Activities in Western Desert

Sunset Camel Ride tour Dakhla Oasis Egypt booking, prices

Sunset Camel Ride tour will let you experience the fascination of the desert. In fact, the tour round Dakhla Oasis will let you enjoy calm, spaciousness and seclusion amidst the nature. You will discover the desert’s variety, discern its stony and harsh forms in one moment. Moreover, the tour will let you see it as a sea of endless Sand Dunes. Furthermore, you will pass by small settlements and artifacts of the Roman times. In fact, all the time will be on camel back and accompanied by guide and Bedouin hosts. They will open up a completely different sense of living to you. A life where clocks tick more slowly and time is at your hand in plenty. You will take your daily bath in many hot mineral springs.

Further details about Sunset Camel Ride tour:

Put up your bed wherever you like at sunset. Bedouins will let you watch them while they prepare the traditional meals. Finish your day at a campfire. The tour includes visits to El Aweina, Gebel Abiat and Wadi El Bauabat. The tour also includes visits to Bir Hassan, El Nagb, Bir Gebel and Al Qasr. Moreover, Sunset Camel ride tours includes visits to Wadi Etamasiah and Bir Bassatin. Furthermore, the tour will also includes visits to Aijn Aracha, Zar Suraand Magic Spring. Hotels and restaurants offer brief camel rides which reach past the southern end of Mut. Let the guide know if you want to stop over a majestic dune. Go ahead, roll down the sandbank. Just contact us to arrange the tour for you.

Shaw’s Cave Gilf El Kebir Egypt tours, prices, booking

Shaw’s Cave located in the Gilf El Kebir in the Western Desert, Egypt. In fact, Shaw’s Cave also known as Magharet el Kantara. Moreover, the cave is easy to reach from Dakhla Oasis. Furthermore, Shaw is the much broken southern part of the Gilf El Kebir plateau. In fact, it discovered during the 1935 expedition which led by W.B.K. The expedition also discovered two broad Valleys, the Wadi Wassa and the Wadi Firaq. These wadis later used as a short cut during World War II. Rupert Harding Newman was a member of this expedition. He discovered a series of rock paintings in a small rock overhang. In fact, they are on the col separating the two wadis, almost on level with the top of the plateau.

Further details about Shaw’s Cave Gilf El Kebir:

The overhang in Shaw’s Cave forms a low shelter. Moreover, the paintings in the cave depicts cattle and a homestead scene. In fact, they located about 40-50 cm above the ground. Furthermore, they are in an almost continuous line along the rear of the shelter. The discovery published by Shaw in Antiquity in June 1936. It was under the name of “Rock Paintings in the Libyan Desert”. Moreover, Shaw published one photo and a few drawings. In fact, the complete site published by Giancarlo Negro and Yves Gauthier in Sahara 9 in 1997. Till this day, this is the only rock art site in the South-eastern of the Gilf El Kebir in Egypt.

Silica Glass Field Gilf El Kebir Egypt tours, booking, prices

Silica Glass field located in the Gilf El Kebir, Western desert, Egypt. In fact, it is near to the Libyan edge of the Great Sand Sea. Indeed, Silica Glass field Gilf El Kebir is one of the great mysteries of the region. In fact, site has Natural green silica glass. You can find them between the dunes. Pieces vary in color, clarity and size. The site indeed is an astonishing geological wonder. In fact, it houses the amazing pieces of yellow-green color which discovered in it. The exact origin of this tektite material still unknown. In fact, the scientists speculate is a result of the impact of a meteor. The meteor taken place centuries ago and caused sand to fuse due to the intense heat.

However till this day no crater proved this theory. The glass worn with wind and has a polished feel. In fact, it used by the pharaohs in making jewelry. When you visit the Silica Glass Field in the Western Desert, you will have a great temptation. In fact, it is to take some of the shiny pieces of desert with you. The site rediscovered in the 1840. In fact, this glass of this site known to the ancient Egyptians. In 1998, a member of an Italian team investigated the origins of the glass. Moreover, he also examined Tutankhamen‘s jewelry. The boy King left a green scarab which dominated his pectoral. In fact, it made from a piece of the site.

