This expedition is somewhat unique. First you obtain a view into the several inhabited areas of the Western Desert and the various deserts which lie between. From Dakhla you penetrate into the seldom traversed area which has been mapped only since 1932. The landscape is unique. The colors and shapes of the mountains are constantly changing and the color palette of the sand is stretched. Abu Ballas with its markings from Neolithic times and its clay vessels is the first point which you aim at. Next "Lions" formed by the wind from the red sedimentary rock await you. At the Tall Ahmer you branch in the direction to Wadi Mashi. Over sand dunes you ascend the pass which leads into this wide valley. At the northern end of the Gilf you branch into the Wadi Assab.

Here you discover the southernmost tip of the Great Sand Sea. The wonderful Wadi exhibits many different faces: dunes, mountains, and even isolated small bushes. Over a pass you achieve the plateau of the Gilf on whose south side your view can wander to the Libyan area. A highpoint of this trip is the Wadi Hamra, the Red Valley. This valley displays Acacias and a few plants.

It is a pearl in the Gilf El Kebir and its undisturbed nature is impressive. If luck is with you, you will find Silica Glass in a particular section in the Great Sand Sea. This glass comes from a meteorite impact in this area, and it is hitherto unique on earth. The crossing of the Great Desert with its occasionally 100 meter high ridges is an exceptional adventure. In the Siwa Oasis you will arrive back in civilization.

Day 1: Cairo / Dakhla Oasis
After breakfast we set out on our way to Dakhla , we visit the Old Covered City with its oil press, school, Courthouse and dwelling chambers, Muzzawaka & Deir El Hagar, have lunch, dinner and overnight in the Hotel.

Day 2: Sugar Loaf - Mud Lions
Pick up the military escort in the morning and head to last check point, then leave the paved road towards Sugar Loaf, a spectacular rock formation. Continue towards Yardages formation site or Mud lions which is an ancient lake site, after it was dry, the fauna left fossilized in the playa sediment had formed in the shape of sea lions in the direction of the wind, giving a spectacular landscape view.

Day 3: Central Gilf Kebir
Driving west towards the Gilf Kebir, crossing Wadi Mashi dunes and continue towards the Gap that splits the Gilf Kebir for two parts, this is a remarkable area with beautiful landscape scenery where the Sand Sea dunes are breaking and surmounting the Gilf Kebir plateau. Will have our camp near the complex dunes of Wadi Assib.

Day 4: Aqaba pass - Wadi Sura
From Central Gilf we will descend the Aqaba Pass towards the plain to the west, driving along the western cliffs of the Gilf that rises about 300 m. First we visit Swimmers Cave discovered by Almasy in 1933. Then visit the Mestqawe-Foggini cave discovered in2002 with the richest assembly of rock art drawings and engravings in the whole of Egypt, Some travellers consider this cave to be the “Sistine Chapel “(Vatican – Rome) of the African rock art. Later camp in spectacular area where the rocks were shaped like domes.

Day 5: Wadi Abdel Malik
We leave Wadi Sura camp and drive along the western side of the Gilf towards Wadi abd al Malik, on the way we stop at Kebir a Crater; a very large crater that was observed by satellite images and thought maybe connected to the formation of the Silica Glass field! Wadi Abdel Malik is the valley with acacia trees that Almasy spotted from the aero plane and believed it to be one of three valleys of the lost oasis of zerzura. Camp in Wadi Abdel Malik.

Day 6: Silica Glass Area
Drive through Wadi el Gubba Leaving the Gilf behind we will enter the area of southern Sand Sea where the giant dunes block any passage to east or west. We will drive in between the dunes to a suitable camping area. Spend the afternoon exploring the Silica Glass and the stone tools.

Day 7: Ain Dalla
Continue driving North in the corridors of Sand Sea, searching for Fulgurites; which looks like glass tubes, at a suitable point we will head east to start crossing the dunes towards Ain Dalla then Camp in Central Sand Sea.

Day 8: Ain Dalla / Cairo
After breakfast, transfer back to Cairo.

• All transport using 4WD Toyota Landcruiser.
• 6 nights desert camping based on Full-board basis.
• 1 night in dakhla hotel based on Full-board basis.
• Meals as per the itinerary.
• Private English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees and local permissions to the major sites as per the itinerary.
• All tax & service charges.

• International airfare.
• Entry visa for Egypt (US$ 15 pp).
• Meals / bevarages / optional tours or other services not mentioned in the tour program.
• Tipping (recommended) and personal expenses.