To view images fullscreen please turn device
Egypt: Eclipse at Siwa Oasis
Group Tour
Overview
Embark on our newest eclipse adventure to Siwa - a remote oasis hidden deep in the Sahara. It is here that we will watch the total solar eclipse, surrounded by desert dunes and rocky outcrops amidst the lush palm oasis.
Connecting us with the legacy of ancient civilisations while showcasing the country's diverse landscapes; our journey balances UNESCO World Heritage sites with modern history offering a comprehensive understanding of Egypt's 7,000-year history.
The itinerary begins ...
Embark on our newest eclipse adventure to Siwa - a remote oasis hidden deep in the Sahara. It is here that we will watch the total solar eclipse, surrounded by desert dunes and rocky outcrops amidst the lush palm oasis.
Connecting us with the legacy of ancient civilisations while showcasing the country's diverse landscapes; our journey balances UNESCO World Heritage sites with modern history offering a comprehensive understanding of Egypt's 7,000-year history.
The itinerary begins in Cairo with visits to the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and historical districts including Islamic Cairo's Citadel and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. We then journey to Wadi Natrun's ancient monasteries before reaching the Mediterranean coast at Marsa Matruh. The highlight is a three-day exploration of Siwa Oasis, including visits to ancient tombs, the Temple of the Oracle, Cleopatra's Spring and the remarkable salt lakes. The tour concludes in Alexandria with Roman ruins, Catacombs and the Royal Jewellery Museum.
The unique experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse in Siwa's dramatic desert landscape provides an unforgettable natural phenomenon to complement the historical journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
7 nights x Standard
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in hotels, eco-lodges & resorts. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour Starts in Cairo
Day 1 Tour Starts in Cairo
The tour starts this evening in Cairo. Those on the suggested group flights will arrive in Cairo in the late evening and transfer to our hotel for the rest of the night.
Day 2 Cairo: Pyramids of Giza & Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 2 Cairo: Pyramids of Giza & Grand Egyptian Museum
On our first day we will begin our exploration of ancient Egypt with a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza. Here we will experience the combination of ancient engineering and history as we take in the Great Pyramid of Khufu, standing 137m tall and built from huge limestone blocks. We’ll move on to the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure before arriving at the Sphinx, guardian of the plateau. This afternoon we will take in the Grand Egyptian Museum, an unbelievable collection of ancient artefacts from the area.
Day 3 Cairo: Downtown Cairo
Day 3 Cairo: Downtown Cairo
Downtown Cairo is the beating heart of this millennia old city. We will explore Coptic Cairo bound within the walls of an ancient fortress and home to a maze of churches. Here we’ll find the Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, another fascinating walk through of Egyptian history. As the day draws on we will head into Islamic Cairo visiting the Citadel, begun by Saladin in the 12th century and occupied for 700 years by the ruling dynasties. We will finish the day in the medieval labyrinth of the Khan el Khalili bazaar where the alleyways are lined with colourful shops from which merchants have been trading for centuries.
Day 4 Cairo – Wadi El Natrun – Marsa Matrouh: Coptic Monasteries
Day 4 Cairo – Wadi El Natrun – Marsa Matrouh: Coptic Monasteries
On our way to Marsa Matrouh today (a drive of 5-6 hours) we will stop off at Wadi El Natrun, a valley which was once home to 60 Coptic Orthodox monasteries dating from the 4th century. Here early Christian monks and hermits sought spiritual solitude, now just four monasteries remain. We will take in the ancient monasteries seeing the beautiful Coptic art and literature on display. Our journey continues through the desert to the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean, arriving in Marsa Matrouh where you might like to take a stroll along the beach.
Day 5 Marsa Matrouh – Siwa: Desert Drive
Day 5 Marsa Matrouh – Siwa: Desert Drive
Our desert adventure begins in earnest today with the coastal views giving way to rolling desert landscapes and rocky outcrops as we turn inland. Following the asphalt road south we will soon enter the great sand sea and may well see Bedouin camel herders with their animals. Arriving in Siwa this afternoon we will check in to our hotel after the 4 hour drive. This captivating, isolated oasis is home to lush palm groves, freshwater springs, ancient settlements and the unique Berber culture with its traditional architecture and local crafts.
