Home8-Day Egypt Desert & Cultural Tour: Cairo, White Desert & Minya
Discover Egypt beyond the expected on this immersive 8-day journey through Cairo, the Western Desert, and Middle Egypt. Start your adventure at the iconic Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum before heading deep into the Western Desert to explore Bahariya Oasis, the surreal landscapes of the White and Black Deserts, and remote Roman and Islamic relics in Dakhla and Farafra. Then travel to Minya, home to Akhenaten’s lost city of Tell el-Amarna and the richly painted tombs of Beni Hassan. This tour blends world-famous monuments with Egypt’s hidden cultural gems—perfect for curious travelers seeking a deeper experience.
- Airport pickup and drop-off with assistance upon arrival and departure
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation for 3 nights in Cairo, including breakfast and taxes
- Accommodation for 1 night in Bahariya on a half-board basis
- Accommodation for 1 night camping in the White Desert or in a hotel in Farafra on a half-board basis
- Accommodation for 1 night in Dakhla Oasis on a full-board basis
- Accommodation for 1 night in Minya, including breakfast
- Private sightseeing tours
- Transfer by private 4x4 vehicle to the White and Black Deserts
- Desert expert
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to all sites specified in the itinerary
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled water during outings outside of the hotel or cruise ship
- Portage as needed
- All service charges and taxes
- International airfare
- Entry visa to Egypt
- Optional tours not included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Tipping
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, your tour manager will meet and assist you through arrival procedures and escort you to your hotel in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle. At the hotel, your tour manager will help with check-in and go over your itinerary, confirming pickup times for each day’s tour.
Overnight in Cairo
Welcome drink included.
After breakfast, at 9:00 AM you will meet your private Egyptologist guide and head to the Giza Plateau. Visit the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—along with the iconic Sphinx and the Valley Temple facing the statue. Enjoy lunch at a quality local restaurant before heading to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) for a fascinating tour. Return to your hotel afterward.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Cairo
At 7:00 AM, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for the 4-hour journey (approximately 360 km) to Bahariya Oasis. Upon arrival, lunch will be served. In the afternoon, visit the Golden Mummies showroom and two nobles’ tombs from the 26th Dynasty—part of an extensive burial site in the Western Desert. Explore the Tomb of Bannantiu as well. Later, climb the English House for panoramic views of the oasis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Bahariya Oasis
After breakfast, begin your desert journey with visits to the Black Desert and the natural hot spring at El Haize (St. George Oasis). Continue to Crystal Mountain, known for its sparkling quartz crystals, and the striking formations of the Valley of Agabat. Arrive at the White Desert National Park—Egypt’s most iconic desert destination—famous for surreal wind-carved rock formations that resemble giant mushrooms and pebbles. Camp under the stars in the White Desert or stay overnight in a hotel in Farafra Oasis, depending on availability and conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a visit to the Farafra Oasis and explore the unique mud-brick art museum of local artist Badr. Continue with a 3-hour drive to Dakhla Oasis. Upon arrival, visit the Roman temple of Deir El Hagar set in a serene desert landscape, and the nearby Roman burial site of Mezzawaqqa. Then explore the Islamic Village of Al Qasr, located about 35 km from Mut, featuring ruins of an Ayyubid-era mosque.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Dakhla Oasis at an oasis-style hut
After breakfast, head to Balat, where you’ll visit the ancient city ruins and tombs. Then continue the drive to Minya (approximately 4 hours). Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in a hotel in Minya
If you’re drawn to Egypt’s lesser-known heritage, today’s journey through Minya is a highlight. Begin with a motorboat ride across the Nile to Tell el-Amarna, the ancient capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Next, visit Beni Hassan, a remarkable site featuring Old and Middle Kingdom tombs adorned with colorful scenes of daily life. After your explorations, drive back to Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Cairo
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to Cairo International Airport for your final departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Throughout the trip, your guide has the right to make changes to the route if necessary due to unpredictable weather conditions, impassable roads (wadis), the condition or needs of other passengers, or vehicle issues. These adjustments are made for your safety and well-being. We ask for your understanding, as the exact sequence of the trip may not be guaranteed. However, the goal of our team and agency is to ensure that all program points are fully achieved.
$
1850
$
2075
We make a donation to the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation for each booking reserved.
Per Person in Sterling Per Tour and can be paid in US$ or Euros by credit card via a secure payment system with no extra surcharge. Current prices are valid until April 30, 2026. excluding Easter and Christmas Holidays.
In case you cancel your trip, the following scale of charges will be applied:
- From the date of booking until 61 days before your arrival date, 15% of the entire tour price will be charged.
- 35% of the tour price if you cancel 60-31 days before arrival.
- 50% of the tour price if you cancel 30-15 days before arrival.
- 100% of the tour price if you cancel 14-1 days before arrival.
Additionally, airlines charge their fees which are subject to the airlines' terms and conditions, and there's also a 5% bank fee on refunds.The cancellation policy may vary significantly for groups or unique itinerary.
Up to 2 years: FREE
Age from 2 and below 6 years: 25% of adult price
Age from 6 up to 11 years: 50% of adult price
Ages 12 and Up: adult price.
Note: Children's policy is applied to children who share rooms with their parents. If your tour package includes airfare then extra charges for your children may apply.
Early Reservations are advised to avoid disappointment in securing your spaces. Booking is secured upon receipt of a 25% deposit. During the Christmas holidays, packages require a deposit of 50%. forming part of your final payment. Packages and vacations which include International flights will require the full flight cost and deposit (25% or 50%) due to the regulations of the Airlines that require full payment.
- Transportation:
Transport for all tours included: domestic flights, trains, and air-conditioned vehicles by road. Wi-Fi, Bottled water and an ice box are all included whilst travelling by road. All are new vehicles with the latest design and technology.
- Tour Guides:
Are available to assist you with transfers to and from Airports, and Hotels assisting at Airports with visas, tickets, and luggage. All tours of the sites in Egypt include the constant guidance of a highly qualified Egyptologist Tour Guide.
- Travelling with Children:
Children delight in touring the Pyramids, Temples and Tombs in Egypt as often it is part of their school study programme. Memphis Tours offers packages to suit all ages with excellent combined multi-location destinations such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Nile Cruise and the Red Sea Resorts.
- Wheelchair Travellers:
Specially adapted Nile Cruise boat MS Amarco 1 has all amenities for wheelchairs and special assistance for customers on the boat and disembarking for tours. Assistance from the Boat Crew and Tour Guides is always ready and available.