The pandemic has left each and every one of us adventure-less, but that doesn’t mean we cannot explore, discover and learn more about the beauties this world has to offer. After all this is over, all you need to do is plan your next trip to make the dream of adventure a reality.
Egypt has a lot of the hidden treasures that only few people know about. Our target is to reveal them because they are worthy of being seen at least once in a lifetime. One of these treasures is the White Desert, known for its cream color, holding massive chalk rock formations created as a result of sandstorms taking place in the area.
This geographic attraction is located north of the town of Farafra, and also around 500 kilometers away from Cairo. The White Desert is a protected national park stretching out for 300 square kilometers. The sand in the White Desert is filled with a variety of deep-black iron pyrites and other fossils. Discover the inselbergs, which are chalk towers emerging from the desert floor into a beautiful white canyon. Grand boulevards of sand run through those canyons and all of this is located on the west side of Farafra. One of the main attractions in the White Desert is the Twin Peaks which are two flat mountains with a magnificent view from the top. They are one of the most photographed sights in the desert and a popular destination.
At the very end of the White Desert, counting as the main passage into and out of Farafra depression is the Naqb As Sillim. Another few kilometers away, you can see the desert floor changing in color due to being littered with quartz crystals. Many of the rock formations are made of crystal. One of the most famous formations there is the Crystal Mountain, made entirely of quartz crystals.
Beauty found in Farafra
The White Desert is a desolate lunar landscape mesmerizing in every way. The White Desert is a result of microscopic sea creatures living there around 80 million years ago. What you can see now after the disappearance of the sea is a flat valley, interrupted by isolated conical hills due to wind erosions. You might also find fossils, including clams and sea urchins, which is an indication of the habitat it once was.
You can witness different shades and hues depending on the time of your visit. It is recommended you spend either sunset or sunrise to witness a noticeable change in color which is a magnificent sight to see. Check out the arctic appearance under a full moon as well as beauty in a star-lit night sky.
White Desert safari and camping
The White Desert is a spacious area covered in totally white soft sand, and that’s precisely why you can go on plenty of activities, including sand boarding, biking and safaris. Rovers go up and down at great speed on high dunes where the cars are going down a slope of almost 90 degrees. You can also ride your mountain bike up and down the soft dunes, but be careful with the speed.
You can also plan a camping trip to the desert, which can easily be incorporated in your tour. Spend the night in your sleeping bag on the soft sand, drink Bedouin tea with the locals and gaze at an unforgettable view of the stars, with a sure chance of seeing shooting stars all through the night. In addition to that, the silence at dusk will make all your worries and stress of day fade away.
Bahariya Oasis hot springs
At the end of your trip, don’t forget to visit some of the dozens of hot springs found in Bahariya Oasis, including the famous Valley of El Haize hot spring. The oasis is surrounded by palm trees which you can pick delicious dates from. You can take a swim in the natural springs, but be careful as there is some sedimentation on the floors that may stain your clothes, hands, and feet. It’s advised to bring some extra clothes with you when you’re there.
If you choose to visit Valley of the Haize, make sure to pay a visit to El Heiz Water Education Center. This small agricultural village is a space designed to educate engineers, farmers, youth and teachers about reducing water consumption and how to reuse it to produce food. There are many workshops and classes are held free of cost. You will surely leave having learned something new and valuable.
This trip of unforgettable sights and landscapes is waiting for you to discover it. Plan your trip to Egypt and find the beauty which lies in its wide deserts.
Sherif Khalil is Owner of Dunes & Beyond. Dunes & Beyond offers luxury tours, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Sherif Khalil is the Chairman and Founder of Dunes & Beyond, a company he established after spending 11 years in the field of luxury tourism. Dunes & Beyond is a travel company that provides luxury tours, where tourists are sure to experience excitement and thrills, but with a 'five star' attitude. Egypt is one of the main destinations alongside Jordan, Sudan and Morocco. When tourists book with Dunes & Beyond, they gain access to private guided tours, the best Egyptologists, luxury accomodations and more. Dunes & Beyond is the first travel company in Egypt to offer glamping; having the fun of camping in the deserts, but in a more luxurious form. Having spent a lot of time with international VIPs, organizing and arranging high-end journeys, Sherif Khalil is set on a vision to fill the gaps left by other travel companies and is determined to provide the highest quality services to all travelers and tourists.
