Kemet 2026 – Living in the Light Retreats

Living in the Light Retreats & SheWhoBuilds Present…

ACTIVATE. INTEGRATE. CELEBRATE.

Igniting the Alchemical Flame Within

February 7 – 17, 2026

The Living in the Light & She Who Builds Retreat will be held from February 6-16, 2026, in Kemet (ancient name for Egypt).

Under the loving facilitation of Kandace Jones and DeAnna Carpenter, the group will be guided in meditation, sound healing, deep breathing exercises, energy work, kundalini yoga, transformative journaling practices, and more, as we journey through the ancient temples and sacred sites of Kemet.

Alchemy…

…The process of returning to an original state of purity, wholeness.

…Removing the barriers and illusions of limitations and lack to achieve and remember one’s state of completeness.

…Transforming a lower experience into a heightened state of beingness and awareness.

One of the earliest end goals/outcomes of alchemy was to turn base metals into gold. There was a thought, an inner prompting to shift, to transform one object’s material density into something lighter, or purer, in substance. In its earliest mentionings, alchemy dealt with transforming experiences and environments outside oneself. As all extraordinary occurrences of change show us, any change outside always involves a change or major shifting within.

Alchemy, then, is an initiation. It is a process through which the alchemist, working with her thought, feeling, and word, shifts from one experience of reality to an altered or higher state of being and awareness. The true goal of the alchemist is to till, uncover, and claim the gold of her own soul – to purify through the fire of her practice anything that has limited her awareness and understanding of her most authentic, purest, golden self.

KMT (Kemet), historically, has been the epicenter of such transformation, spiritual identity, discovery, and reclamation. It is the home of alchemy. The land itself is alchemical. Its temples carry the frequency, codes, and remnants of the alchemical practices that have taken place for millennia. Its temples were created from and are the remaining fruits and evidence of alchemy and great alchemists. In them, we are reminded of our ability and power to alchemize ourselves and how we perceive ourselves, thus returning to our inherent greatness.

All souls return to KMT (Kemet) at some point when they’re ready to churn the cauldron of their own inner fire. All souls return to KMT when they’re ready to alchemize or come into a higher state of Self.

If you are reading this, we are sure there’s a part of you that’s curious about what awaits in Kemet and if it’s as transformative and life changing as many profess it to be. We have our experiences and have witnessed and heard of others’ experiences in Kemet. And what we will say is that “Kemet cannot fully be explained … Kemet can only be experienced.” Only you will know what is for you to know upon walking the land and visiting the temples. Only you will know and experience firsthand the message, the medicine, the remembrances that await you there about who you truly are.

Our best advice?

Expect nothing and be open to everything.

And so, the journey begins.

[Day 1] Arrival ~ Saturday, February 7, 2026

(Dinner included)

Your point of arrival will be Cairo Airport, where you will be met by our tour partner, who will assist you through customs and immigration before transferring you to our luxury accommodations at the spectacular Le Meridian Airport Hotel. You’ll have time to settle in, relax, and explore the grounds before your welcome dinner and orientation with Kandace and DeAnna. Take a deep breath; your journey begins here.

Overnight at Le Meridian Airport Hotel

[Day 2] Sunday, February 8, 2026

(Breakfast/Picnic Lunch/Dinner included)

After Breakfast, we will board our transfer to Cairo Airport and take a short flight to Aswan, where we will visit Abu Simbel Temple.

Abu Simbel houses the Temple of Ramses and the Temple of Nefertari. Once hidden underwater, this temple was restored almost to its original location (Just off by a few degrees. The temples were constructed so that they were aligned to the rising of the sun on the horizon). Notice the theme of going within, going under, to emerge, and come back to the light again.

After we visit Abu Simbel, we will check in at Kato Dool Nubian House, where we will spend one night. This Nubian House is surrounded by the Nile and brightly colored cozy homes reflecting the radiance of this ancient culture.

