Bahariya Oasis & White and Black Deserts in Egypt

Private Bahariya Oasis & White and Black Deserts tour

The Bahariya Oasis is a naturally rich oasis set in Egypt’s Western Desert. It is about 230 miles from Cairo. During the era of the Pharaohs, the oasis was an agricultural center. It continued to prosper after as well because of its strategic location on the Libya–Nile Valley caravan routes. In 1996, the oasis returned to prominence when a huge burial site containing about 250 mummies was unearthed. The site dates to the Greco-Roman period and is now known as the Valley of the Golden Mummies.

The oasis is also known for its abundance of hot and cold springs. The Black and White Deserts are both located near the oasis. As their names suggest, they are literally black and white. The Black Desert, also known as ‘Hamada’, is the result of ancient volcanic activity that has produced desolate landscapes and unusual rock formations. It offers stunning views, particularly from the top of Jebel El Marsous, or El Marsous Mountain. The White Desert is so called because the area used to be underwater. The evaporation of the water has left behind alien-looking rock formations composed of limestone, calcium, and quartz.