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10 Comments
Amazing images and very unexpected for me. Whenever I hear Egypt, I can only imagine about pyramids and mummies. I would never have thought of any other place to visit in Egypt aside from the souqs. So when I read that the White Desert resurfaced after the disappearance of the sea, it made me really curious to know more about this place and how the amazing formations were a result of sandstorms. I can now attest that wonders can be found from just about anywhere in the world even in places you’ve always known as a destination. A dip in the Bahariya Oasis hot springs to cap off the trip sounds rewarding.
Egypt has much more than Pyramids. There are lots of hidden treasures
Yeah, I was thinking that too. Actually while I was reading this post I didn’t even think it was in Egypt. The pictures were totally mesmerizing! Looks well worth the visit.
Hi Jason,
Looking forward to accommodating your good self in Egypt soon.
Best,
Sherif
My cousin went to Egypt a couple of years ago and although he didn’t get to spend as long as he would have liked checking out the White Desert he was very in awe of it. Can you hire a bike to ride the dunes there then? That would be pretty cool, it gives you the chance to do things your own way too if you don’t want to be tied to a tour or just walk for the duration. Swimming in the springs would be lovely too, good tip on the extra clothes and some way to clean yourself off afterwards.
Egypt has never been one I’ve been able to tick off on my own travel list but maybe one day. I always get the feeling it’s one of those quite mysterious and enigmatic places that you have to see for yourself to really appreciate.
Egypt is such a wondrous place for a traveler. I get jealous sometimes when I see that somebody has been there. I think I’m a decent traveler, but when I find out somebody has been to Egypt I admire them for their courage to go there.
Egypt has much more than the Pyramids, end even the pyramids, there are so many other pyramids other than Giza ones, our next article will talk abut the other pyramids in Egypt.
Looking forward to accommodation you soon in Egypt.
Best,
Sherif
I was originally booked to travel to Egypt and the Black & White Desert, too, in April of 2020. But because of the pandemic, it has been canceled, rescheduled for this Oct 2021. I can’t wait to see this amazing place. I am a solo traveler, senior citizen and am camping out for 1 night at the White desert with a local tour guide.
WE used to have a luxury camp there and it is amazing.
My advice to you is that you have to see the security permission as this area is banned now for tourists and most of the companies do it illegally or on the guest responsibility.
At the very end of the White Desert, counting as the main passage into and out of Farafra depression is the Naqb As Sillim. Another few kilometers away, you can see the desert floor changing in color due to being littered with quartz crystals. Many of the rock formations are made of crystal. One of the most famous formations there is the Crystal Mountain, made entirely of quartz crystals.
Beauty found in Farafra
The White Desert is a desolate lunar landscape mesmerizing in every way. The White Desert is a result of microscopic sea creatures living there around 80 million years ago. What you can see now after the disappearance of the sea is a flat valley, interrupted by isolated conical hills due to wind erosions. You might also find fossils, including clams and sea urchins, which is an indication of the habitat it once was.
At the very end of the White Desert, counting as the main passage into and out of Farafra depression is the Naqb As Sillim. Another few kilometers away, you can see the desert floor changing in color due to being littered with quartz crystals. Many of the rock formations are made of crystal. One of the most famous formations there is the Crystal Mountain, made entirely of quartz crystals.
Beauty found in Farafra
The White Desert is a desolate lunar landscape mesmerizing in every way. The White Desert is a result of microscopic sea creatures living there around 80 million years ago. What you can see now after the disappearance of the sea is a flat valley, interrupted by isolated conical hills due to wind erosions. You might also find fossils, including clams and sea urchins, which is an indication of the habitat it once was.
You can witness different shades and hues depending on the time of your visit. It is recommended you spend either sunset or sunrise to witness a noticeable change in color which is a magnificent sight to see. Check out the arctic appearance under a full moon as well as beauty in a star-lit night sky.
