Siwa Oasis Tour: Sand Sea & Ancient Temples in 3 Days

Eight hours into the desert, then three days among salt lakes and 2,000-year-old ruins

A 3-day, 2-night all-inclusive tour from Cairo to Siwa Oasis crosses the Great Sand Sea by 4x4, swims in mineral-rich Cleopatra's Pool and floats in Lake Siwa, hikes to the ancient Mountain of the Dead, and explores the Temple of the Oracle of Amun and 13th-century Shali Fortress. Private transportation, all meals, and accommodation at both a desert hot spring camp and a lodge in Siwa town are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and three other languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cairo to Siwa: Sand Sea and Hot Springs

• Drive from Cairo to Siwa with lunch stop
• 4x4 safari in Great Sand Sea
• Relax in natural hot spring
• Dinner and stargazing at desert camp

Day 2: Explore Siwa Oasis Highlights

• Visit Mountain of the Dead tombs
• Tour Temple of the Oracle of Amun
• Float in Lake Siwa salt waters
• Swim in Cleopatra’s Pool
• Explore Shali Fortress
• Visit traditional Siwa house
• Watch sunset at Fitnas Island

Day 3: Siwa Market and Return to Cairo

• Browse Siwa local market
• Drive back to Cairo with rest stops

The experience

The drive from Cairo takes roughly eight hours, with a lunch stop in Marsa Matrouh halfway. Once you reach Siwa, the first night is spent at a natural hot spring camp fed from 1,000 meters underground: dinner and stargazing happen there. The second day is the full exploration: you hike to the Mountain of the Dead to see rock-cut tombs from the 26th Dynasty, visit the Temple of the Oracle of Amun (a 6th-century BC site Alexander the Great once walked), float in the hypersaline Lake Siwa, swim in Cleopatra's Pool, tour the mud-brick Shali Fortress at the town center, and watch the sunset from Fitnas Island with fresh juice. A traditional Siwan house visit rounds out the cultural stops.

The Great Sand Sea crossing on day one is the standout moment: dune bashing and sandboarding in one of the world's largest sand seas, then the soak in the hot spring. Day three is a gentle wind-down: browse the local market for dates, olive oil and handicrafts before the eight-hour drive back to Cairo. All meals are provided throughout, and you sleep two nights: one under the stars at the hot spring camp, one in a lodge in Siwa itself.

A live guide travels with the group in your chosen language. Children from age one are welcome, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels, though the long driving days and the heat of the desert require stamina for the full experience.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 transportation from Cairo to Siwa and back.
• accommodation for two nights at a desert hot spring camp and a lodge in Siwa town.
• all meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on day three.
• entry to the Mountain of the Dead, Temple of the Oracle of Amun, Shali Fortress and all other sites.
• a live guide in your chosen language.
• a natural hot spring soak and stargazing dinner on night one.
• swimming in Cleopatra's Pool and Lake Siwa on day two.
• and a visit to a traditional Siwan house to learn about local culture.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 05:00, 06:00 and 07:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Eyes of Egypt

Is this one for you?Book this if you want four archaeological sites, two water swims, and a desert camp in one fixed itinerary. Choose the self-guided version if you'd rather pick which stops to visit.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

How long is the drive from Cairo to Siwa, and what happens along the way?

The drive takes roughly eight hours from Cairo or Giza, with a two-hour lunch stop in Marsa Matrouh. You travel by private 4x4 the entire way.

What is the Great Sand Sea, and what do you do there?

The Great Sand Sea is one of the world's largest sand seas. On day one, you spend two hours dune bashing and sandboarding across it by 4x4 before reaching the hot spring camp.

Where do you sleep on this tour, and what are the accommodations like?

Night one is at a desert hot spring camp under the stars, fed by a natural spring from 1,000 meters underground. Night two is in a lodge or hotel in Siwa town itself. Both are included.

What is Cleopatra's Pool, and can you actually swim in it?

Cleopatra's Pool is a legendary spring-fed pool in Siwa where you swim for about an hour on day two. Lake Siwa, a natural salt lake nearby, is where you float. The high salt content keeps you buoyant.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

All meals for three days, private transportation by 4x4, both nights' accommodation, and all entry fees and taxes are included. Tipping is not included.