Bahariya Oasis
Bahariya Oasis
Bahariya Oasis is situated 330 km southwest of Cairo and 180 km from the Nile Valley, in a natural depression of 2000 km2, in a mountainous area. In ancient times, Bahariya served as a link between Egypt and Libya, governed by a Libyan family under the authority of the Pharaohs of the 26th Dynasty. It was known as the 'Little Oasis' in contrast to Kharga. This oasis was always fertile, producing wine from the Middle Kingdom. A wine press was discovered with its crushing zone, indicating that the northern oases were covered with vines that supplied popular wine to the tables of Greece and Rome. Dates, citrus fruits, onions, and poultry, especially turkeys, are still being transported to the Nile Valley. The city thrived until the fourth century AD. The oasis is rich in hot springs and continues to be a major producer of dates. Looking to plan a tour to Egypt? Choose from our range of tours from Cairo to easily visit Bahariya Oasis with Cairo Top Tours. Bahariya has been under pharaonic control since the 6th dynasty, as evidenced by the presence of mastabas in Balat where the governors of the oases were buried. In the Middle Kingdom, it served as a trading region with the Nile Valley; a stele from the twelfth dynasty confirms political relations with Abydos and Thebes. Later, after the fall of the 13th Dynasty, a Kamose stele, discovered in 1954 in the Karnak Temple, informs us that Apopi, king of the Hyksos, sends a message to the Prince of Kush to attack Egypt from the south. The messenger and his message are intercepted by Kamose; Egypt can be reassured.
