Best of Siwa

On the edge of Egypt in a remote corner of the Western Desert, the Siwa Oasis seems at first glance like a mirage. Amid a parched and barren landscape, you’ll find palm groves, olive trees and fruit orchards, with freshwater springs and streams that attract doves, egrets and other birds. Though it’s a long journey overland to get here (around seven hours from Alexandria), no other oasis in Egypt compares to Siwa, and the small town makes a good base for desert adventures.

During visits to iconic sites in the area, guides will shed light on the long history of this little-known region. At Gebel Al Mawta, which means “Mountain of the Dead,” you can see ancient tombs, some of which boast impressive paintings and colored reliefs. At the Temple of the Oracle, you can hear legends about the power of this place — which drew Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. The desert beyond Siwa is packed with intrigue. You can visit a 13th-century mud-brick fortress, dine in a Bedouin village, and explore petrified forests and sand dunes. After taking in the Great Sand Sea, you can revive in one of Siwa’s many swimming spots, such as Cleopatra’s Spring, with its inviting crystal-clear waters.