3 days tour package to Siwa oasis from Marsa Alam

Day 1 – Marsa Alam – Hurghada – Cairo – El Alamein – Siwa Oasis

Pick-up time from your hotel in Marsa Alam early in the morning, then private transfer to Hurghada Airport to catch your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, meet your professional 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 early departure. On the way, we will stop for a coffee break. Arrival at El Alamein around 08:30 am.

El Alamein controlled the North 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 colonial empire. Starting in 1940 with the Italian invasion from Libya, the coastal town of Al Diffa became the scene of intense battles.

The El Alamein Museum, located about 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. Approximately 815 soldiers were identified, their names inscribed on individual white markers.

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

About 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 Italian 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 wartime artifacts. The memorial overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

After the visit, enjoy a light lunch on the way.

Continue driving to Siwa Oasis, and upon arrival, experience the breathtaking sunset at Fatnas Lake. Fatnas is a small island in Birket Siwa, accessible on foot or by bike. It’s the perfect 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 local restaurant in Siwa. 

Overnight in Siwa 

Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 07:00 am from the hotel. Today you will visit the main attractions of Siwa Oasis starting with the Temple of Alexander the Great, also known as the Temple of the Oracle. It is believed that Alexander the Great consulted the Siwan oracle here to confirm that he was the son of Zeus the Greek god of gods after his long journey through the desert.

After visiting the temple, drive to the salt lakes. The high salinity allows you to float effortlessly on the water, and you do not need to be a good swimmer. Take care not to get the water in your eyes as it is painful. Choose the clearest lake by checking the bottom. Bring a bottle of mineral water to rinse off after swimming. The salt lakes have similar hyper-salinity properties to the Dead Sea in Jordan and are believed to have strong healing benefits. This is an unforgettable swimming experience.

At 11:00 am, proceed to Cleopatra's Bath, also known as the Spring of the Sun. According to legend, Cleopatra herself swam here.

Next, visit the Temple of Umm Ubaydah or Amun Temple, located just 200 meters from the Temple of the Oracle. The temple was erected by Pharaoh Nectanebo of the 30th Dynasty. Most of the structure was destroyed in 1896 when an Ottoman governor used the building materials for other purposes. Only an inscribed wall remains, but based on early drawings, scholars have reconstructed its original significance.

At 12:00 pm, enjoy a traditional Siwan lunch at Abdo Restaurant, a local Siwan dining spot.

After lunch, embark on an adventure in the desert discovering the Great Sand Sea by 4x4 Jeep. Enjoy sandboarding on the tallest and best sand dunes near Siwa Oasis. Later, visit the hot and cold spring Bir Waheed and experience traditional Bedouin tea while watching the sunset. Overnight in a desert camp with a BBQ dinner.

If you prefer to sleep in a hotel instead of the camp, this option is also available. Siwa has several 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 protective wall originally accessed through a single gate. The maze of mud-brick buildings that comprise the fortress served the people of the oasis for nearly eight centuries. The inhabitants lived in narrow quarters, sharing space with their animals, which were herded into the fortress each evening. Large chunks of salt, abundant in Siwa, were used in construction to strengthen the walls. Rain has caused more damage to the fortress than any human invader. Built in the 13th 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, and some converted into local guesthouses.

Next, visit the Mountain of the Dead, a conical mountain just over a kilometer north of Shali. Tombs from the 26th 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 most beautiful in Siwa. Si Amun appears to have been a wealthy Egyptian, possibly of Greek origin but following ancient Egyptian beliefs. The tomb contains images from the Egyptian pantheon, including an exquisite 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 shore, known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Legend says Cleopatra herself bathed in these tranquil waters. Lunch will be served at Magdy Restaurant, a local seafood restaurant.

Continue the drive back to Cairo with arrival around 20:00. From Cairo, take a domestic flight to Hurghada Airport and then enjoy a private air-conditioned transfer back to your hotel in Marsa Alam .