3 days tour package to Siwa oasis from Marsa Alam

Pick-up time from your hotel in Marsa Alam in the morning then private transfer to Hurghada Airport to catch your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport meet your tour guide and start your journey to El Alamein (driving distance 259 km – about 3 hours). We recommend requesting a breakfast box from your hotel because of the departure. On the way we will stop for a coffee break. Arrival at El Alamein around 08:30 am.

El Alamein controlled the African coast opening the way to all of Egypt and the trade routes to the Far East via the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. During World War II the Axis powers sought to dominate Egypt to block Britain’s sea routes to its empire. Starting in 1940 with the invasion from Libya, the coastal town of Al Diffa became the scene of intense battles.

The El Alamein Museum, located one mile west of the British memorial is worth visiting for those interested in wartime history. Created in 1965 from battlefield remnants it displays uniforms, weapons, flags, photographs and other memorabilia from both sides of the war.

The El Alamein War Cemetery, designed by Sir Herbert Worthington and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Cairo honors 7,367 soldiers from Britain, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Greece, France, India and Malaysia. An additional 11,945 names of soldiers whose bodies were never found are engraved on the cloister preceding the graveyard. 815 Soldiers were identified their names inscribed on individual white markers.

Three kilometers west of the marker lies the German War Memorial, an impressive octagonal structure built in 1959 overlooking the sea. The memorial contains the remains of 4,280 soldiers. Inside there is a mosaic at the entrance and a small chapel where families pay their respects with wreaths, photos and ribbons.

Five kilometers further stands the Italian War Memorial, the largest structure in El Alamein, designed by Paolo Caccia Dominioni, himself a veteran of the battle. Inside the chapel is inscribed: "To 4,800 soldiers, sailors and airmen. The desert and the sea did not give back 38,000 who are missing." A small museum at the entrance displays artifacts. The memorial overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

After the visit enjoy a lunch on the way.

Continue driving to Siwa Oasis and upon arrival experience the sunset at Fatnas Lake. Fatnas is an island in Birket Siwa accessible on foot or by bike. It’s the spot to relax and enjoy a spectacular view of the lake framed by Gebel Bayda and Gebel Hamra in the distance. A stroll through the gardens reveals banana, date and olive trees.

Dinner will be served in a restaurant in Siwa.

Overnight, in Siwa

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Pick‑up time will be at 07:00 a.m. From the hotel.

Today you will visit the attractions of Siwa Oasis. The first stop will be the Temple of Alexander the Great, which is also called the Temple of the Oracle. Many people believe that Alexander the Great went to this oracle after his journey through the desert to confirm that he was the son of Zeus the Greek god of gods.

After visiting the Temple of Alexander the Great you will drive to the salt lakes. The salt lakes have high salt content so you can float on the water without needing to be a good swimmer. Be careful not to get the water in your eyes because it can hurt. To choose the lake look at the bottom. Bring a bottle of mineral water so you can rinse off after swimming. The salt lakes have properties to the Dead Sea in Jordan and many people believe they have strong healing benefits. This will be a swimming experience.

At 11:00 a.m. you will go to Cleopatras Bath, which is also called the Spring of the Sun. Legends say that Cleopatra herself swam in this place.

Next you will visit the Temple of Umm Ubaydah called the Amun Temple. It is about 200 meters from the Temple of the Oracle. This temple was built by Pharaoh Nectanebo of the Dynasty. In 1896 an Ottoman governor used the building materials for projects and most of the temple was destroyed. Only an inscribed wall remains. Scholars have used drawings to reconstruct the original significance of the Temple of Umm Ubaydah.

At 12:00 p.m. you will have a Siwan lunch at Abdo Restaurant. This is a dining spot in Siwa Oasis.

After lunch you will go on an adventure in the desert. You will discover the Great Sand Sea in a 4x4 Jeep. You will also enjoy sandboarding on the best dunes, near Siwa Oasis. Later you will visit the hot and cold spring Bir Waheed. At Bir Waheed you will experience traditional Bedouin tea while watching the sunset. That night you will stay in a desert camp where a BBQ dinner will be served.

If you prefer to sleep in a hotel of the desert camp that option is also available. Siwa has comfortable ecolodges for your stay.

Breakfast at the camp at 07:00 am. Then drive to Siwa Oasis to visit Shali Fortress. The Shali Fortress was built on a hill inside a wall. It was originally accessed through a gate. The maze of mud-brick buildings that make up the fortress served the people of the oasis for eight centuries. The inhabitants lived in quarters. They shared space with their animals. Each evening the animals were herded into the fortress. Large chunks of salt which are abundant in Siwa were used in construction. This helped strengthen the walls. Rain has caused damage to the fortress than any human invader ever did. Built in the century the fortress was the center of Siwan life for over 800 years. The mosque of the fortress is still in use today. Many homes have been restored. Some have been converted into guesthouses.

Next visit the Mountain of the Dead. This is a mountain just over a kilometer north of Shali. Tombs from the Dynasty, Ptolemaic and Roman periods are cut into the mountain. There are four tombs worth seeing at Gebel Al-Mawta. The Si Amun Tomb is the beautiful in Siwa. Si Amun appears to have been an Egyptian. He may have been of origin but followed ancient Egyptian beliefs. The tomb contains images from the pantheon. It also has a painting of the goddess Nut standing beside a sycamore tree.

Afterward drive to Marsa Matrouh for lunch and a short stop. Discover Marsa Matrouh, Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. It is known for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Legend says Cleopatra herself bathed in these tranquil waters. Lunch will be served at Magdy Restaurant, a seafood restaurant.

Continue the drive back to Cairo. You will arrive around 20:00. From Cairo take a flight to Hurghada Airport. Then enjoy an air-conditioned transfer back to your hotel, in Marsa Alam.