Ethiopia – Reconnecting with humanity’s origins

Experience the origins of humanity, culture, and the sacred river in a transformative journey through Ethiopia.

The Nile is more than a river. It is the lifeblood of civilisations, the thread of ancestral memory, and the energetic spine of Africa. This journey invites you to walk its path in Ethiopia — from the Rift Valley that cradled humanity to the tribal cultures of the south, the ancient monasteries of the north, and the source of the Blue Nile at Lake Tana.

This is a journey of history, culture, and spirit — where every step is a meditation, every encounter a lesson, and every landscape a story. Reconnect with the river, humanity, and the sacred landscapes of Ethiopia

Journey Highlights

1. Cradle of Civilisation – Rift Valley

Stand where humanity began. Explore the Rift Valley, home to the earliest evidence of humankind, and connect with the energy of beginnings. Walk among ancient lakes, volcanic formations, and archaeological wonders that echo the memory of our origins.

2. Southern Tribes of Ethiopia

Experience the living culture of Ethiopia’s remarkable southern tribes — Hamar, Mursi, Karo, and more. Witness traditional ceremonies, rituals, and artistry that have been preserved for centuries. Learn from communities deeply connected to the land, water, and ancestors, and immerse yourself in vibrant tribal life.

3. Coffee experience

Explore the origins of coffee and visit Ethiopia's renowned coffee-growing regions. Participate in a coffee harvest alongside coffee growers and experience firsthand how coffee is processed from the tree to the cup.

3. Ancient Monasteries & Churches of the North (subject to the security situation in the country)

Travel to the northern highlands, where ancient monasteries and rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Aksum, and Gondar tell the story of Ethiopia’s spiritual heart. These sacred sites, some carved from solid rock, have been places of pilgrimage for centuries, holding profound cultural and spiritual significance.

4. Source of the Blue Nile – Lake Tana (subject to the security situation in the country)

Conclude your journey at Lake Tana, the birthplace of the Blue Nile. Visit the islands and monasteries that dot the lake, reflecting centuries of devotion, knowledge, and ritual. Stand at the source and feel the pulse of the river as it begins its long journey toward the Nile Delta — a potent symbol of life, flow, and continuity.

When and what

The journey is scheduled for 10-23 October 2026. We will meet in Addis Ababa on the 10th of October and begin with a cooking experience at our local guide’s home, followed by a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The following day, we are leaving by plane for the south of Ethiopia, where we will spend eight days, before making our way towards a coffee region, or, if the security situation in the country allows, travelling north to explore the ancient rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the Blue Nile source in Bahir Dar.

How much and how to reserve a place

The full cost of the journey is £5,555.

If you book by 15 March 2026, you will receive a 10% early-bird discount, reducing the price to £5,000. To secure the early-bird rate, a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 must be paid by 15 March 2026. The remaining balance can then be paid in three monthly instalments in April, May and June.

Refund Policy

1. More than 90 days before the trip: the deposit is retained

2. 60–90 days before the trip: 50% of the total price is retained

3. 0–60 days before the trip: 100% of the total payment is retained

   What’s Not Included

   The following items are not included in the trip price:

   • International return flights to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

   • Domestic flights within Ethiopia

   • Ethiopian electronic visa

   • Required or recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever

   • Customary tips and discretionary drinks (water is included)

   • Alcohol or drug consumption is not permitted on this trip for safety reasons

Why This Journey Is Unique

• This journey sits at the intersection of anthropological enquiry informed through interactions and transmission of knowledge with local communities, spiritual quest for humanity’s origins and personal inward journey of remembering and reconnecting with all that we are through encounters with the land, rivers and people.

In the land where the Nile’s waters cradle the sky, and temples rise like celestial keys, we embark upon a sacred pilgrimage — from the womb of Isis to the crown of the Sun. Here, the currents of Divine Feminine and Masculine energies flow as lifeblood through the stones and sands, awaiting our conscious attunement.

This journey is both outer and inner:

• A journey across Egypt’s sacred geography, tracing the ancient axis of initiation from Upper Egypt’s mystical waters to Lower Egypt’s pyramidal manifestations.

• A journey inward, aligning feminine receptivity with masculine clarity, intuition with structure, and heart with mind.

