2-Day Siwa Oasis and Alexandria Tour from Cairo
This 2-day Siwa Oasis and Alexandria tour from Cairo takes you across Egypt’s Western Desert before continuing to the Mediterranean coast. Siwa has salt lakes, palm groves, desert scenery and ancient oracle traditions, while Alexandria brings Roman ruins, Islamic architecture and harbour views. It is a practical way to see two very different sides of Egypt without arranging the long-distance transport yourself.
The drive to Siwa is long, so we plan the route around comfort and useful stops. Once you arrive, the pace is more relaxed. You can float in the mineral-rich salt lakes, walk among date palms and see how springs, farmland and desert shape the oasis. Our guide explains the sites as you go, while our driver handles the roads between them.
A main stop is the temple of the Oracle at Aghurmi, linked to the ancient worship of Amun and Alexander the Great’s visit to Siwa. Close by, the remains of the Fortress at Shali rise above the old town. Built from local kershef, a mixture of salt, mud and stone, Shali has weathered over time, yet its lanes and towers still show the former scale of the settlement.
You also visit Cleopatra's Bath, a natural spring framed by stone walls and palm trees. The water is clear, cool and constantly flowing, making it a popular place to stop after sightseeing. Depending on local conditions and the agreed route, you can then take a desert adventure in a suitable 4x4 vehicle. The Great Sand Sea brings broad dunes, open horizons and a quiet far removed from Cairo.
In Alexandria, the route covers the city’s main historic sights. The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa descend underground into a Roman-era funerary complex where Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences meet. At Pompei Pillar, one red granite column remains from the ancient Serapeum complex. These stops are close enough to combine with the waterfront area without a rushed walk between distant parts of the city.
The Citadel of Sultan Qeitbay sits beside the Eastern Harbour on the site linked to the ancient Pharos lighthouse. Its sea-facing walls and harbour views make it a familiar Alexandria landmark. A visit to El Mursi Mosque brings a different atmosphere, with a working place of worship and traditional Islamic architecture in the Anfushi area. Travellers should dress modestly and remove shoes when requested inside religious buildings.
This organised trip suits travellers who want to cover a lot in a short time and are comfortable with a long road journey into the desert. It can suit families with older children, couples and small groups, although the distances, uneven ground at some archaeological sites and desert conditions may be difficult for people with limited mobility. We arrange the vehicle, route and guiding, so you can focus on the sights while rest stops and meals are handled according to the confirmed programme.
Accommodation is arranged in Siwa for the overnight stay, and the return route takes you back to Cairo after the Alexandria visit. Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, a light desert layer and swimwear for the lakes or spring. We confirm your final pickup details, meals and inclusions before departure, so you know where to meet our team and what to expect on the road.
Desert safari by suitable 4x4 vehicle
Pickup and drop-off from Cairo
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals as stated in the confirmed programme
Professional English-speaking guide
Overnight accommodation in Siwa
Entrance fees for the listed sightseeing visits
Personal expenses
Drinks and meals not stated in the confirmed programme
Any additional entrance fees
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Tips for the guide and driver
Cash for personal expenses and tips
Swimwear and a towel for the salty lakes or Cleopatra's Bath
Reusable water bottle
Valid identification and any required travel documents
Light, breathable clothing and a warm layer for the desert
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
The 2-day Siwa Oasis and Alexandria tour from Cairo includes the planned sightseeing route, road transfers between Cairo, Siwa Oasis and Alexandria, and visits to the main places listed in the itinerary. You see the salt lakes, the temple of the Oracle, Cleopatra's Bath, the Great Sand Sea and Alexandria's historic landmarks.
Meals, overnight accommodation, guide services and optional activities depend on the booking arrangement, so check the inclusions shown for your selected tour before payment.
This 2-day tour usually begins with the drive from Cairo to Siwa Oasis, followed by the salt lakes, the Fortress at Shali, the temple of the Oracle, Cleopatra's Bath and a desert outing in the Great Sand Sea. The second day covers the El Alamein Tombs and Alexandria before the return transfer to Cairo.
It is a full road-based itinerary with several sightseeing stops, so expect early starts, long drives and a faster pace than a multi-day stay in each destination.
Pickup for this Siwa Oasis and Alexandria trip is arranged from your Cairo accommodation or another agreed Cairo location, followed by road transfers between the destinations and drop-off back in Cairo. Our team confirms the pickup point and practical meeting details after booking.
Because the route crosses long desert distances, allow flexibility around the planned schedule. Bring your booking details and a reachable phone number so our team can contact you about the transfer.
This tour can suit older children and active travellers, but the long drives, uneven ground at historic sites and desert activities make it less suitable for anyone who needs frequent rest or step-free access. The salt lakes, the Fortress at Shali and the Great Sand Sea may require walking on sandy or rough surfaces.
Travellers with mobility concerns should tell us before booking so we can discuss vehicle access, walking distances and which stops may be difficult. Young children may find the road schedule tiring.
Wear light, comfortable clothing, sturdy closed shoes, sun protection and layers for changing desert temperatures. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, personal medication and a small overnight bag; modest clothing is appropriate when visiting El Mursi Mosque and other religious sites.
For the desert adventure, protect your phone and camera from sand and follow the guide's instructions around the salt lakes and Great Sand Sea. Swimwear is useful only if you plan to enter Cleopatra's Bath and conditions allow it.
You can book the 2-day Siwa Oasis and Alexandria tour by selecting your preferred date and providing the traveller and pickup details requested during checkout. The applicable cancellation terms are shown in the booking conditions and should be checked before payment.
Tell us promptly about changes to your group size, pickup location, mobility needs or preferred activities. Desert road conditions, site access and weather can affect the order of stops, including the adventure trip in Siwa.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Your Itinerary
We collect you in Cairo and travel north to Alexandria, where the morning is dedicated to the city’s ancient and Islamic landmarks. Begin at The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a Roman-era underground burial complex with carved chambers and a mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman details. Continue to Pompei Pillar, a single red-granite column that remains from the Serapeum. Along the waterfront, see The Citadel of Sultan Qeitaby and visit El Mursi Mosque near the old harbour area.
After lunch, the route follows the Mediterranean coast toward the western desert. Stop at the El Alamein Tombs to visit the Commonwealth and German memorial areas and learn about the Second World War campaign fought here. We then continue inland to Siwa, with a longer transfer across increasingly open desert scenery. The journey takes much of the afternoon and evening, so expect a full travel day. On arrival, settle into your accommodation and rest before the next day’s oasis visits and desert excursion.
After breakfast, explore Siwa Oasis with our guide. Start at The Fortress at Shali, the remains of a historic settlement built from salt, mud, and clay. Continue to the temple of the Oracle at Aghurmi, associated with the oracle consulted by Alexander the Great, then stop at Cleopatra's Bath, a natural stone pool fed by a spring. The pace is unhurried, but some surfaces around the ruins are uneven, so comfortable shoes help.
Later, we leave the cultivated palm groves for the desert and make an adventure trip into The great sand sea. Depending on local conditions, the excursion may include driving over dunes, time beside Siwa’s salty lakes, and a pause to take in the wide desert landscape. After the safari, begin the long road transfer back to Cairo. This return journey takes several hours, with comfort stops arranged along the way, and the tour ends with drop-off in Cairo after the drive from the oasis.