The Oasis, Egypt

Oasis

The oasis, a depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees, reflects the beauty, charm and diversity of nature; its surrounding desert...green valleys...water wells...high plateaus...therapeutic sulphur-rich springs. In Egypt there are plenty of oases in the Western Desert. The most significant are Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhia, Paris, Farafrah, Bahereya, Siwa and the Qattara Depression. The Fayyum Oasis lies in depression, right in the Western Desert, about 103 km. south-west of Cairo. It is surrounded by high plateaus, and separated from the Nile Valley by a high ridge to the east at al-Lahun. The oasis is famed for its all-year-round pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. There is evidence of pre-historic settlements as well as Pharaonic, GreekRoman, Coptic, & Islamic monuments. Fayyum boosts a combination of rural, coastal, desert, and urban environments, and thus holds out great attractions to tourists. The Hawara Pyramid (shown to the right) dating from (1991-1778 BC) can be found here. The Oases provides a vast amount of tourist attractions, below is a brief overview of some of the sites that you can visit!

The Oasis
Tourist Attractions
Springs and Wells
Monuments

The Oasis:

Al-Wadi Al-Gadeed Oases :(The New Valley Oases)

The New Valley Oases occupies some 67% of the Western Desert and 45.8% of the total area of Egypt. It lies 602 km. from Cairo and 232 km. from Assyut. It’s bordered by the Governorate of Matruh in the north, Sudan in the south, Libya in the west, and theGovernorates of Middle Egypt in the east. It includes the Kharga, Dakhla, Farafrah and Paris oases with more than 99 monuments dating to different ages.

The area enjoys a mixture of the desert environment, green plains, wells, and sulphur-rich springs, both cold and hot. In one spring, the water temperature reaches 43 C and is suitable for the treatment of rheumatic and digestive ailments, colds and allergies.The oases are famed for their dry climate most of the year, and humidity never exceeds 9.5%. Warm, sunny winters allow them to be an international health spa.

Dakhla Oasis;

Dakhla (capital Mut) is the second provincial capital of the Governorate and lies 200km. north-west of Kharga. Midway is the Zayyan resthouse. Dakhla contains several wells, the most important of which are: The Mut Wells in which the temperature reaches 43 C. One well is 1224 meters deep. It has a round swimming pool and tourist resthouses with complete facilities.The pharonic wells of Ayn al-Qasr in which water temperature reaches 45 C.

Kharga Oasis:

Capital of the New Valley Governorate, it lies 232 km. south of Assyut. It is characterized by its numerous monuments, springs and tourist sites such as the ponds of fish in Bulaq Village.

Paris Oasis: (Temple of Dush)

Located 90 km. south of Kharga, it houses the Roman Temple of Dush dedicated to the God Serapis. There is also a mud-brick Turkish fortress, an ancient church and some pottery dating to the Coptic period.

Farafrah Oasis:

About 320 km. northwest of Dakhla and 170 km. north of Bahereya Oasis, it is suitable for car tours and safaris by means of the circular road connecting it with Dakhla and Bahereya. There are remains of roman buildings, including Qasr al-Farafrah, built of mud-brick, and Qasr Abu Minqar.

Siwa Oasis:
About 306 km. south west of Marsa Matruh and 627 km from Cairo, this oasis is renowned for its beautiful scenery, thick groves of palm and olive trees, water springs, and the surrounding mountains. It has a steady climate, chilly in the winter, hot in the summer and moderate in spring and autumn.

Tourist Attractions:

Greek and Roman Monuments: There are the ruins of towns and palaces such as Ancient Karanis, Kum al-Tel, Dimieh Al-Sibah, Qasr Qarun, Ahubit and many more.

Coptic and Islamic Monuments: There are monasteries and mosques such as Deir al-Gharb, Marie Girgis, Qantarah of Al-Lahun, inlaid with ivory, and the Suspended Mosque.

Natural Springs: There are numerous water springs in the area. The most famous is Al-Siliyin. Its subterranean waters flow from several crevices into a main canal. Other springs are: Al-Sha'ir, Biahmu and Al-MAndarah.

Water Wheels: Fayyum boasts of 200 water wheels that are used to irrigate the land (shown to the right ).

Other tourist attractions:

Pharaonic Monuments
Lake Qarun
The Artificial Forest

Springs and Wells:

The Bulaq Wells: The water temperature reaches 39 C here. It has a resthouse with complete facilities.

The Nasser Tourist Wells: Is south of Kharga, this well has a camping site. All the wells are suitable for the treatment of rheumatic ailments.

Other Springs and Wells:

The Bulaq Wells
Jenah Well

Monuments:

Hibis Temple: The Hibis Temple dates back to the 26th Dynasty. It's dedicated to the Holy Triad (Amun Ra'-Mut-Khonsu).

Cemetery Of Al- Bagawat: The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of domed chambers. In the center is a church dating back to the 11th century A.D. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The Temple Of Al-Ghuwaytah (shown to the right) is dedicated to the Triad and dates back to the 27th Dynasty,

Temple of Al-ghuwaytah: Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis.

Other Monuments:

Al-Zayyan Temple
Al-Deir
Mut
Bashendi
Al-Mizawaka Tombs
Balat Village (Islamic)
Balat Village (Pharaonic)
Temple of Deir Al-Hagar
Al-Qasr Village (Islamic)