The Dakhla Oasis – Tropical Paradise Of The Western Desert
Dakhla Oasis is located in the Western Desert of Egypt, and it is one of seven that are well-known in the country. The oasis goes by a few different names including Dakhleh Oasis and the “Inner Oasis”. It is located in the New Valley area, which also includes the Farafra Oasis and the Al Kharga Oasis.
Over and above its natural beauty, the Dakhla Oasis is also home to many unique ruins and structures that date to a variety of different time periods in history.
The Ancient Town of Al Qasr
The first known recording of anything to do with the Dakhla Oasis took place around 2550 BC, during the Pharaonic time period in Egypt. However, mention of the Oasis at this time is limited. During the 12th century, when the Islamic period had begun, a town was built in the oasis and is named Al Qasr.
It is believed that below the town, there could be the remains of a Roman settlement. However, this has not yet been thoroughly investigated or verified.
If you want to truly experience the culture of the area, choose to go on a tour with one of the local guides. You will find all sorts of unique and interesting sites including madrassas, mosques, mud brick homes, and forges. Many of the buildings located in Al-Qasr are still working and in use.
In the center of Al-Qasr, you will find a market where local farmers sell everything from basketry to foods to straw hats. If you would like to take home a piece of local Egyptian culture, then you can get it at this market.
Mut and Other Unique Sites of Interest
There is another town called Mut in the oasis, and information about the surrounding area can be found here at a tourist office that is open from eight in the morning to three in the afternoon. Additionally, the town offers a restaurant and a bank for tourist convenience.
Other unique sites of interest in the Dakhla Oasis include the following:
- Al-Qasr, which is made entirely of mud brick
- More than 600 different hot springs scattered throughout the oasis
- The Ethnographic Museum, which is located in Al-Qasr.
There are buses that leave from Mut and allow you to get to surrounding areas. The bus from Cairo to Mut takes about 10 hours of travel time, including a few different stops. The bus to Farafra takes about 4.5 hours and the bus from Bahariya takes about 7 hours. You can also take taxies from Farafra if you do not mind paying the extra fare. If you are especially adventurous, you can hire a bike.
Visiting Dakhla Oasis on your own is only an option if you are an experienced traveller who is ready for a serious adventure.
We suggest you find an Egypt desert tour package that includes a visit to this fascinating attraction. There are a number of high quality Egypt travel packages that include transport and a highly experienced personal guide.