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Egypt City Trip

Western Desert & Siwa Oasis Expedition

White Desert camping, salt lakes and the Oracle of Amun

New8 days / 7 nights Cairo & Giza · Siwa & Western Desert

Overview

For travellers who have already done the Nile. This expedition heads west instead: Bahariya Oasis, the Black Desert, two nights camping in the White Desert among wind-carved chalk, then the long run to Siwa on the Libyan border.

Siwa is a genuinely different Egypt — Berber-speaking, date-farming, built of mud and salt. You float in the salt lakes, climb the ruined Shali fortress, visit the Temple of the Oracle that Alexander consulted, and sandboard the great dune sea at Bir Wahed.

Highlights

  • Two nights camping in the White Desert
  • The Black Desert and Crystal Mountain
  • Siwa's salt lakes and the Shali fortress
  • The Temple of the Oracle of Amun
  • Sandboarding and hot springs at Bir Wahed

Day by day

  1. 1

    Arrival in Cairo

    Airport meet and hotel transfer.

    — Cairo
  2. 2

    Giza & Saqqara

    The pyramids before heading into the desert.

    Breakfast, Lunch Cairo
  3. 3

    To Bahariya Oasis

    Four hours south-west, then springs, palm gardens and the Golden Mummies museum.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Bahariya
  4. 4

    Black & White Deserts

    Crystal Mountain, Agabat valley and camp among the chalk formations.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Desert camp
  5. 5

    White Desert to Siwa

    Sunrise on the chalk, then the long westward run to the oasis.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Siwa
  6. 6

    Siwa Oasis

    Shali fortress, the Temple of the Oracle, Cleopatra's spring and the salt lakes.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Siwa
  7. 7

    Great Sand Sea & return

    Sandboarding and hot springs at Bir Wahed, then the coastal road back towards Cairo.

    Breakfast, Lunch Cairo
  8. 8

    Departure

    Airport transfer.

    Breakfast —

What's included

  • Meet and assist by our representative at every airport
  • All transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis at your chosen hotel category
  • All sightseeing tours with a licensed Egyptologist guide
  • All entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary
  • Bottled water throughout
  • All service charges and taxes
  • Private 4x4 with an experienced desert driver
  • All camping equipment and crew
  • Full board while camping
  • Desert permits
  • International flights to and from Egypt
  • Egyptian entry visa (currently $25, payable on arrival)
  • Optional tours and any extras not listed
  • Drinks with meals
  • Tipping

Price table

Per-person price by hotel category and occupancy
Hotel categorySingleDoubleTriple
3★ hotels$1,585$1,145$1,065
4★ hotels$1,890$1,349$1,255
5★ hotels$2,530$1,780$1,675
Without accommodation—$700—

Prices are per person. Children 0–5 travel free and pay only the airfare on any internal flights. Children 6–11 sharing their parents' room pay 50% of the adult rate. From 12 years old the adult rate applies. Cots and connecting rooms are arranged at no extra charge on request.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the hotels or add nights?
Yes — every package is a starting point. Tell us which cities you want more time in and we rebuild the itinerary and requote, usually within a few hours.
Are internal flights included?
Where the itinerary shows a domestic flight, the ticket is included in the price on economy class with 23kg of hold baggage. Overnight sleeper trains are offered as an alternative on request.
How do I pay?
Payment in full confirms the booking, or pay cash on arrival if you prefer. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Meeza, or cash to your guide on the day.
What if I want a different hotel category in different cities?
That is completely normal — many travellers take 5★ on the Nile cruise and 4★ in Cairo. Ask and we will price the mix.
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