Hi, folks!!
I will visit Sudan in December and I will have some free days in Egypt (before and after my Sudanese trip). I will like to go to the Siwa Oasis (near the Lybian border). Siwa looks gorgeous in the pictures (especially the old citadel of Shali) and its history is fascinating. But it's a bit away from the main tourist sites in Egypt (8-9 hours from Cairo). And if I go, I will just have two days there.
So, if somebody out there have been in Siwa, please tell me:
(1) Is really as wonderful as it looks in the pictures?
(2) Are two days enough?
Thanks in advance...
Edited by: beibolugo
I will visit Sudan in December and I will have some free days in Egypt (before and after my Sudanese trip). I will like to go to the Siwa Oasis (near the Lybian border). Siwa looks gorgeous in the pictures (especially the old citadel of Shali) and its history is fascinating. But it's a bit away from the main tourist sites in Egypt (8-9 hours from Cairo). And if I go, I will just have two days there.
So, if somebody out there have been in Siwa, please tell me:
(1) Is really as wonderful as it looks in the pictures?
(2) Are two days enough?
Thanks in advance...
Edited by: beibolugo
1
2 days trip to visit Siwa oasis not enough, the distance between Cairo to Siwa 7-8 hours so in 48 hours you will lose around 16 hours in the van, and it will be very expensive to travel alone2
Well, thanks... but when I said two days I was not counting the time spent on traveling from and to Cairo. I meant 48 hours on location in Siwa. Do you think will be enough? And is worth the effort? Or do you think St. Catherine's Monastery will be a best bet?3
Yes it is definitely worth the trip. It is as good as the pictures, even better. Two days is ok, four would be better but if that's all you have..For one day you can look around Siwa itself. Hire a guy with a donkey and cart to take you around on a tour for a few hours. There is a lake, which is good at sunset and very picturesque. The whole town is so unique and so different to the rest of Egypt.
For the second day you should go out into the desert..that is a 'must do' IMO. There is a route that the 4x4 tours usually follow. It takes you to a couple of oases, usually have lunch at one , can swim if you want, some dune bashing (very high sand dunes), Fossil mountain, where you can find shells and fossils in the sand and another area with small tombs (which contain bones).
I wouldn't miss it if I were you! It's one of the best places.
5
Siwa is lovely. It is very laid back, very different from the rest of Egypt. We stayed in Albabenshal which is actually built into the walls of Shali (the ancient mud city). We paid 250 EGP for a double which included a fabulous breakfast and you can eat on the roof terrace and look out over the old city.However... if i had two days to visit somewhere near Cairo I would be tempted to visit and overnight in the White Desert which is just spectacular.
7
Siwa is the bestTHe best for you is take bus from Cairo to Siwa arrive early morning take safari and enjoy the desert next day enjoy exploring the oasis and leave at night to be the third day early morning in Cairo
I always go there with my friends if u wanna join us...
THanks
Karim Kassem
9
I have been to Egypt but not Siwa. Reading all these makes me want to go back and visit! Maybe one day.12
Not sure if I'll have the time, but if I want to go to Siwa what's the best way from Luxor which does not involve hiring a private vehicle (I'll be solo)?Cheers.
Jon
