Itinerary:
DAY 1: CAIRO
Arrive Cairo, transfer to hotel. Overnight: Cairo
DAY 2: CAIRO - BAHARIYA - BUNUTY
Depart Cairo, travel 500kms southwest through fascinating scenery to the Oasis of Bahariya. This small oasis is historically significant as a stopover for caravans travelling between the Nile valley and the rest of North Africa. Today, it is very popular, as it is where the Valley of the Golden Mummies was discovered. Enjoy a swim in the hot spring water. Visit the Museum, Bunuty
Monument and the Old City.
Overnight: Bunuty (BLD)
DAY 3: BUNUTY - WHITE DESERT
Drive towards the incredible White Desert. Sand and black rocks give way to strange limestone concretions in the shape of pyramids, mushrooms and icebergs, as far as the eye can see. The landscape is a magical sight at dawn and sunset and is more reminiscent of the Moon rather than Earth. En-route, visit El Heze, a Roman water-spring and the Black and Crystal Mountain.
Overnight: White Desert (Camping) (BLD)
DAY 4: WHITE DESERT - FARAFRA - DAKHLA
Visit the Oasis of Farafra, an endless plain surrounded by a sea of light coloured limestone rocks. Continue to Dakhla Oasis, where it is almost possible to forget that you are in a desert as the land is so fertile. Dakhla appears as a succession of palm groves, orchards and market gardens. Visit the picturesque village of El Qasr and Mut, the capital of Dakhla. Overnight: Dakhla Oasis (BLD)
DAY 5: DAKHLA - KHARGA
Visit the Roman burial ground of Mozwaka, drive to Kharga Oasis, famous for its hot springs. Visit the Old City. Overnight: Kharga Oasis (BLD)
DAY 6: KHARGA - LUXOR
Visit the Temple of Hibis, the largest and best-preserved temple in the Kharga Oasis, which was discovered buried by the sand. Ten kilometers away, visit the Christian Tombs of Bagawat, perhaps the oldest Christian cemetery in the world. Perched on the side of a hill, the necropolis contains 263 mud-brick chapels; some have preserved their wall paintings depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Visit the village of Paris. Arrive in Luxor.
Overnight: Luxor (BL)
DAY 7: LUXOR
Departure transfer to Luxor Airport (cost of flight not included). (B)
Alternatively: Board a Nile Cruise and cruise Luxor - Aswan or spend extra
time in Luxor and return to Cairo by road, as per our Hidden Egypt tour.
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