Info- Cairo to Luxor via Oasis

[cecca]

Hi alls,
I am planning a motorcycle trip in Egypt, so I am looking for information on the Cairo-Bahariya-Farafra-Dakhala to Luxor road.
The question is about fuel station, I've read of no problem in the oasis, but are fuel station only in the oasis? If so, I'll need an extra tank ...

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[ilesmark]

Hi - we did some of this road in 2007 - we did Siwa-Bahariya-Farafra-Dakhala-Luxor. From memory, the only fuel places are in the oases if that helps, although I don't know about Cairo-Bahariya. At least you aren't doing Siwa-Bahariya though - that's 600kms!

[cecca]

Thank you for reply. I travel with no support so I can't plan Siwa-Baharyya road. Fuel and load are a problem in that part of Egypt.

[Trumpton]

No problems with fuel (diesel, but would assume petrol ok too), in the oasis on the Cairo-Bahariya-Farafra-Dakhala route, but from what I recall (did it last Dec) nothing between the Oasis's.

Dont know about Dakla to Luxor, but I wouldnt count on there being any in between!!

When are you going? we will be that way again later this year.

Andy

[cecca]

Thanks for answer, so I can find fuel only in the oasis ...
and this won't a problema with extra tanks on my bike.
On 4th October I leave from Italy,
I ride cross the countries of former Yugoslavia toTurkey, then I ride down to the South: Syria and Jordan.
In Egypt I plan to arrive down to Abu Simbel and come back home from the same countries.

Fabrizio

[andrasz]

Last time I passed that road in the spring, the dilapidated gas station near the cafeteria at the halfway point (around km 180) on the Cairo - Bahariya stretch was being renovated, it appeared that it will open for business again. Anyone having passed more recently can confirm this ?

[cecca]

Originally Posted by andrasz

Last time I passed that road in the spring, the dilapidated gas station near the cafeteria at the halfway point (around km 180) on the Cairo - Bahariya stretch was being renovated, it appeared that it will open for business again. Anyone having passed more recently can confirm this ?

This would be a good news.

thanks for info.

[cecca]

I just had a mail from a person from Bahariya and he confirmed that:

" There is a fuel station on the road from Cairo to Bahariya after 185 kilometres from Cairo close to the Rest house".

I suppose it's the same you mentioned, so it means that meanwhile it's opened.

[PaulD]

Does anybody know what the Roads are like on this route ?
Thanks
Paul

[andrasz]

Good quality tarmac all the way (except for the odd 2-3 km stretch where roadworks/resurfacing is being done, which is perpetual at some point given the more than 1000 km overall distance).

[PaulD]

Would you recomend this route from Cairo-Luxor over the others, We are headed to Cape Town and I was wondering which route would be best, from the tourist point of view.

[cecca]

On the road from Cairo to Luxor, along th Nile, you must travel in police convoy. And I don't think it's a good tourist experience. A friend of mine who was there last year said that these convoys seem like "the most crazy race of the world".
Along the Golf of Suez, convoy from Hurghada to Luxor.
Then you can't avoid convoy from Luxor down to Aswan and Abu Simbel.

[jamieT]

Hi All,

I have heard from several sources that convoys are no longer required in most of Egypt, specifically Hurghada-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan. Nothing definite, so I am prepared for any corrections.

I imagine Aswan-Abu Simbal remains a convoy, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was still insisted upon on the Nile route, due to lots of civilisation, and the general feeling that this passes through the grass roots (route) areas of fundamentalism. Note that I am not suggesting that this is actually the case, just that the authorities have always been more careful (paranoid?) here.

Through the Oasis loop ( or taking the fast desert road to Asyut ) they are quite likely to tag along while you pass through town, but leave you at the exit. This has been the case for us recently.

As for the choices of
1) Oasis Loop
2) Asyut desert road
3) Nile route
4) Hurghada route

it will come down to personal choice. I would definitely rule out (3) as the pace will be vvv slow, the hassle greater, and the Nile and civilisation is significantly better in Sudan. Route (4) is fast and simple, gets nice coastline (diving, snorkling, windsurfing etc) although Hurghada is pretty unpleasant in my opinion. We spend a lot of time around the Oasis loop, off the beaten track, and love it. However most overlanders pop off the road into the white desert and otherwise stay on this very long diversion. If you go this way then you should try and make the most of it if you have time. I am not certain of the Asyut to Luxor road, but the Asyut desert road is now dual carriage way all the way, fast and simple ( I think ), this would be another option that doesn't get mentioned often.

Enough for now

[cecca]

Originally Posted by jamieT

Hi All,

I have heard from several sources that convoys are no longer required in most of Egypt, specifically Hurghada-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan. Nothing definite, so I am prepared for any corrections.

I imagine Aswan-Abu Simbal remains a convoy ...

Thanks a lot for sharing these info.

Does anyone have other recent info about convoys?

[omar mansour]

hi
so its 360 km from Cairo to Bahariya ,the half way gas station some times work ,some times not ,
what you do get extra Jerry can with you if your tank cant do 360 km ,the road condition is good ,one way road .don't do it at night ,and in the last 90 km some sand on the road
Bahariya -Farafra ,its almost 200 km ,you can do it on one tank easy ,and you may try to camp in the white desert (40 km before Farafra ) and you will see signs ,turn left if you are heading to farafra ,you there is easy dirt road you can do few km inside with any bike and loaded,one of the most highlights on the road ,
from Farafra to Dakhla its 300 km ,55 km before you reach Dakhla there is gas station on the lest (in a place called Gharb mawhoob )
i advice you to stay in the Bedouin village hotel ,they have a place to pitch your camp ,or cheap rooms or nice rooms with shower and WC ,mention to them you know Omar Mansour from ALexandria and enjoy the Bedouin live music at night
from Dakhla to KHarga ,almost 200 kilo ,
and from Kharga to Luxor ,is like 300 km cant remember exactly
but that is the best route to make Cairo to Luxor and no convoy at all in it
hope i give some useful info
right now i,m in south Africa heading to Egypt ,my life dream trip
cheers