Hiking in the Great Sand Sea
Highlights:
- An expedition in the heart of the Great Sand Sea
- Beautiful hikes between the dunes
- Exploration of fossilized and pre-historic sites
- Siwa's magnificent lakes and landscapes
- 3 person people maximum per car (plus driver)
- Optimal security conditions (radios, GPS, satellite phone)
- Experienced English speaking desert guide.
| Duration: | 13 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group size: | 4 to 12 persons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available Dates and Costs From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Services + :
What's Included:
- Meeting/assisting at airport
- Experienced Mountain World Travel English speaking professional guide
- Lodging in mentioned hotels and lodges, or similar, based on double occupancy
- Full board during the entire trip (from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 13), including (restaurant only) mineral water and coffee/tea
- All land transfers, minibus, 4WD
- All of the collective trekking equipment (tents, mattresses, etc)
- Security and navigation equipment for an expedition in the desert (GPS, radio, satellite phone)
- All mentioned visits in protected areas and historic sites as mentioned in the "day by day" section
- Cost of visa obtained upon arrival at Cairo airport (normal arrival day of the trip).
From the hikes in the dunes of the Great Sand Sea to Siwa's myth-like oasis, this circuit in Egypt takes you to places off the traditional tracks. Another attraction of this trip is our visit to the Pyramids and Cairo city.
Africa, Egypt
Egypt, through its cultural assets, the warmth of its people and its striking contrasts will always fascinate its visitors.
On the East, the Sinai Peninsula, a land full of history, inhabited by Bedouins, boasts sumptuous landscapes of colorful rocks.
On the West, the Libyque desert, an extension of the Sahara has such notable sites: the White Desert's amazing chalk sculptures, vast seas of sand, a veritable ocean of dunes, the vastness of the Gilf Kébir; enchanting oases.
The traditional villages, the palm groves draw their life and animation in the longest river in Africa: the Nile.
And let's not forget the Pharaonic sites...
Trip Summary
About the Adventure
An unprecedented, extraordinary journey through the Great Sand Sea, in the footsteps of Cambyse, Rohlf and Monod.
A beautiful arrival in Siwa, a myth-like oasis... Visits to places off of the traditional tracks, pristine and disproportional landscapes.
Itinerary
- Day 1/ Arrival in Cairo
- Day 2/ Pyramids, road to Barahya oasis
- Day 3/ White desert, hike into a world of giants white mushrooms
- Day 4/ To the South, first waves of the Great Sand Sea
- Day 5 to 9/ In the footsteps of the great explorers, prehistoric sites, huge dunes, fossilized wood
- Day 10/ Siwa's oasis, bathing in hot springs, abandoned temples
- Day 11/ Into the dunes, Bahrein, Nawamisa and Sitra lakes, where the blue water meets with the yellow sand of the desert
- Day 12/ Back to Cairo
- Day 13/ Depart from Cairo.
Detailed Itinerary
The Adventure
Itinerary
Meet and assist at airport - Transfer to Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel in Cairo center - Dinner.
Day 2/ Pyramids - Barahiya, White Desert
Transfer Cairo - Baharya by minibus ( 4h30)- On the way, quick visit of the Giza pyramids - Lunch at Baharya oasis - Connect with the 4WD to go to the White Desert - camping in the middle of the cretaceous formations
Day 3/ White Desert
A day of walking and driving in the White Desert to discover the most spectaculars valleys of the national park- Camping
Day 4 to 9/ Great Sand Sea
After leaving the White desert through Wadi Obayed, we start crossing the Great Sand Sea from East to North/West) on our way to Siwa- 3 hours of walking a day, and the rest by cars crossing some of the highest dunes of the western desert. An amazing variety of desert landscape is found between some of the dunes of the Great Sand Sea. During our trip, we will discover numerous prehistoric sites, fossilized shells, solidified wood ...
