Siwa Oasis Retreat – Salt Lakes, Desert Safari & Craft Workshops (Women Only)

Traditional farmhouse in the palm gardens of Siwa, reserved exclusively for our group. The house has 7 rooms – 3 twin rooms with two single beds and 4 single rooms, all overlooking the palm gardens. Some rooms are built from traditional mud brick, others are tent-style rooms, so each room is slightly different. The 7 rooms share 3 bathrooms. It is a simple, traditional farm stay rather than a hotel, which brings the week close to real oasis life.

All meals are prepared with local, seasonal ingredients from the oasis dates, olives, vegetables and bread baked fresh during the bread baking workshop. Breakfast and dinner are served daily at the farmhouse, with one lunch included on day 3 and a Bedouin dinner served under the open sky in the desert on day 4.

Day 1 · Thursday, 25 March 2027
Arrival in Siwa
Pickup from Cairo Airport on the evening of 24 March, then an overnight drive to Siwa (around 8 hours), arriving in the morning with time to rest. In the evening, a welcome meeting with a short introduction to the oasis, its history and culture, a light traditional dinner, and time to relax at the hot sulfur springs.
Overnight: Siwa · Meals: dinner

Day 2 · Friday, 26 March 2027
Salt lakes and a workshop with Siwan women
Morning swim in the salt lakes, then rest at the farmhouse. In the afternoon, a cultural workshop with women from Siwa: henna painting and baking local bread together. In the evening, we cross to a small island on the lake for sunset and dinner in a quiet natural setting.
Overnight: Siwa · Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 3 · Saturday, 27 March 2027
Shali Fortress and Siwan handicrafts
A guided visit to Shali Fortress, the old town of Siwa, followed by the first pottery session there. After lunch and a short rest, a palm-leaf weaving workshop with a traditional craftsman, including stories about local heritage. Bedouin dinner at the farmhouse.
Overnight: Siwa · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 · Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027
Pottery, desert safari and stargazing
Second pottery session with Siwan artist Hussein, then a desert safari through dunes, rock formations and hidden springs. Bedouin dinner in the desert, followed by stargazing with a telescope and a local astronomy guide. Overnight in the desert camp, or back at the farmhouse if the group prefers.
Overnight: desert camp or Siwa · Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 · Easter Monday, 29 March 2027
Dakrour Mountain, the Oracle of Amun and a local farm
A morning walk up Dakrour Mountain for views over the oasis and Shali Fortress, then a midday visit to the Oracle of Amun, which Alexander the Great consulted in 331 BC. In the afternoon, a visit to a local farm to see date and olive production. Dinner with an evening of traditional Siwan music.
Overnight: Siwa · Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 · Tuesday, 30 March 2027
Final pottery session and farewell evening
A final session to finish and polish the week's pottery, then a free afternoon. In the evening, sunset on the lake island and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Siwa · Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 7 · Wednesday, 31 March 2027
Market and departure
A morning visit to the local market for dates, olives, salt and handicrafts, then transfer to Cairo Airport for the flight home.
Meals: breakfast

We recommend booking an international flight into either Cairo International Airport or Sphinx International Airport. Our team meets you at the airport in the evening of 24 March for the overnight drive to Siwa, timed so you reach the oasis in the morning with the day free to rest. The same transfer runs in reverse on departure.