Western Desert Oases Circuit: Dakhla & Kharga
A multi-day desert loop through two of Egypt's least-visited oases.
Long drives between oases, with walking over uneven mudbrick lanes in Al-Qasr and open desert ground at the tombs and temples.
About this tour
A genuine expedition rather than a day trip — Dakhla Oasis, roughly 740km southwest of Cairo, holds the medieval mudbrick town of Al-Qasr, the Deir al-Hagar temple, and hot springs among its palm groves; Kharga, on the return route, adds the Necropolis of al-Bagawat, one of the earliest and best-preserved Christian cemeteries anywhere. Best traveled October through March, when desert daytime temperatures stay comfortable.
Highlights
- ✦Al-Qasr's medieval mudbrick old town, Dakhla
- ✦Deir al-Hagar Temple
- ✦Necropolis of al-Bagawat, Kharga
- ✦Hot springs among the palm groves
Itinerary
- 1
Cairo to Dakhla
The long desert drive south, arriving in Dakhla by evening.
- 2
Dakhla Oasis
Al-Qasr's old town, the Deir al-Hagar temple, and the oasis's hot springs.
- 3
Dakhla to Kharga
Drive to Kharga Oasis, visiting the Necropolis of al-Bagawat along the way.
- 4
Kharga to Luxor or Cairo
Final desert stretch, connecting back to the Nile Valley.
Where You’ll Go
The single base for this tour.
Included
- ✓Private 4x4 transport throughout
- ✓Private guide
- ✓Accommodation as arranged
- ✓Entrance fees
Not Included
- ✕Egypt visa
- ✕Flights
- ✕Some meals
- ✕Tips
- ✕Personal spending
Before You Book
The things travelers ask us most about this tour.
Yes — entrance fees for the sites on this itinerary are in the price, so there is nothing to buy at the gate. What you would still pay for separately are your Egypt visa, flights, Some meals, tips and personal spending.
Private. It runs for your group alone — private 4x4 transport throughout and private guide — so the pace is yours and nobody waits on a coach filling up. We do not merge bookings into larger groups.
Prefer to join a small group? See Weekly Trips →A fair amount, but nothing strenuous. Long drives between oases, with walking over uneven mudbrick lanes in Al-Qasr and open desert ground at the tombs and temples. If someone in your group has limited mobility, tell us before you book — we can usually adjust the route or the pace rather than have you find out on the day.
It runs 4 days / 3 nights across 2 bases — Dakhla Oasis and Kharga Oasis. The day-by-day breakdown is on this page, and start times flex around your flights and how early you like to begin.
Yes — every tour here is a starting point rather than a fixed package. Swap a site, add an experience or a photoshoot, change the pace, or extend it by a day and we will rebuild the schedule around you.
Customize this tour →What travellers said
Reviews of Egypt Eye from travellers who did something similar.
“The Pyramid and Sphinx tour with our photographer absolutely incredible from start to finish. Our photographer provided deep and engaging insights about the Pyramids, temples, and Sphinx throughout the tour, bringing ancient history to life with passion and clarity. He went above and beyond—not just as a guide, but even helping us negotiate with local vendors, which made the experience even more enjoyable and stress-free. The itinerary was…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Rohan
1 Day Giza Tour
“The all inclusive Pyramids and Sphinx experience with our guide (and Ru) was exceptional! Communication about pick up and itinerary of activities were clear and timely. Also, entrance to the sites was very easy and efficient. No hassle or waiting in long lines! Ru was an exceptional guide! She’s very knowledgeable and speaks excellent English, which made the exchange of information very fluid and easy. I learned SO much! Additionally, they were…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Bernard
1 Day Giza Tour
“This tour exceeded all my expectations and provided a truly exceptional experience. On the day I originally booked, I wasn’t feeling well, but the team was incredibly understanding and accommodated me by rescheduling for the following day. Their flexibility and kindness set the tone for the rest of the experience. The private nature of the tour made it even more enjoyable, as everything was tailored to my pace and preferences. My guide, our…”Read the full review on Airbnb
Thien
1 Day Giza Tour
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