The Gielf Kebir Expedition

Twelve Days / Eleven Nights

Private Desert Caravan - Daily departure

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The Gielf Kebir Expedition
Twelve Days / Eleven Nights

There are other visits to the desert, to its surprising green oases, its dramatic landscapes of ocher and brown, and villages where traditional ways hold sway.

But there’s only one Gielf Kebir Expedition. Over twelve days, you’ll live the desert way of life of the desert, explore the wondrous formations of rock and sand, discover secret temples, and fall asleep under a clear night sky of a million stars, listening for the telltale murmurs of secretive animals in the distance. Discover the Western Desert as few outsiders are privileged to do.

Day 1 – Cairo, Wadi Rayan, El Fayoum (LD)
We’ll set out from Cairo after breakfast in an air-conditioned four-by-four Toyota Land Cruiser, the perfect vehicle, combining ruggedness and comfort for our desert excursion. In short order, the throbbing capital gives way to a landscape of sand and rock. We’ll twist and turn up and over escarpments, then proceed over razor-straight asphalt laid through sand dunes. Our route takes us alongside the waters of El Fayoum oasis, and on to the protected area of Wadi El Rayan, a complex of two lakes joined by a waterfall. Reptiles and foxes find shelter among the plants along the shores, and migrating birds stop to feed and rest. We’ll stay the night at the Oberg Hotel.

Day 2 – El Baharya (BLD)
After breakfast, we’ll start our drive to the oasis of Baharya, stopping along the way for a picnic, and a chance to appreciate the surprising array of wildlife that survives in the parched region. Our destination for the day is the Hotel El Bechmou at Baharya, where we’ll bathe in hot sulphureous waters under a nightly performance of shooting stars.

Day 3 – Black Desert, White Desert, Farafra (BLD)
We’ll board our vehicle to ascend through the Black Desert to view an extraordinary vista of subtle landscapes, and cross to Crystal Mountain, named for minerals reflecting in the sun, an unforgettable view, and a challenge to capture by camera. Our motor safari continues across the White Desert, bedecked with limestone columns in the shapes of giant mushrooms and imaginary beasts. By nightfall, we’ll reach the Farafra oasis, where we’ll take dinner and spend the night at the El Badaweya Hotel.

Day 4 - Farafra, Dakla, El Kasr (BLD)
We leave Farafra in the morning and head down into the great depression where lies the Dakhla oasis, once a great lake linked by water with Cairo. We’ll visit the ancient Roman burial ground at El Mozawaka and the desert fortress village of El Kasr, built of mud bricks. We’ll spend the night in the Hotel El Negoum.

Day 5 – Abu Balas, Dakla, El Gilf (BLD)
We drive today to Abu Balas, and onward to the El Gilf Plateau. In the evening, we’ll make camp and cook our meal over coals under the stars.

Day 6 – El Gilf, Aquabbat (BLD)
We continue our explorations of the plateau of El Gilf, and ascend through the Aqqabat pass, then descend and set up our overnight camp.

Day 7 – Wadi Sura (BLD)
Our desert explorations include discoveries of rock art and an airstrip abandoned since World War II. We camp for the night at Wadi Sura.

Day 8 – El Gilf El Kebir Plateau, Kamal El Din (BLD)
Continuing our explorations, we camp for the night at Kamal El Din.

Day 9 – Karkur Talh (BLD)
We make our way toward landmark Jebel Qwenat (Qwenat Mountain) and the valley of Karkur Talh replete with rock paintings and engravings, where we make camp.

Day 10 – Bir Sahara (BLD)
We continue to Bir Sahara, an ancient lake where early pottery has been excavated, and camp for the night at Jebel Kamil.

Day 11 – Sand Planet (BLD)
Our explorations continue, with an overnight encampment at Sand Planet (also known as the Sea of Sand), where cones of rock pop up like tropical islets in the sea.

Day 12 – Bir Tarafawy (BLD)
We camp for the night.

Day 13 - Baris Oasis, El Kharga Oasis (BLD)
As we approach the Nile Valley, signs of ancient civilization appear. We reach Baris Oasis, and visit the Temple of Hibis and El Bagawat. Our last night in the open is spent at El Kharga Oasis.

Day 14 – Luxor, Aswan (B)
After breakfast, we’ll reach the Nile Valley at Luxor, then follow the great river southward to conclude our journey at Aswan.

Price includes:

Land transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser or comparable vehicle
Services of driver and English-speaking guide
Entry fees
All meals
Tea and coffee with meals, and two bottles of mineral water per day
Use of tents, mattresses, and blankets
Available satellite phone
Use of GPS navigation and maps

New unused sleeping bag, at the end of the tour you may keep it or donate to the locals

Passport copies are required at the time you make your booking :
Payment must be received with passport photo and copy of passport.

Exception to our regular Cancellation policy :
Cancellation fee is 25 percent from the moment we recieve your non refundable deposit .

Then 50 % if cancelling 45 days or less prior to arrival

We advise clients to be in very good physical health before taking this expedition and to carry appropriate insurance. Please consult our insurance brochure.

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Rate per person in double in USD $ :

Minimum 4 passengers is required $ 5195 USD per person

Minimum 6 passengers : $ 4395 USD per person

Minimum 8 passengers : $ 3495 USD per person

Minimum 10 passengers : $ 3195 USD per person

Minimum 12 passengers : $ 2595 USD per person

A note about meals
Please note that some meals will be served in local desert style. For your Egyptian breakfast, expect orange juice, tea and coffee, marmalade, a selection of two cheeses, beans, and eggs.
A picnic lunch will typically include either tuna, sausage, sardines or beef with a green salad or a salad of cheese, tomato and fruit.
For dinner, expect a beef or chicken main coarse, with vegetable and rice or pasta.
Please inform your hosts in advance of dietary requests.

Why book with us ?

For travel during Easter, Christmas or New Year's, weeks a 10 percent supplement applies.