From Luxor to the Oases, the Desert and Cairo – 11 Days / 10 Nights

Upon arrival at Luxor Airport (or Luxor Railway Station), you will be warmly welcomed by our representative.

Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart early in the morning to explore the famous Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile.

Valley of the Kings

This spectacular royal necropolis is home to the tombs of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Carved deep into the limestone cliffs of the Theban Mountains, these tombs are renowned for their exquisite carvings and vibrant colors, remarkably preserved over thousands of years. Officially, the site contains sixty-three tombs, whose richly decorated walls depict the pharaohs’ journey into the afterlife. The Valley of the Kings is one of the most iconic treasures of ancient Egypt and an essential highlight of any visit to Luxor.

Temple of Hatshepsut

Built by the famous Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this extraordinary temple stands out for its innovative architecture, which broke away from the conventions of its time. Its three impressive terraces rise gracefully against the backdrop of towering cliffs, creating a harmonious and breathtaking visual effect. This masterpiece of Theban architecture is a lasting tribute to one of the most remarkable female rulers in Egyptian history.

Colossi of Memnon

Enjoy a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two gigantic sandstone statues standing 17 meters high. They depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne and wearing the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. Smaller figures representing his mother and wife are carved beside his legs. These monumental statues once guarded the entrance to a vast mortuary temple that has long since disappeared, yet they remain powerful symbols of the pharaoh’s former grandeur.

Return to your hotel at the end of the morning.

Felucca Ride on the Nile

In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile.

Sailing aboard a traditional wooden felucca with its distinctive triangular sail is one of the most peaceful and enchanting experiences in Egypt. Carried gently by the wind, you will glide along the sacred river while admiring the tranquil scenery that unfolds along both banks. This timeless experience offers a perfect opportunity to relax and appreciate the beauty of the Nile.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart early in the morning to discover the largest historical site in Egypt: the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex.

Karnak Temple Complex

Karnak is an immense religious complex surrounded by an enclosure measuring approximately 1.5 kilometers in length and 840 meters in width. The impressive entrance leads visitors into the majestic Great Court, an open-air space that once served as a stopping point for the sacred barque during religious processions arriving through the Avenue of Sphinxes.

The complex was dedicated to Amun, the supreme deity of the ancient Egyptian pantheon for nearly two thousand years. During your visit, you will admire the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall with its gigantic columns, the beautiful Sacred Lake, and many other architectural and artistic masterpieces that reflect the glory of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Luxor Temple

In the late afternoon, depart to visit Luxor Temple, a remarkable monument dating back to the New Kingdom period.

Luxor Temple is one of the finest examples of classical Egyptian temple architecture. Visitors enter through the beautiful Avenue of Sphinxes before reaching the grand entrance, which was once flanked by two elegant obelisks. Today, one remains in its original location, while the other stands proudly in Place de la Concorde, where it has been displayed since the first half of the 19th century.

With its colossal statues, magnificent columns, and beautifully preserved reliefs, Luxor Temple offers a fascinating glimpse into the splendor of ancient Egypt.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart early in the morning from your hotel in Luxor and head into the Western Desert toward the beautiful Kharga Oasis.

Kharga Oasis, one of Egypt’s most stunning oases, emerges in the heart of the desert like a true green paradise. The striking contrast between lush palm groves, fruit plantations, and the vast ochre-colored desert sands creates a landscape of remarkable beauty. Historically, the oasis occupied a strategic position along the legendary Forty Days Road, an important trade route connecting Egypt with sub-Saharan Africa and serving as a vital stop for merchant caravans crossing the desert.

The approximately 250-kilometer journey through the desert includes several stops offering spectacular views of rolling dunes and endless sandy landscapes, providing a gradual immersion into the fascinating world of the Egyptian desert.

Upon arrival, visit the Necropolis of Dush (also known as Qasr Dush Fortress), a well-preserved archaeological site dating back to the pharaonic period. Dedicated to the god Osiris, this historic monument bears witness to the ancient Egyptian presence in these remote desert regions.

Continue for 20 kilometers to the village of Baris, the second most important settlement within the oasis. Here, you will discover the Model Village designed by the renowned Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy, famous for his sustainable approach that harmoniously combines traditional architecture with the natural environment.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Baris.

In the afternoon, take a pleasant walk through the old village of Baris and explore the nearby small oases of Dakhakin and Gaga. This immersive experience offers an authentic glimpse into oasis life, surrounded by shifting sand dunes—some reaching heights of up to six meters—and opportunities to meet local residents.

Later, continue to the village of Ganah, your campsite for the night, set within a breathtaking natural setting. Here, you will enjoy an unforgettable desert experience, including a refreshing bath in a natural hot spring, a spectacular sunset over the desert, and a traditional barbecue dinner under a sky filled with stars.

Overnight in a desert camp, surrounded by the tranquility and beauty of the Western Desert.

After breakfast, depart through the desert toward Dakhla Oasis. Along the way, several fascinating stops will introduce you to some of the most remarkable sites of Egypt’s Western Desert.

