29/01/2023
A 10-day journey through the northern oases of the western desert with Cairo and Alexandria
Day 1: Europe - Cairo
Arrival at Cairo airport, transfer to hotel. Hotel overnight in Cairo. (D)
Day 2: The Grand Museum and Giza
After breakfast we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The largest archaeological museum complex in the world, houses more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time, King Tut's entire treasure collection is on display alongside artifacts ranging from prehistoric times through the many thousands of years of Egypt's pharaonic civilization to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. Afternoon drive to the Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure are the hightest in Egypt and classic examples of pyramid architecture. They tower on a high plateau at the edge of the western desert. The ancient Egyptians believed that this was the entrance to the realm of the dead. Next to the pyramids we admire the Sphinx. The rock-sculpted hermaphrodite with a lion's body (symbol of courage) and a human head (spiritual strength) guarded the tombs of the pharaohs and was intended to deter grave robbers. In the figure of the Sphinx, theologians see the primal creature humbled before God. Then stroll through the lively Khan el Khalili Bazaar. Hotel accommodation. (BD)
Day 3: Kairo -Wadi Natrun - Alexandria
On the way to Alexandria we visit some of the monasteries of Wadi El Natrun, which date back to the fourth century and were one of the stops of the Holy Family. In Alexandria we see Fort Qaitbey and the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Hotel overnight in Alexandria (BD)
Day 4: Alexandria - Siwa
Early morning departure on the coastal road, passing el Alamein to Siwa, hotel overnight in Siwa. (BLD)
Day 5: Siwa
After breakfast exploring the oasis: After a short stop at Cleopatra’s bath visit to the acropolis of Shali, rising within the new capital of Siwa, the temple of Amun, the temple of Amasis and Aghurmi and Gebel Mawta. Overnight at hotel. (BLD)
Day 6: Siwa - Bahariya
All day drive to the Bahr bila Ma (the “Waterless Sea”) to Bahariya oasis. Hotel overnight in the small oasis of Qasaa. (BLD)
Day 7: Bahariya ~ Palms, Hills and Archaeology
Today's tour starts with a drive through the fields of Qasaa to our nearby camel farm, where one can see the good-natured black camels of Bahariya. Afterwards short drive to the hills of Gebel Dist and Maghrafa - the "pot" and "ladle" hills, landmarks of El Qasaa. Drive through palm gardens to the old oasis capital of El Qasr, with a picknick lunch at a panoramic spot on the way. In Bawiti visit to the small museum housing some of the "Golden Mummies", and to the tombs of Panentiu and his father at Qaret Selim. Afterwards drive to the chapels of Muftella and to the temple of Alexander. Hotel overnight in Qasaa. (BLD)
Day 8: Black Desert - El Heiz - White Desert - Bahariya
In the morning drive through the desert, passing Bir Matar - called the airport well after a helicopter landing spot in WWII - into the less well known but very impressive Black Desert, best seen at Gebel Marsus. From here we proceed to the small oasis of El Hayz that was settled in Greco-Roman times. Remains of a church and several other buildings can still be seen. After Lunch drive south into the famous White Desert. At "El Sillim", the "staircase" near Agabat we leave the road and drive into the heart of the White Desert and to Wadi Mushroom, famous for its mushroom shaped rocks. Ample opportunity to take photos and walk around. After a sunset dinner in Bedouin style drive back to Bahariya, hotel overnight in Qasaa. (BLD)
Day 9: Nature Reserves ~ Wadi Rayan and Wadi Hitan
Departure by jeep through the outlying areas of Bahariya to Fayum, an oasis that was cultivated during the reign of the pharaohs. Proceed to Wadi Rayan, where a branch of the Nile pours into the Qarun lake, and then to the National Park of Wadi Heitan. The fossilized bones of ancient sea mammals have given the area its name of “Valley of the Whales”. Afterwards drive to Cairo. Hotelovernight. (BLD)
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to Cairo airport and final departure. (B)
