In the Steps of Alexander the Great
Five Days / Four Nights

Private Desert Caravan
Daily departure

The Roman Empror Augustus Visting Alexander the Great 's Tomb
in Alexandria after he defeated Cleopatra and Marc Anthony

Click here for more images from the Oases

In the Steps of Alexander the Great
Five Days / Four Nights

Alexander the Great conquered the known world of his day. And he spent a considerable portion of his days conquering Egypt. There is even ample evidence that his final resting place is in or near a northern oasis. Over five days and four nights, we’ll retrace the fabulous episodes of Alexander. He didn’t just lend his name to Alexandria. He left a lasting legacy that you can experience, along with a memorable taste of desert life.

Day 1 – Cairo, El Baharya (Lunch. Dinner )
We’ll set out from Cairo after breakfast in an air-conditioned four-by-four Toyota Land Cruiser, the perfect vehicle, combining ruggedness and comfort for our desert excursion. In short order, the throbbing capital gives way to a landscape of sand and rock. Throughout the 320-kilometer drive to the oasis of El Baharya, we’ll twist and turn up and over escarpments, then proceed over razor-straight asphalt laid through sand dunes. We’ll stop along the way for a picnic, and a chance to appreciate the surprising array of wildlife that survives in the parched region. Our destination for the day is El Bechmou, where we’ll bathe in hot sulphureous waters under a nightly performance of shooting stars.

Day 2 –Mahmoud Eid, Black Desert, White Desert, Encampment (Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner )
Hot tea or coffee will be most welcome in the morning while the desert is still cool. Then it’s off to the Golden Mummies: the fabulous desert tombs of Benentuie and Zed Amun. Zed Amun’s tomb is unique in all of ancient Egypt, a majestic columned space in place of the usual claustophobic chambers. We’ll view the Temple of Bess and Isis as well, and explore the village of Alexander built of mud bricks. A collection of pottery from the area is on display in the local museum of Mahmoud Eid oasis, where we’ll take a break for lunch. Afterward, we’ll board our vehicle to ascend through the Black Desert to view an extraordinary vista of subtle landscapes, and cross to Crystal Mountain, named for minerals reflecting in the sun, an unforgettable sight, and a challenge to capture by camera. Our motor safari continues for 160 kilometers across the White Desert, bedecked with limestone columns in the shapes of mushrooms and imaginary beasts. Our goal tonight is the desert itself. We’ll rest in a traditional Bedouin encampment, and enjoy a dinner cooked over hot coals.

Day 3 - Farafra, Dakla, El Kasr (Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner )
Our desert journey continues after a welcome wake-up of hot tea or coffee, breads, and fruits. After our camp is packed up, we’ll pass the small, modern oasis town of Farafra and continue toward Dakhla. Along the way we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, and visit the Temple of the Rook, the multi-colored Mountain of El Mezayeka, and the ancient desert fortress village of El Kasr, built of mud bricks, where we’ll spend the night in the Hotel El Negoum.

Day 4 – El Kasr, Kharga (Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner )
Our goal today is the oasis of Kharga, 200 kilometers across the desert. Upon arrival, we’ll lunch in a local establishment, and check into the Pioneer Hotel. Our visit starts with El Bagawat, an ancient site once inhabited by Christians. We’ll also view the Temple of Hibis, one of the finest and best-preserved in Egypt, and only re-discovered in the last century. We’ll see how pottery and tapestries are made in the local manner, then return to our hotel for dinner. Afterwards, we’ll join the locals for a sample of nighttime entertainment in the coffee house of Um Kalsoum.

Day 5 – Luxor (B)
We start out after breakfast for the 320-kilometer drive through yet another sector of the Western Desert, headed for the Nile Valley. Our safari ends in Luxor, the fabled capital of Upper Egypt. We 'll be glad to help with your air fare and transfer back to Cairo or Sharm el Sheikh

Price includes:

Land transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser or comparable vehicle
Services of driver and English-speaking guide
Entry fees
Accommodations with breakfast and dinner (BD) at the Pioneer Hotel, lunch in Kharga (L) and all meals (BLD) at hotels in Bahareya and Khakla as well as meals during overnight stay in desert.
Use of tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, and blankets

A note about meals
Please note that some meals will be served in local desert style. For your Egyptian breakfast, expect orange juice, tea and coffee, marmalade, a selection of two cheeses, beans, and eggs.
A picnic lunch will typically include either tuna, sausage, sardines or beef with a green salad or a salad of cheese, tomato and fruit.
For dinner,expect a beef or chicken main coarse, with vegetable and rice or pasta.
Please inform your hosts in advance of dietary requests.

Rate per person in double in USD $ :

Minimum 2 passengers is required =$ 1085 per person

A note about meals
Please note that some meals will be served in local desert style. For your Egyptian breakfast, expect orange juice, tea and coffee, marmalade, a selection of two cheeses, beans, and eggs.
A picnic lunch will typically include either tuna, sausage, sardines or beef with a green salad or a salad of cheese, tomato and fruit.
For dinner, expect a beef or chicken main coarse, with vegetable and rice or pasta.
Please inform your hosts in advance of dietary requests.

Why book with us ?

For travel during Easter, Christmas or New Year's, weeks a 10 percent supplement applies.