Welcome to ‘Desert Jewels Discovery: Egypt 12-day Cairo, Alexandria, Alamein and Siwa Oasis tour. An extraordinary expedition that unveils the treasures of these ancient wonders. Join us on a captivating journey through history, culture, and natural beauty, as we explore the vibrant tapestry of Egypt’s most iconic destinations.
Explore the wonders and adventures of Egypt with our exclusive 12 day Egypt itineraries. Begin your Egypt 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour in the bustling metropolis of Cairo. Explore the iconic Pyramids of Giza which stand as timeless witnesses to Egypt’s enduring legacy. Traverse the narrow alleys of Khan El Khalili bazaar, immersing yourself in the lively marketplace atmosphere. As you journey north to Alexandria, the Mediterranean breeze whispers tales of a bygone era. Visit the Library of Alexandria and the Citadel of Qaitbay that stand as testaments to the city’s illustrious past.
Venture from Alexandria to El-Alamein to visit the World War II Museum, World War II Cemetery, and the German tombs. Then, 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour takes a turn towards tranquility as you head to the Siwa Oasis. The Oasis of Siwa is a haven of serenity amidst the desert dunes. Relax in the therapeutic waters of Cleopatra’s Bath and witness the surreal beauty of the Great Sand Sea.
This Egypt 12-day tour to Cairo and Siwa Oasis adventure unveils the wonders of Egypt. Book Now!
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will meet and assist by our representative of “Egypt Best Vacations” who will help you through the arrival and visa regulations. Transfer to your hotel and the beginning of your 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour package.
Meals Plan: No Meals Included
Your actual 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour begins when our professional tour guide picks you up from your hotel to commence your tour to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and Saqqara.
Today, you will visit the Giza Plateau. Today’s tour includes the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure with the great Sphinx. The only ancient wonder which still remains (Khufu’s pyramid) awaits you. Are you ready to discover it from the inside? (Optional). Today you will learn about the history of the pyramids, how they were constructed, and why they were constructed.
Then on to the first pyramid in history, the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara. Saqqara is one of the most important and richest necropolises in Egypt. It was the cemetery of Memphis, the 1st capital city of United Egypt in 3200 BCE. Then, transfer back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Explore the fantastic contents of the historical Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square in Cairo. Hundreds of objects from all periods of Egypt’s past are displayed on the two floors of the museum.
From the museum to the Citadel of the Sunni Muslim leader Saladin, which was built in 1172 to defend Cairo against the Crusaders. The White Mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha is a prominent feature of the Citadel. You will finish your tour at the historical bazaar of Khan El-Khalili, the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Then, transfer back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Today, your Egypt 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour takes you to the beautiful City of Alexandria, the capital city of Egypt during the Greco-Roman era. Your tour includes the famous Roman Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. The catacombs are huge Egyptian tombs and royal cemeteries with Ptolemaic and Roman influences. The catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa are one the largest Roman burial sites not just in Alexandria but in Egypt. These catacombs started as a private tomb for a wealthy family, then became a public cemetery. The catacombs house more than 300 tombs.
From the catacombs to the Pompey’s Pillar. Many of the ancient historians did not tell us more details about the “Pompey’s Pillar” but about the buildings that stood nearby and have disappeared now. The hill on which the pillar is erected was covered with temples and houses a long time before the Roman era. It was the place of the Citadel of Rhakotis. A temple was dedicated to Osiris-Serapis was built on the mountain.
Then proceed to the Citadel of Qaitbay. The Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria is one of the most important fortifications in Egypt. It was constructed by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay to defend Egypt against the Ottomans/Turks.
End your tour to Alexandria highlights with visiting the Library of Alexandria. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel for a free evening in Alexandria.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel from Alexandria to El-Alamein to visit the World War II Museum. El-Alamein Military Museum was founded on the 16th of December, 1956, when the late president Gamal Abd Elnasser ordered its establishment to commemorate Egypt’s fundamental role in one of the most important battles of World War II, Al-Alamein battle, which broke out between the allies and the Axis Powers in October 1942.