Day 6 Siwa: Ancient History
Day 6 Siwa: Ancient History
Transferring into 4WDs today we will explore the desert and take in some of the remains of Siwa’s ancient past. Along with the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans also left their mark and we will visit the Tombs of Siamun, Niperpathot and the Tomb of the Crocodile. Siwa found its fame in 331BC when Alexander sought (and found) confirmation of his divinity at the Temple of the Oracle, dedicated to Amun. We will visit the temple before we head to Cleopatra’s Spring where freshwater bubbles up into a turqouise pool. It is a popular swimming spot for locals and we’ll have the opportunity to swim (modest attire is recommended).
Day 7 Siwa: Total Solar Eclipse
Day 7 Siwa: Total Solar Eclipse
In this dramatic natural landscape we will today take in one of nature’s most dramatic phenomena. The eclipse will begin in the morning around 11:20 with the sun softening and casting long shadows across the desert. The total eclipse will last for five and a half minutes at 12:42 and by 14:08 the sun will be in full force again. This afternoon we will visit the nearby salt lakes, known for their crystal clear, turquoise waters and high mineral content. The lakes are fed by underwater springs and due to their high saline content mean that visitors can float effortlessly.
Day 8 Siwa – El Alamein: Siwa Town & Shali Fortress
Day 8 Siwa – El Alamein: Siwa Town & Shali Fortress
We will spend this morning in Siwa Town visiting the 13th century mud brick Shali Fortress which once housed the entire population of the town. Lying in ruins now it is still possible to see the traditional Siwan architecture of narrow alleyways and hidden passages. The Siwa House Museum shows us a better preserved example of the architecture with a beautiful Siwan residence showcasing traditional clothing, crafts and jewellery. There will also be some free time to explore the streets and local shops of the town. After lunch we will head back along the desert road to the coastal town of El Alamein, a journey of approx 6hrs.
Day 9 El Alamein – Alexandria: WWII Battlefields
Day 9 El Alamein – Alexandria: WWII Battlefields
We will spend this morning in El Alamein where two important and decisive battles were fought during WWII. Whilst pivotal in the North Africa Campaign there were heavy casualties and we will visit some of the cemeteries where there are 17,000 graves of Commonwealth, German and Italian soldiers. There is also a museum with artifacts and displays from the battles. We will continue on and arrive into Alexandria this afternoon, a city named for its founder Alexander who endeavoured to build a centre of culture and intellect.
Day 10 Alexandria: Graeco-Roman History
Day 10 Alexandria: Graeco-Roman History
We will explore Alexandria today delving into the centuries of history laid down by the different civilisations who have made the city their home. Kom el Dikka is the Roman and Byzantine heart of the city featuring a Roman Theatre as well as baths and a villa with extensive mosaics. We’ll venture further into the Roman history at the Graeco-Roman Museum which showcases the Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilisations including a number of underwater discoveries. We’ll also take in the Catacombs of Kom al Shoqafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library and cultural complex built to revive the ancient Library of Alexandria.
Day 11 Alexandria – Cairo: Jewellery Museum
Day 11 Alexandria – Cairo: Jewellery Museum
This morning we’ll head to the Royal Jewellery Museum, housed in a 19th century European style palace, the museum has over 11,000 artefacts. The building itself is a work of art with grand halls and beautiful painted ceilings. The collection dates back to the Cartouche of Khufu from the Grand Pyramid through to King Farouk’s belongings. We’ll drive back to Cairo later on and enjoy a final dinner together.
Day 12 Tour ends in Cairo
Day 12 Tour ends in Cairo
The tour ends after breakfast with those on the suggested group flights being transferred to the airport early in the morning.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Pyramids Resort by Jaz, Cairo
Just a few minutes' drive from the Great Pyramids and set in landscaped gardens, the Pyramids Resort is a relaxed, mid-range hotel offering a great location. The spacious rooms are decorated in neutral shades and each has a view onto the gardens. Guests can enjoy the large pool and also the spa after a busy day sightseeing and the café, restaurant and two bars give plenty of choice at meal times.
