Egypt: White Desert Extension

• Expedition Type [ Extensions ]
• Difficulty [ Mild ]
• Activities [ Camping, Hiking ]
• Duration [ 3 Days ]

Expedition Timeline

Our 4x4s brought us to Wadi Hitan, a desert area that was once a shallow part of the Thyes Ocean. Large limestone and sandstone rock formations look like gigantic pebbles strewn across the sand. In a way, they are the "tombstones" for the more than 400 whale fossils discovered here. It is difficult to imagine that 38 million years ago, this arid region was a shallow and nutrient-rich sea. We pull out more bottles of water to quench our thirst as we walk along what was once the ocean bottom.

Day 1

Cairo, Egypt/Baharia Oasis

Leave Cairo and head toward the Baharia Oasis, where in 1997, a site containing more than 1,000 mummies was discovered by pure coincidence just four miles away. When you visit this Hall of Mummies, your guide teaches you to recognize the distinctive wrappings that identify these mummies as being from the Greco-Roman period. See the third-century BC Penantio tomb containing original colorful drawings that depict life during this time period. From there, continue to the white chalk formations that rise out of the White Desert sand like huge mushrooms.

Mobile Camp [ L D ]

Day 2

Baharia Oasis/Black Desert/Baharia

Begin your day with a visit to the charcoal-colored basalt canyons and cliffs of the prehistoric Black Desert, created from the lava flow of extinct volcanoes. Continue driving to Crystal Mountain, which is actually a ridge made of quartz crystals.

Mobile Camp [ B L D ]

Day 3

Baharia/Wadi Hitan/Cairo

Explore Wadi Hitan (Whale Valley), where more than 400 whale fossils have been discovered. During the Eocene Period (38 million years ago), this area was a shallow part of the Thyes Ocean. It is believed that the ocean dried up very quickly or the land rose, trapping hundreds of whales. Stop for lunch en route to Cairo.

[ B L ]

Departure Dates & Pricing

Various Departure Dates can be arranged. Please tell us your preferred travel dates on the reservation form.