Exploring Qattara Depression in 10 Days Expedition

Qattara Depression

After exploring different areas of the Egyptian Western Desert and organizing several trips to the Gilf Kebir, Jebel Uweinat and The Great Sand Sea, it’s necessary now that we organize expeditions to explore the area of Qattara Depression, which is the largest depression in the world space and the third lowest point from the sea level.
While walking down through the depression, which lies about 70 km from the Mediterranean coast, we see many beautiful amazing sceneries, which was created by the wind, as well as the different formation of the geological ages at  the edge of the depression where Great Sand Sea meets the Qattara Depression.
We will see in our journey hundreds of big Talh trees (Acacia trees) on large-scale, which forms a green line trees in the middle of the desert.
We will see the isolated lakes which are not inhabited by any human, there we will watch different kinds of desert animals, like gazelles, foxes and reptiles of all kinds as well as migratory birds, which take the Lakes as a station to stop and rest during their long journey.
We’ll also visit the isolated Qarra Oasis, located 180 kilometers north of Siwa oasis and inhabited by 263 individual, they are like a small family; they are very warm and kind and they know how to welcome their guests, by the end of the visit you will discover that they are pure from the social norms of the modern society.
In the end, will visit the Oasis of Siwa, which is rich of a great history.
It's a new journey to a different destination where it is about time to explore and to enjoy.

Facts about Qattara Depression:

- The largest of its kind.
- The bottom of the continent of Africa.
- The third lowest point on the land in the world.
- 70 km distant from the Mediterranean coast.
- Length 300 km and width 150 km.
- The northern edge of the depression is 350 meters height from the sea surface, forming a wall along the northern edge of the depression.
- The southern side of the depression has almost no edges.
- In the south there are many small depressions that look like followers of the Qattara Depression forming beautiful small water lakes.

Route & Program

Check bellow for details for further information contact us on :  ask@zarzora.com

Date: 18 to 27 July 2011

Moghra

Maghra (Moghra) Oasis Situated in the eastern corner of Qattara Depression, the uninhabited oasis of Maghra is located in a desolate but mag­nificent stretch of desert. Sand dunes hem in one side, an impassable field of scrub another, and the escarpment of the depres­sion the other two. There is a salt lake and five water wells dug in the 1840s at the behest of Muhammad Ali. The is 34 meters (108 ft) below sea level.

Maghra Oasis comes into view in the depression below, and the first view of Maghra is from the top of the southeastern escarp­ment.

Kifar Spring & Talh (Acacia Valley)

Kifar Spring is a deep water spring located after Talh Valley which is a planted with beautiful Acacia tress. Its known that ancient Egyptians used Acacia in paints.

Ain Qattara & Qarra Oasis

Ain Qattara are very unique water spring, where water is dripping very slowly- Qattara is the Arabic word for dripping Qattara Depression is named after this spring.

Qarra/ Gara oasis sits at the western border of Qattara Depression. It is 16 km (10 miles) long and 8 km (5 miles) wide. Beyond the oasis, dominating the horizon is Gebel Qarn al-Laban, Mountain of the Milky Horns, a white mountain with several out­standing peaks. There are fifteen wells in the oasis, all slightly salty and mostly dug in ancient times when the oasis may have been more prosperous. The depression floor is dotted with sandstone outcrop- pings, many worn away at the bottoms so they look like giant mushrooms. One in particular is called Pharaoh's Rock.

After four years of no rain, in 1982 Qara, like Siwa, was hit by a two-day rain­storm. At that time the people still lived in their hilltop village. The rain devastated Qara. Because of the poor roads no one was able to reach the village for more than a week. After the rain the government built new housing for the people on the flat plain below the old village. In 1990, there were fifty-seven houses in the new village. Although there were no hotels and no school, there was a generator that pro­vided electricity.

Siwa Oasis:

The remote northern oasis, it's inhabitant of Barber origin an unusual history. It was in the ‘Temple of Oracle’ that Alexander the Macedonian received Ammons blessings to become the greatest man of his time.

Bahariyah Oases:

Known as the “Black Oasis”, or the “Black Pearl”, Bahariyah distinguishes itself by lying within a deposit, rich in black quartzite and plenty of hot water springs, making out the unique sight of vivid green fields and a stunning dark glittering landscape. An overwhelming contrast of the yellow desert. 

The Golden Mummies, discovered in 1996. Around 250 mummies dating to several different periods in history. The site dates to Greco-Roman Egypt, where the ruin of a temple to Alexander the Great can be found. It is believed by some Egyptologists that the Greek conqueror passed through Bahariya while returning from the oracle of Ammon at Siwa Oasis. Excavations of the Greco-Roman necropolis, known as the Valley of the Golden Mummies began in 1996. Approximately thirty-four tombs have been excavated from this area so far.

Program Details

Day (01) Arrival to Cairo

Arrivals to Cairo International Airport, Meet & assist through customs & formalities then transfer to hotel

Day (02) Cairo – Al-Alamein – Moghra

8 am. – After breakfast we’ll move towards north coast, there we will head to Al- Alamein as we visit the WWII Museum and the war memorial – Lunch On-Route

After lunch we will head to Moghra Oasis there we choose the camp location,  and prepare  it. Lunch On-route.

8 pm.  – Dinner under the dazzling stars. Overnight in camp.

Day (03) Moghra – Talh

After breakfast we will head towards Talh Valley which is a green valley filled with beautiful acacia trees. Lunch On-Route

5 pm. arriving to camp’s location set it up and explore the surroundings by foot.

Dinner and overnight in our camp.

Day (04) Talh – Kifar Spring – Minkar Abd El-Nabi – Ain Qatarra - Gara

8 am. Breakfast and then moving towards Kifar spring where there we will enjoy the deep water.

