in the lagoon, or sip a cocktail as you soak up the famed local kitesurfing scene. In the evening we will head out to the desert to toast to the trip with an authentic Bedouin experience, closing circle, and sunset dinner.
Day 8: This morning, it’s time for goodbyes (or rather, see you laters)! Exchange photos and promises of future trips with all your new besties — and start planning the next adventure.
Want to stick around El Gouna a bit longer for kitesurfing, diving, or other forms of saltwater therapy?
Stay tuned for a possible extension!
Where We’ll Stay and Where We’ll Eat
In Cairo, we’ll stay at the freshly renovated Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile that boasts stunning views from chic suites in the heart of the city — each with a private balcony — and a serene spa with a full flight of amenities for some post-arrival pampering.
In Luxor, we’ll check into the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa alongside the East Bank of the Nile, with a serene waterfront location that cannot be beat. With a holistic spa with an outdoor thermal garden, treatment rooms with water views, two infinity pools and a swim-up bar overlooking the world’s most famous river, and a shisha café, spa tea bar, and sunset terrace with live music, it’s a perfect base.
In El Gouna we will stay at the unique and stylish Cook’s Club El Gouna which boasts chic rooms, direct access to the saltwater lagoon, an outdoor gym, and onsite SUP rentals. An adults-only resort known for its infamous pool parties means we will be staying at the hippest spot in town.
Shared rooms come with two beds. Of course, you can room with a friend but if you’re traveling solo, fear not, so are most of our guests! We’ll do our best to pair you with someone we think you’ll click with based on your intake forms — and we’ll all be besties by the end anyway. A few private rooms are available should you wish to have your own space.
For included meals, we’ll mix it up — one night, we’ll dine on local delicacies aboard a private felucca as sail along the Nile River. Another, we’ll eat on a chic rooftop. Egyptian food is generally healthy and delicious, and all special diets can be accommodated! For all non-included meals, we’ll head to curated spots where you can order as you please, or you are welcome to do your own thing.
Is It Safe To Travel to Egypt?
Needless to say, we would never hold a retreat in a destination where we didn’t feel fully confident of your safety, and our own. All the locations we are going to are popular tourist areas, and we will take the same safety precautions we would take anywhere in the world.
Wander Women Retreats founder Alexandra Baackes has traveled extensively through Egypt both on tour with our local guide Sameh and on her own. This will be Wander Women’s tenth retreat to Egypt! With the comfort of our group and the advisement of our local experts, we will have a fantastic, hassle-free trip.
Getting There And Away
International flights will arrive and depart from Cairo International Airport (CAI). This retreat begins in Cairo and ends in El Gouna. From there, you can stay by the sea for a few extra days, or hop one of many daily local flights from Hurghada International Airport (HRG) back to Cairo to coordinate with your international flight. Should you international flight timing require it, we are happy to assist you in booking an extra night at the Cairo Airport Hotel, as well.
Travel With Us
On this trip, you’ll be traveling with Alex Baackes, Brenna Bradbury and Sameh Makram as your hosts.
Alexandra Baackes is the founder of Wander Women Retreats and Alex in Wanderland. She fell in love with Egypt when she first fulfilled her lifelong dream of visiting in 2018 and has been back several times since to soak up the undeniable magic in the air. She is a RYT 200 vinyasa instructor, an aerial vinyasa and yin instructor, a Buti Bands and Sculpt instructor, and an enthusiastic aerial arts student — she can’t wait to practice and explore with you.
Brenna Bradbury is the founder of High Flying Retreats and has performed as an aerialist and dancer with an assortment of entertainment companies in New York City, and as a specialty artist at venues such as The Box, The Slipper Room, The Diamond Horseshoe, Galapagos Art Space, and House of Yes. Off-Broadway, she performed aerial moon in “Speakeasy Dollhouse: Midnight Frolic” at the Liberty Theater. Brenna won 2nd place in the 2015 U.S. Aerial Championships, Silks Division, and was selected as a finalist in the 2016 U.S. Aerial Championships, Lyra Division. She has her 200 hour Vinyasa TT from Atmananda Yoga Studio, her 50 hour Aerial Yoga TT from OM Factory, and her 25 hour Flexibility TT from Elevated Education, through Body Pole.
