Tours to Egypt Siwa Oasis Desert Safari

Optional Safaris to Siwa Oasis
24-28 March 2014
28-31 October 2014
USD$1,520

Many people who take tours to Egypt like to extend their stay so that they can see as much of this amazing country as possible.   One of the very special things to do before or after your tour to Egypt is to explore the deserts and oases.    We often include visits to the deserts and oases in our Journey of a Lifetime Retreat Tours to Egypt.  In our 2014 retreat tours to Egypt we will be seeing lots of desert but we aren’t visiting an Oasis so you might like to consider adding a safari to the beautiful Siwa Oasis before you join the main tour group for the Journey of a Lifetime Retreat Tour to Egypt.  Check out the Itinerary and then book your place on one of our 2014 Journey of a Lifetime Tours to Egypt.

Day 1, Monday March 24  — Cairo to Siwa via Mersa Matrhouh
Day 1, Tuesday Oct 28 — Cairo to Siwa via Mersa Matrhuh

We have an early breakfast this morning before we drive to Mersa Matrhouh which is located on the Mediterranean Sea for lunch at a seaside resort.   After lunch we continue driving through the barren desert landscape of the Western Desert to Siwa Oasis which is located in South West Egypt. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the lushness of the Siwa Oasis.  Here you will discover mineral springs, salt lakes and endless olive and palm groves. There are about 70,000 olive trees and 300,000 date trees in Siwa. The number of springs in the oasis is around 1,000.  The depression of Siwa is some 82 square kilometres, Its breadth averages between nine kilometres to 28 kilometres On arrival we check into our hotel the Siwa Shali Resort Hotel which will be our base for the next few days.  (Breakfast,Dinner) 

 

Day 2, Tuesday March 25 — Siwa Oasis/Oracle of Amun
Day 2, Wednesday, Oct 29 — Siwa Oasis/Oracle of Amun

This morning we rise early to visit to the Oracle temple of Amun.

In 331 B.C. Alexander the Great came to consult the oracle of Amun. It told him that he would be master of the world and that he was the son of the god, Amun. Alexander did of course go on to conquer the known world.  This is why Alexander is represented on Hellenistic coins with the ram’s horns of the god Amun. We will watch the birth of the Sun rise over the lake and consult the oracle.  There is a great view of the Lake and unforgettable moments will be enjoyed in this very special place.   We are back at our hotel in time for breakfast. After breakfast we visit the Jabal el Mawta Tombs (Mountain of the Dead) Tombs from the twenty-sixth Dynasty, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods are cut into the side of the mountain.

This afternoon we will travel to Gebel Dakrour.  This area is renowned for the healing qualities of its hot sands since ancient times, as well as for being a major source of the red pigment used in Siwan pottery. People come from all around Egypt and the world during the summer months to be interred in sand baths which have properties of healing rheumatism and arthritis.   We will continue on to Ain Schiffar. The name means “Healing Spring” and the fresh waters here are renowned for their healing properties. We will watch the sunset from the beautiful high sand dunes close to Dakrour.

Dinner this evening is Siwa style   (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 3, Wednesday March 26 — Siwa Oasis
Day 3, Thursday, Oct 30 — Siwa Oasis

We visit the Old city of Siwa Aughurmi and enjoy living this primitive life. We then enjoy visiting all the ancient sites located within Siwa Oasis including the Shali Fortress which dominates the town centre and the Siwa House Museum and the Siwa market where you can buy highly prized handcrafted silver jewellery and local artifacts.  We will visit Cleopatra’s Pool where the legendary Queen herself is believed to have once taken a swim.  We will also visit natural hot springs and enjoy the beauty of the area.  This evening we watch the sun set over Siwa Lake.  We will then return to our hotel to enjoy our dinner.            (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

 

Day 4, Thursday March 27  — Siwa Oasis – Cairo
Day 4, Friday, Oct 31 — Siwa Oasis – Cairo

Today we bid farewell to Siwa and drive back through the desert to Cairo stopping off for lunch on the way. 

Upon arrival in Giza we check into our hotel the Mena House Hotel.  The Mena House is one of the most spectacular 5 star hotels of the world. The former hunting palace of the Khedive Ismael (the last King of Egypt), the Mena House boasts 140 years of history. Join the ranks of former guests such as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Princess Grace, and royalty from all over the world.                (Breakfast, lunch)

Day 5, Friday March 28 — Depart Cairo
Day 5, Saturday, Nov 1 — Join Retreat Tour to Egypt Main Group in Cairo