From Dakhla you drive and move into lonely areas of the desert which have only in 1932 for the first time been recorded on a map. The landscape is phantastic. The colors and shapes of the mountains vary considerably. The same is true for the palette of sand colors.

Abu Ballas is the first location you are driving at. You will see rock inscriptions from Neolithic age as well as remains of old clay potteries.

The next area which shows signs of an early inhabitation is Wadi Bakht. You have to experience its unbelievable atmosphere. In this southeastern part of your tour you will visit the monument which the famous Count Almashi (from the movie “The English Patient”) has erected for his friend Prince Kamal el Din who first discovered the Gilf El Kebir.

At Wadi Sura you will admire the rock paintings from different epochs which have partially been done on top of each other.

Wadi Abu El Malek extends for some 120 km into the plateau formed by the Gilf. According to old sagas this is the area in which the disappeared oasis Zarzora may have been. You find Acacias trees und other plants which manage to cope with the extreme dryness. This Wadi may be regarded a pearl of the Gilf El Kebir. It's so far untouched status is very impressive.

If you are lucky you may find some Silica Glass in this part of the Great Sand Sea. It derives from a meteorite hitting our planet in this area. It is unique on earth.

The crossing of the Great Sand Sea with its occasionally 100 meter high dunes is an exceptional adventure. First sand, nothing but sand, and then suddenly in the first valley bushes, later rocks and toward the end of a crossing slate mountain with its fossilized sea animals and plants. What a delight after 12 days to enjoy a bath in an artesian well in the middle of the dunes.

Siwa entices you with its visible attractions. The return trip to Cairo proceeds through Bahariya.