EXPERIENCE EGYPT WESTERN DESERT
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What's included
- Accommodation in single twin share room
- Airport Arrival and Departure Transfers
- Airport meet and Assist
- All service charges and taxes.
- All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Bottled water during your day tours.
- Professionally guided tour
- Egypt Entry Visa fees
- Medical, and emergency insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips to guide and driver
Escape to Egypt’s hidden gem on a 3-day private tour to Siwa Oasis. Explore ancient temples, bathe in hot springs, visit Bedouin villages, and enjoy desert safaris. Includes transport, guide, and accommodation.
Diversity
This city is deeply multicultural, with one in three Londoners foreign-born, representing 270 nationalities and 300 tongues. Britain may have voted for Brexit (although the majority of Londoners didn’t), but for now London remains one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, and diversity infuses daily life, food, music and fashion. It even penetrates intrinsically British institutions; the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum have collections as varied as they are magnificent, while the flavours at centuries-old Borough Market run the full global gourmet spectrum.
One of Egypt’s most enchanting hidden gems, Siwa Oasis offers something for every kind of traveler – from ancient mystique and desert landscapes to natural springs and timeless traditions.
Shali Fortress
The unmissable Shali Fortress, built from kershef (a unique mixture of salt and mud), towers above Siwa’s main village and tells the story of centuries past. Once a thriving citadel and community hub, today its crumbling pathways offer panoramic views and a deep sense of history. Walk among the ruins, imagine the bustling life that once filled its alleys, and watch as the setting sun casts golden hues across the ancient mudbrick walls.
Fatnas Island
Rising from the waters of Birket Siwa (Siwa Lake), Fatnas Island is a palm-fringed paradise renowned for its magical sunsets. Surrounded by still waters and framed by desert hills, this tranquil spot is perfect for quiet reflection or a cup of mint tea from the local café. The views stretch endlessly over the lake, making it a favorite for both romantic evenings and serene morning visits.
Siwa House Museum
As engaging as it is educational, the Siwa House Museum offers a glimpse into the traditional life of the Siwan people. Housed in a restored Siwan home, the museum displays everyday artifacts, clothing, tools, and crafts that reveal the oasis’s rich cultural heritage. The simple yet immersive layout guides visitors through Siwa’s history, offering insights into its Berber roots and unique customs. Look out for occasional cultural demonstrations or storytelling sessions that bring the experience to life.
A Tale of Two Worlds: Siwa Oasis
Siwa Oasis is a land of contrasts—where timeless tradition and natural wonder live side by side. In the heart of the town, you’ll find a captivating blend of history, culture, and community. Wander the ancient mud-brick ruins of Shali Fortress, visit the legendary Oracle Temple of Amun, and lose yourself in the colorful alleys of Siwa’s local markets, where Berber heritage thrives.
Yet just beyond the village streets lies a different world altogether—vast, tranquil, and untouched. Venture into the surrounding desert to discover surreal salt lakes, soothing hot springs, and towering sand dunes that stretch to the horizon. Relax beside Cleopatra’s Pool, watch the sun set over Fatnas Island, or explore the Great Sand Sea on an off-road adventure.
Whether you’re soaking in ancient mysticism or basking in the peace of nature, Siwa offers the best of both worlds—a journey where every turn reveals a new story.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
Cairo to Siwa via Al Alamein
🚗 Transportation – Cairo to Al Alamein to Siwa
Your journey begins with a morning pickup from your Cairo hotel by our expert guide. Travel in comfort in a private air-conditioned vehicle as you head west toward Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. En route, stop in El Alamein, a site of major significance during World War II.
🏛️ Sightseeing – El Alamein WWII Sites
In El Alamein, visit the moving World War II Museum and the Commonwealth War Cemetery, a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the North African campaign. Gain insight into the battles that shaped the region’s modern history.
🏘️ Local Flavor – Tour of Shali Village
Arriving in Siwa Oasis, begin your immersion into this unique Berber community with a visit to the historic Shali Fortress. Wander the ruins of this once-thriving mud-brick village and enjoy panoramic views of the oasis.
