Explore Egypt

Farafra sits on the doorstep of the chalk wonderland — its inselbergs and mushroom rocks are closest from here.

On the road north toward Bahariya, a natural arch of glittering quartz crystal rises beside the desert track.

'Well Six' bubbles up warm and iron-rich into a desert pool, the favourite soak after a White Desert safari.

A self-taught oasis artist's mud-brick gallery of sculpture and paintings, a heartfelt portrait of desert life.

Walled gardens of date palms, olives and apricots, irrigated by springs — the lush green heart of the oasis.

4x4 into the chalk fields to camp the night among glowing white shapes under a furious blaze of stars.

Golden dune fields roll up to the oasis edge, perfect for sandboarding and the long desert sunset.

The desert lodge's courtyard restaurant in Qasr el-Farafra — Bedouin-Egyptian set menus and the only proper kitchen for miles.