3-Day Siwa Oasis Tour from Cairo: Desert Safari & Ancient Temples

Float in turquoise salt lakes, camp under Sahara stars, and walk through a fortress built from salt and mud.

A private 3-day tour from Cairo to Siwa Oasis combines desert adventure with ancient culture in Egypt's Western Desert. Day one brings a 4x4 safari across the Great Sand Sea with dune bashing and sandboarding, followed by a night under the stars in a desert camp. Days two and three explore the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, Shali Fortress, the Mountain of the Dead, and Cleopatra's Pool, with a second night in an eco-lodge before the return drive to Cairo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Siwa and Desert Safari

• Pickup from Cairo hotel
• Drive to Marsa Matrouh, breakfast
• Continue to Siwa Oasis
• 4x4 desert safari in Great Sand Sea
• Sandboarding and sunset tea
• Swim in Siwa Salt Lakes
• Overnight at desert camp with dinner

Day 2: Explore Siwa Oasis Highlights

• Visit Mountain of the Dead
• Tour Temple of the Oracle of Amun
• Float in Salt Lakes
• Swim at Cleopatra's Pool
• Visit Traditional Siwa House Museum
• Explore Shali Fortress

Day 3: Return to Cairo

• Breakfast at eco-lodge
• Drive back to Cairo with rest stops
• Arrive in Cairo evening

The experience

You leave Cairo early in a private air-conditioned vehicle and drive west through the Western Desert toward Siwa, stopping at the Mediterranean coastal town of Marsa Matrouh for breakfast and a short panoramic drive. The landscape shifts from populated areas to open desert as you approach the oasis. Once there, you trade the vehicle for a 4x4 and head into the Great Sand Sea for dune bashing, sandboarding on soft slopes, and a sunset stop with traditional Siwan tea and snacks. That evening you swim in one of Siwa's famous salt lakes (the high salt content lets you float without effort), then settle into a traditional desert camp for the night, with dinner under the stars and access to a natural hot spring.

Day two is built around Siwa's archaeological and cultural sites. You visit the Mountain of the Dead, where rock-cut tombs from the Greco-Roman period sit overlooking palm groves, then explore the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, where Alexander the Great is believed to have consulted the oracle in 331 BC. Your guide walks you through the history and mysteries of each place. You float again in the salt lakes, visit Cleopatra's Pool (a natural spring shaded by palms), step inside the Traditional Siwa House Museum to learn about Siwan customs and Berber heritage, and end the day at Shali Fortress: the ancient heart of Siwa, built from kershef (salt and mud) bricks with narrow alleyways and views across the oasis. You stay a second night in an eco-lodge.

Day three is the return. After breakfast, you drive back to Cairo in the same private vehicle, with two rest stops built in to break up the journey through the desert landscape. You arrive in Cairo in the evening.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• accommodation in a desert camp and eco-lodge.
• all entrance fees to the Temple of the Oracle, Shali Fortress, and Mountain of the Dead.
• 4x4 desert safari with dune bashing and sandboarding.
• swimming in the salt lakes and Cleopatra's Pool.
• meals (dinner on night one, breakfast and dinner on day two, breakfast on day three).
• traditional Siwan tea and snacks during the desert sunset stop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group tour in English, shared with othersUp to 6 per booking · 07:30Small group tour in English, shared with others, includes pickup

VIP tour available in any languageUp to 15 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 07:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (21 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (16 to 20 years) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Adi Tours - Nuba travel

Is this one for you?Book the shared small group option if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want to reduce the cost. Choose the VIP tour in your preferred language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or another) if you prefer a private guide and want the flexibility to set your own pace through each site.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 20 years); Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Temple of the Oracle of Amun and why does it matter to Siwa?

The Temple of the Oracle of Amun is an ancient sanctuary where Alexander the Great is believed to have consulted the famous oracle in 331 BC. It stands as one of Siwa's most significant historical sites and a window into the oasis's role in the ancient world.

Can I really float in the salt lakes without swimming?

Yes. The salt concentration in Siwa's lakes is so high that you float effortlessly, similar to the Dead Sea. Fresh mineral water is provided to rinse off after your swim, and the turquoise water and desert scenery make it one of the oasis's most memorable experiences.

What is Shali Fortress made of and what will I see there?

Shali Fortress is built from kershef, a traditional material made of salt and mud bricks. You walk through its narrow alleyways, see the distinctive architecture that defines the ancient settlement, and climb to viewpoints that overlook the oasis and surrounding palm groves.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You spend one night in a traditional desert camp under the stars with dinner and access to a natural hot spring, and one night in an eco-lodge in Siwa. Both are included in the tour price.

How much driving is involved on the first day?

The drive from Cairo to Siwa takes most of the first day, with stops at Marsa Matrouh for breakfast and a coastal panoramic drive. Once you arrive in Siwa, you switch to a 4x4 for the desert safari portion.