Further details about Selica Glass Field Gilf El Kebir:

Actually, the glass known about –and valued- in antiquity. But in fact, this does not shed any light on the origins of the glass. Extreme heat needed to form this glass. So, it gives rise to many theories about forming it. Maybe, there was a volcanic activity. There is also a possibility that an extraterrestrial body crashed into the earth. There is a suspected meteorite crater 150 km away from Silica Glass Field site. However, there is no glass at the actual crater site. In fact, the source of the glass remains a mystery till nowadays. The site accessible through safaris and tours of the Great Sand Sea.

Swimmers Cave Egypt Gilf El Kebir tours, prices, booking

Swimmers Cave Egypt is and the ancient rocks art located in the mountainous of Gilf El Kebir plateau. In fact, the plateau located in the New Valley govern-orate. The New Valley located southwest Egypt near the borders with Libya. Swimmers Cave and rocks art discovered in October 1933. it was by the Hungarian explorer Laszlo Almasy. In fact, the cave contains Neolithic pictographs (rock painting images) of people who swim. The painting images are about 10,000 years ago. In fact, it was during the time of the most recent Ice Age.

Almasy devoted a chapter to the Swimmers cave in his book “The Unknown Sahara” which issued in 1943. In the book, he postulates that the swimming scenes are real depictions of life at the time of painting. He also mentioned that there was a climate change from temperate to Xeric desert since that time. In fact, this theory was so new at that time. In 2007, Eman Ghoneim discovered an ancient mega lake which is 30,750 km². Actually, the lake buried beneath the sand of the Great Sahara in the Northern Darfur region, Sudan.

Furthermore, the Swimmers cave Egypt mentioned in Michael Ondaatje’s novel “The English Patient”. Moreover, it also mentioned in a movie which based upon it. In fact, the cave shown in the movie not the original but a film set created by a contemporary artist. In fact, some portions of the cave damaged by visitors over the years. It is especially since the movie released in 1996. Fragments of the paintings removed as souvenirs.

Further details about the Swimmers Cave Egypt:

Moreover, some surfaces cracked after water applied to enhance their contrast for photographs. Modern graffiti inscribed upon the wall. In fact, the tourist littering indeed is a problem. Some steps taken to reduce the future damage. The steps include training guides and clearing litter from the vicinity. In fact, this important rocks art site remains fragile. Moreover, there are also risks future disturbances. In fact, it is because the tourist traffic to the region increases.

Shali Fortress Siwa Oasis information, tours, prices and online booking

Shali Fortress Siwa Oasis is in fact the center of Siwa town. In fact, it dominated by the spectacular organic shapes of the remains of the 13th-century. Built in fact from a material known locally as kershef. The kershef is large chunks of salt from the lake just outside town. Moreover, it mixed with rock and plastered in local clay. The labyrinth of huddled buildings was originally four or five stores high and housed hundreds of people.

For centuries, few outsiders admitted inside – and even fewer came back out to tell the tale. But three days of rain in 1926 caused more damage than any invader managed. Over the last decades, inhabitants of Shali Fortress Siwa Oasis moved to newer and more comfortable houses. In fact, it is with running water and electricity. Now only a few buildings around the edges are occupied or used for storage. It includes the mosque with its old, chimney-shaped minaret.

More information about Shali Fortress Siwa Oasis:

Those who wander around the outskirts of the fort are likely to reward with glimpses of life as it used to be. There’s an old donkey-powered oil press back here in Shali Fortress. You should listen out for the clanging of a real-life metal smith plying his trade. With each rainfall more of these buildings disintegrate. However, Siwans are beginning to value the uniqueness of their heritage, as well as the need to preserve it. Recently authorities worked with an international NGO. In fact, it is to reinforce what’s left of Shali Fortress Siwa Oasis using traditional building techniques.

Balat Dakhla Oasis, Egypt information, tours, prices, booking

Balat Dakhla Oasis is a modern village which located around 9 kilometer west of Tineida, Egypt. In fact, Balat spread beyond the older fortified town of Al Qasr. Moreover, the site built during the Mameluke and Turkish eras. Furthermore, the Islamic town perched on a mound and little changed since Medieval times. Inside the walls of this once busy town, picturesque winding lanes roofed with palm fronds. They shelter dark and carved doorways of houses. In fact, they are typical of the Islamic architecture in the oases during this period. The roofed streets would acted as extra protection for the inhabitants. In fact, they were too low to admit mounted invaders. The old houses consisted of two or three stories with mud-brick walls.

