Top Things to do in Western Desert

The Western Desert and its oases are situated far from the densely populated Nile Valley, providing a distinct experience of Egypt. The area features desolate landscapes with medieval villages, archaeological sites, hot water springs, and thousands of palm trees. The scenery changes dramatically from one place to another.

White Desert:

Experience the magic of spending a night under the starry skies in the open air among the surreal wind-carved rock formations of the White Desert. Begin your day with bread baked in the hot sand and end it with a dip in a hot spring. Marvel at the surreal rock formations and enjoy a campfire dinner. It’s an unforgettable experience.

A journey along the Forty Days Road:

The main oases—Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Kharga—are connected by a 900 km asphalt road that runs through them from Cairo to Luxor in the Nile Valley. This road follows the ancient Darb el-Arba’in, the Forty-Day Caravan Road.

The oases are also linked by many unmarked desert paths across the sand, with numerous ancient sites and beauty spots to explore.

Siwa oasis:

Siwa, situated on the edge of the Great Sand Sea, is the most isolated oasis in Egypt. Its remoteness has allowed Siwa's culture to remain intact, presenting an idyllic oasis with date palms, olive trees, freshwater springs, and mud brick houses amidst an immense sea of sand.

Alternative route from Cairo to Luxor:

Exploring the Western Desert and its oases offers a captivating alternative route from Cairo to Luxor. Most sites can be visited in about five days using a combination of private air-conditioned minibuses and 4WD jeeps. For those looking for a real desert safari experience, there are many possibilities, including jeep safaris, camel riding, desert camping, and trekking.