We will enjoy a fantastic tour of one of the Nubian Villages in the afternoon. There are a lot of colorful Nubian villages in Kemet. The one we are visiting is approximately 45 minutes from Aswan (by boat). Plan to spend about 3 hours walking around the village, connecting with the Nubian culture, daily life, accommodations, clothing, etc. We will have the pleasure of visiting a Nubian home, where we can relax and try local food and tea.

Overnight at Kato Dool Nubian House

[Day 3] Monday, February 9, 2026

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

This morning, we will take a short coach ride to the lakeshore and transfer to a motorboat for the island of Philae Temple, consecrated to Auset (Isis), the Divine Mother. Privately and exclusively, we will enjoy sunrise meditation and take ample time here to experience the healing energy of Auset (Isis) and her lovely island complex. At Philae, you may feel a connection to the Great Cosmic Mother, the power of creation, and Kemetic (Egyptian) magic.

“Look out and around you, beloved, and see more of you there.”

Step into the arms of the Great Mother. Her wisdom and healing power greet you upon docking alongside her island. What have you been carrying? What narratives and beliefs around provision, being cared for, and supported have you made home in your mind and heart? Do they serve you?

In the afternoon, we will visit Kom Ombo temple. The Healing Temple of Kom Ombo is a glorious, picturesque ruin along the Banks of the Nile. This dramatic temple, poised between the edge of the river and the encroaching desert sand, was dedicated to two gods – Sobek, the crocodile god of strength, fortitude, fertility, and rebirth, and Heru (Horus), the Hawk-headed son of Auset (Isis) and Ausar (Osiris). The duality of the light/dark, conscious/ unconscious, and yin/yang is apparent in this ancient site. One of the most powerful places in Kom Ombo is the Seat of Neutrality, which is placed on the exact centerline between the parts of the temple dedicated to Horus/Sobek and light/dark. Following our visit to Kom Ombo, we will check into our private dahabiya and sail to Edfu.

The Seat of Neutrality. The space in between. Not good. Not bad. Not positive. Not negative. The space that holds it all and is unaffected by it all. That which encompasses and that which is encompassed. Balance. Harmony. The center. The eye. The calm. The storm. Everything. And nothing at all. May you remember that you are the light, the dark, and that which balances and completes both. Pay attention to the reliefs. They have a story to share. Remember, you are never alone. You never walk alone.

Overnight in our Private Dahabiya

[Day 4] Tuesday, February 10, 2026

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

We will spend the early part of the day sailing the Nile en route to our afternoon visit to Edfu Temple, dedicated to Heru (Horus), the Falcon God, the best-preserved temple of the Ancient World and one of the most beautifully preserved in Egypt. When you approach the well–preserved temple complex, you become aware of its enormous dimensions, with a vast courtyard, a forest of towering columns, and high ceilings. The side chambers of the temple of Heru show the complexity of ancient rites; they include a healing chamber, a perfumery, and singers’ rooms. One chamber, the House of Life, stored all the sacred texts used in seasonal and daily rituals. Heru (Horus) is associated with higher vision and clarity.

This temple offers a deeper exploration of the Divine Masculine and Feminine qualities as they relate to the story of the Eye of Heru (Horus). The Eye of Heru (Horus) greatly relates to his myth and power. The left eye represents the lunar, the moon, the intuitive, and the feminine energy. The right eye is connected to the solar, the masculine, the action, and the yang energy. Both are necessary for true power to exist.

Overnight in our Private Dahabiya

[Day 5] Wednesday, February 11, 2026

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Today we will enjoy sailing the Nile – a laid-back day where we watch the farmers and countryside of Kemet as we cross Esna Lock. This is one of the favorite days of many of our guests, as it is a nourishing day full of serene landscapes, deep relaxation, and integration of all that has been received in the first half of the journey.

In the evening, we will visit the Temple of Luxor under the stars. The large Ancient Egyptian Temple complex is on the Nile River’s East Bank. Here we can see that this temple is built like a human body – the outer layers represent the feet, and as we move deeper into the temple, we make our way towards the head, where the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctuary, is located. This is a wonderful place to focus on physical healing. As you walk through the body of this temple, notice how your body feels and remember radiant health. Awaken the parts of you that are sleeping, activate divinity codes, and turn on your inner light.