More details about Balat Dakhla Oasis:

Moreover, they plastered and painted in pink or ocher. Bread ovens and storage containers can still seen on the roofs of some of the crumbling dwellings. Though few people live in the old town today. The Egyptian government hopes to clear the area so that it can restored and turned into a museum. Now, Balat is at the beginning to reveal its secrets of an even earlier history. Nearby, at Qila El Dab’a, there is an Old Kingdom necropolis. Moreover, there is also an associated settlement from the same period at Ain Asil. In fact, these areas currently excavated.

Ain Asil Dakhla Oasis Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews

Ain Asil Dakhla Oasis settlement located about 3 kilometer east of Balat in Dakhal Oasis, Egypt. Moreover, Ain Asil also located 8 kilometer north west of Tineida. In fact, it is at the junction where the ancient Darb el-Tawil joins other routes through the oasis. The site features important remains of a governor’s palace, houses and workshops. The site already investigated by a team from the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology. In fact, the investigation is since 1977. The site at Ain Asil features a small fortified enclosure. Moreover, the site later encompassed a rectangular area of 33 hectares. In fact, the area split into two separate parts. The earliest part is the fortress area which located to the north with a mud-brick settlement. In fact, the settlement extends to the south and east.

The site had an administrative center for Dakhla during the reigns of Pepi I and Pepi II. Most of the town destroyed by a fire at the end of the Old Kingdom and abandoned for a time. Moreover, Ain Asil Dakhla Oasis had a rare discovery of inscribed clay tablets. In fact, the tablets date back to Dynasty VI. This discovery proves that Dakhla Oasis linked to the Nile Valley during this time. Moreover, the tablets contain names of governors of the oasis and their households. In fact, they written in hieratic script. Furthermore, the tablets have lists of distribution of goods. Moreover, the tablets also contain the food supplies to the palace. Furthermore, they also have valuable information which written on papyrus in other areas of Egypt.

Further details about Ain Asil Dakhla Oasis:

The fortress later adapted to other uses. From the fortress, the town sprawls to the south along a main street. Moreover, the town also sprawls to the east. In fact, it is whereas the principal administrative building or palace existed. The administrative building contained a courtyard which was a public audience area. The surrounding apartments rose to a height of 4 meter with walls which painted in yellow ocher. Furthermore, the walls have wooden columns on limestone bases. Off to the sides, two superimposed levels of vaulted magazines uncovered. In fact, they used for the storage of produce because of remains of oil jars which found. Yet, they emptied before the construction of a third level.

In fact, these built under a governor who called Medunefer. He was also the one who constructed a cult chapel there. In fact, his name and titles can seen on the restored doorway to the naos. Moreover, there is also another governor name which found within the palace area. In fact, the name is Khentika. Moreover, the site also encompassed seals which bear the name of Pepi II. Furthermore, Ain Asil also contains the names of at least five generations of governors. In fact, each one erected a small sanctuary for himself. Other excavations of the settlement revealed many large dwellings. In fact, they are much larger than those rare examples found in the Nile Valley. Some of these have remains of staircases which lead up to a roof terrace.

More details about Ain Asil Dakhla Oasis:

Furthermore, Ain Asil site comprises bakeries with ovens, grinding stones and pottery jars. In fact, they were for baking the bread along with ceramic workshops. Moreover, many pottery fragments found in the site. In fact, the fire destroyed much of the early town. Yet part of the fortress-like structure rebuilt during the First Intermediate Period. In fact, it rebuilt to include the enclosure wall and a canal. The destruction by fire allowed archaeologists to gain much information. In fact, the information is about the Old Kingdom structures. Finally, the site abandoned before the Ptolemaic Period. Moreover, no Roman remains found at the site of Ain Asil in Dakhla Oasis.

Al Muzawaka tombs Dakhla Oasis tours, booking, reviews

Al Muzawaka tombs or Muzawaka tombs located in Dakhla oasis, Egypt. In fact, the tombsare a part of the Amheida cemeteries. Moreover, the tombs consists of a series of small soft stone hills or ridges in which over 300 tombs cut. In fact, the name means “The Decorated Hill”. A few of these tombs decorated in a mixture of traditional Egyptian and classical style. In fact, it was in the Roman period in the first and second centuries after the birth. Moreover, many of the tombs still not excavated. Two of the most interesting tombs belong to Petubastis and Petosiris. In fact, the tombs are outstanding for their exquisite colorful fresco.

