Bahariyya

From Wikitravel

Bahariyya is an oasis town in Egypt's Western Desert. As the closest of the five Western Oases to Cairo, it serves as a jumping-off point to other destinations in the desert. Bahariya Oasis is easy to reach from Cairo (you will pass through much desert), Bahariya is in the middle of Egypt's Western Desert, about 365 km south-west of Cairo and it is the best starting point for the Black and White Desert. Set in a depression covering over 2000 sq. km., Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by black hills made up of ferruginous quartzite and dolorite. The oasis is provided with water by many springs. The most famous of these, a thermal spring with medicinal and restorative properties, comes out in the Bedouin village of Bawiti. Wildlife is plentiful, especially birds such as wheatears, Bahariya Oasis might also appeal rock hounds. Golden Mummies were discovered - 'Valley of the Mummies' is the biggest of its kind. Estimates are the four-mile strip of desert holds 5,000 - 10,000 mummies. The mummies are covered with a thin layer of gold and wearing gypsum masks. Sumptuous gilded death masks depict lifelike faces of real people, rather than stereotypical images. They were found in four tombs in the town of Bawiti in Bahariya Oasis.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Visit the Oasis Heritage Museum.

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[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Alpenblick Hotel Oasis, ☎ +20 2 38472184, [1]. The first built hotel in Bawiti is completely reconditioned in 2007. 23 rooms equipped with air conditioning system and colour television set. The nice courtyard of the hotel still offers a cosy place for resting and sitting together.  edit
• Minamar Hotel, ☎ +20122553510, [2]. Stay on the A lake that is created from the natural springs,The hotel is nestled between the majestic pyramid mountain of the Western Desert and the beautiful Bahariya Lake. All rooms overlook Bahariya Lake.  edit
• Qasr El Bawity Ecohotel, ☎ +20 2 847 1880, [3]. This hotel is set up like a small village, with 28 comfortable rooms built entirely from natural materials indigenous to the oasis.  edit

[edit] Budget

Desert Safari Home, ☎ +847 1321, [4]. Price depends on dormitories, air-conditioning, private bath, double, triple etc. Dinner costs about 15 pounds. A far walk from the city centre though. 10-75 pounds.  edit

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