Overnight in our Private Dahabiya

[Day 6] Thursday, February 12, 2026

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will take a bus ride to explore the West Bank of ancient Thebes. We will visit the Valley of the Kings, with its Royal Tombs, including Tutmoses III and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. On our way back, we will stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, where they are now uncovering the Temple of Mut, which will be larger than Karnak Temple once it is excavated.

Optional morning hot air balloon ride over Valley of the Kings.

Overnight in our Private Dahabiya

[Day 7] Friday, February 13, 2026

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will dock in Luxor and enjoy an early afternoon visit to the magnificent Karnak Temple. Karnak is the biggest temple complex in Egypt – and an extraordinary place. It is dedicated to the Gods Amun and Mut. As you enter, you walk between a row of ram-headed sphinxes, which originally connected Karnak with Luxor Temple two miles away.

Take some time to visit the sacred Lake of Karnak, ask for purification, and place your intention in your mind’s eye into the Lake. Outside the main halls is a small chapel dedicated to Sekhmet, her consort Ptah, and their son Nefertum. Sekhmet is the lioness Goddess of compassion and courage. She is associated with feminine fire and healing through destruction. She is a renowned healer known for her magic and ability to hunt down an imbalance at its origin. In a potent private initiation, we will honor the Goddess and receive the gift of courage to be our authentic selves. We will meditate with Sekhmet and enjoy the shade under Hathor’s sycamore tree, noted to be 2000 years old.

Follow that feeling and go sit in the corner of one of the temples and simply listen. These walls have secrets and stored prayers whispered in reverence over years and years. What do you hear? What do you feel? Listen and feel. The way is the way within.

Late afternoon, we will sail to Qena then board a bus to journey to the exquisite Temple of Dendera, dedicated to Het-Heru (Hathor), the goddess of abundance, love, Fertility, childbirth, joy, music dance, and escorting souls through the afterlife.

The temple is built with a zodiac ceiling that recalls the origins of Egypt. The mysterious “Light bulb” carvings raise theories about ancient energy sources. On the rooftop, where Het-Heru (Hathor) priests and priestesses gathered for their celebrations thousands of years ago, we will reconnect to our heart centers in a heart-opening chakra ceremony. We will also connect with Earth and Cosmic energies, using Love to amplify both and return them in gratitude.

Temple of Het Heru. Hathor. Goddess of the West. Lady by the Sycamore Tree. Golden Lady. The Beautiful One. Primordial Neter. Goddess of joy, pleasure, fertility, womanhood, myrrh, dance, music, sensuality, lovemaking, and much more. To know her is to love her. To love her is to love yourself. Many priestesses gathered in these walls, offering prayer and rituals in honor of Hathor. Is there a song that awakens in you while walking the halls of Hathor’s temple? What dance moves in your bones?

Overnight in our Private Dahabiya

[Day 8] Saturday, February 14, 2026

(Breakfast/Picnic Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, our last meal on our private dahabiya, we will visit the temple of Abydos, dedicated to Ausar (Osiris) and housing the nine great beings (the Ennead). This temple rests next to and above the most ancient Ausarian (Osirian), one of the premier power places on the planet, and is home to the tattoo of the Flower of Life, the most primal sacred geometry. We will also see the more recent temple built by Seti I, which contains the most beautiful bas relief of any temple in Egypt.

After our time at Abydos, we will transfer to Luxor Airport, take a short flight to Cairo, and check into the Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Hotel, where we will stay for three nights.

You are the light. Shine. Allow the fullness of who you are to pour forth and from this space of wholeness, live, move, and have your beingness. The gift of Abydos is to find the beauty in the parts and the whole. To remember that each part is essential to the whole, just as much as the whole is essential to the parts.

