Cairo to Siwa: 8-day Adventure Through the Sahara Desert
Are you ready to experience the soul of Cairo and the dreamy desertscape of Siwa Oasis?
I'm sure by now you’ve seen videos of people floating in bright turquoise natural salt pools, and thought to yourself, “Omg, where in the world is this?” Well, it’s not just salt pools! Siwa has stunning oasis-fed springs, beautiful natural lakes, an ancient village surrounded by date palm trees, & the largest dune fields in the world.
During this specially curated group trip, we’ll spend 4 authentic, sensory-packed days in Cairo visiting all the sites and discovering local hidden gems. Then we’ll head to the desert for 4 days adventuring in the Sahara Desert to experience a different side of Egypt. This will be an epic adventure you’ll never forget!
Trip is Full!
On this trip, you’ll…
△ Meet locals and experience the unique vibrant culture, food, & music of Egypt & North Africa
△ Explore Cairo and witness the infamous Pyramids of GIZA, Saqqara, and some of the most significant historical sites in the world
△ Journey through the desert, unplug from the chaos of city life, and breathe in the breathtaking beauty of the Sahara desert
△ Take a safari through expansive dune fields, sandboard, see ancient whale remnants, and dip into gorgeous natural hot & cold springs
△ Float in Siwa's healing natural salt pools (yes, I'll take amazing photos of you!)
△ Explore some rare off-the-beaten-path places you can't find anywhere else
△ Camp out in the desert and be mesmerized by epic sunsets and star-gazing
And so much more!!
Our Trip Itinerary
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Day 1: Welcome to Cairo! Dinner on the Nile
You'll be picked up from the Cairo airport and taken to your beautiful hotel with a stunning Nile view! We'll meet for the first time as a group for a private dinner on a Nile River boat for delicious traditional Egyptian food and music. This is a chance for you to get acquainted and comfy with your fellow travelers! Get some good rest because we’ll wake up early the next day for a full day of unforgettable adventures!
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Day 2: Check out Old Islamic Cairo & Salah El Din Citadel
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Old Cairo to visit the Salah El Din Citadel and The Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, one of the most beautiful mosques in the world with intricate Islamic architecture and incredible view of the city. Then, we'll head to a famous souk called “Khan Al Khalil” in a historic area. Then we'll head back for our dinner near downtown.
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Day 3: Visit Saqqara Pyramid & Dashur
We'll head over to the Saqqara site, which has the oldest complete stone pyramid in the world, the Pyramid of Djoser. We'll stop by a traditional textiles factory where they'll show us how ancient Egyptians created rugs and textiles. Then, we'll head to a stunning traditional Beit in Dashur. There we'll lounge by the pool, and chill for the afternoon. Finally, we'll head back to the Inn and spend our last full night in Cairo.
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Day 4: Explore Pyramids of Giza & Egyptian Museum
We’ll stop for breakfast at a beautiful Pyramid view cafe. You'll get to have a personal professional photoshoot in front of the pyramids. Then we'll get a guided tour of the 3 famous Pyramids of Giza. We'll head to the Egyptian Museum to see all the ancient artifacts and mummies. We'll have our last meal in Cairo then pack up our things and prepare for a long night's bus ride through the desert.
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Day 5: Arrive in Siwa, Shali Village & Cleopatra Spring
We'll arrive in Siwa, a beautiful desert Oasis in the middle of the Sahara. You’ll get settled in a traditional, gorgeous Siwan-style hotel. You can explore the old Shali village with its mud-brick fortresses, windy dirt stairways, and small bustling streets filled with action! We'll spend the afternoon lounging around, enjoying a dip in the refreshing Cleopatra Spring before eating a traditional Siwan dinner at a nearby camp.
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Day 6: Soak in the Healing Salt Lakes & Sunset at Fatnas Island
We'll float in the salt lakes while absorbing the healing benefits of the salt. This is truly a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of Siwa’s most famous attractions! (Yes, we will get some epic photos of you!) Then, we will head back to shower off the salt in natural hot and cold springs at a nearby mountain camp. In the evening, we’ll go to Fatnas Island to have dinner and witness a breathtaking sunset view over the lake.
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Day 7: Temple of the Oracle, Desert Safari & Camping
We'll visit Temple of the Oracle (Temple of Amun) with a stunning view of the old Shali city. Then, get ready for a wild safari through the desert! We'll be zipping through the largest sand dunes in the world, stopping periodically to sandboard, witness ancient whale remnants, and dip in natural hot and cold springs . We'll head to a desert campsite for a delicious desert-style dinner and gaze at endless stars.
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Day 8: Return to Cairo
Say good morning and goodbye to the desert! We'll have breakfast in Siwa before heading back to Cairo. We'll arrive late afternoon and check into a hotel to spend our last night in the city before the group disperses.
You'll also get access to Egypt with Moni Exclusives!
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* A curated list of resources about historical and modern day Egypt
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* Pre-trip planning resources such as packing list, what to wear, what to expect, and safety tips
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*Customized support with flight booking, entry visa, airport pickup, and other helpful travel trips
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* My exclusive Travel Guide with a link to my pinned Google Maps list of places, recommendations for local shopping, and underground cultural hot spots
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*My personalized language guide with Egyptian Arabic words and on-site live translation from me
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* Professional photoshoots and group shared albums so you can remember these epic moments forever!
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*Discounted trip planning services for pre-and post group trip travel around Egypt
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*24/7 support and guide services from me the entire duration of the trip
A Word From Past Trippers