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The Oases and their
Highlights
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"About 90% of Egypt is
covered by desert. The word "oasis" is often used to describe a place
where one can forget the cares of everyday life. Egypt's oases are just that:
Unspoiled refuges from the modern world, pockets of civilization in the
dramatic setting of the desert" |
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Spring Tours arranges safaris to the "White Desert", to the
Oases of Fayoum, Bahareya, Farafra, Kharga, Dakhla & Siwa located in the
Libyan Desert:
- Fayoum is renown for
its year-round warm climate, numerous water wheels (dating back to the 3rd
century) and lush agricultural land. Furthermore of interest: Lake Qaroun, the
waterfalls at Wadi El Rayan, the Hanging Mosque, Mosque of Khuna Asla-Bey and
Pharaonic sites as Crocodilopolis, the remains of Karanis and the Pyramids of
Al Lahun and Hawara.
- Bahareya located around
365 km / 250 miles southwest of Giza and approximately 200 km / 135 miles from
Farafra Oasis. The Oases are famous for their palm trees, olive, apricot, rice
and corn "production". The region is rich in wildlife of migrant
birds and deer. Sulphur springs discovered by the Romans are unique due to the
location and archaeological sites dating back to the Pharaonic periods.
- Farafra, Kharga and
Dakhla are in the "New Valley", the Egyptian west desert. The
history of the New Valley goes back to 5000 B.C. It combines desert, lush
vegetation, wells and hot & cold springs of therapeutically value.
- Al Kharga used to be
the last stop on the Road of Forty Days, the infamous slave-trade-route between
North Africa and the tropical south. Today it is the biggest New Valley oasis.
Places of interest are: Temple of Hibis, the Necropolis of Al Bagawat, the
Tombs of Peace & The Exodus and Pharaonic monuments such as the Al Ghuwayta
Temple and many more.
- Dakhla is located
around 200 km / 135 miles west of Kharga. The capital Mut's name is attributed
to Mut, the consort of god Amon. The ancient city dating back to the Pharaonic
period houses the Museum of the Heritage and the Bir Al Gabal is a palm-fringed
salt lake where Spring Tours guests stop for camping and picnic. In 35 km / 20
miles distance there is the village of Al Qasr, ruins of an Ayubid mosque.
- Farafra is located
between Bahareya and Dakhla. Spring Tours arranges day trips by jeep and camel
treks from here to the White Desert. A trip that no visitor should miss. Nearby
there are some Roman ruins including a church with Coptic graffiti. Once one
enters the White Desert through Al Sillim passage, a unique landscape of
surreal wind-eroded rock formations expects the visitor.
- Siwa is one of the most
fascinating oases on the edge of the Great Sand Sea. Its rich history includes
visits of Alexander the Great and Amun Prophecy Temple. Siwans have their own
culture and customs and they speak a Berber language, Siwi, rather than Arabic.
Siwa remains one of the best places to buy local jewels, rugs, baskets,
traditional robes and head dresses decorated with coins.
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