4-Day Siwa Oasis Trip — Great Sand Sea Safari & Ancient Desert Oasis
Overview
4-Day Siwa Oasis Trip 2026 — Cairo to the Great Sand Sea from $599
Hidden in the Western Desert near the Libyan border, Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt’s most extraordinary and least-visited destinations — a world apart from the Pyramids and Nile, yet equally ancient and equally remarkable. Our 4-day Siwa Oasis trip takes you from Cairo into the heart of the Sahara for three nights of pure desert adventure — eco-lodge accommodation, a full-day 4x4 safari across the Great Sand Sea, starlit dinners in the dunes, and visits to the Oracle Temple where Alexander the Great sought his destiny.
This is 100% private. Your own private round-trip transport from Cairo. Your own English-speaking guide at every historical site. Full board throughout. Accommodation at Siwa’s finest eco-lodges — Ghaliet Ecolodge, Kenoz Shali Lodge, or Albabenshal Lodge — designed to blend into the desert landscape with traditional palm-trunk architecture and panoramic oasis views.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| Tour Type | Private Desert Adventure |
| Departures | Every day of the year |
| Transport | Private vehicle Cairo to Siwa & return (10-hour scenic drive) |
| Accommodation | 3 nights in Siwa eco-lodge — Ghaliet, Kenoz Shali, or Albabenshal |
| Meals | Full board throughout (including special dinner at Taziry Eco-Village) |
| Price from | $599 per person |
What You Will Experience
Day 1 — Journey to Siwa: Depart Cairo at 4:00 AM for the 10-hour drive through Egypt’s Western Desert. Arrive Siwa, check in to your eco-lodge, and begin with the Old Town of Shali — a crumbling 13th-century fortress city built entirely from kershef (salt rock and mud), unlike anything else in Egypt. Swim in the Siwa Salt Lakes as the sun sets over the dunes. Evening at a hot spring campsite. Dinner at Albabenshal Heritage Restaurant.
Day 2 — Siwa Sightseeing: The Mountain of the Dead (Gebel el-Mawta) — 4th Dynasty Siwan tombs cut into a rocky hillside, painted with extraordinary hieroglyphs. The Oracle Temple of Amun — where Alexander the Great came in 332 BC to consult the oracle about his divine parentage. The sacred Cleopatra’s Spring (Ain Cleopatra) — a natural freshwater pool used for millennia. Dinner at Taziry Eco-Village.
Day 3 — Great Sand Sea Safari: A full day in one of the world’s most spectacular desert landscapes. Your private 4x4 Land Cruiser takes you deep into the Great Sand Sea — a sea of golden dunes stretching into Libya — for a private picnic lunch in the dunes, sandboarding opportunities, and a sunset over the Sahara that is impossible to describe in words. Dinner under the desert stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Siwa Oasis from Cairo and how do you get there?
Siwa Oasis is approximately 560km from Cairo — about a 10-hour drive through Egypt’s Western Desert along the Alexandria-Matrouh coastal road. There are no domestic flights to Siwa. Your Egypt For Travel private vehicle departs Cairo at 4:00 AM and arrives in Siwa by early afternoon, allowing a full first afternoon of sightseeing. The road journey itself is a memorable part of the experience — passing through desert landscapes, palm groves, and oasis towns that most visitors to Egypt never see.
What is the best time of year to visit Siwa Oasis?
The best time to visit Siwa Oasis is October to April when daytime temperatures are comfortable for walking, hiking, and desert safari activities (15–28°C). The Great Sand Sea safari is particularly spectacular in the golden afternoon light of autumn and spring. Summer (June–August) can be extremely hot (40°C+) though the salt lakes and springs remain refreshing. Siwa can be visited year-round — our tours depart every day.
| Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights | Type: Private | Run: Everyday |
Included
- Round-trip private transport from your Cairo hotel to Siwa Oasis and back
- 3 nights accommodation in Siwa at Ghaliet Ecolodge, Kenoz Shali Lodge, Albabenshal Lodge, or similar eco-lodge
- Full board meal plan throughout (breakfasts, lunches & dinners)
- Special dinner at Taziry Eco-Village included
- Full-day Great Sand Sea Safari in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with private picnic lunch and desert dinner
- English-speaking tour leader and guide for all historical sites
- All entrance fees: Old Town of Shali · Mountain of the Dead · Oracle Temple of Amun · Cleopatra’s Spring · Great Sand Sea
- All internal transfers, permits, and service charges
- Free bottled water throughout
Excluded
- International flights to/from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa ($25 USD — available on arrival at Cairo Airport)
- Personal expenses such as laundry or extra drinks during meals
- Tips for guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Cairo 4AM — Journey to Siwa Oasis — Shali Old Town · Salt Lakes · Hot Spring
Your Siwa Oasis adventure begins early. Your private driver collects you from your Cairo hotel at 4:00 AM for the scenic 10-hour drive through Egypt’s Western Desert. The journey itself passes through dramatic desert landscapes, coastal dunes, and the ancient oasis towns of Marsa Matrouh — a part of Egypt most visitors never see.
Arrive Siwa in the early afternoon. Check in to your eco-lodge and enjoy breakfast to refresh after the journey. Then explore the captivating Old Town of Shali — a 13th-century fortress city built entirely of kershef (salt rock and mud), slowly dissolving back into the desert. A deeply atmospheric walk through a crumbling ancient city unlike anything else in Egypt.
Late afternoon: float in the Siwa Salt Lakes — mineral-rich waters so buoyant you cannot sink, with a backdrop of golden dunes and date palms. Evening: hot spring campsite visit. Dinner at Albabenshal Heritage Restaurant — a rooftop terrace overlooking the Shali ruins, serving traditional Siwan cuisine.
Overnight Siwa eco-lodge.
Included Activities :
· Siwa Salt Lakes
· Hot Spring
· Albabenshal Heritage Restaurant
Meals Included :
Day 2: iwa Sightseeing — Mountain of the Dead · Oracle Temple of Amun · Cleopatra's Spring · Taziry Eco-Village
Day 3: Great Sand Sea Safari — 4x4 Land Cruiser · Private Dune Picnic · Sandboarding · Dinner Under the Stars
Day 4: Return Journey to Cairo
Prices:
Accommodation
Prices
Notes:
Siwa Oasis Trip 2026 & 2027 — Prices & Booking
All prices are per person in USD. EUR and GBP also accepted. Tours depart every day of the year. Once your booking is confirmed, your rate is guaranteed — we never increase confirmed prices.
Prices may be higher during Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Contact us for seasonal rates.
Children Policy
| Age Group | Rate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–2 years) | Free | Sharing with parents |
| Children (2–6 years) | 25% of adult rate | Sharing parents’ room with extra bed |
| Children (6–12 years) | 50% of adult rate | Sharing parents’ room with extra bed |
| Children (12+ years) | Full adult rate | Considered adult for pricing purposes |
Payment & Deposit
| Period | Deposit Required |
|---|---|
| Standard booking | 25% of total tour price |
| Christmas, New Year & Easter | 50% of total tour price |
Balance due one week before departure or cash on arrival in Egypt. Installment plan available over 6, 9, or 12 months.
Cancellation Policy
| Notice Before Departure | Charge |
|---|---|
| 61+ days | 10% of total price |
| 31–60 days | 20% of total price |
| 15–30 days | 50% of total price |
| 1–14 days | 100% of total price |
Emergency Cancellation
If your government or airline issues a travel advisory due to unexpected circumstances (war, natural disasters, pandemics), we offer a flexible cancellation policy — full refund or credit toward future travel within 12 months. Airline fees and bank charges on deposits may apply.
Departure Tip
Do not book outgoing international flights before 3:00 PM on your return day to Cairo. Our team is happy to arrange additional Cairo hotel nights if needed.
Tipping
Tipping is optional but appreciated: $5–10/day for your guide, $3–5/day for your driver.
Egypt For Travel — Egypt Today Travel — ETA Category A Licence No. 1947 — Cairo, Egypt