2 Days Amazing White Desert and Bahariya Oasis Tour

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Cairo toWhite Desert⌄

   At 07:00 in the morning, your tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo and transfer you to Bahariya Oasis about 350 km east Cairo this journey takes about 4 hours, lunch will be served at a local restaurant at Bahariya oasis.

   Bahariya Oasis about 350 km east Cairo this journey takes about 4 hours, lunch will be served at a local restaurant at Bahariya oasis. Then continue driving to visit  1_The Black Desert. 2_The natural hot spring of Valley of El Haize, then drive to see 3_The quartz crystal at Crystal Mountain, and the rocky formations in the Valley of Agabat.

   Crystal Mountain Gebel Izaz or Crystal Mountain is situated between the Baharyia Oasis and the Farafra Oasis, in the northern part of the White Desert. Despite its name, the Crystal Mountain is not really a mountain, rather a rock or ridge sparkling like a crystal. It is an unusual hollowed circular stone embedded with crystals. A stop here, however, is definitely worth the time, because it is a perfect spot for lovers of natural rock formations, who adore watching the enchanting quartz crystals. The sun rays make the big rock with its arch to spark even more. The man-high arch is natural and small and is situated in the center of the structure. Geologists, who studied the Crystal Mountain, think this structure was once a cave made from limestone and completed with stalactites and stalagmites. This cave was shaken by the earth's movements and while time was passing by the roof was destroyed by erosion. Others think the Crystal Mountain has a sub-volcanic vault dating probably from the Oligocene age. The layers of chalk from the White Desert and the limestone, the coal and the ferruginous layers of brownish and reddish colors are dating from the Cretaceous age. The layers are broken and folded. The crystals have also an interesting history. The anthracite came from the coal seam. The calcite crystals came from the hydrothermal solutions which had a big concentration of CaCO2, which came from the chalk. These solutions came in all the cavities and after the solutions cooled, the crystals increased. If you visit Crystal Mountain, you should know that it is not indicated to break parts from the arch structure. There are numerous crystals spread around on the ground that can be taken.

   Continue driving to the White Desert National Park the most well-known desert destination in Egypt – and for a good reason. The quantity of unearthly and beautiful wind-carved rock formations shaped in the form of giant mushrooms or pebbles is unequaled in any desert in the world. Transfer back to the campsite at Al Haiz for overnight stay.

   There are many different worlds of nature in the Western Desert. One part that is really spectacular is the Black Desert, a dark rocky area that owes its appearance to ancient volcanic action and the presence of the abundant iron ore. It is located in the area around the Bahariya oasis. The blacktopped golden mountains are the glory of the Black Desert and the Bahariya Oasis. The wonderful huge hills and mountains seem to be just out from everywhere. The primarily conical mounds are formed by Cenomanian sandstone and chalky clays. Most are capped with iron quantizes and dolerite rocks. In addition, there are reddish hills of ferruginous sandstone and ocherous clay laced with limestone. The sand around the mounds is covered with a crusty and thick layer of old dolerite, black basalt, and volcanic rocks, which gave the desert its name. The soot-coated stones, ranging from pebbles to boulders, lie out across the yellow and orange sand. So, the Black Desert is not quite as black as you may expect. Among the dominant mountains are Gebel Hafuf, Gebel Ghaba (Mountain of the Forest), Gebel Ghurabi (Mountain of the Crow), Gebel Dist (Pyramid Mountain), Gebel Maghrafa (Mountain of the Ladle), Gebel Mandisha, Gebel Mayisra, Gebel Hammad, Gebel Tibniya, Gebel Hadoam, Gebel Miteili Radwan and Gebel Shahut.

   Meals: Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Camping

2. 2Bahariya Oasis to Cairo⌄

   Talking about the Western Desert means talking about: depressions, oases, sand, sand dunes, water, wind, minerals, stones, fossils, plants, animals and of course the desert people. Although all interesting we will just briefly tell you something about the Western Desert. Just to give you a little impression. It is always best to see and experience yourself. Breakfast at the campsite then drive to Bahariya Oasis to visit: 1_The Mummies Museum, that is a huge burial site at Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt. 2_Tomb of Bannantiu in the Bahariya Oasis. 3_Then you will enjoy climbing the English House. 4_The sand dunes 5_The Salt Lake. Then you will Enjoy your lunch at Bahariya oasis before driving back to Cairo.

   After Lunch driving back to Cairo.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Non