Proceed to World War II Cemetery of the Commonwealth. The campaign in the Western Desert was fought between the Commonwealth forces (with, later, the addition of two brigades of Free French and one each of Polish and Greek troops) all based in Egypt, and the Axis forces (German and Italian) based in Libya. The battlefield, across which the fighting surged back and forth between 1940 and 1942, was the 1,000 kilometres of desert between Alexandria in Egypt and Benghazi in Libya.
Continue to the Italian Cemetery, the World War II memorial. The Italian El-Alamein Memorial or ‘Sacrario italiano a El-Alamein’ is a white octagonal monument to the 4,800 Italian soldiers who died in the 1942 Battle of El Alamein and the approximately 38,000 missing.
End your tour at the German Tombs. About 7km west of El-Alamein, what looks like a hermetically sealed sandstone fortress overlooking the sea is actually the German War Memorial. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant, then your 12 day Cairo & Siwa tour takes you to Siwa Oasis. Head to the desert for overnight camping.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy the natural hot springs, called the Cleopatra baths. Variously known as “Cleopatra Spring,” “Ain Juba” or “Ain al Hammam,” in ancient times it was known as “The Spring of the Sun.” Herodotus described its bubbling waters in his Histories as boiling hot in the chilly evenings and cool during the heat of the day, and it was considered a wonder by ancients visiting Ammon. In reality, the spring’s waters are a constant 29 C; it’s the changing air temperature and bubbling water that give the impression of boiling water.
Proceed to Gabal El-Mawta or Mountain of the Dead. This small hill, at the northern end of Siwa Town, is honeycombed with rock tombs peppered with wall paintings. Its name, Gebel El-Mawta, means ‘Mountain of the Dead’ and most of the tombs here date back to the 26th dynasty, Ptolemaic and Roman times.
End your tour at the Temple of Amun, which was built by Alexander the Great. The 26th-dynasty Temple of the Oracle sits in the northwest corner of the ruins of Aghurmi village. Built in the 6th century BC, probably on top of an earlier temple, it was dedicated to Amun (occasionally referred to as Zeus or Jupiter Ammon) and was a powerful symbol of the town’s wealth. It is believed Alexander the Great was declared son of Amun in this temple.
Enjoy a tour at the local market and try a traditional lunch if you like.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Explore the 13-century ruins of Shali Fortress. Central Siwa is dominated by the spectacular organic shapes of the remains of this 13th-century mud-brick fortress. Built from kershef (chunks of salt from the lake just outside town, mixed with rock and plastered in local clay), the labyrinth of huddled buildings was originally four or five storeys high and housed hundreds of people.
Enjoy the freshwater lake of Bir Wahid on the edge of the Great Sand Sea. Once over the top of a dune, you come to a hot spring, the size of a large jacuzzi, where sulphurous water bubbles in a pool and runs off to irrigate a garden.
Followed by lovely camping at the Great Sand Sea. With an area of approximately 72,000 square metres stretching across western Egypt and eastern Libya, the sand dunes of the Great Sand Sea offer visitors an opportunity to experience a sandy Sahara. Sand seas only cover a minor part of the world’s largest hot desert. The majority of the Sahara is in fact rocky and barren.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Relax by the Salt Lakes of Siwa Oasis. The Siwa Salt Lakes are one of Egypt’s hidden treasures, offering a surreal and tranquil experience. Located in the heart of the Siwa Oasis, these crystal-clear, turquoise lakes are framed by white salt deposits that create an otherworldly landscape. High salt concentration makes floating effortless, similar to the Dead Sea. The waters are believed to have therapeutic properties. Visiting the Siwa Salt Lakes is not just about relaxation. It’s about connecting with nature in a setting that feels almost magical, surrounded by the vast, serene desert.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Enjoy your free time at the hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Enjoy your free time at the hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel by road back to Cairo with lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy the final night of your Egypt 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Wrap up your 12-day Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour with a transfer to Cairo Airport for final departure. It is really sad to leave, but feel free to contact us about your next adventure in Egypt.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
