Overview
Overview :
- Alexandria
- Siwa Visits:
- Eclipse Sightseeing
- Exploring the Local Market
- Relaxing at the Salt Lakes
- Visiting the Mountain of the Dead
- Exploring the Oracle Temple of Amun
- Swimming at Cleopatra’s Spring
- Sunset at the Great Sand Sea
- Bedouin Dinner Under the Stars
- Relaxation at Fatnas Spring
- Shopping for Local Souvenirs
- Cycling Around the Oasis
- Learning to Make Local Products
- Visiting the Old Shali Fortress
Short itinerary
Quick route overview-
1
Day 1
Jul 29 - Arrival at Alexandria :
- After arrival at Alexandria Airport, we offer the "meet and greet" service. Afterward, our customers will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
-
2
Day 2
July 30 - Full-Day Alexandria Tour :
- Start your over-day excursion to Alexandria by private car & accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist. The first stop will be at the Alexandria National Museum, one of our new master sites nowadays. It is inaugurated by the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, on 31st of December 2003. The national museum located in a restored palace contains about 1,800 artifacts pieces of antiquities that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout the ages, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic eras, and some modern pieces, Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). And some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria are now on the same floor as the Greco roman artifacts.
- Next, we will visit the Catacomb of Alexandria which is really one of the master sites here in Alexandria. Kom el-Shouqafa lies in the district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria the area was called Kom El Shouqafa or a pile of shards, Catacombs in Alexandria are called the catacomb as well because of their design, which was very similar to the Roman Christian Catacombs. Most likely it was a private tomb and later converted into a public cemetery. It consists of 3 levels cut into the rock, a staircase, a rotunda, the triclinium or banquette hall, a vestibule, an antechamber, and the burial chamber with three recesses In, wherein each recess there is a sarcophagus. The Catacomb also contains a large number of Luculi or grooves cut into the rock.
- Proceed to the Roman Amphitheater. It a modest in size and most of the part of the structure is in ruined condition but still, it is an excellent ancient structure of the Roman period of Egypt. The theatre also consists of numerous galleries erected crudely. These galleries contain rooms for more spectators along with the arrangement of 700-800 marble seats around the stage. The Roman Amphitheatre was discovered in the excavations done for the site of Paneion or "Park of Pan" in Kom el-Dikkah also known by the name of Hill of Rubble. In the layers above the roman street, two other archaeological sites were found. These were a Muslim Cemetery and slums.
- Stop for lunch then continue to our last stop at the Alexandria Library. The modern Alexandria Library or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as once called in Ancient Egypt is located on a magnificent site in the Eastern Harbor, facing the sea on the north, and Alexandria University Complex on its southern side. It is very close to the location of the Ancient Library in the Brucheion (the Ancient Royal Quarter), as verified by the 1993 archeological survey. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2003 near the site of the old library. The building consists of 11 levels with a total level area of 85,405 m2. The library's main reading area which can accommodate 2000 users occupies 7 levels with a total area of 13,625 m2. The Library has 2 main museums (the manuscript museum and the Antiquities museum) and a Science center in the shape of a sphere and called the Planetarium.
- Overnight in your Hotel in Alexandria
- Start your over-day excursion to Alexandria by private car & accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist. The first stop will be at the Alexandria National Museum, one of our new master sites nowadays. It is inaugurated by the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, on 31st of December 2003. The national museum located in a restored palace contains about 1,800 artifacts pieces of antiquities that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout the ages, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic eras, and some modern pieces, Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). And some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria are now on the same floor as the Greco roman artifacts.
-
3
Day 3
July 31 - Travel to Siwa :
- Very Early in the Mourning , you will be driven by private Ground Transport to Siwa ( 6 - 7 hour drive )
- After arrival in Siwa, you will check in in your hotel
- at night you will enjoy a traditional local Siwan Dinner
-
4
Day 4
Aug 01 : Discover Siwa's History
- After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Mountain of the Dead (Gebel Al-Mawta), one of Siwa’s most important archaeological sites, known for its ancient rock-cut tombs and fascinating history.
- Continue to the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, where your guide will explain the history of this sacred site and its famous connection with Alexander the Great.
- Visit the Traditional Siwan House to learn more about the customs, lifestyle, architecture, and cultural heritage of the Siwan people.
- Head to Siwa’s famous Salt Lakes and enjoy their striking turquoise waters and unique natural surroundings.