Overnight at the Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Hotel

[Day 9] Sunday, February 15, 2026

(Breakfast / Lunch)

After breakfast, we will travel by luxury bus to Saqqara to visit the most impressive of dozens of Old Kingdom Pyramids and tombs on the West Bank near Ancient Memphis, including the oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and its temple of sound and healing. In about 2630 B.C., Imhotep, architect to King Djoser (Dynasty III), masterminded the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. This Pyramid consists of six tiers atop a Mashaba, or low, oblong tomb, faced with cut stone. This magnificent site includes other Old Kingdom tombs, including those with the earliest known hieroglyphs and The Pyramid Texts (Unas) that were the model for the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Descend to ascend again. Stepping into the subconscious and discovering the hidden power and gems that await you there. The subconscious beliefs you hold determine the reality you live and experience. To enjoy the fruits, pay attention to your roots. Your roots are in your subconscious. Go within.

On the way back to the hotel, we will visit a famous Aura and Aromatherapy Master known as a “Healer from the Heart.” Experience the Seven Sacred Chakra Oils of the Pharaohs and other traditional essential oils.

Overnight at the Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Hotel

[Day 10] Monday, February 16, 2026

(Breakfast/Dinner included)

We begin our day with an inspirational private, and exclusive sunrise visit to the Giza Plateau. Witness the sun rising directly between the magnificent paws of the Sphinx, which sees all our incarnations on this planet and keeps safe the Hall of Records where our stories are held. After our visit, we will return to the Four Seasons Hotel Giza for a leisurely breakfast and some time for integration before continuing our journey.

Remembering that the mysteries serve to point you home to your Divinity… Remember the times. Remember your highest, purest, and complete nature. Understanding your dual nature and realizing that the journey of Life is about embracing the light and dark, the illumination and the shadow, and thus mastering the whole of you. Be like the sphinx: Have dominion over and mastery of your lower and higher nature, thus reigning as the Kings and Queens, Gods and Goddesses that you are. Remember that you are what you seek. And always remember that this Life is to be discovered, uncovered, and approached with curiosity, appreciation, and wonder.

In the afternoon, we will have a private visit inside the Great Pyramid with a culminating initiation in the King’s Chamber. Here we unite our life story with those who have come before us and those who will go after us as we embrace the transformation we have experienced on this journey. Pay particular attention to the Sphinx and the Giza Plateau. Listen closely as you hear the incredible sounds of the entire city being called to prayer. Feel the energy of the spirit.

In the evening, we will have our farewell dinner to seal in new friendships, integrate wisdom, and give thanks to Kemet for this sacred journey.

Trust your process. Trust right where you are in the journey of your life. Trust that what is meant for you has already been provided and was in place before you were born. Remember the rich legacy and lineage you have emerged from. Trust your gifts and trust your ability to call forth all you desire, all that aligns and reflects the highest will, all that advances humanity and reflects love, beauty, peace, creativity, intelligence, grace, wisdom, and truth.

[Day 11] Tuesday, February 17, 2026

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for departure.

What will the weather be like?

This is a pleasant time of year to visit Kemet! In Cairo, the daily highs in February average high 60s to low 70s, with nighttime temperatures in the low 50s. In Aswan, the average daytime temperatures are in the high 70s to low 80s, with nightime temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s. Plan to wear layers for adjusting temperatures, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable sneakers/walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, and a bathing suit. (A more detailed packing list will be provided to retreat participants)

What is included in the price?

The retreat price includes tours, lodging, most meals (as outlined above), ground transportation/local travel, tips, daily meditation sessions, group energy/sound healing sessions, an English-speaking tour guide, Egyptologist, and entrance fees.

What is NOT included in the price?

The retreat price does not include international airfare to/from Cairo, travel insurance, and personal expenses (gifts, incidentals, spa treatments).

This sounds amazing! How much?

A double room (two people maximum) will be $6,997 per person. For a single room, the retreat price will be $8,497. See below for all the details on reserving your space for our Kemet 2026 Living in the Light & She Who Builds Retreat. Installment plans are available.

Reserve your space with a deposit today.

You can reserve your space today for $1,111. The initial deposit is due by June 30, 2025 and the final balance is due 60 days prior to departure (no later than December 6, 2025). Once your deposit is made, you will receive an invoice detailing the remaining balance and payment due dates. Please see below for more information if you would like to pay in full or via an installment plan. There is a $111 surcharge for paying over time via our 11-installment plan or separate invoicing. Our 11-installment plan will only be available through February 28, 2025.

