Founded in 1977, SEKEM is an exemplary initiative of the Egyptian pharmacist and social entrepreneur Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish. At the time, he bought a 70-hectare piece of land of dry desert soil, about 60 kilometers to the northeast of Cairo. Biodynamic cultivation and improved irrigation methods helped to transform the desert into fertile soil for the cultivation of various vegetables and medicinal plants, and to create living conditions for thousands of trees where there had previously been none.
From the very beginning, sustainable environmental management as well as economic viability were the goal in order to lay the foundation for the well-being of the local population. The initiative developed into a model for sustainable development that encompasses ever more areas of life: natural soil management, pesticide-free cotton, vegetable and medicinal plant cultivation, sustainable livestock farming according to Demeter guidelines, innovative water management - essential for a water-scarce country like Egypt - and the new possibilities of using solar energy.
Today, SEKEM has almost 3,000 hectares of its own Biodynamic farmland. With the help of the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA), SEKEM has advised and supported around 15,000 farmers in Egypt in their transition from conventional to organic and sustainable agriculture. The largest biodynamically cultivated agricultural areas are 1,000 hectares each on the Sinai peninsula and near the central Egyptian city of Al Minya as well as around 800 hectares of date plantations and wheat cultivation in the Bahareya oasis.
Over the years, SEKEM has founded various companies: Agriculture and livestock management, herbal medicine production, the production of organic textiles and clothing, the production of organic food and tea, where SEKEM products are even the market leader in Egypt. Numerous products are now successfully marketed worldwide. Furthermore, SEKEM established the independent SEKEM Development Foundation (SDF), which operates a comprehensive school, a kindergarten, a vocational training center, an outpatient hospital and many other projects. In 2012, the state-recognized Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development started teaching with 350 students.
A number of international awards show SEKEM's increasing importance in sustainability issues, such as the Alternative Nobel Prize, which was awarded to Dr. Abouleish and SEKEM in December 2003 in the Swedish Parliament.
In the following we offer you a trip where you can gain an interesting insight into SEKEM's activities and methods near Cairo and in the Bahareya Oasis and at the same time observe the solar eclipse on August 2, 2027 at an excellent spot (in the Bahareya Oasis). Part of the trip is also a tailor-made sightseeing program in Cairo.
Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the SEKEM farm, about 60 kilometers to the northeast of Cairo. Welcome and allocation of the rooms in the SEKEM guesthouse. Depending on the arrival time, meal or snack in the restaurant.
The SEKEM Guest House has 32 comfortably furnished rooms, all of which are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom with shower/WC and a balcony or terrace. The guesthouse has its own restaurant, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. The ingredients for the dishes are organically grown on the SEKEM farm. A relatively large pool is available to guests for refreshment in between meals and in the evening (open early in the morning and from 17:00). Film screenings and presentations are sometimes organized in the spacious lobby, while a large hall on the second floor is available for bigger events.
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After breakfast, guided tour of the 70-hectare farm with its diverse biodynamic agriculture. An elaborately irrigated oasis with over 1,000 date palms, casuarinas, orange and neem trees.
After lunch, transfer to Cairo to the Heliopolis suburb in the east of the city. Visit the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, managed by SEKEM. Return to the farm and dinner.
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After breakfast, you will visit the companies, the schools (from the baby group to the upper school and vocational training), the medical center, the stable, the farmland, and anything else that interests you. You will be accompanied by a SEKEM employee who will be happy to answer all your questions. Lunch in the restaurant. The afternoon is at your disposal. Dinner in the restaurant.
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After breakfast, drive to Cairo. First we go up to the citadel and the Mohammed Ali Mosque. The citadel is a medieval Islamic fortress built by Saladin from 1176 and further extended by later Egyptian rulers. For almost 700 years, from the 13th to the 19th century, it was the seat of Egypt's government and the residence of its rulers. At the highest point of the citadel, the Albanian-Ottoman governor and de facto ruler of Egypt, Mohammed Ali Pasha, had the impressive mosque named after him built. Built between 1830 and 1848, the building is also known as the "Alabaster Mosque", as the interior is clad in alabaster.
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You will then visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Opened in 2017, the museum is located in Old Cairo and displays exhibits from all phases of human civilization in Egypt, from prehistory and early history to the present day. A special highlight of the museum is the mummy hall with 20 royal mummies, including some of the most important rulers in Ancient Egypt, such as the mummy of Ramses II, probably the most powerful pharaoh of all time, or the famous Queen Hatshepsut.
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Finally, you will visit the Coptic Christian quarter of Cairo with the famous "Hanging Church" - Al Moallaka - and the Abu Serga Church, whose crypt already existed in pre-Christian times and where the Holy Family is said to have found shelter for three months during their flight to Egypt. The Church of St. Mercurius (Abu Seifein), famous for its frescoes and impressive icon collection, is also worth a visit. You can also visit the Ben-Ezra Synagogue within the walls of Old Babylonia, where, according to tradition, Moses was found in his basket in a papyrus thicket.