White Desert safari and camping
The White Desert is a spacious area covered in totally white soft sand, and that’s precisely why you can go on plenty of activities, including sand boarding, biking and safaris. Rovers go up and down at great speed on high dunes where the cars are going down a slope of almost 90 degrees. You can also ride your mountain bike up and down the soft dunes, but be careful with the speed.
You can also plan a camping trip to the desert, which can easily be incorporated in your tour. Spend the night in your sleeping bag on the soft sand, drink Bedouin tea with the locals and gaze at an unforgettable view of the stars, with a sure chance of seeing shooting stars all through the night. In addition to that, the silence at dusk will make all your worries and stress of day fade away.
Bahariya Oasis hot springs
At the end of your trip, don’t forget to visit some of the dozens of hot springs found in Bahariya Oasis, including the famous Valley of El Haize hot spring. The oasis is surrounded by palm trees which you can pick delicious dates from. You can take a swim in the natural springs, but be careful as there is some sedimentation on the floors that may stain your clothes, hands, and feet. It’s advised to bring some extra clothes with you when you’re there.
If you choose to visit Valley of the Haize, make sure to pay a visit to El Heiz Water Education Center. This small agricultural village is a space designed to educate engineers, farmers, youth and teachers about reducing water consumption and how to reuse it to produce food. There are many workshops and classes are held free of cost. You will surely leave having learned something new and valuable.
This trip of unforgettable sights and landscapes is waiting for you to discover it. Plan your trip to Egypt and find the beauty which lies in its wide deserts.
Sherif Khalil is Owner of Dunes & Beyond. Dunes & Beyond offers luxury tours, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Amazing images and very unexpected for me. Whenever I hear Egypt, I can only imagine about pyramids and mummies. I would never have thought of any other place to visit in Egypt aside from the souqs. So when I read that the White Desert resurfaced after the disappearance of the sea, it made me really curious to know more about this place and how the amazing formations were a result of sandstorms. I can now attest that wonders can be found from just about anywhere in the world even in places you’ve always known as a destination. A dip in the Bahariya Oasis hot springs to cap off the trip sounds rewarding.
Egypt has much more than Pyramids. There are lots of hidden treasures
Yeah, I was thinking that too. Actually while I was reading this post I didn’t even think it was in Egypt. The pictures were totally mesmerizing! Looks well worth the visit.
Hi Jason,
Looking forward to accommodating your good self in Egypt soon.
Best,
Sherif
My cousin went to Egypt a couple of years ago and although he didn’t get to spend as long as he would have liked checking out the White Desert he was very in awe of it. Can you hire a bike to ride the dunes there then? That would be pretty cool, it gives you the chance to do things your own way too if you don’t want to be tied to a tour or just walk for the duration. Swimming in the springs would be lovely too, good tip on the extra clothes and some way to clean yourself off afterwards.
Egypt has never been one I’ve been able to tick off on my own travel list but maybe one day. I always get the feeling it’s one of those quite mysterious and enigmatic places that you have to see for yourself to really appreciate.
You are welcome anytime.
Sherif Khalil
Egypt is such a wondrous place for a traveler. I get jealous sometimes when I see that somebody has been there. I think I’m a decent traveler, but when I find out somebody has been to Egypt I admire them for their courage to go there.
Hi Melissa,
Egypt has much more than the Pyramids, end even the pyramids, there are so many other pyramids other than Giza ones, our next article will talk abut the other pyramids in Egypt.
Looking forward to accommodation you soon in Egypt.
Best,
Sherif
I was originally booked to travel to Egypt and the Black & White Desert, too, in April of 2020. But because of the pandemic, it has been canceled, rescheduled for this Oct 2021. I can’t wait to see this amazing place. I am a solo traveler, senior citizen and am camping out for 1 night at the White desert with a local tour guide.
Hi Ana,
WE used to have a luxury camp there and it is amazing.
My advice to you is that you have to see the security permission as this area is banned now for tourists and most of the companies do it illegally or on the guest responsibility.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
Managing Partner
Dunes & Beyond Travel