Western Desert Tours in Egypt

Travel in the footsteps of the ancients on Western Desert Tours. See places visited by Alexander the Great and many early traders as well as natural sites and attractions.

The Western, Libyan Desert

A quick look at a map of Egypt indicates that almost two-thirds of the entire country is taken up by the western Sahara Desert. This is a region extending from the Mediterranean Sea all the way south the Sudanese border, and westward into Libya.

Variations in elevation allow for some areas to become “oases”, and lower lying regions allow the briny sea water to create immense salt flats or marshes. Such unique features are what create a great deal of interest in Western Desert tours.

Ancient Egyptians considered the western Sahara Desert a place that was symbolic of death, especially since the sun (whom the ancients considered to be their god “Ra”) seemed to die as it entered the Western Desert each evening.

Today, however the Egyptian region of the Sahara Desert is a popular place for Western Desert tours.

The Oases

Many Western Desert tours will focus on the five largest oases and may also include the “White Desert”. The oases will usually include those around Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Kharga, and may also include the man-made Fayoum which was created in the time of the pharaohs.

One of the joys of western Sahara Desert tours is the opportunity to meet the fascinating people who inhabit each particular area. The Siwa oasis is a home to the native Berber people, who are direct descendents of the Bedouin tribes that once roamed the entire region of Northern Africa.

The Bahariya oasis was a famous stopping place for Europeans and Africans alike, and the area is home to a Roman cemetery and a temple to Alexander the Great.

The Farafra oasis is home to the “White Desert”, a unique region of geologic formations, as well as villages of brilliantly colored mud brick homes.

The Dakhla region was once the location of the largest oasis, which is the reason that signs of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times appear in the area.

The Kharga area is the home of the largest oasis and also of an amazing array of historical structures and events – temple, fortresses and burial sites spot the rugged landscape of this popular destination.

Western Desert tours are much more than explorations of towering dunes and sandy wastelands, and are brimming with life, culture and the history of the Egyptian people.

Egypt Tours and Travel

Design Your Personal Egypt Tour and Receive
a Custom Itinerary and Quote Within 24 Hours...


14 Days: Desert Tour of Egypt
Tranquil and holding such secrets and mysteries, the Desert Tour of Egypt allows you to discover what this natural wonder means to you. Tour Cairo, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga, and experience a Luxor-Aswan Nile Cruise.


10 Days: Egypt Oasis Tour
The 10 Days: Egypt Oasis Tour is a relaxing yet completely surreal adventure for anyone who enjoys culture, nature, and history. Explore Cairo, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga, and Luxor.


All our Egypt tours are private and fully customizable. We can easily add a Western Desert Tour to your Egypt tour itinerary.