Siwa Oasis and Alexandria 7-Day Tour from Cairo

Your Siwa sightseeing begins with a walk through the old settlement and the remains of The Fortress at Shali. Built from salt, mud and palm materials, the fortress rises above the oasis and gives you a clear view across the surrounding palms. Your guide points out the traditional construction methods and explains how local families once lived within the fortified town.

Continue to the temple of the Oracle at Aghurmi, a site associated with the ancient worship of Amun and the visit of Alexander the Great. The small temple sits on a rocky rise, and the approach provides broad views over the oasis. Later, visit Gebel Al Mawta, the Mountain of the Dead, where decorated tombs are cut into the hillside. The pace is steady, but the ground can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are useful. Return to Siwa for a quiet evening and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we take you beyond the town and palm groves for a desert adventure by 4x4. The route crosses open sand and reaches the great sand sea, where wide dunes replace the cultivated oasis landscape. Your driver chooses suitable stopping points for photographs and short walks, while your guide keeps the day organised and explains how people and wildlife adapt to this dry environment.

The safari continues at an easy pace, with time to enjoy the silence and the changing colour of the sand. Travellers can try sandboarding where conditions allow, although the activity remains optional. Later, the team prepares the desert camp. Dinner is served around the camp, followed by an evening beneath the open sky when conditions permit. Camping in the desert is simple and practical, so bring warm layers for the night and keep personal items in a small overnight bag.

The morning begins at camp with breakfast and time to pack before the 4x4 returns you towards the oasis. The desert track gradually gives way to paved roads, and the landscape changes again as you travel north towards the Mediterranean coast. This transfer takes much of the day, with breaks arranged along the route so you can stretch and refresh.

By afternoon, you reach Marsa Matrouh, a coastal city known for pale beaches and clear blue water. Depending on the road schedule and local conditions, there is time for a relaxed seaside stop and a walk near the shore rather than a rushed sightseeing programme. Your guide will confirm the practical plan after arrival. Overnight accommodation is arranged in the area, giving you a comfortable break before the onward journey to Alexandria. Keep swimwear and sun protection accessible if you would like to spend time by the coast.

After breakfast, our driver takes you east along the Mediterranean coast towards Alexandria. The transfer from Marsa Matrouh is several hours, so the morning is mainly devoted to the road. Once you arrive, meet your guide and begin exploring the city’s ancient quarter, where layers of Greek, Roman and Egyptian history sit close together.

Your first major visit is The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a multi-level burial complex cut into the rock. Stairs lead below ground, and the narrow passages can feel confined, but your guide explains the mixture of Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic details as you move through the chambers. Continue to Pompei Pillar, a tall red-granite column that remains from the Serapeum area. The open site gives you room to pause and photograph the monument. Check in afterwards and spend the evening at your own pace along the Corniche.

Today focuses on Alexandria’s seafront and its later history. Begin at The Library of Alexandria, whose modern building recalls the city’s ancient reputation as a centre of learning. Inside, your guide introduces the architectural design and the library’s role in contemporary cultural life. Entry arrangements can vary, so the visit follows the access available on the day.

Continue along the waterfront to The Citadel of Sultan Qeitaby. The fortress occupies the site traditionally linked with the ancient Pharos lighthouse, and its walls open towards the Mediterranean. Allow time to walk through the stone rooms and look across the harbour. Later, travel to Al Montazah Palace and its surrounding gardens for a slower final stop. The grounds provide space for a gentle walk and photographs beside the sea. Return to your accommodation after the tour, with the evening free for dinner or one last stroll through Alexandria.

Enjoy breakfast and check out according to the accommodation’s departure arrangements. If your travel schedule allows, you can take a final short walk near the Corniche before leaving. Our team then arranges your private transfer back to Cairo, with the route and drop-off planned around your flight or onward accommodation.

The drive usually takes several hours, depending on traffic and the exact destination in Cairo. Your driver can stop for refreshments during the journey, and luggage remains with you in the vehicle. This final day does not include a rushed sightseeing programme; it is kept for a practical return after the desert, coast and Alexandria sections of the tour. On arrival in Cairo, we complete the drop-off at the agreed location, ending your 7-day tour with our team’s assistance.