Alexandria and Siwa Oasis Tour from Cairo
Alexandria and Siwa Oasis tour from Cairo is a four-day private trip linking Mediterranean history with the wide, quiet landscapes of Egypt’s Western Desert. You start in Alexandria, where underground tombs, Roman remains, royal gardens and the sea give the day plenty of variety. The route then heads through El Alamein to Siwa Oasis, with time to see its old fortress, sacred sites, mountain tombs and the Great Sand Sea.
In Alexandria, our guide explains the city’s long history as you move between the main sights, without rushing from one photo stop to the next. At the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, you descend into a Roman-era burial complex with carved chambers and Egyptian, Greek and Roman details. Nearby, Pompei Pillar is a single surviving column from the Serapeum area. At the Library of Alexandria, you see the modern building and learn how the city became a major centre of scholarship in the ancient world.
The coastal visit also takes you to the Citadel of Sultan Qeitaby, built beside the Mediterranean on the site traditionally linked with the ancient Pharos lighthouse. Sea views and the fort’s thick stone walls make it a clear contrast to the underground catacombs. You also visit Al Montazah Palace, known for its gardens and waterfront setting. Access to the palace interiors can vary, so we plan the visit around the areas open that day.
After your overnight stay in Alexandria, the road west passes through El Alamein. The El Alamein Tombs and memorial grounds offer a quiet place to learn about the Second World War campaigns in North Africa. Our team takes care of the long-distance transfer and route planning, so you can take breaks, ask questions and watch the landscape shift from coast to desert. The drive is substantial, making this part more suitable for travellers who are comfortable spending several hours on the road.
Siwa Oasis moves at a slower pace and has a distinct local character. You explore The Fortress at Shali, made from salt, mud and clay, where narrow paths run through the remains of the old settlement. At The temple of the Oracle, your guide explains its links with the ancient world and Alexander the Great. You then visit Gebel Al Mawta, a hill with rock-cut tombs, before reaching Cleopatra's Bath, a natural stone pool associated with the oasis’s springs.
The desert outing brings a more active element to the tour. A 4x4 drive across the Great Sand Sea takes you past the cultivated palms and into open dunes, where shifting colours and wide horizons show the contrast between Siwa and Alexandria. If you want a desert adventure without arranging the transport yourself, this organised outing keeps the vehicle, guide and route together. Desert conditions can change the driving sequence, and our team adjusts the plan when necessary.
This tour suits travellers who want to see more of Egypt than the main Cairo and Giza sights, and those who prefer one planned route rather than arranging several transfers themselves. The private format gives you a more comfortable pace, with time for questions and suitable rest stops. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a short break with little driving, or for travellers who find uneven ground, steps and desert tracks difficult. Wear supportive shoes, carry water during visits and expect some walking in exposed areas.
We arrange pickup in Cairo, private air-conditioned road transport, local accommodation and the route between each stop. Meals follow the booked package, while entry arrangements and optional activities are confirmed before travel. Alexandria and Siwa have different climates and surfaces, so bring sun protection, a light layer for cooler desert evenings and modest clothing for historic and religious areas.
One night of accommodation in Alexandria
Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and excursions
4x4 desert excursion in the Great Sand Sea
Private tour guide
Cairo pickup and drop-off
Visits and transfers included in the itinerary
Two nights of accommodation in Siwa Oasis
Meals and drinks not listed as included
Entry tickets not specified in the booking details
Optional activities
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Any personal medication
Light, breathable clothing and a warmer layer for desert evenings
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Refillable water bottle
Modest clothing for historic and religious sites
Passport or identification documents required for travel
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
This 4-day Alexandria and Siwa Oasis tour from Cairo includes private road transfers, a private tour guide, sightseeing in Alexandria, an overnight stay in Alexandria, the journey through the El Alamein Tombs area, and guided visits in Siwa Oasis, including a 4x4 outing to the great sand sea.
Visits to attractions and any meals, accommodation details, entrance fees, or additional activities depend on the booking arrangement, so we show the confirmed inclusions before you travel.
The 4-day itinerary usually begins with Alexandria, including the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompei Pillar, the Library of Alexandria, the Citadel of Sultan Qeitaby, and Al Montazah Palace, followed by an overnight stay before travelling towards Siwa Oasis.
On the way to Siwa, you visit the El Alamein Tombs. In Siwa, our guide takes you to the Fortress at Shali, the temple of the Oracle, Gebel Al Mawta, and Cleopatra's Bath, with time for a 4x4 adventure trip across the great sand sea before the return journey to Cairo. The exact order may change for road or site conditions.