Sameh Makram is a registered Egyptologist and a tour guide to his native country since 2000. Sameh’s kind of a big deal around here — in 2015 he was chosen as the 5th best tour guide worldwide according to Tour Radar, where he’s received over 700 glowing reviews from his work. Now, he’s branching off on his own to lead speciality tours like ours. And we are so lucky to have him! Sameh and his wife — also an Egyptian tour guide! — are also travelers at heart and love taking their twins on trips all over the Middle East.
Join Us
This retreat has limited space — book soon to avoid disappointment! Your deposit will be the first of five total payments for this trip, spread into convenient monthly installments.
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to run. We will notify you when it is a guaranteed departure! Until then, please do not book non-refundable airfare.
Can’t make this one? Don’t sweat — sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when enrollment opens on future retreats. Remember, don’t hesitate to email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com with any and all questions or concerns over if this is the right retreat for you.
High Flying Egypt: An Elevated Aerial Retreat • 2025
$4,400.00 – $5,700.00
F.A.Q.
So does non-refundable really mean non-refundable?
Yes, all payments are non-refundable. If the trip must be postponed or cancelled due to events beyond our control, you will be offered the choice between a full refund and applying your payments to a future trip.
The reason payments are non-refundable is that we start incurring costs from the moment someone presses “book” — from credit card fees to high hourly wages for our team who correspond with guests, manage trip inventory and our e-commerce platform, analyze forms to create room assignments, coordinate with our local vendors, and beyond.
There’s nothing we want more than for our guests to take and enjoy the travel they have worked hard and paid for. Thank you so much for your understanding and respect of our need to enforce this policy strictly. We want to be here to travel with you for years to come!
Will I need travel insurance?
Yes, it is absolutely mandatory for all guests to have personal travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Our affiliate, World Nomads offers coverage at affordable rates. We strongly recommend you book your travel insurance as soon as you make your trip deposit to protect your investment.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Yes, a tourist visa is necessary for entering Egypt and can be purchased on arrival at Cairo International Airport for some nationalities — including USA, UK and Australia. Alternatively you can apply for an e-visa online prior to arrival, they cost $25 USD and are valid for visits up to 30 days. We are happy to help you navigate any specific questions or concerns.
Do I need to be good at aerial?
You can be! But this trip is totally beginner friendly! All levels will be catered to by our talented instructors. All aerial and pole classes will be split into two or more back-to-back groups, for intimate and level-appropriate classes. You’ll get the opportunity to sample a wide range of aerial styles, and you can opt in or out of as many classes as you wish. If you are in the beginner group and have access to an aerial studio where you live, we strongly encourage you to try it out beforehand to get the most out of this aerial adventure.
Will I have time to do my own thing?
This is your retreat and we want you to make it exactly what you want! There’s a lot to see and experience in Egypt, so we’ve tried to design an itinerary that takes it all in. But any time you want to bow out to have some “me-time” or do your own thing, we’re going to cheer you on.
How much money will I need to bring?
The optional hot air balloon ride is $150USD and includes gratuity.
For non-included lunches at the local spots we’ll bring you to, you can expect to spend 50-150LE (about $6-10USD) per meal, depending on where you go and what you order. For dinners, plan for around 100-300LE (about $12-20.) Liquor tends to be very expensive throughout Egypt, but beer and wine are affordable — and we’ll stop to pick some up before BYO meals.
You can use your discretion on how much you want to bring for shopping in places like the traditional markets or various boutiques — Sameh will be thrilled to give you guidelines on what you should pay for various items in a culture where haggling is expected.
Is there an age requirement?
You must be 18 years old or older.
Is there a waiting list?
There will be a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis in case spaces open up. If the retreat is full and you’re still interested, email me at retreats@alexinwanderland.com to be added to the waiting list.
I still have questions, or cute photos of my dog. Can I contact you?
Um, yes please! Our email is retreats@alexinwanderland.com.
