After enjoying a hearty Egyptian breakfast at your hotel, you'll begin your exploration of the Siwa Oasis. Your first stop will be the old town of Shali, located right in the center of the city. Here, you'll see the remarkable Shali Fortress, which was built using a unique local construction method involving salt, mud, and clay. This innovative technique helped keep the buildings cool, though unfortunately, parts of the 13th-century fortress did melt down after heavy rains in the 1930s.
Next, you'll visit the most significant site in Siwa - the Temple of Alexander the Great, also known as the Oracle of Amun. This ancient temple gained fame after Alexander the Great himself came here and asked the oracle to confirm that he was the son of the Greek god Zeus (or Amun-Ra in Egyptian mythology). The temple dates back to the 26th Dynasty.
You'll also see the ruins of the Temple of Amun at Um Ubayda, which was dedicated to the triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Sadly, this temple was destroyed in 1869 when the governor of Siwa ordered it to be blown up in order to build a palace and presidential retreat.
After exploring these archaeological wonders, you'll have the chance to learn more about traditional Siwan culture by visiting a local Siwan house. Here, you can see the daily tools and accessories used by the people, helping to preserve their rich heritage.
Enjoy a local lunch, then head to the famous Cleopatra Spring, also known as Ein Guba. Take a relaxing dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters before being transferred back to your hotel for the night.
Meals included today are breakfast and lunch.