  Journey Highlights

  1. Divine Feminine and Isis initiation

  Our Nile journey in Egypt begins in Aswan, where we will meet to honour the guardians of the land, the sacred river and the Divine Feminine. We will embark on a private visit to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis, at sunrise. We will weave the experience from this visit into a ceremony honouring the sacred waters and the Divine Feminine, with a private boat ride on the Nile. During our time in Aswan, we will connect with the local Nubian community and learn about their cultural heritage.

  2. Allowing the Nile to carry you

  Deep immersion and connection with the Nile during a three-day private cruise exclusive to our group. While travelling along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, we will deepen our understanding and connection with the Divine Feminine through meditation, song, dance, and by allowing the outer and inner journeys to merge in our embodied experience. Luxor sits on the site of ancient Thebes, the heart of Egyptian spiritual and political power. Its temples, such as Luxor and Karnak, symbolise the axis of cosmic order, preparing the pilgrim to balance personal polarity with higher consciousness. During our visit to Karnak, we will have a private, exclusive tour of the Sekhmet temple.

  3. Reconnection and ancestral wisdom

  Connecting with our inner wisdom during a visit to the Hathor temple in Dendera, followed by reconnection to our ancestral wisdom at the temple of Osiris in Abydos.

  4. The Pyramids and Coptic Cairo

  Visiting Saqqara, the first pyramid complex, represents the initiation into eternal life and cosmic principles. Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital, embodies the harmonisation of material and spiritual realms, reminding pilgrims of integration at the human level. From here, we will delve into the mysteries of Coptic Cairo and some of the oldest churches found there. Our final day of the Nile Pilgrimage will start with a private visit to the Great Pyramid of Khufu at sunrise, with exclusive access to our group. We will conclude this journey with a visit to the newly opened Great Egyptian Museum and an evening farewell ceremony.

  When and what

  This journey will commence on the 21st November 2026 in Aswan. From here, we will travel by a private chartered cruise boat along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. We will fly from Luxor back to Cairo and depart on the 1st December after completing the final leg of the Nile Pilgrimage 2026.

  The group is small to allow time and space to each participant for personal transformation and inner work, supported by your guides, Dr Iva Bajic-Hajdukovic and Natalie Taylor, experienced group facilitators and space holders. We will be staying in an accommodation which supports private ceremonies, mediation, singing and dancing, further supported by a three-day privately chartered boat cruise and exclusive private visits to the Isis Temple and the Great Pyramid. All of this is tailored to create a bespoke experience which allows and supports the unfolding of your inner journey.

  You will be held in a safe space to explore your inner journey as you remember who you are and reconnect with all parts of yourself. As we move along the Nile from Aswan to Cairo, we will work with the land, the river and connect with the local people, in line with all segments of the Nile Pilgrimage. In this final leg of the Nile Pilgrimage we will join the dots all the way from the source of the White Nile in Uganda and the Blue Nile and Omo River in Ethiopia, balancing the energies of Divine Masculine and Feminine in ourselves and in the spaces that we move through.

• How much and how to reserve a place

  The full cost of the journey is £5,555.

  If you book by 15 March 2026, you will receive a 10% early-bird discount, reducing the price to £5,000. To secure the early-bird rate, a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 must be paid by 15 March 2026. The remaining balance can then be paid in three monthly instalments in April, May and June.

• Refund Policy

  1. More than 90 days before the trip: the deposit is retained

  2. 60–90 days before the trip: 50% of the total price is retained

  3. 0–60 days before the trip: 100% of the total payment is retained

     What’s Not Included

     The following items are not included in the trip price:

     • International flights to Aswan, Egypt and from Cairo, Egypt, to your home country.

     • Customary tips and discretionary drinks (water is included)

     • Alcohol or drug consumption is not permitted on this trip for safety reasons

Egypt: Journey the river that remembers you

Uganda - The birthplace of the Nile

The Sacred Source: Pilgrimage to the Root of the Nile

For thousands of years, countless African cultures have looked to the Nile as more than just a river; they have revered it as a sacred energetic spine running through the very heart of the continent. The place where the Nile’s waters first emerge has traditionally been viewed as the Root Chakra of the Nile — the foundational point where energy is anchored, stabilised, and begins its long northward journey.