After visiting Kifar spring we proceed and pass by Minkar Abd El-Nabi and then Ain Qattara.

Ain Qattara is a very unique water spring, where water is dripping very slowly- Qattara is the Arabic word for dripping Qattara Depression is named after this spring – Lunch on Route.

After lunch we will proceed to Gara (Qarra) Oasis.

Preparing our camp at one of the beautiful places in the oasis between sand dunes and rock formation of Qattara Depression

Dinner and overnight in our camp. 

Day (05) Qarra – Tabagbag – Siwa (Abo El-Sherouf Spring)

After breakfast we will head to Siwa Oasis through Tabagbag where a water spring

3 pm. Proceed to Siwa oasis through Qattara Depression the view itself is breathtaking as we will see the whole oasis with all its natural view (magnificent views of water lakes, sand dunes and palm trees)

Then bathing in one the most beautiful roman water springs in Siwa “Abo El-Sherouf Spring” – Lunch on Route.

5 pm. We’ll go through the sand dunes, preparing our camp afterwards we will enjoy our dinner – overnight in camp.

Day (06) Siwa Oasis

8 am. Breakfast and then moving towards the old oasis (Shali) where we will discover how the people of siwa used to live, also we will be able to have a short free tour around the oasis - Lunch in traditional restaurant.

After Lunch we make a tour around the oasis and visit Cleopatra’s spring, Mountain of the Dead, Alexander the Great Temple (Temple of the Oracle).

5 pm. We proceed to camp where we have dinner and sleep.

Day (07) Siwa – Bahrrain – Nawamissa – Sitra - El-Kadi rock formations

8 am. After breakfast we’ll leave Siwa and move forward to see three virgin oases along the way to Bahariyah oasis, Bahrrain, Nawamissa and Sitra are very beautiful untouched, uninhabited oases. Lunch On-route.

After lunch we proceed to Kadi rock formations – the place is breathtaking. There we will prepare our camp then we can take pictures while dinner is prepared. Overnight in camp.

Day (08) El-Kadi rock formations - Bahariyah Oases

8 am. Breakfast and then moving towards Bahariyah Oases where we visit The Golden Mummies and Pharonique graves. Afterwards we can enjoy the oasis culture, indigenous people, buy some hand-made crafts and souvenirs followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day (09) Bahariyah Oases – Cairo

After breakfast head back to Cairo via Bahariyah road, Picnic lunch en route, and check-in hotel.

Day (10) Departure

 Transfer to Cairo International Airport, and Departure.

Rates:

EUR 1070.00 per person in double room*

Single supplement EUR 85.00

(Minimum 6 pax – Please ask us) 

All visits and excursion fees are included as per program.

Confirmation Deadline is 28 June 2011

*check bellow for details

Our service:

1-   Professional Desert Guide: Chairman of Zarzora Expedition/ Col. Ahmed El Mestikawi will lead this tour. 

2-   Transportations & Security:

A- Four-Wheel Drive Toyota Land cruiser newest model 4 people per Car, All seats are facing forward.

B-    Full Navigation system GPS.

C-    Advanced Map Navigation satellite images and routing

D-    Satellite Phone onboard.

E-    Emergency Helicopter Under call

F-     VHF communication between cars.

G-    Emergency Gas & Water container

H-    First Aid Kit.

3-   Central Tent:

A-   Central tent 10X5meters resistance against cold temperature &wind.

B-   All necessary kitchen & dining utensils, cookery, drink ware etc.

C-   Refrigerator, oven & fire grill.

D-   Electricity 220V (can be used for charging guest’s batteries, cameras, cell phones, etc).

E-   Chairs and tables for dinning use.

F-    Camp is protected against bad weather conditions.

4-   Camp Accommodation:

A-   Spacious well ventilated dome tent (220cmX180cm) including mattresses per person. (High density foam mattress, 200cmX80cm and 6cm in thickness).

B-   Tents are resistant against bad weather conditions.

C-   Zarzora's Crew help in setting up the tents for the clients.

5-   Hotel Accommodation:

A-   Two night’s accommodation in Cairo hotel 4**** on BB basis

6-   Food &Beverages:

A- Full board- breakfast, picnic lunch and warm cooked dinner during the tour.

B- Beverages (mineral water, tea, coffee, etc) during the tour as per program.

C- Sweets and savoury snacks during the tour as per program.

7-   Visits, Excursions and transfers:

A-   All entrance fees and militarily permissions fees for desert entry as per program.

B-   Only One transfer for each Arrival & Departure days

Rates:

EUR 1070.00 per person in double room*

Single supplement EUR 85.00

(Minimum 6 pax – Please ask us)

 All visits and excursion fees are included as per program.

Confirmation Deadline is 28 June 2011

*check bellow for details

Rates exclude

- Egypt entry visa.
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, etc...).
- International & Domestic Flights.

- Emergency Helicopter services fees
- Dinner in hotels.

- Special destinations entrance tickets (any place not mentioned in the program)
- Tips for guide, driver, etc…
- Optional activities.

- Any items which is not included above.

Notes:

-Please note that we need coloured copies of passports at least 20 days before the actual trip date.

-Don’t forget to bring your personal sleeping bag, sun glasses, torches/LED Flashlights, sun block cream, heavy duty shoes, and a head cover sun protection.

-We don’t recommend joining this trip if you have any serious medical condition however please don’t forget to bring your own necessary medications if you’re on any.

-Zarzora’s leader is fully authorized to change the trip route in case of any emergency e.g., vehicle breakdown, sickness of any of the trip members, dramatic weather changes, etc....

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