Hibis Temple

Built during the 26th Dynasty (7th century BC), Hibis Temple is dedicated to the god Amun and is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt’s oases. Visitors enter through an avenue lined with sphinxes leading to an impressive monumental gateway. The site also features a sacred lake and a sanctuary decorated with remarkable inscriptions that are unique within the Egyptian desert.

Bagawat Necropolis

The Bagawat Necropolis is regarded as one of the oldest Christian cemeteries in the world. It contains 263 mud-brick chapels built in the Romano-Byzantine style, some of which still preserve beautiful biblical frescoes. The site also includes a church dating back to the 4th century AD.

Kharga Oasis Exploration

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Kharga Oasis before visiting a government-run handicraft center, where you can observe traditional pottery making and weaving techniques. Skilled artisans continue to produce handmade carpets, kilims, and ceramic items using centuries-old methods.

The morning concludes with a relaxing swim in a natural hot spring, followed by lunch at a traditional oasis restaurant.

Journey to Dakhla Oasis (180 km)

Continue your journey toward Dakhla Oasis, with several stops along the route to discover lesser-known yet fascinating desert sites.

Tenda

Tenda is a spectacular desert location renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Surrounded by magnificent sand dunes, the area is home to caves decorated with prehistoric rock art depicting antelopes, giraffes, and other wild animals. These rare paintings provide valuable evidence of the region’s ancient wildlife and human history.

English Mountain

This site served as a British military camp during World War II. Visitors can still find traces left behind by the soldiers, including graffiti, topographic maps, tools, and other remnants of their presence in the desert.

Arrival at Dakhla Oasis

Balat

Discover the traditional village of Balat, famous for its authentic atmosphere and distinctive architecture. Its narrow alleys, sometimes painted blue, are covered by low ceilings originally designed to prevent mounted riders from entering the village.

Mut

Explore Mut, a historic medieval town that was once protected by gates closed each evening. Wander through the remains of the old city and its winding streets before enjoying a refreshing swim in a local hot spring.

Desert Camp Experience

The day concludes in a dry wadi nestled within a spectacular mountain basin filled with soft golden sand. This stunning natural setting is the perfect place to admire the sunset from the surrounding dunes.

From the top of the dunes, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the natural Qalamoun Lake, with its irregular shoreline and tranquil waters stretching across the desert landscape.

In the evening, gather around a traditional barbecue dinner under the stars before spending the night in a desert camp, surrounded by the silence and beauty of the Western Desert.

After breakfast, depart to explore some of the most fascinating sites of Dakhla Oasis.

Qalamoun Village

Visit the medieval village of Qalamoun, perched on a hilltop and renowned for its authentic character. Wander through its narrow ascending streets lined with traditional houses featuring beautifully crafted wooden doors. The village is also home to medieval mosques and the remains of an ancient fortress, offering a glimpse into the rich history of the oasis.

Al-Qasr Village

Continue to Al-Qasr, a remarkably preserved medieval village built entirely from mud bricks. This historic settlement is a maze of narrow alleyways and hidden passages that showcase the ingenuity of traditional desert architecture.

The mud-brick houses, constructed along shaded streets that remain cool even during the hottest summer months, create a unique and charming atmosphere. Built at the foot of a limestone cliff, the village is dominated by a 10th-century Ayyubid-style mosque. Its tall minaret, reinforced with exposed wooden beams, bears a striking resemblance to the minarets found throughout Saharan Africa.

Deir El-Hagar

Visit the archaeological site of Deir El-Hagar, an ancient temple that remained buried beneath the sand for centuries, which explains its exceptional state of preservation.

Here, visitors can admire remarkably preserved paintings and decorations dating back nearly 2,000 years. On the opposite side of the complex, a series of conical hills shelters several ancient tombs, some of which have been excavated while others show traces of earlier explorations.

Hot Spring and Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing swim in a natural hot spring before having lunch at a traditional local restaurant.

Desert Walk

After lunch, enjoy a peaceful walk through the desert landscape, experiencing the silence, vastness, and unique beauty of Egypt’s Western Desert.

Journey to the White Desert

Continue your journey toward the White Desert (approximately 140 km), arriving in the late afternoon.

White Desert National Park

The White Desert is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the world. It is famous for its dazzling white chalk formations, sculpted over thousands of years by wind erosion into an incredible variety of shapes.

As you explore the area, you will discover mysterious and imaginative rock formations resembling mushrooms, towers, sphinxes, pyramids, and countless other natural sculptures scattered across the desert floor. The brilliant white landscape creates an almost surreal atmosphere, making the White Desert one of the most unique and unforgettable destinations on the planet.

As evening falls, enjoy a traditional barbecue dinner under the stars.

Overnight in a desert camp in the heart of the White Desert.

Enjoy a magnificent sunrise in the heart of the White Desert. The soft morning light enhances the beauty of this extraordinary landscape, revealing the stunning shapes and textures of the chalk formations in an even more magical way.

After breakfast, take a final walk through this unique natural wonder and savor your last moments in this unforgettable setting.

Continue by road to Bahariya Oasis (approximately 80 km). Along the way, several fascinating stops are planned.

