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DESERT TRAVEL WITH AWT
If you've not travelled in the desert then you may be understandably nervous about what it may entail. Our vehicles are comfortable 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers with a maximum of four passengers in each and typically one member of staff in the front. Desert Camps are under canvas, mattresses are provided, and food is prepared by our own travelling cook - though this will be basic but wholesome - all supplies have to be carried with us and perishables are consumed first. This is adventure travel but it is designed to be comfortable and above all, safe. On this trip, we have two nights at the splendid Sherazade camp in the White Desert which is definitely 'glamour camping'. In addition there are two nights at the charming Bawiti hotel and two nights in the Movenpick at Giza. |
Day 1 – Friday 4th November
Fly London to Cairo and on arrival we take our private transfer and check-in to the Movenpick Hotel at Giza for one night.
Day 2 – Bahariya Oasis
This morning we load up our four wheel drive vehicles, leave the city, and head towards Bahariya Oasis. We take time to explore an area known for its petrified forest, enjoy a picnic lunch and then descend the escarpment to the Oasis itself. On arrival in Bawiti we check-in to the lovely Qasr Bawiti Hotel for one night. Time this afternoon to walk into town or relax in the gardens and maybe use the two spring-fed pools. (BLD)
Day 3 and 4 – Djara Cave
After breakfast we head into the desert via Black Mountain, also known as English Mountain. A chance to climb the hill to the ruin of the World War 1 lookout post for a panoramic view across the Oasis. We continue our drive in a southerly direction, edging the great sand barrier of Ghard Abu Muharrik. Known as ‘Dune with an Engine,’ there is a claim that it is the longest dune in Africa. Djara Cave, also known as Rohlfs’ Cave, set in a remote area is thought to be an important prehistoric settlement. We will enter the cave and see pure white stalactites and ancient rock art pecked and scratched in the limestone. There will be time to explore the area in full before we set off towards Farafra Oasis. We will camp in the desert for two nights. (BLD)
Day 5 and 6 – The White Desert
A leisurely start this morning as we pack our camp and head into the White Desert with its famous wind eroded inselbergs and desert floor of shells, crystals and iron pyrites. After a picnic lunch we will drive to our set camp for two nights. Our fixed tents have en-suite facilities and there is a hot spring on site. A full day follows with plenty of time exploring the White Desert on foot. Our vehicles will take us out and then we will walk, the best way to enjoy the wonderful scenery and any hidden wildlife. We will venture into the ‘New’ White Desert and look at some of the largest inselbergs near the escarpment. Plenty of time to photograph the amazing chalk mushrooms, ice cream cones, ostrich, hawk, camel, chicken and many other animal forms. Picnic lunch will be waiting for us around midday. Both evenings we will have buffet dinner in the tented dining room at camp. (BLD)
Day 7 – Twin Peaks
After breakfast we head to the area known as Aqabat, the ‘difficult,’ and drive through the rock sugarloaves, bowl-like formations surrounded by soft sand and powdered chalk. We pass through dry wadis and ancient watering holes such as Ain Hadra where we see evidence of use in Roman, Coptic and medieval times. We see the flat topped landmark known as Twin Peaks that marks the pass out of Farafra. Our aim tonight is to camp in a picturesque spot near Ain el Maqfi (Ain Abu Hawas) with its palm trees and spring. Our team will prepare dinner and we spend our last night under canvas. (BLD)
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Because of the distribution of passengers in the 4WD Landcruisers this tour will depart with 12 or 16 passengers plus staff. All vehicles are forward facing with a maximum of 4 passengers, one driver and one member of staff per vehicle.
DEPARTURE DATE Friday 4th November 2011
TOUR CODE AWWD041111
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Basic Holiday Price: |
£2,185 |
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Single Supplement: |
£212 |
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Land Only Discount: |
£533 |  Book tour |
Day 8 – Bahariya
Loading the vehicles we start our journey northwards stopping at interesting features on the way including time to wander at Jebel al-Izaz, the area known as Crystal Mountain. We visit the district of Al Hayz now a sparsely-populated region but a prosperous area in the Roman era set on the ancient caravan route between Farafra and Bahariya. Ahmed Fakhry excavated here and identified prehistoric settlements and flint workshops. We see ruins and the signs of Roman settlements with surviving mud brick walls. We have a picnic lunch in the dark stone mountains of Sahara Sudra, the Black Desert. Later we arrive back in Bawiti and check-in to the Qasr Bawiti Hotel for one night.(BLD)
Day 9 – To Cairo or Transfer
After a leisurely breakfast we drive back to Cairo stopping for a picnic lunch en-route. On arrival we check-in to the Movenpick Hotel at Giza for one night on room and breakfast basis. (BL)
Note: If you should decide to join our Eastern Desert Tour commencing on 12th November in Luxor, we will transfer you to Cairo airport for an early evening flight to Luxor on the 12th to join the group there.
Day 10 – Sunday 13th November
We take our morning transfer to Cairo Airport for our flight to London arriving later the same day. (B)
Expert: AWT's Tour Manager Janet Shepherd accompanies this tour and has travelled extensively in both Egypt’s Eastern and Western Deserts. She is also a founder member of the Eastern Desert Survey team dedicated to locating and recording ancient rock art. |
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