- Enjoy a refreshing swim in the Salt Lakes, followed by fresh water to rinse off after your swimming experience.
- Continue to Cleopatra’s Spring, one of Siwa’s best-known natural springs, where you can relax, swim, and enjoy a refreshing natural juice.
- Visit Dakrur Mountain, where your guide will introduce you to the mountain’s history and its importance to the local Siwan community.
- End the sightseeing with a magical sunset at Fatnas Island, overlooking the palm groves and Siwa Lake. Enjoy a fresh juice while taking in the beautiful views, with the option to enjoy a paddle-boat ride.
- Afterwards, explore Shali Fortress, the historic heart of Siwa and one of the oasis’s most iconic landmarks, built from traditional kershef material.
- Finish the day with an authentic local Siwan dinner.
-
5
Day 5
Aug 02 : Eclipse Viewing + Shali Fortress:
- This day is dedicated to watching the Eclipse : The Total Eclipse will be visible for 5 Minutes and 33 seconds
Phase Local time in Siwa C1 – Partial eclipse begins 11:22:18 AM C2 – Totality begins 12:42:42 PM Maximum eclipse 12:45:28 PM C3 – Totality ends 12:48:15 PM C4 – Partial eclipse ends 2:08:17 PM - After watching the Eclipse.
- Overnight in your Hotel In Siwa and have dinner
-
6
Day 6
Aug 03 - Final Departure from Cairo or El alamein extnetion :
- Either travel to Cairo for Final Departure or go to Al Alamein as an extention
Your Experience Map
No map uploaded.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Meals: None
Hotels
Jul 29 - Arrival at Alexandria :
- After arrival at Alexandria Airport, we offer the "meet and greet" service. Afterward, our customers will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.
Day 2
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
July 30 - Full-Day Alexandria Tour :
- Start your over-day excursion to Alexandria by private car & accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist. The first stop will be at the Alexandria National Museum, one of our new master sites nowadays. It is inaugurated by the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, on 31st of December 2003. The national museum located in a restored palace contains about 1,800 artifacts pieces of antiquities that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout the ages, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic eras, and some modern pieces, Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). And some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria are now on the same floor as the Greco roman artifacts.
- Next, we will visit the Catacomb of Alexandria which is really one of the master sites here in Alexandria. Kom el-Shouqafa lies in the district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria the area was called Kom El Shouqafa or a pile of shards, Catacombs in Alexandria are called the catacomb as well because of their design, which was very similar to the Roman Christian Catacombs. Most likely it was a private tomb and later converted into a public cemetery. It consists of 3 levels cut into the rock, a staircase, a rotunda, the triclinium or banquette hall, a vestibule, an antechamber, and the burial chamber with three recesses In, wherein each recess there is a sarcophagus. The Catacomb also contains a large number of Luculi or grooves cut into the rock.
- Proceed to the Roman Amphitheater. It a modest in size and most of the part of the structure is in ruined condition but still, it is an excellent ancient structure of the Roman period of Egypt. The theatre also consists of numerous galleries erected crudely. These galleries contain rooms for more spectators along with the arrangement of 700-800 marble seats around the stage. The Roman Amphitheatre was discovered in the excavations done for the site of Paneion or "Park of Pan" in Kom el-Dikkah also known by the name of Hill of Rubble. In the layers above the roman street, two other archaeological sites were found. These were a Muslim Cemetery and slums.
- Stop for lunch then continue to our last stop at the Alexandria Library. The modern Alexandria Library or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as once called in Ancient Egypt is located on a magnificent site in the Eastern Harbor, facing the sea on the north, and Alexandria University Complex on its southern side. It is very close to the location of the Ancient Library in the Brucheion (the Ancient Royal Quarter), as verified by the 1993 archeological survey. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2003 near the site of the old library. The building consists of 11 levels with a total level area of 85,405 m2. The library's main reading area which can accommodate 2000 users occupies 7 levels with a total area of 13,625 m2. The Library has 2 main museums (the manuscript museum and the Antiquities museum) and a Science center in the shape of a sphere and called the Planetarium.
- Overnight in your Hotel in Alexandria
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 4
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Aug 01 : Discover Siwa's History
- After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Mountain of the Dead (Gebel Al-Mawta), one of Siwa’s most important archaeological sites, known for its ancient rock-cut tombs and fascinating history.
- Continue to the Temple of the Oracle of Amun, where your guide will explain the history of this sacred site and its famous connection with Alexander the Great.
