Frank Pimentel
frank@realhawaiitours.com
909-702-4919

Siwa Days, Desert Ways – Every Thursday

Luxury journeys, curated experiences, and smooth travel operations — built for agents & travelers.

Duration

3 nights / person

Start

Siwa

End

Siwa

Group size

None - None persons

Overview

Siwa Highlights

  • Local Market Stroll
  • Salt Lakes Relaxation
  • Mountain of the Dead
  • Temple of Amun
  • Cleopatra’s Spring Swim
  • Desert Jeep Safari
  • Sandboarding Thrills
  • Great Sand Sea Sunset
  • Bedouin Dinner Under Stars
  • Fatnas Spring Escape
  • Local Souvenir Shopping
  • Oasis Cycling
  • Craft Making Experience
  • Old Shali Fortress Visit

Short itinerary

Quick route overview
  • 1
    Day 1
    —

    Thursday | Arrival in Siwa

    • Morning: Welcome with a delightful Siwan breakfast on a serene island, surrounded by tranquil waters.

    • Afternoon: Watch a breathtaking sunset over Lake Taghaghien, sipping traditional Siwan tea.

    • Evening: Explore the Island of Homes and its magical charm.

    • Dinner: Savor an authentic Siwan feast at a traditional restaurant.

    • After Dinner: Relax in the soothing hot springs.

    • Night: Return to the eco-lodge to stargaze and enjoy a peaceful sleep.

  • 2
    Day 2
    —

    Friday | Discover Siwa’s History

    • Morning: Explore the sacred Temple of Amun in historic Shali and learn about Alexander the Great’s visit.

    • Late Morning: Relax at the salt lakes with Siwan tea and snacks.

    • Afternoon: Enjoy a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters, famous for their rejuvenating properties.

    • Sunset: Witness a magical sunset over the lakes.

    • Dinner: Savor a candlelit Siwan dinner at a traditional restaurant.

    • Evening: Experience an authentic Siwan night with local performances and folklore.

  • 3
    Day 3
    —

    Saturday | Desert Adventures

    • Morning: Explore the historic Shali Fortress and Siwa’s traditional houses.

    • Midday: Embark on an exciting 4x4 safari across the Great Sand Sea.

    • Afternoon: Feel the thrill of sandboarding down golden dunes.

    • Sunset: Enjoy Siwan tea and snacks while soaking in the magical desert colors.

    • Dinner: Conclude the day with a special dinner at the camp, surrounded by the serene beauty of the desert.

     

  • 4
    Day 4
    —

    Sunday | Relax & Depart

    • Morning: Unwind at the Salt Lakes or Fatnas Spring, soaking in the tranquil scenery.

    • Midday: Shop for local treasures like dates, olive oil, and handmade crafts.

    • Afternoon: Depart Siwa and continue your journey.

Your Experience Map

Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Meals: Breakfast Hotels

Thursday | Arrival in Siwa

  • Morning: Welcome with a delightful Siwan breakfast on a serene island, surrounded by tranquil waters.

  • Afternoon: Watch a breathtaking sunset over Lake Taghaghien, sipping traditional Siwan tea.

  • Evening: Explore the Island of Homes and its magical charm.

  • Dinner: Savor an authentic Siwan feast at a traditional restaurant.

  • After Dinner: Relax in the soothing hot springs.

  • Night: Return to the eco-lodge to stargaze and enjoy a peaceful sleep.

View Ghaliet Ecolodge & Spa gallery

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Friday | Discover Siwa’s History

  • Morning: Explore the sacred Temple of Amun in historic Shali and learn about Alexander the Great’s visit.

  • Late Morning: Relax at the salt lakes with Siwan tea and snacks.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters, famous for their rejuvenating properties.

  • Sunset: Witness a magical sunset over the lakes.

  • Dinner: Savor a candlelit Siwan dinner at a traditional restaurant.

  • Evening: Experience an authentic Siwan night with local performances and folklore.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Saturday | Desert Adventures

  • Morning: Explore the historic Shali Fortress and Siwa’s traditional houses.

  • Midday: Embark on an exciting 4x4 safari across the Great Sand Sea.

  • Afternoon: Feel the thrill of sandboarding down golden dunes.

  • Sunset: Enjoy Siwan tea and snacks while soaking in the magical desert colors.

  • Dinner: Conclude the day with a special dinner at the camp, surrounded by the serene beauty of the desert.

 

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast

Sunday | Relax & Depart

  • Morning: Unwind at the Salt Lakes or Fatnas Spring, soaking in the tranquil scenery.

  • Midday: Shop for local treasures like dates, olive oil, and handmade crafts.

  • Afternoon: Depart Siwa and continue your journey.

Inclusions

Luxury Accommodation:

  • Thu – Sun | Ghalite Ecolodge & Spa | Bed & Breakfast

Seamless Transfers

  • Thu: Arrival in Cairo → Private transfer to your hotel

  • Thu: Hotel → Almaza Airport → Flight to Siwa

  • Thu: Siwa Airport → Your Hotel

  • Sun: Hotel → Siwa Airport → Flight to Cairo

  • Sun: Almaza Airport → Hotel

  • Sun: Final departure → Hotel → Cairo Airport

Sightseeing:

  • Thu: Local market & Salt Lakes (Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, A/C Bus 2022)
  • Fri: Mountain of the Dead, Temple of Amun & Cleopatra’s Spring (Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, A/C Bus 2022)
  • Sat: Desert Adventures, Sandboarding, Bir Wahed & Sunset at the Great Sand Sea + Bedouin Dinner (Guiding, Lunch, Entrance fees, A/C Bus 2022)
  • Sun: Salt Lakes or Fatnas Spring & Shopping (Guiding, Entrance fees, A/C Bus 2022)

Not included:

  • Visa: $25
  • Tipping
  • International & domestic flights
  • Optional tours

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.