Our voyages > Expeditions > Gilf Kebir / Uweinat
Gilf Kebir / Uweinat
Deep exploration of the Gilf Kebir and Gebel Uweinat area permits us to discover the geology, the flora and fauna, as well as the numerous pre-historic sites and caves of the region, whose paintings are among the most beautiful in the Sahara.
This itinerary was built on the core of knowledge passed on to us by one of the first and most renowned desert explorers, Samir Lama, on one of his last expeditions.
Gilf Kebir / Uweinat - 22 days
Departure every Saturday from September 20, 2008 to April 25, 2009.
Reservations Contact Us
Highlights
* An original itinerary
* Splendid hikes to the far reaches of the globe
* Visits to several pre-historic sites
* Unique pre-historic paintings
* Exploration of remote and rarely traveled terrain
* 3 person maximum per car (plus driver)
* Experienced English speaking desert guides
Itinerary
D1 - Meet and assist at Cairo airport - Transfer to the hotel
D2 - Cairo - Bahariyya Oasis - White Desert
D3 - White Desert - Farafra - Dakhla
D4 - Start of the expedition, leaving Dakhla heading to the Gilf Kebir and Uwainat, an 1800 km course of complete self-sufficiency crossing the immense Libyan Desert. We jouney to explore several geologic and historic sites, notably the numerous pre-historic paintings found in the area, as well as, caves that were just recently discovered during expeditions in 2005. Some of the places we will pass along our way are: Magharet el Kantara Cave, the paintings of Wadi Soura (Swimmer's Cave from The English Patient, Archer's Cave, the newly discovered cave of Foggini/Mistekawi and other more anonymous ones...), Karkur Talh, Wadi Hamra or Wadi Abd El Malik, Aqaba Pass, Lama/Monod Pass and many other less well-known but extraordinary places. On our return, we cross the Great Sand Sea passing through the Silica Glass region finding our way back to Ain Dalla and Farafra Oasis.
D19 – Farafra – White Desert
D20 – Bahariyya - Night at Nature Camp in Bahariyya
D21 – Bahariyya - Cairo – Night in hotel
D22 – Transfer to the airport
Summary
Duration: 22 days Cairo - Cairo
Hiking: 2 to 3 hours per day (flexible)
Transfers: Minibus to Bahariyya - Toyota 4X4 Land Cruisers for the desert
Difficulty: None (However, due to the long distances participants must be in good health.)
Lodging: Hotel in Cairo *** - Nature Camp in Bahariyya - Camping
Price
Starting from 5 people: 2640 €/person (maximum 12 persons)
Single supplement: 50 €/person
Individuals and private groups: Contact Us
This price includes:
* Meet and assist at the airport
* Transfer to the hotel from the airport in a minibus
* Two nights at a hotel in Cairo and one night at Nature Camp in Bahariyya
* Round trip transportation between Cairo and the White Desert in a minibus
* Aquisition of military permissions
* Activities outlined in our program are full board except dinner on D1 and D21
* Services of a specialized English speaking guide, a mechanic and a cook
* Transfer to the airport from the hotel
* Assistance with the formalities of departure at the airport
This price does not include:
* All flights
* Egyptian visa (15 €/pers)
* Beverages other than water
* Tips (approximately 20€/pers) and personal expenses
* Dinners on D1 and D21
* Entrance fees for historic sites (approximately 25 €/pers)
* Personal medical and travel insurance is required
* Everything that is not indicated in "This price includes"
Detailed Itineraries
These itineraries have been successful on a number of expeditions and we retain the specific features of our itineraries exclusively for our clients. A more detailed itinerary will be conveyed at the time of your reservation.