The tomb of Petubastis consists of a single decorated chamber. It is with recessed shelves which intended to house the mummies of the deceased. On the eastern wall is a portrait of the tomb-owner which painted onto plaster. The ceiling of the chapel painted with a zodiac in the style of the first century AC. The second tomb belongs to Petosiris. In fact, the second tomb dates back to the early part of the second century AC. Moreover, the tomb contains two chambers. The owner again portrayed on the northern wall of the outer chamber. In fact, he portrayed as a large figure who wears a long pink Roman-style toga.

Further details about Al Muzawaka tombs:

Furthermore, he surrounded by representations of traditional ancient Egyptian religious symbols. In fact, the symbols include a hieroglyphic text. The inner chamber depicts the weighing of the deceased’s heart. It is before Osiris while Isis provides a libation for the spirit of Padiosir. The tomb also features scenes which are reminiscent of the New Kingdom funerary art. Furthermore the tomb features a more complex zodiac than the one in the tomb of Petubastis. In fact, it painted with figures of birds and animals. Moreover, it also has figures of a scarab and the god Horus. Furthermore it also has the usual representations of the constellations.

In fact, there is no evidence that these two tombs contained burials. Yet, many mummified bodies found in neighboring tombs which not decorated. Simple inscriptions also found in some of the other Al Muzawaka tombs. In fact, the inscriptions provide information about the spiritual beliefs. Moreover, they also show information about the customs of the Roman inhabitants of Dakhla Oasis.

More details about Al Muzawaka tombs:

Al Muzawaka tombs indeed well known of for many years. Moreover, they well-plundered for many artifacts of value. The two major tombs photographed by Herbert Winlock in 1908. In fact, the two tombs only rediscovered by Ahmed Fakhry. It was in 1972 after which time the damaged fresco restored. In 1998 the tombs of Petubastis and Padiosir Petosiris once again closed to the public. In fact, it was because the ceilings were in a state of collapse. Yet, the restoration now completed. A new visitor center also built at Al Muzawaka tombs site.

Alexander The Great temple Bahariya, Egypt tours, booking, prices

Alexander The Great temple located in Bahariya Oasis in Western Desert, Egypt. In fact, the temple is the only one in Egypt which has Macedonian ruler’s. Alexander The Great temple built during Alexander’s lifetime and dedicated to Amun and Horus. In fact, Alexander arrived with his army in Memphis. It is where he made an offering to the Apis bull. Moreover, he crowned king of Egypt. He took as his Egyptian throne the name of “Setp n Ra Mery Amun”. Alexander’s visit to Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert was to consult with the Oracle of Amun. It is where his kingship made divine as the son of Amun.

In fact, Alexander The Great temple is one of the largest in the Bahariya Oasis. Moreover, the temple features at least 45 chambers which built from mud-brick. Furthermore, the chambers encased in sandstone. The valley of the Golden Mummies situated only three hundred yards from the temple. The entrance to the temple was on the south end of the structure. In fact, it accessed through a gate. A red granite altar discovered just outside the temple. In fact, the red granite not found in any of the western oasis. So, it maybe carried a great distance to the temple through the vast desert by donkeys.

Further details about Alexander The Great temple:

Just to the right of the temple entrance is a scene. In fact, the scene depicts only the lower half of two individuals facing each other. It is probable that one of these individuals is Alexander the Great. He dressed as a traditional Egyptian pharaoh. Moreover, he makes offerings to a principle Egyptian deity. On the lower register on the north wall of the second room, Alexander revealed. Alexander The Great temple also comprises a relief. In fact, the relief retains some of its original colors. Moreover, it depicts Alexander while offering two vessels. The vessels maybe contain Bahariya wine as an offering to Horus and Isis. Horus and Isis hold a scepter on one hand an the ankh symbol in the other.

In the background a priest wearing a long robe stands. He holds incense and an unknown tool. Furthermore, there are also an offering table bearing bread, meat and cucumbers. Moreover, there are also pomegranates and other fruits. Along with vessels for ointments also displayed. Alexander The Great temple also features another carved relief. In fact, it depicts Alexander while he makes an offering of incense to the god, Amun. God Amun who followed by various goddesses, one of which is Mut, Amun’s consort. In this scene, the governor and high priest of the Oasis stand behind the pharaoh. In fact, they stand with offerings of incense. Just visible in the depiction is an offering table. In fact, it laden with bread, meat, vegetables, wine and flowers.