Note: All deposits are non-refundable but are transferable. All fees paid above the deposit amount are refundable until November 1, 2025. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are covered in the event of a last-minute emergency.

Deposit – $1,111 per person

Note: If you plan to save $111 and pay in full, you do not need to make the deposit payment. Scroll down to the full payment button below. Be sure to choose your preferred room type (double or single).

Double Room | Full Payment – $6,997 per person

Double Room | 6 Installments of $1,101.33

Note: There is a $111 surcharge for the installment plan. Would you prefer an alternative installment arrangement? Make your deposit of $1111 above, and email Kandace for your customized invoice for the remaining payments ([email protected]).

Full payments and installment plans are inclusive of the $1111 deposit. All deposits are non-refundable but are transferable. All fees paid above the deposit amount are refundable until November 1, 2025. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are covered in the event of a last-minute emergency.

Single Room | Full Payment – $8,497 per person

Note: Full payments and installment plans include the $1111 deposit. All deposits are non-refundable but are transferable. All fees paid above the deposit amount are refundable until November 1, 2025. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are covered in the event of a last-minute emergency.

Single Room | 6 Installments of $1,434.67

Full payments and installment plans include the $1111 deposit. All deposits are non-refundable but are transferable. All fees paid above the deposit amount are refundable until November 1, 2025. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are covered in the event of a last-minute emergency.

About Us

Ancient Sisters…Reunited

Living in the Light Retreats (Kandace Jones) and SheWhoBuilds (DeAnna Carpenter) collaborate to curate transformational sacred journeys that support individuals in activating their Divine potential and embodying their highest expression in this lifetime. They facilitate with a beautiful fusion of wisdom, love, and joy!

DeAnna Carpenter

DeAnna Lynette Carpenter is a spiritual doula, sound conduit, and creator of She Who Builds – a platform and community dedicated to providing women with the resources to go confidently in the direction of their dreams and build the life they imagine. She lives for creating spaces and experiences for women and men to disconnect to reconnect and is on a mission to inspire healing, which she describes as “a remembrance of and returning to one’s Truest self.”

Through spiritual doulaship (individual and group coaching), domestic and international retreat facilitation, sound baths and healings, mindfulness and more, DeAnna is weaving a web that supports soul remembrance and expression. She brings creativity, appreciation for beauty and innocence, her love of people and the land, authenticity, grounding, compassion, perspective, curiosity, enthusiasm, ceremony, and wisdom to every space she encounters.

DeAnna is the author of two books: Lessons from the Fall and In My Solitude. In 2018, she released her first album, Tsunami. DeAnna is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and is currently working on her second musical offering, Come Inside.

www.shewhobuilds.com

Instagram: @shewhobuilds

Kandace Jones

I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and the immense joy that came from finding peace within, “Living in the Light” was born.

It is my greatest joy to support others on the journey to inner peace. My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light has inspired many to connect with the peace that lies within.

As a spiritual life coach, meditation teacher, energy healer, sound therapist, Kemetic Yoga practitioner, and passionate advocate for wellness, I share tools for relaxation, meditation, stress-release, and more through Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 energy healing sessions, sound healing, and the Living in the Light Meditations – all of which are designed to support your journey to resting in the stillness within, regardless of what is occurring.

I love to travel and have had the pleasure of spending time in ~42 countries. I bring this passion for authentic travel experiences to my work as a retreat facilitator. I have facilitated retreats in Panama, Kemet, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Sedona, New Mexico, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina (see photos on the Past Retreats page). Upcoming retreats and spiritual pilgrimages will include, but not be limited to: Hawaii, Mount Shasta, Ethiopia, Namibia, Belize, Chile, Lake Titicaca, and more. (Sign up below to be among the first to learn about upcoming retreats)

I appreciate you taking the time to visit Living in the Light Retreats and look forward to retreating with you in the near future! Keep shining!

www.livinginthelightretreats.com

Instagram: @iamlivinginthelight