🛏️ Lodging – Overnight in Siwa
Check-in to your local eco-lodge or traditional Siwan hotel, where you’ll rest in peaceful surroundings and prepare for a full day of discovery ahead.
Explore Siwa Oasis & Desert Safari
🏊♀️ Swimming – Cleopatra’s Spring
Begin your day with a refreshing dip in Cleopatra’s Spring, a natural hot spring said to have been used by the legendary queen herself. Surrounded by palm trees, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak in Siwa’s serene beauty.
🗺️ Leisure – Ancient Sites & Oracle Temple
Continue your exploration with a visit to the Mountain of the Dead, home to ancient rock-cut tombs dating back to the 26th Dynasty. Then, discover the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, famously visited by Alexander the Great. Enjoy a traditional Siwan lunch at a local restaurant, rich in regional flavors and hospitality.
🛺 Sightseeing – Donkey Cart Ride & Great Sand Sea
Experience Siwan life from a different perspective with a charming donkey-drawn cart ride through the town. Then trade the village paths for golden dunes as you venture into the Great Sand Sea by 4x4. Feel the thrill of sandboarding, explore fossil-rich areas, and discover the hidden beauty of desert lakes.
🍵 Food – Bedouin Tea at Sunset
As the sun sets over the dunes, unwind at a scenic desert camp with a cup of traditional Bedouin tea, prepared the local way—sweet, smoky, and steeped in desert silence.
🏨 Lodging – Overnight in Siwa
Return to your Siwan hotel for another peaceful night under the stars.
Siwa – Marsa Matrouh – Return to Cairo
🌄 Morning – Desert Breakfast
Start your final day with an early breakfast amid the tranquil beauty of the Siwan desert—a peaceful moment to reflect on your adventure before the journey back.
🗺️ Sightseeing – North Coast via Marsa Matrouh
Depart Siwa Oasis and begin your drive back to Cairo, passing through the coastal city of Marsa Matrouh along Egypt’s stunning North Coast. Take in scenic views of the Mediterranean shoreline—renowned for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches.
🚗 Return – Arrival in Cairo
Continue your journey through Egypt’s western frontier, arriving in Cairo by late afternoon or evening, where your 3-day Siwa adventure concludes.
More about Siwa Oasis
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Alexander the Great’s legendary journey to the Temple of Amun in Siwa:
After securing control over Egypt and founding the city of Alexandria, Alexander the Great was drawn by a powerful desire—to visit the Temple of Amun at Siwa Oasis, a site revered across the ancient world. It was believed that the oracle of Amun held divine authority, and Alexander hoped the god would affirm his status as a son of Zeus-Amun.
In the winter of 331 BCE, Alexander set out from Alexandria with a small entourage and a detachment of his army, traveling westward to Paraetonium (modern-day Marsa Matrouh) before turning south along the desert caravan route known later as the Sultan’s Trail.
As days passed, the expedition ran dangerously low on water, and panic began to spread among his men. But, as legend has it, a miraculous rainstorm—extraordinary in such an arid region—relieved their desperation. Later, the group was caught in a violent sandstorm, losing their bearings entirely. In their moment of disorientation, Alexander reportedly saw two birds flying above them. Believing them to be divine messengers from Amun, he ordered the convoy to follow their flight—and miraculously, they were led straight to Siwa Oasis.
It appears Alexander had not sent word of his arrival, for the priests and people of Siwa were astonished to see him and his caravan approaching. The priests of Amun welcomed him with great reverence and led him to the temple. There, Alexander was invited into the sacred inner sanctuary to consult the oracle privately.
When he emerged, he was said to be visibly pleased and inspired. Though his companions eagerly questioned him about the prophecy, Alexander revealed nothing—saying only that he would share the oracle’s message with his mother, and no one else. But fate intervened: he died before he could ever tell her, taking the mystery of Amun’s message with him to the grave.
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