An in-depth expedition to the heart of the Egyptian Sahara, the world's most forbidding, driest and least traveled desert. The trip aims to explore the far-off regions of Gilf Kebir plateau and Uweinat Mountain, the massive dunes of the Great Sand Sea and the oases of Siwa and Bahariyah. The 19-day journey looks into the mesmerizing history and geography of those magical features.
 

Route & Program

For more details and information contact us on: ask@zarzora.com

Day 1: Arrival to Cairo

Day 2: Cairo – White Desert

Day 3: White Desert – Ammonite Scarp

Day 4: Ammonite Scarp – Abu Ballas (Via Regenfeld)

Day 5: Abu Ballas – Wadi Wessa (East Gilf Kebir)

Day 6: Wadi Wessa – Craters – Karkur Talh (UweinatMountain)

Day 7: Karkur Talh – West Gilf Kebir

Day 8: West Gilf Kebir – Mestikawy Cave

Day 9: Mestikawy Cave – Aqaba Pass (Via Wadi Sura)

Day 10: Aqaba Pass – Wadi Hamra

Day 11: Wadi Hamra – Silica Glass

Day 12: Silica Glass – Great Sand Sea

Day 13: Great Sand Sea – Great Sand Sea

Day 14: Great Sand Sea – South Siwa

Day 15: Siwa Oasis

Day 16: Siwa - Bahariyah Oases

Day 17: Bahariyah Oases – North Bahariyah Oases

Day 18: North Bahariyah Oases - Cairo

Day 19: Departure 

Ammonite Scarp: The arid desert ground south of Siwa, was found covered by millions of marine fossils known as Ammonites because of their shape that resembles the horns of ancient God Ammon. A reminder of a long ago retreated sea.

Uweinat: The distinctive mountain of Uweinat in the far southwest corner of the Egyptian Sahara also built the highest point of this desert. The elevated surface of these dark igneous rocks unites the grounds of three countries, Egypt, Sudan and Libya.

Karkur Talh: On the eastern part of Uweinat, lies a valley of spectacular caves with numerous rock arts found 1923 by Ahmed Hassanein, “Karkur” meaning small Wadi and “Talh” the local word for Acacia tree.

Gilf Kebir:  Is a plateau in the remote southwest corner of Egypt. Its name translates as "the Great Barrier". This 7770-square-kilometre limestone and sandstone plateau roughly the size of Switzerland rises 300m from the desert floor. It is known for its rugged beauty, remoteness, geological interest, and the dramatic cliff paintings and rock carvings which depict an era of abundant animal life and human habitation.

Mestikawy Cave:  A newly discovered cave by Colonel El-Mestikawy on the southwestern cliffs of the Gilf Kebir plateau. Showing rock drawings of wide diversity and overlooking dry remains of an ancient lake basin with prehistoric tools.

Wadi Hamra: The easternmost valley opens to the Gap about 60 kilometers to the north of Aqaba pass. Near its head it supports a healthy cluster of acacias, making it the greenest valley. It received its name on account of the red sand filling its bed near the vegetation zone. Near its center section and close to its top, three rock art sites with engravings are possibly the oldest in the region.

Silica Glass: The so-called “Libyan Glass” in the area south of the sand sea, had been formed upon the impact of a meteorite, forming a unique glass phenomenon, The Silica Glass also known as Desert Emeralds as a piece of which was recently found to feature in a piece of  Tutankamun's jewelry.