Pickup for this Alexandria and Siwa tour is arranged from your Cairo accommodation or another agreed Cairo location, followed by private road transfers between Cairo, Alexandria, El Alamein, Siwa Oasis, and Cairo.
Because the route covers long distances, we plan the driving around sightseeing stops and rest breaks. We confirm the pickup point and practical transfer details with you before the tour, and our team remains available during the journey.
The tour can suit children and active families, but some Siwa and Alexandria sites require walking on uneven ground, climbing steps, or entering narrow spaces, so it may not suit every traveller with limited mobility.
The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa include stairs, while the Fortress at Shali and Gebel Al Mawta have uneven surfaces. The 4x4 drive across the great sand sea can also be bumpy. Tell us about mobility needs, ages, or health concerns before booking so we can advise on the route.
Bring light, breathable clothing, comfortable closed shoes, sun protection, a hat, water, personal medication, and a small bag for the road; modest clothing is appropriate when visiting religious or historic sites.
For the Siwa Oasis portion, sunglasses and a scarf can help with sun and sand during the 4x4 trip to the great sand sea. Pack swimwear only if you plan to use a suitable bathing stop, and keep valuables secure during transfers and outdoor visits.
Book the 4-day Alexandria and Siwa Oasis tour as early as practical so we can check transport, guiding, accommodation, and the requested travel dates before confirming your reservation.
Cancellation and amendment terms depend on the booking conditions shown for your selected arrangement, particularly because the tour includes an overnight stay and several private services. Review those terms before payment, and contact our team if your plans change so we can explain the available options.
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 leave Cairo for Alexandria, with the journey taking roughly three hours depending on traffic. After arriving, our guide leads you into the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, where underground chambers combine Egyptian, Greek and Roman burial traditions. The visit includes stairs and uneven surfaces, so comfortable shoes are useful.
Next, see Pompei Pillar, a tall Roman column that remains in the ancient area of the city. Continue to the Library of Alexandria, where you can learn about its modern design and Alexandria’s long role as a centre of scholarship. Entry arrangements and opening hours can affect the time spent inside.
Later, visit the Citadel of Sultan Qeitaby beside the Mediterranean. The fort’s sea-facing position gives you a clear sense of Alexandria’s defensive history. We then drive through the gardens around Al Montazah Palace before checking into your Alexandria hotel for the night. The order may change slightly to suit traffic and site access.
After breakfast, we leave the coast and begin the long road journey west towards Siwa Oasis. This is a full travel day, with a private vehicle, your guide and planned stops along the route. The landscape gradually changes from settled farmland and coastal towns to open desert, so keep water, sun protection and any personal medication close at hand.
On the way, stop at the El Alamein Tombs. The memorial area and military cemeteries explain the North African campaign of the Second World War, while the quiet grounds provide a short break from the drive. Your guide can place the site within the wider history of the region without rushing the visit.
We then continue inland to Siwa Oasis, arriving later in the day after a journey that can take most of the daylight hours. Once you reach the oasis, check in and settle into your accommodation. The evening is free to rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the next day’s desert excursion.
After breakfast, explore the old centre at The Fortress at Shali. Built from local salt-and-mud material, its weathered walls show how Siwan communities adapted their homes to the desert environment. From the elevated remains, you can see the oasis palms and surrounding salt-lake landscape.
Continue to The temple of the Oracle, linked with the ancient oracle consulted by Alexander the Great. Your guide explains the site’s religious importance and the way Siwa connected North Africa with the wider ancient world. At Gebel Al Mawta, walk among rock-cut tombs and look across the oasis from the hillside.
Later, stop at Cleopatra`s Bath, a natural spring where water rises through a stone pool surrounded by palms. If conditions and local guidance allow, you may have time to enter the water, so bring swimwear and a towel separately from your main luggage.
In the afternoon, make an adventure trip into The great sand sea by 4x4. Cross shifting dunes, pause for photographs and enjoy the changing colours of the desert before returning to Siwa for your final overnight stay.
After breakfast, we leave Siwa for the return drive to Cairo. The route takes several hours, so we set out with enough time for comfort stops and a practical travel pace. Your guide remains with you during the transfer and can help organise breaks when needed.
The road provides a final look at the change between oasis country and the open Western Desert. Keep your phone, passport, water and other essentials within reach rather than packed in the main luggage. A light breakfast or snacks can also be useful for the journey.
On arrival in Cairo, we arrange your drop-off at the agreed location, such as your hotel or the airport, according to your onward plans. Because the drive is long and traffic near Cairo can vary, allow extra time before a flight or separate connection. This brings the four-day private tour to an end.