Approximately one hour free to relax with coffee or tea (the cost of the order is not included in the total price). Afterwards, drive to the Khan el Khalili bazaar. The bazaar was founded in the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the Middle East. You will have around one and a half hours in the bazaar to put your haggling skills to the test. Transfer back to the guesthouse on the SEKEM farm and dinner.
You will be accompanied by a German-speaking, qualified tour guide during the sightseeing tours. The stroll through the bazaar takes place without a guide.
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Today we will take you to an exceptional Egyptian breakfast at Khufu's restaurant before visiting the Giza Plateau. The upscale restaurant impresses with particularly tasty oriental dishes and probably the best view of the plateau towards the three great pyramids, with the skyline of Cairo in the background. You then shall visit the Giza Plateau with the three great pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos. The pyramids were built during the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom (approx. 2580-2560 BC) and served as burial sites for the pharaohs. The pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops is the only surviving wonder of the ancient world. In addition to the three large pyramids, the site also includes a number of smaller and less well-preserved tombs. You will then visit the Sphinx. It depicts a reclining lion with a human head (probably of Pharaoh Chephren) and was probably built under Pharaoh Chephren to guard his tomb (however, there are several theories and the exact purpose of the structure is still not known, even today). The Sphinx is considered the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt. The Giza pyramid complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
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Finally, you will visit the imposing, architecturally innovative new archaeological museum (Grand Egyptian Museum), which opened in early 2025. It houses a huge collection of artifacts from ancient Egyptian history, including many important exhibits from the tombs of the pharaohs. Of particular note is the exhibition of Tutankhamun's entire treasure, which is on display for the first time in its full glory. The museum also presents numerous statues, works of art, mummies and everyday objects from ancient Egypt. Transfer back to the guesthouse on the SEKEM farm and dinner. On this day you will be accompanied by a qualified German-speaking guide.
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Transfer to Cairo airport and flight to Luxor. Transfer to the booked hotel.
After breakfast, you will first visit the temple complex of Karnak on the east bank of the Nile. The Temple of Karnak in Luxor is the largest temple complex in Egypt and one of the most impressive buildings of antiquity. Extended for over 2,000 years, it was the most important sanctuary of the god Amun. The centerpiece is the Great Hall of Columns with 134 monumental columns up to 23 meters high. The complex includes several temples, obelisks and sacred lakes. The huge pylons and finely chiseled reliefs are particularly imposing. The temple was a spiritual and political center of ancient Egypt and still impresses today with its enormous architecture and detailed art.
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Afterwards, you will visit the mighty Luxor Temple, which was built and expanded during the New Kingdom (1550 - 1070 BC). The temple is connected to the Karnak Temple by the recently re-opened Avenue of Sphinxes. The Luxor Temple was dedicated to the triad of gods Amun, Mut and Chons. Two 15-metre high colossal statues representing Ramses II and a 25-metre high obelisk guard the gate to the sanctuary. Inside the temple we find the colonnaded courtyard. The columns, which are shaped like papyrus flowers, are covered with hieroglyphs that tell of the god Amun and the victorious battles of Ramses II. The temple was used to deify the king and (like the Karnak Temple) features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On this day, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking, qualified tour guide.
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After breakfast, you will take a small boat to the east bank, to Luxor City, and visit the Luxor Museum. It houses numerous splendid exhibits that were found during the excavations around Luxor. You will then visit the Mummification Museum. It provides an interesting insight into the technique of mummification and houses numerous animal mummies as well as the mummy of the high priest Masaharta. Both museums shall be visited without a tour guide.
Today is marked by the longest total solar eclipse until the year 2114. The duration of the total phase in Luxor is an exceptional 6 minutes & 20 seconds and begins shortly after 10:00 am UT (1:00 pm local time) with the sun almost vertical (81 degrees). The event will last approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes from the start of the partial eclipse.
Experience this phenomenon of the century on the roof terrace of your hotel or about 5 kilometers north of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, in a garden rented exclusively for our guests. This spot is located near the center line of the totality zone, where the duration of the total phase is 6 minutes & 22 seconds, only one second less than at the spot of the maximum of the eclipse, southwest of Luxor in the middle of the desert.
Eye protection: Observing a solar eclipse without protective filters (solar eclipse glasses) can lead to serious and permanent damage to the eyes, including blindness. HERE you will find expert tips on how to protect your eyes.
