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1 city
Province · Western Desert
New Valley
The New Valley, the oases of the Western Desert: the White Desert near Farafra, the medieval town of Al-Qasr in Dakhla, and the Hibis Temple and the Bagawat necropolis in Kharga.
In the photo: Gates and walls of the Hibis Temple, in the Kharga oasis.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know New Valley
The New Valley is the largest governorate of Egypt by area and occupies the center and south of the Western Desert, west of the Nile Valley. Life is concentrated along a chain of oases, with springs, palm trees and fields: Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga, where the capital, Kharga, is located.
Near Farafra, the White Desert National Park is a plain of wind-sculpted white limestone formations, some mushroom-shaped, that change color with the daylight. 4x4 tours often include an overnight camp among the formations.
In Dakhla, the old town of Al-Qasr has multi-storey mudbrick houses, covered streets and carved wooden doors dating from the Ottoman and medieval periods. Mut, the main town, has hot springs on its outskirts, and the oasis preserves tombs and temples from Roman times.
In Kharga are the Hibis Temple, dedicated to Amun, and the Bagawat necropolis, with hundreds of early Christian brick funerary chapels, some with paintings. On the road to the south, Baris connects the oasis to the Nile Valley near Luxor.
Destinations
1 destination in New Valley
Cities
1 cities in New Valley in the guide
When to go
From October to April the days are mild and the nights cold, especially from December to February, when temperatures can approach zero in the desert. From May to September the heat is very strong. Camping in the White Desert is most common between October and April.
Getting there
By road, Farafra is about 180 km from the Bahariya oasis, which links the New Valley to Giza and Cairo. From Farafra the road continues to Dakhla and Kharga. Kharga has an airport (UVL), with flights from Cairo at certain times, and a road south via Baris to Luxor. For desert excursions, tours use 4x4 vehicles with a driver.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about New Valley
How to get to the White Desert?
From the Bahariya oasis, about 370 km from Cairo, where 4x4 tours depart. The White Desert lies between Bahariya and Farafra, and the trip usually includes the Black Desert and an overnight camp.
How many days to allow for the White Desert?
Two to three days from Cairo: one day driving to Bahariya, crossing the Black Desert and one night in the White Desert, then return.
What to see in Dakhla?
The old town of Al-Qasr, with multi-storey mudbrick houses and carved doors, the hot springs near Mut and the tombs and temples from the Roman period.
What is the Bagawat necropolis?
It is a cemetery of early Christians in the Kharga oasis, with hundreds of brick funerary chapels, some with mural paintings.
Is it cold in the Egyptian desert?
At night, yes. From December to February temperatures can approach zero in the White Desert and in the oases. Bring warm clothing and a sleeping bag suitable for camping.