3-Day Bahariya Oasis Desert Tour from Cairo with White Desert Camping

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the striking landscapes of Egypt's Western Desert
• 02 Journey through both the Black Desert and the White Desert
• 03 Discover Bahariya Oasis, its historic sites, and its famous hot springs
• 04 Visit the Tomb of Bannantiu and the ruins of Alexander the Great's temple
• 05 Camp in the White Desert and enjoy dinner under the stars

Explore Bahariya Oasis on a 3-day journey from Cairo through some of Egypt's most striking desert landscapes and archaeological sites. Discover black volcanic hills, mineral-rich springs, El Meftella Mountain, Salty Lake, Dest, and Maghrafa Mountain, then visit the Tomb of Bannantiu, the Temple of Alexander the Great, and the Valley of the Golden Mummies. Continue into the Black Desert and the White Desert, stopping at Gabal el Marsos, El Hez, Crystal Mountain, and Agabat el Sharkia. The experience ends with a memorable night of camping and dining under a star-filled desert sky.

The experience ends with a memorable night of camping and dining under a star-filled desert sky.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Cairo, Bahariya Oasis

Languages Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Cairo to Bahariya Oasis and Ancient Treasures

• Early in the morning, travel by van to Bahariya Oasis, about a 4-hour drive and 340 kilometres from Cairo.
• Bahariya is the nearest oasis to Cairo. It is surrounded by black hills made up of ferruginous quartzite and dolerite, and is famous for its 398 mineral and sulfur springs, some of which reach temperatures of up to 45 degrees and are known for their healing effects.
• Arrive in Bawiti, the capital of the oasis, which occupies a hillside. After lunch, begin an afternoon tour of Bahariya's top sights, including El Meftella Mountain, Salty Lake, Dest (Pyramid Mountain), and Maghrafa Mountain. Stroll to Bir el Ghaba and El Matar warm springs, with an opportunity for bathing.
• Dive into the history of the oasis with a visit to the Tomb of Bannantiu from the 26th Dynasty, known for its still vibrantly coloured decorations.
• Continue to the ruins of the Temple of Alexander the Great. It is believed that the Greek conqueror passed through Bahariya while returning from the Oracle of Ammon at Siwa Oasis.
• Visit the Valley of the Golden Mummies, a huge burial site where around 250 mummies from different periods of Egyptian history were discovered.
• If time permits, visit the English Mountain at sunset. The old English outpost here was used by British troops because it offered strategic views of the area.
• Accommodation: Qasr el Bawety Hotel with hot spring.

2

Day 02

Black Desert Adventure to the White Desert

• Enjoy an early breakfast before journeying into the Black Desert surrounding Bahariya Oasis, where the iron in the desert is one of the reasons for the black rocks.
• Walk to explore Gabal el Marsos (Divided Mountain), then drive towards the small Bedouin village of El Hez for an outdoor lunch break.
• On your way to the White Desert, travelling 160 km on and off road, stop at Crystal Mountain, Agabat el Sharkia, and El Santa Tree. Continue across the sands of the White Desert, with its chalky, cream-coloured landscape and wind-carved mushroom-shaped formations that resemble both human and animal faces.
• Tonight, watch the sunset over the exquisite desert sands, dine under the stars, and spend the night camping.

3

Day 03

White Desert Return to Bahariya and Cairo

• Wake up after a peaceful and lovely night, have breakfast, and return across the White Desert. Arrive back in Bahariya, take a break at the campsite, and then head back to Cairo.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All transfers from Cairo to Bahariya and back in a new 2010 model van

Safari trips in a Jeep 4x4 in very good condition with an expert desert driver

Entrance fees for tombs, temples, the museum, and the White Desert

Tea and English cake during the safari trip in the White Desert

Three meals a day

BBQ dinner in the desert

02 bottles of mineral water per person per day + 01 soft drink

Stay in camps

What's Not Included

Tipping

Personal expenses (laundry, sauna, telephones, etc.)

Any meals not mentioned in the program

Any optional tours

Know before you go

Important note

• Passport copies must be sent to us at least 2 weeks before your arrival; otherwise, we might not be able to get the permits on time.

Camping facilities in the White Desert

• Safari through 4X4 Toyota Land Cruisers
• New single and double dome-shaped tents
• Tents have mattresses and pillows
• Three meals a day
• 02 bottles of mineral water per day + 01 soft drink
• Special meals for vegetarians are served upon request and should be requested prior to arrival
• All food preparation and cooking is done by the camp staff
• All camping fees and permits
• Expert desert guide

Safety measures

• Medical first-aid kit in each car
• Recovery equipment and tools
• Maintenance for cars
• Staff are trained to help in any emergency

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Cairo, Egypt

Tour start

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.