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THE OASES


	Al- Qasr Village Farafra		Siwa Jebel Al- Mawta

"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.

Al- Qasr Village
Deir Al-Hagar Temple Al-Mozawaka Tombs	Islamic Village of Al-Qasr, about 35km from Mut, houses ruins of an Ayubid mosque. The Pharaonic Balat tombs date from the 6th dynasty and Qalamon village dates back to the Turkish era. On the way back to Mut, located Bir Al Gabal, a palm-fringed salt lake where you can camp and picnic. Other day-trips from Mut could include the 1st century Al-mezawaka tombs and Deir Al-Haggar, a temple which was originally dedicated to the Theban Triad. After exploring the temple, bathe in the hot sulphur spring nearby. Visit Bashendi to see Roman tombs and a factory where carpets are still woven with scenes of Al Dakhla life. Nearby lies the Islamic Balaat village, a trading post with ancient Nubia. The oasis abounds in springs and wells of which the most famous are those of Mut 3. Their temperature reaches 43 C and you can stay in equipped chalets. Ain Al-Qasr springs are located about 12 km in the mountain so that you can camp, enjoy one-day trip and Safari.

Farafra
	Known as Ta-iht or the Land of the cow in Pharaonic times, is an isolated village, of which the oldest part lies on a hillside, next to peaceful palm groves; a short ride away, there are hot sulphur springs at Bir Setta and El-Mufid Lake where you can swim. The oasis houses Qasr Al-Farafra and Qasr Abu Minqar which are ruins of Roman buildings. An art center that houses a museum and studio exhibiting paintings and ceramics of a local artist is situated in a garden full of sculptures made of materials available in the desert. Beautiful hand-knitted camel-hair sweaters, socks and scarves are also local products. Day-trips by jeep and camel treks from here to the White Desert, Bahariya, Dakhla and Siwa can be arranged.

Siwa
	Siwa is one of the most fascinating oases on the edge of the Great Sand Sea. Its rich history includes that visit of Alexander the Great to Amun Prophecy Temple in order to predict the prophecy of Amun in 331 BC. Siwans have their own culture and customs, and they speak a Berber language, Siwi, rather than Arabic. Many women still wear traditional costumes and silver jewellery like those displayed in the Traditional Siwa House Museum at the town centre. Siwa remains one of the best places to buy jewellery, rugs, baskets, traditional robes and head-dresses, decorated with antique coins. .

Jebel Al- Mawta
	The original settlement, Aghurmi, was superseded by Shali, founded in 1203. Set among thick palm groves, walled gardens and olive orchards, with numerous fresh-water springs and salt lakes, modern Siwa was established over the ruins of ancient Shali. Climb through the ruins of the old city for magnificent views of the whole oasis. Walk, rent a bicycle or ride in a caretta (donkey cart) to outlying sights and places where you can relax. These include 26th Dynasty tombs with murals and inscriptions at Jebel Al-Mawta (The Hill of The Dead) and the temple of Amun, an acropolis temple dating from around 550 BC. Near the Oracle is the ruined temple of Amun and the famous Cleopatra Bath, a deep pool of bubbling water where you can bathe. Another favourite bathing spot is Fatnis Island, on the salt lake of Birket Siwa, surrounded by palm trees and beautiful scenery.