Two nights in Cairo and two deep in the Western Desert at Siwa — the salt-and-mud fortress of Shali, the oracle Alexander consulted, the Mountain of the Dead and sunset from Fitnas Island.
The route2 cities, 2 nights in each.
Loading map…
5 days, 4 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Breakfast includedMeals
Twin share · land only, flights extra
Why this journey
Siwa is the most remote inhabited place in this batch, close to the Libyan border and culturally distinct from the rest of Egypt — Siwi is still spoken there. Getting to it is a long drive, and that is the trade you make for what is at the other end.
Shali, the old fortified town at the centre of the oasis, is built from kershef — salt and mud — which is why it has partly melted in the rare rains and why it looks like nothing else in the country. It went up as a defence against desert raiders and is still the shape of the place.
The sightseeing day takes in the Temple of the Oracle, where Alexander the Great came to be acknowledged as the son of Amun; the temple of Amun Ra at Um Ubeyda; and the Mountain of the Dead, a rock honeycombed with tombs. There is time to swim at Cleopatra's Spring, and the day ends at Fitnas Island for sunset over the salt lake.
Giza and a private meet at the airport open the trip.
Trip highlights
01Two nights at Siwa, not a rushed day trip
02Shali, the fortified town built from salt and mud
03The Temple of the Oracle that Alexander consulted
04A swim at Cleopatra’s Spring
05Sunset from Fitnas Island over the salt lake
Day-by-day itinerary
What's included
Included in your trip8 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
Accommodation as named in the itinerary
Transport2
All transfers as named in the itinerary
All tours and transfers by private vehicle
Entrance Fees1
Tours and entrance fees as named in the itinerary
Guide1
An English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Meals1
One bottle of water per person during the tours
Other2
Lunch on the drive to Siwa
Lunch at a local restaurant on the Siwa sightseeing day
Plan and pay separately8 items not covered by this fare
Not included8
International flights
Domestic flights
Egyptian entry visa
All tipping for guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff (the supplier suggests about USD 7 per person per day)
Beverages of any kind
Personal items such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks
Bank transmitting fees
Anything not listed under the inclusions
Your hotels
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
Attractions we visit
3 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route3 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
SiwaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
When to Go
Egypt
IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctGood
Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.
Cairo
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Luxor
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Hurghada
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Sharm el-Sheikh
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Before you go
Everything is private
All transfers throughout the trip are private, in air-conditioned deluxe vehicles.
All sightseeing is on a private basis and includes the entrance fees named in the itinerary.
Guiding is by a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the package.
The supplier suggests budgeting around USD 7 per person per day to cover guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff.
What you give is at your discretion.
Documents and flights
International and domestic flights are not included unless stated otherwise on the tour.
The Egyptian entry visa is not included and is arranged by the traveller.
Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay.
Meals on board
International menus are served on the Nile cruises and in the hotels.
Meals outside those named in the day-by-day plan are not included.
Drinks of any kind are not included, on board or ashore.
Common questions
How long is the drive to Siwa?
It is the longest transfer in this batch — most of a day each way by private vehicle, with lunch on the road included. Siwa is near the Libyan border and there is no short way there.
Can you swim at Cleopatra’s Spring?
Yes, and it is included in the day. It is a public pool in a village setting, so modest swimwear is the norm — most visitors swim in a T-shirt and shorts.
Is Siwa culturally different from the rest of Egypt?
Noticeably. The oasis has its own Berber language, Siwi, and its own customs. Dress and behaviour are more conservative than in Cairo, and it is worth respecting that.
What are the hotels like at Siwa?
The oasis property is 4-star by local standards — comfortable and well run, but simpler than a city hotel. That is the nature of somewhere this remote.
Is the Temple of the Oracle the one Alexander visited?
Yes. He came in 331 BC after taking Egypt, and the oracle’s acknowledgement of him as son of Amun is one of the better-attested episodes of his career.
Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
✦AI trip designer
Want this trip a little different?
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.