Expedition Guide

Diaa Shawki Michael

Diaa Shawki Michael has explored the Egyptian desert for 25 years, guiding nearly 50 overland expeditions into the White Desert. He has also guided the Egyptian military in search and rescue operations in the desert.

Environment & Conditions:

• Temperatures of 61-81° F
• Sea level elevation
• Desert camping, camel riding, hiking
• Good physical condition required
• Latitude 30° 08' N
• Longitude 31° 24' E

Days 1-2
United States/Cairo, Egypt

Fly to Cairo where you meet your expedition guide and team members early in the day. Rest at the Four Seasons before heading into the desert. Four Seasons Hotel First Residence

Day 3
Cairo/Baharia Oasis

Venture south to Baharia Oasis, site of a massive Greco-Roman burial ground and rich in antiquities. This evening, you camp in Egyptian-style tents in Abou Mouhkarik, where the dunes reach heights of more than 200 feet. Mobile Camp B L D

Day 4
Baharia Oasis/Wadi Bateekh

Drive overland to explore Djarra Cave, noting its large stalagmites and stalactites. Continue to your next campsite, driving through the Watermelon Valley (Wadi Bateekh), a flat landscape dotted with naturally smoothed black stones. Mobile Camp B L D

Days 5-6
Wadi Bateekh/White Desert/Bir El Dakar

Arrive in the White Desert, with its Dali-esque white chalk formations that rise out of the desert sand like huge mushrooms. Explore this striking region for two days, traversing more than 100 miles. Mobile Camp B L D

Days 7-8
Bir El Dakar/Dakhla Oasis/White Desert

Set out this morning toward Dakhla Oasis, stopping at the old Islamic village of Al-Qasr, its narrow cobblestone streets and baked brick buildings still hearkening back to the days of the Mamluk Sultanate in the 14th century. Explore the ruins before setting off into the Western Desert and your next campsite. The next day, you can bathe in the natural hot springs of El-Mufid Lake en route toward the White Desert. Mobile Camping B L D

Day 9
White Desert/Baharia Oasis/Umm El Lephah

Your last day in the desert includes visits to sites rarely seen by the outside visitor including Baharia Oasis, location of the Hall of the Mummies. This site contains more then 1,000 mummies and was discovered by pure chance in 1997. Later, review artwork from the Greco-Roman period at the tomb called Penantio, discovered in 1946. Mobile Camping B L D

Day 10
Umm El Lephah/Cairo

Arrive back in Cairo and join your expedition team members for a farewell dinner this evening. Four Seasons Hotel First Residence B L D

Day 11
Cairo/Departure

Transfer to the airport for flights home. B

12/09