Places of Interest - Egypt

"mut" and "dakhla" oasis

introduction

The "Dakhla" oasis is known as the inner-oasis and is one of the seven oases of Egypt's western desert. Part of the Libyan desert, this oasis was created from 600 water sources. There are several villages consisting of mud houses where about 70,000 people live. Research (after studying rock carvings) has shown that thousands of years ago there was a large lake where elephants and other animals hung around. It is even assumed that when the lake dried up it were these people who first settled along the Nile. Mut is the largest establishment in the "Dakhla oasis" where you can visit the old citadel, among other things. The city can also act as the base for a tour to the interesting "Al-Qasr".

highlights

Mut:

The old town of "Mut" is a labyrinth of streets, alleys and squares with dilapidated clay houses that eventually lead to the citadel on top of the hill. When you arrive here you encounter unfortunately a place full of rubbish and some roaming goats, but you can enjoy the view; the panorama gives you a perfect picture of the sand dunes in the distance as well as the high desert cliffs. From here you can take a walk to the old Islamic cemetery. A little further from the village there are a number of water sources that you can visit. You can also walk to some sand dunes on your own which would have been here already in Roman times. Finally, it is possible to view traditional petroglyphs nearby.

Al-Qasr:

At about 30 km northwest of Mut you can find the beautiful medieval oasis town "Al-Qasr". Where other oasis outlets have been changed by the "New Valley New Construction Projects", this one has been kept in its former glory. Some 700 people now live here on the old site of a Roman settlement. Where city planning still dates from Roman times, some of the gates and door entrances date from Ottoman and Mammeluk times. There is a school, mosque, a police station including small prison and you can see an old working olive press and a flour mill.

tips & advice (2004)

The bus station is located in the center of the city. "Mut" is the closest place where an airport is situated.

Dakhla - Farafra: there is a bus that leaves at 18:00 and microbuses should also leave. You might better take a service taxi (shared); the journey takes about 4 hours. Costs are about 10 EP.

Name: "Government Resthouse"

Address: Midan al-Gamaa, Mut

Price: 5 EP

Phone nr. : 820 404

Content:

Located in the center of the town, above the information center and almost next to the bus station. It is a very basic principle and it’s not more than a very basis private room with a bed. Water and electricity can be a problem, but it is safe in any case.

TOUR to o.a. "Al-Qasr"

At the "Ahmed Hamdy" restaurant you can arrange a tour to the desert and oasis-towns in the area including "Al-Qasr". Possibilities are going there with a jeep (individually or in a group) or with a camel.

TIME: 09:00 - 13:00

PRICE: 75 EP or 85 EP including lunch

INCLUDING:

Transport and a somewhat reasonably English speaking guide

CONTENT TRIP:

To "Al-Qasr" (guided tour)
To "Al Muruwaka" (tombs with mummies and a water
source)
To the sand dunes
Guided tour of the oasis town "Al Gedida"
Possibility to splash in the "magic source"
Having lunch at the beautiful "Mut Talata"
Transport back to your hostel or the information center.

Places of Interest - Egypt

"mut" and "dakhla" oasis

introduction

highlights

tips & advice (2004)

see also:

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