Uncovering Egypt & the Western Desert

A fascinating and comprehensive trip, ideal for repeat visitors to Egypt looking for a touring itinerary with a difference. Experience the spectacular White Desert with its incredible wind-sculpted landscapes and spend the night at a desert camp; see the fascinating Golden Mummies at the Bahariya Oasis and visit remote villages. This journey through the oases combines perfectly with time to explore two of the world’s most captivating historical cities: Cairo and Luxor.

Guide

ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR

Egypt Uncovered & the Western Desert is escorted from Day 3 to Day 7 by an English speaking local tour guide and assistance is provided in each destination by our local representatives.

MEAL PLAN
Prices include breakfast in Cairo and Luxor; breakfast and dinner on Days 3, 4, 5 and 6. Picnic lunches are served throughout. Breakfast is included on the Aswan extension.

ACCOMMODATION
Hotels are 4 star except in Bahariya Oasis, Dakhla Oasis and Kharga Oasis where accommodation is in simple 3 star hotels but these are the best available. Desert camps are basic with limited facilities. A 4 star hotel is featured on the Aswan extension.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers.

GROUP SIZE
Maximum 14 passengers.

GRATUITIES
In Egypt we recommend small amounts given regularly. For guides and drivers we recommend tipping at the end of your tour.

TRAVEL TIPS
Temperatures vary and we would recommend taking a sun hat and a few jumpers especially during the winter months.

NB
Children under 12 years are not permitted on this tour. Entrance fees to Egypt’s antiquities can increase with little notice.

DAY 1
Fly EgyptAir from Heathrow to Cairo. On arrival, transfer to the Mövenpick Resort Cairo Pyramids for two nights in a Standard room. You are free to explore this incredible city at leisure – alternatively, for organised sightseeing, choose from our range of prebookable excursions, including a half day trip to the fascinating Egyptian Museum and a guided tour of the iconic Pyramids and Sphinx.

DAY 3
Today, embark on the approx. 200 mile drive to the Bahariya Oasis (the ‘northern oasis’). One of the lowest points in Egypt, surrounded by black hills with an almost lunar landscape, Bahariya is best known for the Valley of the Golden Mummies – a necropolis discovered in 1995, believed to contain more than 10,000 mummies. Enjoy a visit to the local museum of the Golden Mummies, see the impressive Qasr Selim and Bennuti tombs, then journey to Jebel Ingleezi (the English House Mountain) to experience the beautiful sunset at the highest point of the oasis. Stay overnight at Qasr el Bawity – an eco lodge built in the traditional style of the oasis, with a spring-fed swimming pool and hot springs – or similar.

DAY 4
Journey to the White Desert with its incredible wind-sculpted chalk rock formations, stopping en route for a picnic lunch and to visit the ancient basaltic flow of the Black Mountain and the glittering Crystal Mountain, a rock ridge formed of quartz crystals. Spend a thrilling night under the stars at a desert camp.

DAY 5
This morning, stop at the isolated Farafra Oasis, a traditional village home to hot springs, then continue on to Dir el Hagar and the picturesque Islamic-style village of Al Qasr before reaching your final point of the day, the beautiful Dakhla Oasis, surrounded by pink cliffs. Stay one night at the eco-friendly Desert Lodge overlooking Al Qasr and the distant sand dunes of the Sahara desert.

DAY 6
Enjoy a morning visit to the small village of Balat before heading to Kharga, the most southerly oasis, and the Tombs of Bagawat. Stay overnight at the comfortable Solymar Pioneer hotel, with a lovely pool and views of the surrounding desert.

DAY 7
Depart for Luxor, with a stop at Baris, close to the abandoned village of Baris Gedida (New Baris) – a visionary work halted by the Six Day War of 1967 and never completed. On arrival in Luxor, transfer to the Sheraton Luxor for three nights in a Standard room. Enjoy two full days in the ‘world’s greatest open-air museum’, home to remarkable historical treasures. Your time here is at leisure but we advise prebooking one of our excursions – perhaps embark on a half day tour of Luxor’s West Bank or drift over the ancient city on a magical balloon flight.

DAY 10
Transfer to the airport for your EgyptAir flight via Cairo to Heathrow.

ASWAN

Aswan offers year round sunshine and is ideal for those wishing to relax in beautiful surroundings.

DAY 10
Fly EgyptAir via Cairo to Aswan for three nights at the Mövenpick Resort Aswan in a Standard room.

DAY 13
Transfer to the airport for your EgyptAir scheduled flight via Cairo to Heathrow.