The Pyramids of Giza, The Luxor Temple, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings, all of these attractions are at the top of everyone's must see list in Egypt, but very few manage to find the time to hop in a 4X4 jeep and discover the remote destination of The White Desert. For one thing a trip to the center of the country must be far too expensive, time consuming and difficult to plan.
A 3-day trip from the Dahab Hostel in Downtown Cairo can be booked for a bargain price of 450e ($80) per person for 2 nights and 3 days. The trip includes all meals and transfers a visit to the hot springs, a 4X4 ride in the sand dunes that you won't soon forget and an extraordinary night camping Bedouin style in the White Desert.
It is only a 5-hour bus trip from Cairo to Bahariya. You will be met by your organizer who will pick you up letting you relax and ignore the touts that wait at the station. It is not off to the desert yet, time to go back to your hotel where you will eat some lunch before the long journey ahead.
Make sure to fill up on the delicious rice and potato meal with pita followed by delicious sweet desert, it will be a while until you eat again. Don't take to long though, because it is time to be whisked away to explore the incredible scenery of the Black and White Desert.
It may sound a bit touristy, but you will be offered to buy a scarf before you leave. It is highly recommended that you buy one as they make a great souvenir, but because they are also very practical to keep the sand out of your eyes and to keep the heat in your head at night. The temperature drops greatly in the desert.
You are now ready for the excitement to begin. Hop in the back of a jeep and you are in for a bumpy ride. This portion of the desert is amazing, not only will you witness the vast dunes of the Sahara but soon the desert turns black before your eyes. This phenomenon is cause by tiny particles blowing in from the mountain and forming a film atop the sand. Amazing.
Making sure to keep with the feeling that you are truly traveling off of the beaten path, you will pass through a couple of security check points with armed guards and road blocks. The thrill is worth it because the instant you are allowed through check point number two, the terrain instantly turns to a white landscape that looked as if a blanket of snow has just fallen on the ground.
Words can not do justice to the giant white formations that stand magestically in the middle of this barren land. You will be camping right in the middle of pure chalky white sand structures shaped as mushrooms, birds, and camels. It feels as if you are standing on another planet. Formed by mother nature through erosion, these chalk rocks are solid enough to walk upon.
As you explore the land, true Bedouins set up your camp. It feels as if you have stepped back in time as they set up colorful thick blankets to be used as walls. The front of the camp is left open to the fire and the three walls remain roofless leaving you a view of the clear desert sky.
Day two starts with a hearty breakfast and then it is back to Bahariya for an unforgettable 4X4 adventure through steep dunes. The ride is long and full of excitement as people are tossed about hitting heads on the roof, but laughing through the entire drive. The hot springs are a welcome change to the high-energy thrill ride. The day ends with a hike up to a high plateau for one final look at the desert landscape and to take in that final view of the mythical Sahara Desert.
Go ahead and see all of the amazing monuments that Egypt has to offer. They are ancient, incredible sights, but make sure to take the time to head out to the white desert to witness one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet.
A 3-day trip from the Dahab Hostel in Downtown Cairo can be booked for a bargain price of 450e ($80) per person for 2 nights and 3 days. The trip includes all meals and transfers a visit to the hot springs, a 4X4 ride in the sand dunes that you won't soon forget and an extraordinary night camping Bedouin style in the White Desert.
It is only a 5-hour bus trip from Cairo to Bahariya. You will be met by your organizer who will pick you up letting you relax and ignore the touts that wait at the station. It is not off to the desert yet, time to go back to your hotel where you will eat some lunch before the long journey ahead.
Make sure to fill up on the delicious rice and potato meal with pita followed by delicious sweet desert, it will be a while until you eat again. Don't take to long though, because it is time to be whisked away to explore the incredible scenery of the Black and White Desert.
It may sound a bit touristy, but you will be offered to buy a scarf before you leave. It is highly recommended that you buy one as they make a great souvenir, but because they are also very practical to keep the sand out of your eyes and to keep the heat in your head at night. The temperature drops greatly in the desert.
You are now ready for the excitement to begin. Hop in the back of a jeep and you are in for a bumpy ride. This portion of the desert is amazing, not only will you witness the vast dunes of the Sahara but soon the desert turns black before your eyes. This phenomenon is cause by tiny particles blowing in from the mountain and forming a film atop the sand. Amazing.
Making sure to keep with the feeling that you are truly traveling off of the beaten path, you will pass through a couple of security check points with armed guards and road blocks. The thrill is worth it because the instant you are allowed through check point number two, the terrain instantly turns to a white landscape that looked as if a blanket of snow has just fallen on the ground.
Words can not do justice to the giant white formations that stand magestically in the middle of this barren land. You will be camping right in the middle of pure chalky white sand structures shaped as mushrooms, birds, and camels. It feels as if you are standing on another planet. Formed by mother nature through erosion, these chalk rocks are solid enough to walk upon.
As you explore the land, true Bedouins set up your camp. It feels as if you have stepped back in time as they set up colorful thick blankets to be used as walls. The front of the camp is left open to the fire and the three walls remain roofless leaving you a view of the clear desert sky.
Day two starts with a hearty breakfast and then it is back to Bahariya for an unforgettable 4X4 adventure through steep dunes. The ride is long and full of excitement as people are tossed about hitting heads on the roof, but laughing through the entire drive. The hot springs are a welcome change to the high-energy thrill ride. The day ends with a hike up to a high plateau for one final look at the desert landscape and to take in that final view of the mythical Sahara Desert.
Go ahead and see all of the amazing monuments that Egypt has to offer. They are ancient, incredible sights, but make sure to take the time to head out to the white desert to witness one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet.
About the Author:
Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbeil are and travel duo from Canada. Together they have explored over 30 countries around the globe. Follow their website theplanetd.com for more tips, advice and recommendations on unique locations. To see their photo gallery visit picturetheplanet.com
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