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Today you are going on a day trip to Dendera. Dendera is a small Upper Egyptian town located about 70 kilometers north of Luxor. The main attraction of the temple complex of Dendera is the Hathor Temple, perhaps the best-preserved temple in Upper Egypt. The entire complex covers around 40,000 m² and is surrounded by a mighty mud-brick wall. The current Hathor Temple dates back to 54 BC, during the Ptolemaic dynasty, and was completed by the Roman Emperor Tiberius. However, the temple rests on the foundations of earlier buildings dating back to at least the reign of Pharaoh Cheops (known as the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza). In addition to the Hathor Temple, the site also contains Roman and Pharaonic mammisi (birth houses), the ruins of a Coptic church and a small chapel dedicated to the goddess Isis from the Roman or Ptolemaic period. On this day, you will be accompanied by a qualified English-speaking guide.
After breakfast, you will first visit the magnificent temple complex of Medinet Habu, which was built in honor of Ramses III. The mortuary temple of Ramses III in Medinet Habu, near Luxor, is one of the best-preserved temples of the New Kingdom. It impresses with huge reliefs depicting the victories of Ramses III over the "Sea Peoples". The temple follows the classic pattern of Egyptian mortuary temples with monumental pylons, a spacious courtyard and richly decorated columned halls. The well-preserved colors of the reliefs and the detailed depictions of rituals and battles are particularly noteworthy. The surrounding palace complex also features royal living quarters. Among other things, the pharaoh's bathroom can be visited. Medinet Habu was not only a cult center, but also a fortified complex that served as an administrative center. A fascinating testimony to ancient Egyptian architecture.
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Afterwards, you will visit the Valley of the Queens, where you will see three beautiful tombs: the tomb of the royal wife Titi (it is not known to which Ramses she was married), the tomb of Chaemwaset and the tomb of Amunherkhepshef, both sons of Ramses III who died young (the famous tomb of Nefertari is closed until further notice). Finally, you will visit the ancient Egyptian Village of the Workers (Deir el Medina), where the artists, craftsmen and laborers who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings during the 18th to 20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom lived. There is a fairly well-preserved Ptolemaic temple on the site, which was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. You will also visit three private tombs there, the tombs of Sennedjem, Inherkhau and Pashedu. On this day, you will be accompanied by a qualified English-speaking guide.
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After a stop by the imposing Memnon Colossi from the 18th dynasty (two colossal statues standing side by side, which represent Pharaoh Amenophis III and were once located in front of the entrance-pylons to his mortuary temple), today you will first visit the extraordinary rock-cut temple of Hatshepsut, probably the most important building on the west bank. The mortuary temple of the famous queen dates back to the 18th dynasty (15th century BC) and has a characteristic, rather idiosyncratic architecture that almost seems modern. The temple was dedicated to the imperial god Amun, the god of the dead Anubis and the goddess Hathor. The decoration of the temple depicts, among other things, Hatshepsut's historic expedition to Punt. The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
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After visiting the temple, we head to the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is located a few kilometers west of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, and was the burial place of many Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom (about 1539-1075 BC). It is famous for its richly decorated burial chambers, which were carved deep into the mountains. A total of 64 tombs have been found here, including Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. The tombs in the Valley of the Kings are known for their impressive and very well-preserved wall paintings, which contain scenes from the lives of the deceased as well as religious depictions. The Valley of the Kings has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. You will visit three magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Your guide will select the most interesting and beautiful tombs, as the tombs open to visitors rotate (not necessarily the same tombs are always open). You will be accompanied by a qualified English-speaking guide on this day.
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Transfer to Luxor airport. Alternatively, you can extend your trip to the Red Sea or to Aswan, from where you can also visit the famous temple complex of Abu Simbel.
Services included in the price: All local transfers with modern air-conditioned vehicles*, domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor, accommodation in double rooms (5 nights in the SEKEM guesthouse, 7 nights in Luxor), meals: Half board and additional lunch on the 2nd and 3rd day, sightseeing and excursions according to the program, all entrance fees and charges, German-speaking** tour guide as noted in the program, water bottle, Eclipse T-shirt or Eclipse cap, solar eclipse glasses, individual support from Beluga staff on site, insolvency insurance.
*small groups with 4 - 8 guests per microbus
**other languages on request
Price per person: € 3.499,-.
Minimum number of participants for this program: 4 participants.
The included costs of the domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor are based on an estimate based on current flight prices. If there are no more seats available in the short or medium term, you may travel to Luxor by alternative means (train or land transfer).
On request: Visa & airport service. One of our associates will be waiting for you inside the airport terminal to take care of the visa formalities. € 30,- per person (subject to visa price increases).
We are also happy to offer you a flight to Egypt & back (flight schedules are expected to be published in September 2026).
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Your data will be collected and processed exclusively for the purpose of answering your inquiry.
The tour operator for all trips listed on this website is Beluga Reisen GmbH.
