Deserts & Tombs

Tour description

Isolated in a sea of sand, Egypt’s western oases don't see many tourists, and provide the chance to escape the crowds and enjoy a landscape mainly untouched by man. This tour loops through the Western desert visiting the Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga oases en-route to Luxor, where we visit the main sites on both banks of the Nile before returning to Cairo. We also feature an overnight jeep safari into the stunning scenery of the White Desert.

We start the tour in Cairo with a visit to the Gisa Plateau to see the ancient Pyramids and Sphinx. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids above all stand as a symbol of Egypt. We also visit the famous Egyptian Museum in the centre of the city and learn more about Egyptian history here.

From Cairo, we head out into the desert and the lush green oasis of Bahariya. After touring some interesting sites in and around the Oasis, we board jeeps and head out into the desert. Close by lies the White Desert with its strange, unearthly rock formations and vast open plains. Its scenery is more reminiscent of the Moon than of the Earth. After visiting the 'Crystal Mountain' you can help set-up camp before enjoying a traditional local meal and relaxing under the stars.

The following morning we stop at the Black Desert to see the famous "flowers of the desert" before reaching the Farafra Oasis, the smallest and most peaceful of the desert oases, where we see traditional houses and an ancient way of life and can refresh ourselves with a dip in a hot spring.

Leaving Farafra you continue through the barren desert, stopping at the larger oasis towns of Dahkla and Kharga, before arriving in Luxor.

While in Luxor we tour the West bank of the Nile, including the Valleys of the Kings, the Temple of Hatchepsut, Medinat Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon on the West bank. You also have time to enjoy a Sound & Light show at the huge Karnak temple, and to visit the impressive Luxor temple in the middle of the town. We then return to Cairo for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before the tour ends.

Note: We have two other tours that run alongside this trip. Our Deserts, Tombs & Beaches tour continues from Luxor to spend time by the Red Sea at Dahab, before returning to Cairo. Our Deserts, Tombs & Jordan tour, continues from Dahab into Jordan, and finishes in Amman, rather than returning to Cairo.