Siwa Oasis Private Tour: 3-Day Desert & Culture Immersion

Siwa's ancient temples and salt lakes in one three-day arc, without arranging transport or permits yourself.

A three-day private tour from Cairo to Egypt's Siwa Oasis combines desert exploration, historical sites, and Bedouin culture in one package. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Cairo, arriving in Siwa by early afternoon on day one, then spend two full days visiting the Temple of Amun-Re, Shali Fortress, the Mountain of the Dead, and natural wonders like the salt lakes and Cleopatra's Spring. A 4x4 safari through the Great Sand Sea, hot springs, and sandboarding are included, along with an Egyptologist guide, all entrance fees, and accommodation at an eco-lodge. The route covers rest stops every three hours on the drive out, and the itinerary pairs cultural sites with natural swimming and relaxation (salt-water floating, sunset tea, and Bedouin meals), so the three days balance activity with downtime.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Siwa and relax

• Depart Cairo at 5 AM
• Breakfast en route
• Rest stops every three hours
• Arrive Siwa around 2 PM
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Relax at eco-hotel
• Watch sunset on Fatnas Island
• Enjoy Bedouin tea and drinks
• Dinner and swim at Camp Siwan hot springs

Day 2: Explore Siwa Oasis sites

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Shali Fortress
• Visit Mountain of the Dead
• Visit Temple of the Oracle of Amon
• Visit Gebel Dakrour and learn festival history
• Float in Siwa salt lakes
• Lunch at Cleopatra's Spring
• Rest at hotel
• Safari in Great Sand Sea
• Sandboarding and watch desert sunset
• Dinner at local restaurant or take away

Day 3: Return to Cairo

• Watch sunrise at Shali Fortress
• Depart Siwa for Cairo
• Breakfast en route

The experience

The journey starts at 5 AM from Cairo. You'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with breakfast en route and rest stops every three hours, arriving in Siwa around 2 PM. After lunch at a local restaurant, you settle into the eco-lodge, then head out to Fatnas Island to watch the sunset and drink Bedouin tea. The evening ends at Camp Siwan with dinner and a swim in the hot springs.

Day two is the full cultural and natural immersion. Starting at 9 AM after breakfast, you visit Shali Fortress (the ancient Siwan settlement), the Mountain of the Dead from the Pharaonic era, and the Temple of Amun-Re, the oracle temple central to Siwa's history. You'll also visit Gebel Dakrour, where the Siwa Festival is held, then float in the salt lakes. The water is 95 percent salt, so buoyancy is effortless. Cleopatra's Spring comes next, followed by lunch and a rest at the hotel. In the afternoon, a 4x4 safari takes you into the Great Sand Sea to see marine fossils, try sandboarding, soak in hot springs, and watch the sunset over the dunes with tea. Dinner follows back at the lodge.

Day three begins with sunrise at Shali Fortress, then the drive back to Cairo with breakfast in the vehicle. Your private Egyptologist guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French throughout, and all entrance fees, permits, and transportation are included in the price. The 4x4 vehicle is reserved for the desert sections where the sand requires it. The Cairo-to-Siwa leg uses the air-conditioned car for comfort on the long drive.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle from Cairo with pickup included.
• Egyptologist guide throughout the three days.
• all entrance fees and permits to historical sites.
• 4x4 desert safari vehicle for the Great Sand Sea section.
• accommodation at an eco-lodge for two nights.
• traditional Bedouin breakfasts each morning.
• lunch and dinner daily.
• sunset tea on Fatnas Island and in the desert.
• access to hot springs and salt lakes for swimming.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (18 to 79 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mojito Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Cairo or arriving without a car: private pickup and a dedicated guide mean you travel by 4x4 through the sand sections where regular vehicles can't reach, and all permits and entrance fees are handled in advance.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What is the Temple of Amun-Re and why is it important to Siwa?

The Temple of Amun-Re, also called the Temple of the Prophets, is an oracle temple that was central to ancient Siwan culture and spirituality. You'll visit it on day two of the tour as one of the main historical sites.

Can I actually float in the Siwa salt lakes, or is it just for looking?

You can swim and float in the salt lakes on day two. The water is 95 percent salt, so floating is effortless. It's one of the natural highlights of the tour, similar to floating in the Dead Sea.

How long is the drive from Cairo to Siwa, and will we stop along the way?

The drive takes roughly nine hours. You'll depart at 5 AM with breakfast en route and rest stops every three hours, arriving in Siwa around 2 PM, so the journey is broken up rather than continuous.

What happens on the Great Sand Sea safari, and what should I bring?

The Great Sand Sea safari on day two includes seeing marine fossils, sandboarding, soaking in hot springs, and watching the sunset over the dunes. A 4x4 vehicle is used for this section. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light jacket for the evening temperature drop.

Is the eco-lodge comfortable, and what are the rooms like?

The tour includes accommodation at an eco-lodge hotel for two nights. The reference material does not detail the room specifications, but the lodge is positioned as part of the all-inclusive, comfortable experience the tour emphasizes.