Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesco
Dear All,
I am planning a trip to the Western Desert of Egypt between 18th January – 1st February 2009. I will be travelling in a Toyota Hilux 2.5 Turbodiesel with Egyptian plate.
I am looking for any information regarding the four following tracks:
1) Siwa - Qara Oasis (Qattara Depression)- Areg Oasis;
2) Bahareya – Gara Cave – Farafra;
3) Darb al-Farafra (the old caravan route east of the asphalt road, between Farafra and Dakhla);
4) Darb al-Tawil/Darb al-Khashabi (the old caravan routes between Dakhla and Manfalut/Asyut).
Any information regarding possible required permits, tracks condition, difficult tracts, GPS points etc. would be much appreciated.
Best Regards,
Francesco Germi
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Hi,
Have done a couple of recent trips through Egypt, Gilf, western desert, Karkur tahl, sand sea etc etc and as far as I am aware:
1: Permissions req for Siwa - Bahariya on the road, so assume more permits required if venturing off road
2: ive only done this on the ashpalt road so not sure about permits but we had to have permissions to travel from Cairo - Dakhla on tarmac
3: Again unsure, but fairly confident that the Egyptian authorities will insist on some sort of permit (more revenue for them) if off road
4: Anywhere south of Dakhla, permit basically required & Army officer escort also.
Be warned that the Egyptian authorities are a bit of a nightmare when it comes to desert travel & permits etc, your best bet is to contact a local agency to help you through the minefield of beauracracy
Having said that I dont know if its any easier in a 'local' car ( i assume thats what you mean when you say 'Egyptian plate'), we've allways been in our own (UK registered) cars, but with Egyptian registrations, and very obviously foriegners!
Andy
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