This unique pilgrimage invites you to stand at that very root, to experience the origin of a river that has shaped both land and life. It is an invitation to engage in a journey that is equal parts spiritual immersion and anthropological exploration, offering a profound connection to the symbolism of the Nile’s beginnings — an origin point that echoes the root of humanity itself.

The Symbolism of Origin

The story of the Nile cannot be separated from the story of human civilisation. Ancient peoples traced its path, cultures flourished along its banks, and rich mythologies grew out of its flowing currents. Much like the base chakra grounds the human energetic system, the Source of the Nile has long been understood as the anchoring point for the river’s entire lifeforce. To stand at this source is to return to origins, to remember where life itself begins, and to feel the Earth’s pulse beneath your feet.

Pilgrimage Overview

This retreat weaves together spiritual ritual, anthropological insight, and embodied experience, guiding participants through a deep exploration of the Nile’s significance at its source.

1. The Energetic Meaning of the Source

·      Exploring the Nile as an energetic meridian

·      Understanding the Source as the Root Chakra — a place of grounding, stability, and ancestral memory

·      Reflecting on how this symbolism mirrors the human energy system

2. Anthropological and Cultural History

·      Uncovering the stories of the peoples who have lived along the Nile’s headwaters

·      Examining how the river shaped early migration and the growth of civilisation

·      Learning about indigenous cosmologies of water, creation, and origin

·      Listening to oral traditions surrounding the river’s spiritual importance

3. Rituals at the Source of the Nile

·      Participating in Root Chakra activation and grounding meditations at the water’s edge

·      Engaging in water blessing and intention ceremonies

·      Practising guided ancestral connection rituals

·      Experiencing silent communion with the river’s first movements

·      Storytelling and sharing experiences around the fire at night

4. Personal Inner Journeying

·      Reconnecting with your own origin story

·      Exploring themes of stability, safety, and belonging

·      Clearing root-energy blockages linked to identity and purpose

·      Remembering the body’s primal intelligence

The Land and Its People

Uganda is not just the source of the Nile — it is a land brimming with warmth, depth, and quiet strength. Here, water rises from the earth in a manner that feels both raw and sacred. The landscape tells stories older than written language, preserved by cultures that have honoured these waters for generations. The very earth is reminiscent of the Root Chakra: red soil, grounding greenery, and an unwavering presence.

This journey is an act of respect, listening, and reciprocity towards the people, land, and histories of Uganda.

When and What Your Journey Includes

The Nile Pilgrimage will commence in Entebbe, Uganda on the 28th July 2026. The following two days we will connect with the source of the Nile, before we move on to meet the indigenous communities in the northeast of Uganda in the Karamoja region. From there, we will travel to the west of Uganda to Murchison Falls on the Nile. We will complete the Nile Pilgrimage in Entebbe and depart on the 7th August 2026.

·      Guided visits to the Source of the Nile in Jinja

·      Ritual spaces led by a spiritual facilitator

·      Insights from local experts and elders

·      Time on the river for reflection, meditation, or journaling

·      Visits to communities along the Nile’s banks

·      Daily grounding practices to attune with the land

·      Optional drumming, storytelling, and fire rituals

·      Integration circles to help anchor your experience

This is more than tourism. It is a pilgrimage, a study, and an opportunity for embodiment at the very root of Africa’s great river.

How much and how to reserve a place

The full cost of the journey is £5,555.

If you book by 15 March 2026, you will receive a 10% early-bird discount, reducing the price to £5,000. To secure the early-bird rate, a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 must be paid by 15 March 2026. The remaining balance can then be paid in three monthly instalments in April, May and June.

Refund Policy

1. More than 90 days before the trip: the deposit is retained

2. 60–90 days before the trip: 50% of the total price is retained

3. 0–60 days before the trip: 100% of the total payment is retained

   What’s Not Included

   The following items are not included in the trip price:

   • International return flights to Entebbe, Uganda.

   • Ugandan electronic visa

   • Required or recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever

   • Customary tips and discretionary drinks (water is included)

   • Alcohol or drug consumption is not permitted on this trip for safety reasons