After 6 days of walking and driving through the Great Sand Sea, we reach the surrounding area of Siwa and the incredible landscape offered by the meeting of desert and water. We pass by» bir Wahed « where you can appreciate a hot bath in an amazing natural hot spring. In the afternoon, we cross few dunes to the West again to reach the amazing lake of Shiyatta - Camping
Day 10/ Siwa oasis
We reach Siwa Oasis in the morning and visit the old village of Shali , the tombs of the mountains of death, and Ammon Temple (Alexander), as well. In the afternoon, we visit the gardens of Siwa and the most beautiful spots of the oasis - pass by Cleopatra spring to have a swim - Dinner and Night in Ecolodge « Shali Lodge » in Siwa
Day 11/ Dunes and lakes
We leave Siwa in the morning by car and follow our itinerary crossing the dunes of the Great Sand Sea. During this journey, we reach the lakes of Bahrein, Nawamisa and Sitra, where the blue water meets with the yellow sand of the desert. Camping in the dunes close to the lake.
Day 12/ Bahariya - Cairo
After passing the last dunes, we reach the old dirt road going to Baharya - Lunch at the oasis - Connect with the minibus - Transfer to Cairo (about 4h30)- Dinner in the souk of « Khan el khalili or at the Hotel - Night in the Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel.
Day 13/ Depart form Cairo.
Transfer and assistance to airport for your return flight.
Itinerary Notes
2 to 3 hours of walking daily from day 4 to day 9. Due to the long distances, participants must be in good health. .
In order for us to obtain a permit for trekking, we will need for you to send us a copy of the first four pages of your passport at the time of your booking, via fax or e-mail.
- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.
Luggage Tips
The rest of the luggage, which is transported by vehicles, will be available to you in the evening at the camp or at the hotel.
Staff
- An Egyptian English-speaking Mountain World Travel guide, a specialist in the desert, the customs and archeology, as well as the history of the country.
The local team
- Drivers, a cook, a mechanic.
Transportation
- 4 WD vehicle in the desert (Day 2 to Day 12); Toyota Land Cruiser, 3 person maximum per car (plus driver).
Lodging
- Cairo: Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel, 2 nights
- Siwa oasis: Shali Lodge, 1 night
- Desert: camping in the desert, 9 nights.
3 section dome tents for 2 people. Para-dunes (protection against wind, locally manufactured). Thick mattresses provided. Tables and folding chairs.
The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.
Food and Beverages
Copious and varied meals prepared by the local team.
The cook takes special care of meals and will amaze you with the quality of his dishes!
- Morning: breakfast which is always very consistent.
- At noon: cold meal.
- Warm dinner
In town, in villages and oases
- Meals in restaurants
Beverages: mineral water provided (at restaurant). Tea and "carcade" infusions (local beverage made from hibiscus flower petals) will be served regularly during the desert trip.
Note: Some Egyptian specialties mix main meals in the desert as with their famous Oriental sesame pastries, soft dates and medicinal plants.
Additional Information
We’ll need photocopy (pdf format) of passeport one month before departure.
Important Information
What's Not Included
- International flights in/out Cairo
- All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
- Personal medical & Travel Insurance
- All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".
Extra Costs
- Drinks (except mineral water and coffee/tea)
- Personal expenses.
- Egyptian country exit tax (up to date $15)
- Tips for guides and local staff.
- All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included".
Air Travel
Our preferred airlines to fly to Cairo:
- Egyptair, the national airline, flies daily from New York to Cairo
- Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental), in cooperation with Air France / KLM flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo through Paris / Amsterdam
- United Airlines, in cooperation with Lufthansa, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through Munich/Frankfurt
- American Airlines, in cooperation with British Airways, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through London.
Foreign-Entry Requirements
Formalities for US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a
passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your
journey; visa needed.
The visa will be issued upon arrival in the country at the Cairo airport (included in the trip price), normal day of the trip.
Documents required for visa on arrival:
- Passport (with an additional photo)
For US Citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Egyptian embassy of your country.
Note
Crossing the Great Sand Sea is subject to our obtaining a Trekking permit, thank you for sending us (fax or email) a copy of the first four pages of your passport upon booking your trip, at least one month before departure.
Health and First Aid
We however advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health
Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.
Physical Preparation
LEVEL 2
2 months prior: Hike 7 to 9 miles every
weekend or on two consecutive days.
Equipment
Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well
insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.
Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of
terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a
sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles.
Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps,
with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9
gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be
transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.
Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself,
along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.
Some advice
During your flight your back pack should
contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane
(camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).
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