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THE OASES


	Fayoum Baharia Oasis Al Kharga		Al - Ghoweitah Al Dakhla

"o, that the desert were my dwelling place " (Byron)

The word oasis is often used to describe a place where you can forget the cares of everyday life, relax, rest, and renew yourself.
Egypt's oases surrounded by sand and sky, the oases have a sense of timelessness rare in the 20th century. Man and nature have co-existed here since the Stone Age, but the stars, the rock formations and the dunes defy the calculation of human calendars.
Egypt's oases are still the most varied in the world, each with a distinguished character of its own.
Wherever you stay, enjoy the tranquility of the Bedouin lifestyle, the date groves and pigeon towers.
for adventure and excitement, explore the majesty of the desert by camel or jeep safari, spend a night under the stars. Take a morning dip in the hot sulphur springs, the water and silt which have numerous curative properties.

Fayoum
	The name Fayoum originates from the hieroglyphic word Fayoum, which meant "the Sea", a reference to the large inland Lake Qaroun. Only two hours from Cairo by road, Fayoum is renowned for its year-round warm climate, numerous water wheels (introduced by the Ptolemies in the 3rd century BC) and lush agricultural land. Opposite the local marketplace in Fayoum City is the Hanging Mosque, built above five arches, and nearby is the 15th century Mosque of Khunda Asla-Bey built by Sultan Qaitbey for his wife. Fayoum has been a traditional hunting ground since pharaonic times when Crocodilopolis, centre of the cult of Sobek, was the capital of the region. There are many Pharaonic sites in the area, for example: the red granite obelisk of Senusert l and the pyramid of Senusert ll at Al-Lahun, the pyramid of Amenemhat lll at Hawara, and the remains of the ancient city of Karanis, where you can camp and visit the site museum, in addition to safari trips. Birdlife still abounds around Lake Qaroun, a protected area bordered by tourist villages, hotels and fishing centers. Visitors can sail, windsurf, swim, and fish. Other places of outstanding natural beauty near Fayoum are the mineral springs at Wadi Al Rayan, a natural preserve, located 40km towards Baharia Oases, which are also suitable for swimming and picnics.

Baharia Oasis
The New Valley Oases "The desert-circle spreads like the round ocean, girdled with the sky" The four New Valley oases are situated along a dead, prehistoric branch of the Nile and depend on springs and wells tapping underground water.	Located 365 km south west of Giza and 200 km from Farafra Oasis. The oases are famous for their palm trees, olives, apricots, rice and corn. Intertwined trees provide attractive scenery with contrast to massive sand dunes. The region is rich in wildlife of migrant birds and deer. Bawiti is the capital of Baharia oases that occupies a hillside. The oases are famous for their 398 mineral and sulphur springs. The most famous are Bir Hakima, Bir Halfa, Bir Al Matar, and Bir El Ghaba. The old Roman springs flow through cracked stones. Ein El Bishmo springs are unique because both hot and cold water flow from separate sources then blend in a rocky creek, in addition to Al Qasaa wells. Baharia oases archaeological sites date back to Pharaonic periods. "zis zis" was the original name of the region. Most of the antiquities belong to the 26th dynasty "Saite period". A major archaeological site El Qasr houses Ein El Mifatala, Qarat Helwa, and Al Tibniya area that includes Alexander the great temple. El Maron, El Dist and El Maghrafa antiquities are located next to a limestone temple in El Qasr area. El Bawiti houses, the largest Ptolemaic necropolis dedicated to Ibis bird. Its historic tombs are located in the complex of (Youssef Selim, El Sheikh Soby and Al Farouj). El Heez area is famous for its ancient churches, palaces and Roman tombs. penantio Tomb dates back to 26th dynasty and represents unique pharaonic paintings. "Valley of The Golden Mummies" has been recently discovered in a Roman necropolis, 6 km from Bawiti..

Al Kharga
Al Bagawat Tombs	Al Kharga used to be the last but one stop on the Forty Days Road, the infamous slave-trade route between North Africa and the tropical south. Today, it is the biggest New Valley oasis. Outside the main centre is the Temple of Hibis, built on the site of a Saite, Persian and Ptolemaic settlement. One of the few Persian monuments in Egypt, the 6th century B.C. temple is well-preserved with painted vultures and huge relief's of Darius greeting Egyptian gods on the outer walls. Ten kilometers away, the Necropolis of Al-Bagawat houses 263 mud-brick tombs with Coptic murals, including the remains of one of the oldest churches in Egypt: the Tomb of Peace and the Tomb of the Exodus. Pharaonic monuments include Al-Ghuwayta Temple which dates from 522 B.C., Nadura Citadel, Qasr El Zayyan that dates back to the Ptolemaic era, and the Museum of Antiquities.

Al - Ghoweitah
Al- Ghoweitah Hibis Temple	The thermal springs of Bulaq and Nasser to the south, are famous for water temperatures up to 43 C and reputed to be suitable for the treatment of rheumatism and allergies. Camping facilities are available. Further south is Baris Oasis, the second largest settlement in Al Kharga. It houses Roman Temple of Dush, dedicated to Isis and Serapis.

Al Dakhla
Bashendi Mausoleum	Dominated on its northern horizon by a wall of rose-colored rock. Fertile cultivated areas are dotted between sand dunes along the roads from Farafra and Kharga in this area of outstanding natural beauty. The capital, Mut, houses the Museum of Heritage, a traditional house. Rooms, with sculpted clay figures, are arranged to show different aspects of Al Dakhla culture and family life.