Across the Desert: A Journey through the Fayoum Oasis and the White Desert
Across the desert: Fayoum Oasis and White desert
8 Days through Cairo, the Fayoum Oasis and the White desert
Begin your adventure in Cairo, where ancient wonders and iconic landmarks await. Then, escape the city and head south to the Fayoum Oasis, home to rare prehistoric whale fossils and breathtaking desert landscapes. The journey continues to the Bahariya Oasis and the magical White Desert, where surreal rock formations and golden dunes offer some of the most striking scenery Egypt has to offer.
This tour includes
Meals as specified in the itinerary
All transportation and transfers
Expert Egyptologist guide and local assistance
Accommodation throughout the trip
Itinerary
Arrival at the airport and welcome by our representative.
Transfer to your hotel.
Dinner at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel before heading out to visit the Pyramids of Giza — the last remaining wonder of the ancient world still standing. Built over 4,500 years ago from 2.3 million limestone blocks, some weighing several tons, these monuments are a testament to human ingenuity. This is also an opportunity to learn more about the majestic Sphinx, the enigmatic guardian of the plateau.
Lunch included, followed by a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Although not yet officially inaugurated, this museum — set to become the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilization — already showcases priceless artifacts, including the monumental statue of Ramses II. Modern and educational, the museum also offers a breathtaking view of the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure.
Return to the hotel. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, early morning departure by minibus to the Fayoum Oasis, located southwest of Cairo (approx. 3-hour drive).
We start our exploration at Lake Qarun, one of Egypt’s largest natural saltwater lakes.
A short hike will take us to the Petrified Forest, where fossilized trees and animal remains, dating back millions of years, can be seen in the heart of the desert (approx. 2-hour walk).
We then pass by the remains of the world’s oldest paved road, a basalt route more than 4,500 years old (approx. 1-hour walk).
Our journey continues across the desert to Dimai el Sebaa, a Greco-Roman city founded in the 3rd century BC by Ptolemy II and once connected to Lake Qarun by a canal (approx. 1.5 hours of walking and touring).
Picnic-style lunch break in the desert.
Next, we explore the "Golden Fortress" (Qasr el Sagha), a small limestone temple north of the lake, remarkable for its ancient architecture (20–30-minute visit).
Transfer to the village of Tunis, renowned for its traditional pottery. Despite its charm, the village remains a hidden gem, rarely visited by tourists.
Check-in at your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Morning transfer by 4x4 (approx. 1h15) to Wadi Al Hitan, also known as the "Valley of the Whales". Millions of years ago, this area was covered by the Tethys Ocean, and today it is home to the world’s only complete fossil of a prehistoric whale: the Basilosaurus, dating back approximately 40 million years.This excursion offers the chance to observe numerous prehistoric fossils in a stunning desert setting (visit duration: 2–3 hours).
Picnic-style Egyptian lunch in the desert.
Continue the adventure to the dunes of Qasr el Arab, followed by a 1.5-hour walk.
Return to Cairo at the end of the day and transfer at your hotel.
Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Early morning departure from your hotel by minibus to the Bahariya Oasis (approx. 4-hour drive).
Lunch included, followed by a visit to the museum and the Valley of the Golden Mummies. Many of the discovered mummies were adorned with golden masks.
We then explore the tombs of Qasr Selim, dating from the 26th Dynasty, with walls decorated in vivid and symbolic artwork.
An easy 1.5-hour walk through the oasis and its palm groves leads us to natural hot and cold springs, as well as a salt lake.
We end the day by watching the sunset from the "Pyramid Mountain" before transferring to your hotel.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a full day of exploration in the White Desert.
Our morning begins with a drive across the Agaba Valley dunes, a surreal landscape located between Bahariya and Farafra. This area is known for its dazzling white rock formations in stark contrast with golden sand (approx. 1.5-hour walk).
From Agaba, we hike to El Serw Oasis, home to the mysterious Cypress Spring, a hidden underground fountain said to bubble up only when someone approaches (approx. 1.5-hour walk).
Lunch is included in the heart of the oasis, followed by a journey to Ain Khudra, one of the oldest Roman springs in the desert and a true peaceful haven (approx. 1.5-hour walk).
On the way, we stop at the Crystal Mountain, a geological wonder shimmering with natural quartz crystals.
Check-in at the camp.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Breakfast at the camp before setting out on a walk through the New White Desert, famous for its spectacular limestone formations shaped by wind and time.
These surreal landscapes feature striking natural sculptures resembling mushrooms, pebbles, and other curious shapes (approx. 2-hour walk).
Lunch included, followed by a stop at a hotel in the area to freshen up and shower.
We then drive back to Cairo (approx. 6-hour journey).
Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel .
Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Transfer from your hotel to the airport and flight back home.
