Unearthing the Ethereal: A Journey to Egypt’s White Desert

Description

Minimum number of people : 2

The White Desert is a unique natural wonder that you can’t find anywhere else. The tranquillity and beauty of the desert heighten the senses, stir the imagination, and elevate your perception to a new level. Driving and walking through this extraordinary landscape at different times of the day, when the sun paints various shades on the rocks and sand, is both relaxing and inspiring. The White Desert was formed as a result of millennia of natural shaping through erosion and the influence of wind and sand. The unusual geological formations are made of limestone rocks that were once seabed sediments. Over centuries, the wind carried sand particles that settled on the rocky surfaces, creating undulating shapes and dunes. Erosion removed the softer rock layers, revealing the harder limestone structures, forming charming relief shapes and sculptures. In addition to the White Desert’s geological formations, you will experience the contrast of the Black Desert, climb to vantage points, hike and drive on sand dunes, rest by hot water springs and in mini oases where you will have breakfasts and lunches. To conclude, you will visit the pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza, which will beautifully round off your journey through the wonders of Egypt’s nature, mind, and human craftsmanship.

Day 1: Arrival to Cairo

At Cairo Airport, a representative from the RTS agency will be there to welcome you. They will transfer you to a and assist you with check-in. You will also discuss with them the start of your journey the next day. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Cairo – Bahariya

After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the hotel reception to assist with check out. You will then embark on your journey towards the Bahariya Oasis. At the sunset, you will climb the English Mountain with great panoramic views of the oasis. Then, you will be driven to the eco-lodge, where the RTS agency representative will assist you with accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Bahariya – The Black Desert – The White Desert

After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, you will set off in 4×4 car with your Bedouin guide/driver towards the Black Desert. Upon entering the Black Desert area, there will be a stroll among the black hills and a climb to a viewpoint. There are many hot water springs in this part of the desert, and you will stop at one of them for a picnic lunch. Then, you will drive to the northern entrance of the White Desert and explore first unusual rock formations. After admiring the sunset and the changing colours of the desert, you will spend the night and have dinner at a camp in the desert.

Day 4: The White Desert

After breakfast, you will set out to explore the desert with 4×4 cars and a Bedouin guide/driver. You will navigate through the off-road trails of the picturesque and diverse landscape, which consistently surprises with its unique formations. During the drive, there will be several stops for short walks and to admire the unusual formations. After a picnic lunch in an oasis, you will continue the drive and take short walks amidst the limestone formations. Dinner and an overnight stay at a camp in the desert.

Day 5: The White Desert – Bahariya

After breakfast, you will drive through the White Desert for one last time, marvelling at its landscapes on new off-road paths before reaching the eco-lodge in Baharia. A Bedouin guide will help you settle in. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Bahariya – Cairo

After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the reception to assist with check out. Then, you will travel together to Cairo, to the Giza Plateau. Upon arrival, you will have lunch at a restaurant with the view of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Afterward, a local guide will take you on a tour to admire these ancient landmarks. After the sunset, you will be driven to a nearby hotel, and the RTS agency representative will assist you with hotel check-in and room allocation. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 7: Cairo

After breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel reception at the agreed-upon time, and you will begin your exploration of ancient Egyptian culture with visits to two major museums. First, you will visit the National Museum, followed by the Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The National Museum houses a rich collection of artefacts from various periods of ancient Egyptian civilisation, including the famous treasures of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, which depict the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt. In the newer Museum of Egyptian Civilization, they have relocated mummies, sarcophagi, and burial offerings. After your museum visits, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you will explore the old part of the city, stopping at the Khan al-Khalili market, where you can also visit Al-Hussein Mosque. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for dinner and spend the night there.

Day 8: Departure from Cairo

After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11:00) and enjoy some free time until your departure to the airport (typically 3 hours before your flight). At the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. You will be driven to the airport, where they will assist you with the check-in for your flight.

This marks the conclusion of your trip with a flight to your chosen destination.

*Please note that we reserve the right to make programme changes due to public transportation schedules, weather conditions, and other circumstances beyond our control.

Price

The price of the package per adult sharing a double room /tent :

• 2 persons : 1,399 €
• 4 persons : 1,199 €
• 6 persons : 1,099 €

Discounts for children: up to the completed 2nd year free of charge; for children from 2 to the completed 12th year, 50% of the package if they share a room with parents.

Supplement for a single room: 160 €.

Accommodation

• 3x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Cairo (half board).
• 2x overnight stay at an eco-lodge in the Bahariya Oasis (half board).
• 2x overnight stay at a camp in White Desert (full board).

Location

Terms and conditions

Payment:

• 30% of the package price when the reservation is confirmed (with an additional 22 € for the registration fee)
• the remaining 70% to be paid at 15 days prior to departure

Cancellation:

• Cancellation is free of charge until 35 days prior to departure
• Afterwards 100% cancellation charges will apply

Included/not included

Included:

• 3x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Cairo (half board).
• 2x overnight stay at an eco-lodge in the Bahariya Oasis (half board).
• 2x overnight stay at a camp in White Desert (full board).
• 2x lunch at a local restaurant in Cairo.
• All transfers between towns and with 4×4 cars in the desert, for all sightseeing and all entrance fees for sightseeing in the programme.
• English-speaking local guides for all sightseeing in the programme (except for the entrance fee for inside the pyramids).
• English-speaking drivers/guides for Black and White Desert.
• Accompanying and assistance by an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency, assistance at airports and check-ins/check-outs, accompanying for travel to and from Bahariya.
• 24-hour availability over the phone of an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency.
• Costs of arranging and organizing the journey.

Not Included :

• Any international flights.
• Any local flights.
• Entry visa to Egypt ($25).
• Personal expenses.
• Other sightseeing and transfers not included in the programme.
• Customary tipping (€40–60 per person).

Further information

• Hotel address : Cairo, Egypt
• Duration : 8 days
• Contact details : botler@boticonline.com
• Minimum number of people : 2

Recommended equipment:

• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Bright-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of natural materials for sightseeing.
• Warmer clothing for evenings/nights in the desert.
• Layered clothing for flexibility as temperatures can change rapidly due to the strong sun.
• A hat for sun protection, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen.
• A small backpack for water and personal essentials during walks and tours.

Agency

BOT SAS