- Visit the Traditional Siwan House to learn more about the customs, lifestyle, architecture, and cultural heritage of the Siwan people.
- Head to Siwa’s famous Salt Lakes and enjoy their striking turquoise waters and unique natural surroundings.
- Enjoy a refreshing swim in the Salt Lakes, followed by fresh water to rinse off after your swimming experience.
- Continue to Cleopatra’s Spring, one of Siwa’s best-known natural springs, where you can relax, swim, and enjoy a refreshing natural juice.
- Visit Dakrur Mountain, where your guide will introduce you to the mountain’s history and its importance to the local Siwan community.
- End the sightseeing with a magical sunset at Fatnas Island, overlooking the palm groves and Siwa Lake. Enjoy a fresh juice while taking in the beautiful views, with the option to enjoy a paddle-boat ride.
- Afterwards, explore Shali Fortress, the historic heart of Siwa and one of the oasis’s most iconic landmarks, built from traditional kershef material.
- Finish the day with an authentic local Siwan dinner.
Day 5
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Aug 02 : Eclipse Viewing + Shali Fortress:
- This day is dedicated to watching the Eclipse : The Total Eclipse will be visible for 5 Minutes and 33 seconds
| Phase | Local time in Siwa |
|---|---|
| C1 – Partial eclipse begins | 11:22:18 AM |
| C2 – Totality begins | 12:42:42 PM |
| Maximum eclipse | 12:45:28 PM |
| C3 – Totality ends | 12:48:15 PM |
| C4 – Partial eclipse ends | 2:08:17 PM |
- After watching the Eclipse.
- Overnight in your Hotel In Siwa and have dinner
Inclusions
Inclusions :
Luxury Accommodation:
- Jul 29 - 31 :Tolip Alexandria Hotel or simiilar – on bed and breakfast.
- Jul 31 - Aug 03 : Siwa Resort / Hotel or similar - on bed and Breakfast
Transfers:
- Jul 29 : Arrival transfer to your Hotel from Alexandria Airport
- Aug 01 : Transfer from your hotel in Alexandria to Siwa
- Aug 03 : Transfer from your hotel in Siwa to Cairo Airport
- Aug 03 : Transfer to International terminal
Sightseeing:
- July 30 : Full-day Alexandria, including Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2026.
- Aug 01 : Full-day Siwa Sightseeing, including Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, and A/C Bus model 2026.
Not included:
-
Entry visa to Egypt
-
Tipping and personal expenses
-
International and domestic flights
FAQ
Egypt is very safe to visit and the police, tourist police, and army are in prominence wherever you go, giving you a feel of being in secure surroundings. Egypt prides itself on its high safety record for tourists and will do all it can to maintain this.
Egyptian Arabic is the official and most widely spoken language in Egypt. English is taught in schools and is considered a secondary language that is most commonly used for tourism purposes.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and upscale shops. There are also ATMs available at hotels and outside major banks dispensing local currency.
The best time to visit Egypt would be during the winter months, from October to April. The temperatures are mild and pleasant, although evenings can become quite cool. December through January are the peak tourist months so expect large crowds if travelling at this time. The best time to enjoy the beaches, without having to endure the large crowds of summer tourists, would be from March to May. Temperatures at this time are warm and tourist sites are not too crowded.
Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.
For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a local restaurant or market, it's better to be more covered.
For the vast majority of travelers to Egypt, a valid passport and a travel visa is required. A visa can easily be purchased at the airport when you arrive. The cost for a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa is $25 (or equivalent in Euro), must be paid in cash (no credit or debit cards accepted), and your passport must be valid for at least six months. Citizens of all European countries, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and United States can obtain a visa upon arrival. (Egypt does allow visa-free access for certain countries such as Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.) Visas can also be purchased beforehand through Egypt’s Visa e-Portal: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg. Forty-one different nationalities are eligible to purchase the e-visa, however, it’s far easier to simply buy the visa at the airport.
As with most European and North American countries, tipping is graciously accepted in Egypt. A 10% tip at restaurants and to guides and drivers is standard. Unfortunately, at major tourist sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, touts aggressively hustle for tips by allowing you to take photos in areas where it’s clearly posted as prohibited (such as inside the tombs). Please refrain from perpetuating this problem by not paying to take pictures.
Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2-round pin type that are common throughout Europe.
As noted previously, Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol is not readily available outside of tourist areas and western-style hotels/resorts. Beer and wine is available for purchase on all Dragonfly Kite Safaris.