2-Day Siwa Oasis Tour from Cairo: Salt Lakes & Ancient Temples

Two days in the desert, everything arranged: salt lakes, ancient tombs, and a 4×4 dune run at sunset.

A 2-day guided tour from Cairo to Siwa Oasis with accommodation, meals, and transport included. You'll float in the salt lakes, swim in Cleopatra's Spring, explore the Oracle Temple of Amun and the ruins of Old Shali, watch the sunset at Fatnas Island on day one, then visit the Mountain of the Dead, experience a sand bath at Dakrour Mountain, and ride a 4×4 through the Great Sand Sea on day two. A local Siwan guide leads both days. Pickup is available from Cairo, Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, or Siwa itself. The tour runs in English or Arabic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Siwa Oasis highlights

• Pickup from Cairo, Alexandria, or Marsa Matrouh
• Visit Old Shali Fortress ruins
• Explore Oracle Temple of Amun
• Float in Siwa Salt Lakes
• Swim in Cleopatra’s Spring
• Watch sunset at Fatnas Island
• Enjoy authentic Siwan meals
• Relax at natural hot water desert camp

Day 2: Desert tombs and 4x4 safari

• Visit Mountain of the Dead tombs
• Hike Dakrour Mountain and sand baths
• 4x4 safari in Great Sand Sea dunes
• Visit Magic Spring oasis
• Watch desert sunset from dunes
• Enjoy traditional Siwan tea with guide

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your location (Cairo, Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, or Siwa), and a comfortable AC vehicle carries you to the oasis. Day one moves through the main sites: the Oracle Temple of Amun, where high priests once delivered prophecies to pharaohs and kings, sits perched on a hill with views across palm groves and desert. You'll walk through Old Shali, the ancient fortress built from kershef (clay, salt, and mud), its weathered walls and narrow paths framing the landscape around it. The salt lakes come next. The water's high salinity lets you float without effort, and the mineral content is said to ease joint pain and skin conditions. Cleopatra's Spring offers a swim in clear, mineral-rich water ringed by palms, then you move to Fatnas Island for the sunset, where the light hits the water and the local café serves tea while you watch.

You stay at Kasr Elsalam, a 3-star hotel in Siwa, with authentic Siwan meals included throughout. Day two takes a different shape: the Mountain of the Dead holds tombs carved into the rock, some decorated with murals and hieroglyphics, and the climb to the top opens views across the whole oasis. Dakrour Mountain offers a sand bath. You're buried up to your neck in hot desert sand, an old practice for healing. The afternoon is the 4×4 Great Sand Sea safari: the vehicle tackles the towering dunes, you visit the Magic Spring hidden in the sand, and you see fossil beds from when the region lay underwater. The sunset happens from a dune top, and a guide shares Bedouin traditions and pours traditional tea.

A local Siwan guide leads both days and speaks English or Arabic. All transport between sites, entry to each location, meals, and the hotel night are included in the price. The itinerary is fixed, so timing and logistics stay arranged. You don't build the day yourself.

What’s included

• All transport from your pickup location to Siwa and between each site.
• accommodation for one night at Kasr Elsalam hotel.
• all meals and refreshments.
• entry to the Oracle Temple of Amun, Old Shali ruins, the salt lakes, Cleopatra's Spring, Fatnas Island, the Mountain of the Dead, Dakrour Mountain, and the Great Sand Sea.
• the 4×4 desert safari with a visit to the Magic Spring.
• a sand bath experience.
• and a local Siwan guide who speaks English or Arabic.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group TourGuide in English or Arabic · 21:00 and 22:00Overnight in a desert camp; pickup is included

Cairo departure: all-inclusive tour of the Siwa OasisGuide in English or Arabic · 21:00 and 22:00Stay at Penta Lodge Hotel, 4×4 car, with breakfast, lunch and dinner; pickup is included

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 dayDepartures at 21:00 and 22:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Infant (under 13)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Siwa Oasis Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour option if you want to share costs and meet other travelers. Choose the private option if you prefer a dedicated guide and vehicle for your group. Either way, the fixed 2-day itinerary means you don't plan the route, timing, or logistics yourself. Everything is arranged so you move from one site to the next without decisions.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 13).

What exactly is the Oracle Temple of Amun, and why is it important to Siwa?

The Oracle Temple of Amun is an ancient sanctuary where high priests delivered prophecies to pharaohs, kings, and warriors seeking guidance. It sits on a hill overlooking the oasis and palm groves, and your guide will explain its significance in ancient Egyptian and Greek history, including the legends of the sacred prophecies that drew seekers from across the Mediterranean.

Can I really float in the salt lakes, and what's the water like?

Yes, the salt lakes have such high salinity that you float without effort, similar to the Dead Sea. The mineral-rich water is clear and surrounded by palm trees and desert landscape. The high salt content is believed to have therapeutic benefits for skin and joints, and the experience is deeply relaxing.

What is Old Shali, and what will I see there?

Old Shali is the ruins of an ancient fortress built from kershef, a traditional mix of clay, salt, and mud. You'll walk through the weathered walls and winding paths, climb to higher sections for panoramic views of the palm groves and salt lakes, and learn from your guide about the ancient Siwan civilization and the strategic importance of the settlement.

What happens on the second day, and is it physically demanding?

Day two includes the Mountain of the Dead (ancient tombs with views from the top), a sand bath at Dakrour Mountain (you're buried in hot desert sand for therapeutic effect), and a 4×4 safari through the Great Sand Sea with dune driving, a visit to the Magic Spring, and a sunset from a dune. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The sand bath and dune ride are thrilling but not strenuous.

What meals are included, and are they Siwan food?

Authentic Siwan meals are included throughout the 2 days. You'll eat local cuisine that reflects the oasis traditions, and refreshments like tea and coffee are served at various stops, including at Fatnas Island and during the desert safari.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Siwa, or is it included?

Transport is fully included. Pickup happens from your location in Cairo, Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, or Siwa itself in a comfortable AC vehicle, and all movement between sites during the tour is covered. You don't arrange any transport yourself.