Safir Hotel, Marsa Matrouh
The Safir Hotel in Marsa Matrouh offers comfortable accommodation with direct access to a private beach along Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Rooms feature modern furnishings, air conditioning, private balconies and en-suite bathrooms. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace with lounge chairs and a well-equipped fitness centre. Dining options include an all-day restaurant serving Egyptian and international cuisine, plus a beach bar offering refreshing beverages and light snacks and a tea lounge. The hotel's beachfront location allows guests to enjoy stunning sea views while dining al fresco during warm summer evenings.
Breezy Island, Siwa Oasis
Breezy Island Siwa is a relaxed boutique retreat located on the edge of Siwa Oasis surrounded by palms, salt lakes and the desert. The style blends natural Siwan architecture with a light, contemporary feel, using earth tones and handcrafted details. Rooms are spacious, calm and comfortable, featuring private terraces, natural materials and modern amenities. Facilities include a serene outdoor pool, lush gardens and inviting communal spaces. Dining highlights fresh, locally inspired cuisine, with options for open-air meals and candlelit evenings under the stars.
Rixos Premium Alamein Resort, El Alamein
The Rixos Premium in El Alamein is a commanding resort set on the coast. The high rise hotel has rooms and suites set over 6 towers joined together by a sky bridge, each of the rooms is modern in design with floor to ceiling windows and either city or sea views. Guests have an array of facilities to choose from including a private beach, a pool complex, fitness centre, spa and daily entertainment. There are four different dining options offering various cuisines in beach side settings as well as four bars set across the property from the lobby to the pool.
Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria, Alexandria
The Steigenberger Cecil in Alexandria has a romantic air. Established in 1929, some notable guests included Agatha Christie, the Prince of Sweden, and Mohamed Ali (Cassius Clay). It has recently been refurnished and offers good four star comfort. The panoramic views of the Eastern Harbor and central location makes this a first class option in Alexandria.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Events
Total Solar Eclipse
On 2nd August 2027, North Africa and parts of the Middle East will witness a rare and spectacular total solar eclipse, with up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of total darkness—making it the longest eclipse visible from land this century. As the moon completely covers the sun, daylight will turn to twilight, stars may become visible and the sun’s corona will glow in the sky. This dramatic celestial event will be visible across much of the region, with ideal viewing conditions expected due to the region’s typically dry summer climate.Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| MS 778 | London Heathrow (LHR) 15:00 | Cairo International Airport (CAI) 21:55 |
| MS 777 | Cairo International Airport (CAI) 10:30 | London Heathrow (LHR) 13:35 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Egypt.
If you are taking a direct flight to Cairo, you can apply for a visa on arrival at the airport.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Egypt. For any clients transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport/country with a risk of yellow fever transmission you will require a yellow fever certificate.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
In July, Cairo experiences high temperatures typically reaching 35-40°C during the day with low humidity due to its inland desert location. Siwa becomes even hotter, often exceeding 45°C with extremely dry desert conditions, while the Mediterranean coast remains considerably cooler and more humid with temperatures around 30°C.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious, but not all Wild Frontiers tours are the same, and it is important that you choose a tour which is suitable for you. To help you decide and ensure you choose a suitable tour, please refer to our helpful guide here. As a minimum, you should make sure that you read the day-by-day itinerary and the Key Aspects to Consider sections carefully. Should you still have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, then please contact us.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. The weather during this departure will be hot during the height of the Egyptian summer. Temperatures can be above 40 degrees during the day and only drop to 26-30 at night so while this is not a physically demanding trip per se, you should be adequately prepared for the effect that heat can have on the body. There are also a couple of long drives through the desert to reach Siwa Oasis. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.
NEW TOURS
Never complacent, here at Wild Frontiers we are continually on the look-out for new tour ideas. Each year we aim to put on a selection of new tours in order to continually provide our clients with a fresh and varied choice of some of the best journeys on the planet. Although a lot of fun, these tours will often involve a greater element of unpredictability than our better-established tours, so please come prepared.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 4366 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.