Unveiling Ancient Wonders: Alexandria to Siwa Oasis

Description

The Siwa Oasis is like a magical world that offers a perfect escape from the everyday hustle and a genuine adventure in the embrace of the desert. Here, you will experience peace, the beauty of nature, and spiritual richness that is hard to find elsewhere. Time will rewind, and the tranquillity of untouched nature will wash away all your worries. Siwa will enchant you with stunning natural landscapes, a rich history, and a unique culture that its Amazigh inhabitants have managed to preserve for centuries. Here, you will find the temple where Alexander the Great consulted the oracle, the remains of the ancient city of Shali, and Cleopatra’s Spring, which you can immerse yourself in. There are thousands of palm trees, lakes, and springs surrounded by the sandy Sahara dunes. You will explore them by 4×4 and enjoy the unforgettable colours of the sunset as the sun paints the desert. You can experience several ways of benefiting from the healing power of Siwan salt. Hospitable locals will create an atmosphere as if you were at home, and perhaps you will feel that you do not actually want to return to the everyday bustle of the modern world. During your journey, there will also be time for a relaxing seaside break in Marsa Matrouh, where rocky formations enhance beautiful sandy beaches. At the end of your trip, you will have the opportunity to admire Alexandria’s rich history, culture, and science.

Day 1: Arrival to Alexandria
At Borg el-Arab Airport near Alexandria, a representative from the RTS agency will be there to welcome you. They will transfer you to a hotel near the airport 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: Borg el-Arab – Siwa
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 Siwa Oasis. The first stop will be in El-Alamein, where you will visit the World War II Museum, as the Allies won important battles in the Sahara and at El-Alamein. You will then continue driving along the Mediterranean coast and then turn on a desert asphalt road to the Siwa Oasis. If everything on the road goes smoothly, you may arrive just in time to catch sunset from the top of the Shali fortress. Then the RTS agency representative will assist you with eco-lodge check-in. Your first introduction to Siwan culture will take place during a traditional dinner at a nearby restaurant. Then, you will return to the eco-lodge for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Siwa
After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the reception and introduce you to the local guide. Together, you will embark on a journey through the oasis. You will visit the old town centre with the Shali fortress and then head to the Temple of Amon, an oracle sanctuary where many sought advice, including Alexander the Great. Your next stop will be at Cleopatra's Spring, where you will enjoy lunch and have the opportunity to swim. After lunch, your adventure will continue by exploring the vast sand sea, including dune bashing in 4×4 cars over the undulating sand dunes, where you will be able to admire the skills of the drivers. While driving through the Great Sand Sea, there will be stops at the springs, where you will have the opportunity to swim in one of them. At the end of the day, you will experience an unforgettable desert sunset as the colours in the sky change and reflect on the sand. You will then drive to a desert camp for a traditionally cooked Siwan dinner. You will discover how freshly harvested food in pristine nature brings out entirely different flavours. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Siwa
On this day you will explore the healing power of salt. After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a local guide will be waiting for you at the reception and then you will visit a therapeutic salt cave where you can cover your legs and hands with salt for half an hour. Afterward, you will have some free time to stroll around the town and do some shopping. Following lunch, you will drive to the salt flats where beautiful salt pools form after salt extraction. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of them and experience the weightlessness of floating on water. Next, you will head to a camp on the edge of the desert, where a hot spring is located. There, you can climb the sand dune and observe the sunset, try sandboarding, or dip into a pool with warm water. After a traditional Siwan dinner, you will be driven back to the eco-house for the night.

Day 5: Great Sand Sea
After breakfast and checking out of the eco-house, you will first visit a pottery house and enjoy a last view of Shali from the terrace. Next, you will visit a Siwan house, where you can see traditional clothing and jewellery. Then, you will drive to the western side of the oasis towards the lake, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will explore the village of Maraqi and Roman water springs that irrigate the greenery in this part of the oasis. Then, you will drive to a small island on the lake, settle into eco-houses, and have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset, swim in the pool, or take a kayak ride on the lake. Dinner and overnight stay at eco-lodge.

Day 6: Siwa – Marsa Matrouh
After breakfast, the RTS agency representative will be waiting for you at the reception at the agreed-upon time to assist you with check-out. You will then drive back to the sea to the town of Marsa Matruh. You will visit the famous beaches, including the beautiful sandy Cleopatra Beach and the stunning Agiba Beach, which will surprise you with its access to the rocks extending into the sea. After the visits, you will drive to a hotel in Almaza Bay, and the RTS agency representative will help you check in and settle into your room. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Marsa Matrouh
The seventh day is a day of rest, as you will have the opportunity to relax on the sandy beaches in Marsa Matrouh. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 8: Marsa Matrouh – Alexandria
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 drive to Alexandria, where you will first have lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, you will visit the library with its rich historical, cultural, and scientific collections (except on Fridays when the library is closed, in which case you will visit the National Museum). Next, you will stroll to the fortress, which has guarded the harbour and the city against enemies for centuries. After the tours, you will be driven to the hotel, and the RTS agency representative will assist you with hotel check-in. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9: Alexandria
After breakfast, at the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will introduce you to a local guide for visits to the Montazah Gardens and Palace and the Roman ruins, amphitheatre, and catacombs. After the tours, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the city, take a leisurely walk along the long bayfront promenade, or wander through the narrow streets filled with shops and various workshops. A visit to the market is also a unique experience where you can do some shopping. Towards the evening, you will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 10: Departure from Alexandria
After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11:00) and enjoy some free time until your departure to the airport (typically 3.5 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 : 1,599 €
• 4 persons : 1,199 €
• 6 persons : 1,049 €

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: 260 €.

Accommodation

• 1x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Borg el-Arab (half board).
• 4x overnight stay at an eco-lodge in the Siwa Oasis (3x bed and breakfast, 1x half-board).
• 2x overnight stay at a 5* hotel in Marsa Matrouh (1x bed and breakfast, 1x full board).
• 2x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Alexandria (half 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:

• 1x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Borg el-Arab (half board).
• 4x overnight stay at an eco-lodge in the Siwa Oasis (3x bed and breakfast, 1x half-board).
• 2x overnight stay at a 5* hotel in Marsa Matrouh (1x bed and breakfast, 1x full board).
• 2x overnight stay at a 4* hotel in Alexandria (half board)
• 3x lunch in Siwa and 2x lunch at a local restaurant in Alexandria.
• 3x dinner in a local restaurant/camp in the Siwa Oasis.
• 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 (and drivers in the Siwa Oasis) for all sightseeing in the programme.
• Accompanying and assistance by an English-speaking representative from the RTS agency, assistance at airports and check-ins/check-outs.
• 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 (€50–80 per person).

Further information

• Hotel address : Alexandria, Egypt
• Duration : 10 days
• Contact details : botler@boticonline.com

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.
• Swimsuit, towel and shoes for the water (for salt pools).
• A small backpack for water and personal essentials during walks and tours.

Agency

BOT SAS