More details about Alexander The Great temple:

Alexander The Great temple complex surrounded by auxiliary storage rooms and houses. In fact, the storage rooms and houses used by guards and priests. On the east side of the temple, a building which used for administrative purposes. Only two of the buildings chambers roofed with large limestone blocks. In fact, they inscribed with Greek graffiti which now lost. One of the most interesting artifacts which found in the temple complex is a bronze statue. In fact, the statue is a royal lady. It believed that this lady was the wife of Alexander the Great. A small statue of a priest of Re also discovered in one of the temple’s corridors. Moreover, smaller artifacts discovered in and about the temple. In fact, they include Greek, Roman and Coptic pottery shards.

Moreover, they also included painted vases, fragments of bronze statues and Greek amulets. Furthermore, they also included coins from the 5th and 6th centuries AC. Some of the pottery which discovered feature rectangular marks and human figures. They appear to be of Semitic origin from Asia. The other shards and lamps are from the Coptic Period and later. The Christians inhabited the Alexander the Great temple until the 12th century AC. Moreover, some chambers may occupied as dwellings into the Middle Ages. In fact, the mentioned discoveries led Egyptology men to believe that.

Ain El Muftella temple Bahriya Oasis, Egypt tours, booking

Ain El Muftella temple located in the center of Bahariya oasis in Western Desert, Egypt. In fact, Ain El Muftella temple served as the city center of El Qasr. Al Qasr is today the modern town of Bawiti in the Bahariya Oasis. Moreover, the temple built around the time of the 26th Dynasty. Though, some sections of the temple date back to the earlier in the New Kingdom. Furthermore, the temple added by both the Greeks, and later the Romans. In fact, some parts of the temple built by a high priest who named Zed-Khonsu-efankh. Moreover, he was the brother of Sheben-Khonsu. The last one was governor of the district during the reign of Ahmose II.

After the death of Khonsu, Zed-Khonsu-efankh took his brother’s role as governor. The temple center in fact consisted of four chapels. In fact, the chapels decorated and painted. Moreover, they had sunk relief like the other Egyptian temples of this period. The first chapel had two large halls. Furthermore, it had vaulted ceilings which painted with geometrical designs. Each of the halls adjoined by small storage rooms. In fact, Ain El Muftella temple was a rural temple. So, the temple served as a general purpose place of worship for for different gods. Scenes in the first hall depict Zed-Khonsu-efankh and sometimes his brother Sheben-Khonsu.

Further details about Ain El Muftella temple:

Moreover, the scenes also depict Ahmose II who wears the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. He stands side by side and makes offerings to thirteen gods. The temple also houses another set of reliefs in the side entrance. In fact, the reliefs depict Ahmose II while stands with an ankh in his right hand. It is along side the hippopotamus goddess, Tausert, Horus and the cow goddess, Hathor. Behind them is another scene which depicts a child, several unrecognizable gods and goddesses. Moreover, the scene also depicts the goddess Ma’at with her feather. In the second chapel, there is a scene which portrays the high priest. In fact, the priest has a shaved head and worships Osiris.

Furthermore, the second chapel in Ain El Muftella temple features other scenes. In fact, the scenes show the sisters of Osiris who mourns his death. It is along with a list of the names of various deities. The wall to the right of the entrance to the second chapel also features another scene. The scene depicts an unknown priest who makes offerings to Osiris. And then, the king stands before Thoth. On the west wall, there is a mummified Osiris. The third chapel of the temple dedicated to the goddess Bes. In fact, the chapel has two entrances at either end of it. The entrances built from dole-rite and sandstone. Furthermore, one wall within this chapel devoted to a large figure of that deity.

More details about Ain El Muftella temple:

The fourth chapel in Ain El Muftella temple is more simple. In fact, the chapel made of brick and stone but never painted. The only notable scene in this chapel depicts Ahmose II in the presence of Khnum and Horus. Many of artifacts recovered from this temple over the years. In fact, the discoveries in the first chapel consist of a statue of the goddess Bastet. The discoveries also included a stone emblem of a head of Hathor and a statuette of an unknown king. Moreover, they also includes another statuette of Thoth and fragments of a bronze vase.