Black Desert

The Black Desert is a vast expanse of dark-colored hills that give the area its name. These cone-shaped formations resemble small volcanoes and create a striking lunar-like landscape. You will have the opportunity to climb one of these hills, known as El-Zogag Mountain, and enjoy panoramic views over the Black Desert and its unique scenery.

Aqabat

Aqabat is a spectacular natural basin surrounded by mountains and dramatic desert scenery. It is famous for its "Desert Flowers"—beautiful pyrite stone formations sculpted by wind and sand into flower-like shapes over thousands of years. The result is an intriguing and breathtaking landscape unlike anywhere else in Egypt.

Crystal Mountain

Visit Crystal Mountain, one of the most remarkable geological wonders of the Western Desert. This unique site features a natural rock arch and sparkling walls rich in calcite crystals. When sunlight reflects off the transparent and milky-white crystals, the entire formation glitters brilliantly, creating a truly magical spectacle.

Arrival at Bahariya Oasis

Arrive at Bahariya Oasis in the late morning and check in to your hotel.

Bahariya Oasis lies within a natural depression covering approximately 2,000 square kilometers. Known since pharaonic times for its renowned wine production, the oasis today is rich in vineyards, date palms, olive groves, fruit orchards, watermelons, vegetables, and cereal crops.

The oasis is also famous for its traditional mud-brick villages, natural hot springs, and numerous archaeological treasures that reflect its rich cultural heritage.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the oasis and relax with a refreshing swim in one of its natural hot springs.

English Mountain (Black Mountain)

Late in the afternoon, climb English Mountain, also known as Black Mountain, to witness a spectacular sunset from the highest viewpoint in the oasis.

From the summit, admire breathtaking panoramic views over the palm groves, cultivated fields, and surrounding desert landscapes as the golden light of sunset transforms the scenery into a truly unforgettable spectacle.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, depart to explore the main archaeological sites of Bahariya Oasis.

Golden Mummies Museum

Visit the Golden Mummies Museum, which showcases several remarkable examples of the famous Golden Mummies discovered in the oasis. Dating from the Greco-Roman period, these mummies provide fascinating insight into ancient burial customs and the cultural influences of the era.

Qaret Qasr Selim

Continue to Qaret Qasr Selim, an archaeological site featuring two extraordinary tombs dating back to the 25th Dynasty. The tombs are renowned for their beautifully preserved and vividly colored wall paintings, making them among the most impressive discoveries in the oasis.

Ain El-Muftella Chapels

Visit the Ain El-Muftella Chapels, first discovered by archaeologists in 1901. To ensure their preservation, the chapels were later reburied beneath the sand. Dating from the 26th Dynasty, these stone-carved and painted sanctuaries were dedicated to Bes, the ancient Egyptian god of fertility, protection, and family life.

Temple of Alexander the Great

Explore the Temple of Alexander the Great, built during the 4th century BC. This rare monument is one of the few sites in Egypt associated with the famous Macedonian conqueror and remains an important landmark in the history of Bahariya Oasis.

Qaret El-Halwa

Visit Qaret El-Halwa, home to the oldest known tomb in Bahariya Oasis. Dating back to the 19th Dynasty, the tomb belongs to Amenhotep Huy, a governor during the New Kingdom who was originally from Bahariya Oasis. The site offers valuable insight into the oasis's importance during ancient Egyptian times.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional local restaurant in the oasis.

After lunch, begin the journey back to Cairo (approximately 320 km).

Arrive in Cairo in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The evening is free at leisure.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to visit

the archaeological site of Saqqara : a vast funerary complex with the necropolis of dignitaries and the so-called "step" pyramid of King Djoser, the founder of the 3rd Pharaonic dynasty, first attempt construction of a pyramid and the first freestone construction in the world. the visit of the museum of Imhotep, the architect who designed this pyramid. The visit of Mastabas (tombs of the nobles) characterized by its scenes of everyday life at the time of the pharaohs

Lunch in a typical restaurant .

 The site of the Guizeh Plateau , a key site of the Pharaonic civilization which contains the three famous pyramids "Cheops, Khéfren and Mykirénos", The enigmatic Sphinx as guardian of the necropolis, the funerary temple of kings Khéfren.

Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

Dinner and free evening.

Night at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to visit:

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo : the largest museum of Egyptology in the world which contains more than 50,000 pieces covering all the pharaonic periods in which the treasure of the famous King Tout Ankh Amon appears . This museum also houses the room of the mummies of the most famous pharaohs, including that of Ramses 11.

Lunch in a typical restaurant.

The visit of medieval Islamic Cairo which contains among others,   the citadel of Saladin , which was the residence of kings, sultans and sovereigns of Egypt until the end of the 19th century . Erected in the 12th century AD by the famous Saladin, it contains the magnificent mosque entirely in alabaster built by Mohamed Ali, the founder of modern Egypt who reigned from 1804 until 1848.

Walk in the market Souk of Khan El-Khalili , known for its medieval atmosphere.

Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

Dinner and free evening.

Night at the hotel

Transfer to Cairo airport (or train station) for departure