Living in Luxor - Excursions: Trips to Kharga Oasis

Kharga Oasis is located in the Western Desert and about 200 km away from Luxor. This oasis, which was known as the 'Southern Oasis' to the Ancient Egyptians is the largest of the oases in the Western Desert of Egypt and consists of a depression about 200 km long. The trade route, passing through Kharga in the south, was a long caravan route running north-south between Middle Egypt and the Sudan. It was used from as early as the Old Kingdom of Egypt for the transport and trade of gold, ivory, spices, wheat, animals and plants.

The oasis is part of New Valley Governorate. Its capital is Kharga City with an interesting archaeological museum. Another city called Baris is situated 86 km to the south of Kharga City.

Dunes at Dush southeast of Kharga close to the Desert Camp

Sights in Kharga Oasis

The most significant sight of Kharga oasis is the Hibis Temple which is located 2 km north of Kharga City and built in the 26th dynasty. It is one of the most important and best-preserved temples all over Egypt and was dedicated to God Amun.

 Hībis Temple

The most important Christian sight in the whole Western Desert is the early Christian Cemetery of El-Bagawat (Gabbānat el-Bagawāt). The cemetery consists of 263 mudbrick tomb-chapels and underground galleries with ornate façades and painted biblical scenes dating back to the 4th century AD.

 Gabbānat el-Bagawāt

At Nādura there are two Roman temples. Beside that there are numerous remains of Roman settlements with fortresses, aqueducts and tombs in the area, for example 'Ain Umm ed-Dabādib.

 Roman Fortress 'Ain Umm ed-Dabādib

The village of New Baris (Bārīs al-Gadīda) is located 8 km north of Bārīs City. The never finished and to this day uninhabitated settlement was one of the most ambitious projects of the famous Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy.

 Market Halls in New Baris

The Roman Fortress and Temple Qasr Dush is situated to the south of the oasis about 95 km south of Kharga City and about 3 km south of Baris in sight of the Desert Camp. The temple lies in the eastern part of the fortress and is dedicated to Isis and Serapis ("Osiris has come"). Here, in 1989 archaeologists discovered the "Dush Treasure", a magnificent collection of golden artefacts, now showcased at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

 Fortress Qasr Dush                                  Isis and Serapis Temple at Dush

Insiders' Tip: Accomodation in Kharga Oasis

The Desert Camp is located near the hillside of Qasr Dush, 100 km before Kharga travelling from Luxor. The camp is surrounded by desert and has a view onto the ancient ruins of the roman fortress that has once been safeguarding the passage through the vast desert.

The luxury camp is under Swiss-Italian management and has 20 wood tents available. Each tent is equipped with two beds, a bathroom, a private dressing room, and nature friendly furnished with hand made furniture following the style of the Bedouins. Furthermore, each tent comes with its private deck. The camp has a cafeteria and a restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. All the food is locally grown. The ideal place to relax and to regain your strength.

Desert Camp, Kharga Oasis

Desert Camp, Kharga Oasis - Interior equipment of a tent

Rates

We would be pleased to organise for you a customised quick trip or multi-day stay in Kharga Oasis excluding or including accommodation in the Desert Camp. Kindly let us know your wishes, we make you a favourable offer.

Geographical Position

 Kharga (A) and environs, © Google

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