White Desert From Luxor - White Desert to Cairo
We offer you an unparalleled 2-day/1-night opportunity to discover the Western Desert, the White Desert, and the Black Desert, Egypt’s most beautiful natural wonders, through a private tour tailored to your needs – from Luxor to Cairo.
Welcome!
White Desert from Luxor
The White Desert is a surreal and stunning natural wonder located in Egypt,
about 850 kilometers from Luxor. It’s part of the White Desert Reserve, which was declared a protected area in 2002.
The desert gets its name from the large formations of white chalk that have been eroded over millions of years by wind and sand,
creating otherworldly rock sculptures that resemble giant mushrooms
flowers, and even gigantic tents. Luxor is a major city in southern Egypt that’s famous for its ancient temples and tombs. It’s a popular starting point for tours to the White Desert, but due to the distance, it’s recommended to set aside a few days for this trip. There are no public transportation options to get directly from Luxor to the White Desert, so joining a tour is the most convenient way to go.
Where is the White Desert located?
The White Desert is located in the Farafra Oasis, New Valley Governorate, in the Western Desert of Egypt. It is located approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of the Farafra Oasis and about 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Cairo. Luxor is located further east, on the banks of the Nile River in Upper Egypt.
Traveling from Luxor to the White Desert is a long journey, and a day trip is usually not possible due to the distance. Here’s a breakdown of your travel options and what to expect:
How far is the White Desert from Luxor?
Distance and Estimated Travel Time: The driving distance between Luxor and the White Desert is approximately 850 kilometers (approximately 530 miles), depending on the route chosen through the oases. The estimated driving time is approximately 9-10 hours. This is a very long journey for a day trip, not including stops or time spent exploring the White Desert.
Transportation options
Private car or taxi: This is a direct option, but it’s a long and tiring one-day trip. It’s best suited for overnight or multi-day trips. Flights: There are no direct flights from Luxor to the White Desert. You’ll need to fly from Luxor (LXR) to Cairo International Airport (CAI), to the Bahariya Oasis to reach the White Desert. A taxi takes a few more hours. From Luxor to Cairo: The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 5-20 minutes. From Cairo, the drive to the White Desert takes approximately 5-6 hours.
- Organized Tours: The most practical way to visit the White Desert from Luxor is to join an organized tour. These tours typically last two to four days and include transportation, accommodation (often camping in the desert), meals, and guided visits to the White and Black Deserts, Crystal Mountain, and other attractions in the Bahariya Oasis area.
What to expect on a White Desert Tour from Luxor
Long Travel Days: Be prepared for long road trips. Oasis Exploration: Tours often include visits to Bahariya Oasis and sometimes other nearby oases such as Farafra. You’ll see local life, palm groves, and possibly hot springs. Black Desert: This desert features black volcanic hills and iron-rich sand. Crystal Mountain: A unique area with quartz crystal formations. White Desert National Park: A highlight, it features surreal white chalk rock formations shaped by wind and erosion into diverse shapes such as mushrooms, animals, and abstract sculptures. Sunsets and sunrises in the White Desert are particularly spectacular. Camping: Many tours include overnight camping in the White Desert under the stars, providing a magical experience. Meals: Meals are usually provided as part of the tour and often include traditional Egyptian dishes.
Recommendation:
Due to the distance, a one-day trip from Luxor to the White Desert is not practical. It is highly recommended to book a multi-day tour (at least two days) to fully experience the White Desert and its surrounding oases without the hassle of traveling. These tours will take care of all the logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy the unique landscape of Egypt’s Western Desert.
Tour Program: 2 days, 1 night
(Luxor, Bahariya Oasis, White Desert, Cairo)
Flight path!
The tour departs from Luxor at approximately 7:00 AM and arrives at Bahariya Oasis around 3:00 PM. – We will have a delicious Bedouin lunch at our accommodation in Bahariya Oasis before starting the White and Black Desert tour.
{------An overview of what we visit on our tour------} √
We head to visit the volcanic Black Desert, then to a small Bedouin village where you can relax in one of the hot and cold springs in the Bahariya Oasis. Then to Crystal Mountain, a series of sparkling quartz crystals. Then to the beautiful Wadi Aqaba, with its magnificent sand dunes. Then to the Old White Desert and the New White Desert, where we have time to explore the strange shapes of these wind-carved chalk rocks. Finally, we head to the camping area to photograph the sunset and have dinner (barbecue). After dinner, we sit under the stars around a fire, feed and play with the fox, and watch three planets and the Milky Way in the sky.
We woke up to watch the sunrise at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast would be ready at 8:00 a.m., and we had plenty of time to explore the strange carvings in the White Desert, shaped by nature over hundreds and thousands of years. Then we returned to the Bahariya Oasis and then to Cairo.
(Our program includes)
1- Transportation to and from any destination by private vehicle
2- Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4
3- Meals (lunch, hot dinner, grilled chicken)
4- Breakfast the next day
5- Mineral water during the tour
6- Fruits, soft drinks, and hot drinks
7- Sleeping supplies (mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, and a tent)
8- English-speaking tour guide
9- Sand board
10- Air-conditioned shuttle service We look forward to contacting you if you need further information or inquiries.
These are just suggestions that can be customized to suit your personal interests. For more information about these tours, reservations, or pricing requests, please feel free to contact us.