You need to install flash player to visit this content, thanks.

Alexandria – Western Desert – Cairo (8 days)

The journey starts in the second largest city of Egypt, Alexandria, best known for its Greco-Roman monuments, library and great fish restaurants. As you move west you will stop at El-Alamein, site of the famous World War II battle, paradoxically called the war without hate because soldiers from both sides helped each other survive in the harsh desert conditions. The last seaside stop will be Marsa Matruh where it is believed that Cleopatra seduced Marc Antonius. Yet the beautiful beach was not only an inspiration for love because Rommel built his command post in a nearby cave.

From Marsa Matruh you will turn south and enter the Western Desert. This desert offers a unforgettable experience because it is so geologically diverse that there is something new in every step. You will find sand dunes of different shapes and colours, rocky hills, huge monolithic blocks of volcanic origin, white sculptures of fantastic shapes, crystals and desert roses, fossils and remains of seashells. You can refresh yourself in hot or cold springs and rest in the shade of palm trees in an oasis. Best of all, the desert has not yet been discovered by mass tourism so you can really enjoy the peace and close contact with nature. During jeep tours there is enough time to take a walk and enjoy the desert on foot. Especially memorable is camping overnight in the White Desert among natural sculptures and beneath millions of stars.

At the Siwa and Bahariya oases you will encounter a different, more traditional lifestyle. From a cultural point of view, Siwa is particularly interesting because it was isolated for many years and its very unique culture remains even today. Sources of water have always attracted people to the oasis and that is why many monuments can be found there. In Siwa there is the famous Amon temple, where Alexander the Great received confirmation from the gods about his own divinity, and in Bahariya there are exhibits from the valley of the Golden Mummies.
Of course, a trip to Egypt would not be complete without Cairo and a view of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Hiking in the Western Desert (8 or 10 days)

Hiking in the Western Desert is a memorable experience because the landscape is so geologically diverse there is something new in every step. You will find sand dunes of different shapes and colours, rocky hills, huge monolithic blocks of volcanic origin, white sculptures of fantastic shapes, crystals and desert roses, fossils and remains of seashells. You can refresh yourself in hot or cold springs and rest in the shade of palm trees in an oasis. What is most fascinating is that the desert has not yet been discovered by mass tourism so you can really enjoy the peace and close contact with nature.

The Great Sand Sea is the desert west of Siwa towards the Libyan border and there you will climb up to the top of tall sand dunes. Walking in the sand is similar to walking in fresh powder snow, except you are surrounded by sun and golden sands. Climbing to the top is a lot of fun, if your tempo is too slow you move two steps back instead of one forward. But it is worth the struggle as walking on the edge of sand dunes offers magnificent views and the only risk is that you might fall in the sand and roll downhill. In the middle of nowhere there is a lake and a spring of hot water and you can dip into both if you feel like it. Besides the lake, you can try your boarding skills on the sand slopes. Waiting for sunset on top of a sand dune is a surreal experience with the changing colours, peace and vastness surrounding you.

For early risers there is a magnificent sunrise view at the top of Amon Temple because the reflection in the lake waters gives the impression of two suns. In complete contrast to the desert is a walk under palm trees in the oasis. Siwa is also interesting for its unique culture. The only chance to meet married women is when they are with their husbands or older sons and even then they are completely covered. The traditional transport is still the donkey cart. More conservative clothing is expected here from tourists and no alcohol drinking in public is allowed.

The drive from Siwa to Bahariya involves asphalt or dirt roads or off-road tracks because the army has been building the road for many years but it remains unfinished due to the harsh desert conditions. Since it is a long way we mostly conquer it using jeeps, although whenever there are beautiful views and landscapes we stop and take a short walk to return to the jeeps waiting for us with refreshing Bedouin tea.

Upon arrival in Bahariya, we climb to the top of the Black or English Mountain which was the observation point of the English soldier in a small cottage built in 1916. The mountain and surrounding landscape are black due to volcanic stone basalt. Basalt covers the vast landscape of the Black Desert south of Bahariya. Here we will also climb some hills for a perfect view. Following the Black Desert there is the magical landscape of the White Desert where we will do most of our hiking. Each day we will walk from 5 to 6 hours, in between we will rest in oases and near springs. It is said that the White Desert landscape is unique in the world. There are big monolithic blocks or smaller sculptured rocks and every desert image stirs the imagination and offers perfect relaxation at the same time. For more comfortable walking camels will carry the luggage and also a tired hiker if needed. We will sleep in camps, either in tents or under the stars. Sitting around the camp fire we will listen to Beduin stories and songs. In the desert, life depends on the light with the sunrise and sunset presenting a range of different colours to create a perfect picture.

Hiking in the White Desert (5 or 8 days)

Hiking in the White Desert is like walking on the moon since the landscape is unlike anything you have ever seen. The desert between the Bahariya and Farafra oases is home to everything from sand dunes, rocky volcanic hills, huge monolithic blocks, white natural sculptures of fantastic shapes, crystals, desert roses and fossils. You can refresh yourself in hot or cold springs and rest in the shade of palm trees in oases. Best of all, the desert has not yet been discovered by large numbers of tourists so you can really enjoy the peace and close contact with nature.

The hiking trip begins in Cairo where we first visit one of the greatest monuments of human civilisation, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza. Then we will leave the city behind and immerse ourselves in nature. Upon arrival in Bahariya, we will climb to the top of Black or English Mountain which was the observation point of the English soldier in a small cottage built in 1916. The mountain and surrounding landscape are black due to volcanic stone basalt. Basalt covers the vast Black Desert landscape south of Bahariya. Here we will also climb some hills to catch a perfect view. Following the Black Desert there is the magical landscape of the White Desert where we will do most of our hiking. Each day we will walk from 5 to 6 hours, in between we will rest in oases and near the springs. It is said that the White Desert is landscape is unique in the world. There are big monolithic blocks or smaller sculptured rocks, and every desert image stirs the imagination and at the same time offers perfect relaxation. For more comfortable walking camels will carry the luggage and also a tired hiker if needed. We will sleep in camps, either in tents or under the stars. Sitting around the camp fire we will listen to Beduin stories and songs. Life in the desert depends on the light and sunrise and sunset offer a feast of different colours to create a perfect picture.

Accommodation:

According to the type of services:

5-star hotel in Cairo, 3-star hotel (the highest category) in Bahariya, camping in the White Desert with extra services such as WC + Shower

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

All transfers, accommodation and meals according to the programme

A private guide

Support services for hiking in the desert

Sightseeing according to the programme

Organisation and assistance during the trip

Sharm El-Sheikh – Nabq - St. Catherine & Moses Mountain – Sinai Jeep Safari & Hiking (8 days)

After breakfast, drive to Wadi Ghazala, then climb sand dunes and continue driving to Dahab for lunch and snorkeling. At the end of the safari transfer to Sharm El-Sheilkh, assistance with hotel chek-in, dinner and hotel overnight.

Egyptian Adventure - Cairo - White Desert - Felucca on the Nile - Dahab (21 days)

Day 8-10