Not so long ago I had the chance to visit Egypt and I must say that THIS place was pretty much the highlight of my entire 3-week stay. It was fabulous :)
I was taken from Cairo by van to the oasis and greeted with a traditional tasty meal. Soon afterwards, I was briefed on my 3-day private jeep drive around the Black and White deserts and then escorted to a cosy room.
The next day, it all began with the hot springs, then Gebel Dist, the Black desert and an amazing panorama of the area. Later, we drove to the salt lake (spectacular) and a bedouin village. We then drove to the crystal mountain. Towards the end of the day we got to the Agabat valley in the White desert - an almost surreal place, a real jaw-dropper! We arrived basically at the best possible timing as the sun was setting and the landscape was simply... utterly breathtaking.
The next day, we headed for another part of the desert where I had the chance to see and explore many rock formations, far more than the usual "mushroom" or "chicken" ;) The same evening we met another group of tourists who were camping nearby and we all sat around the fireplace and had fun.
The last day, we drove around the desert and got back to the oasis where I was taken to a few places in and around the town. Then, we returned to the hotel where I took a shower, ate and then was taken to the bus stop as requested.
What did I sincerely enjoy? Well... pretty much everything!
-I contacted Mr. Ezz via SMS and requested some specific places to see. He was very quick to reply and discuss all the details to make my journey pleasant and as close to my initial plan as possible. He put up with all of my questions and quirks. Thumbs up!
-The food was tasty, fresh and well-cooked.
-Mr. Ezz and Mr. Muhammad, his assistant, made sure I felt comfortable, safe, warm and amused at all times. We told jokes, spoke about traditions, etc.
During the tour :
-The "bed" was fairly comfortable.
-I could choose if I wanted to sleep in a tent or in the 1-billion-star hotel (guess what I've chosen) - unbelievable scenery! especially with the full moon above me ;) I could hear some animals in the distance (and was actually hoping to see some foxes, but didn't get lucky enough... this time).
-I was told hundreds of stories about the oasis, the area, the history, the people...
-They played some traditional music/songs :)
Before/after the tour :
-The hotel was very clean and warm with amazing paintings depicting life in the desert. Yes, there was dust! BUT!!! I was IN the middle of a DESERT after all... SO... NO WONDER why it was there... :)
As a female solo traveller there, I felt amazing. The entire drive was well worth the price. I will certainly recommend this guide for a number of reasons :-security
-openness to conversation
-food
-accommodation.
Plus, I was treated like a queen - nothing to worry or bother me.
IF you consider his price for a private tour too high, let me tell you the following :
-you'll get around 3 FULL days in and around the oasis :) that's twice as much as I saw on other websites (given the fact that it takes a 10h drive between Cairo-El Bahariya),
-it will be only you (plus your friends/family),
-you'll be taken FROM and TO Cairo by minivan (unless you arrange otherwise),
-you will be toured around many places and will take the time to shoot everything you want at YOUR OWN pace - you won't be rushed AT ALL. ON THE CONTRARY! You'll be encouraged to take pictures :)
A couple of things to keep in mind before going to El-Bahariya :)
1. have warm clothes (like a thick fleece jacket) - IT IS VEEERY cold in the desert at night,
2. internet connection is bad - nearly non-existent :) IT IS A DESERT after all ;) ,
3. have a power bank for your cell,
4. bear with the dust - it's all over the place no matter how often it is cleaned.
