Africa

 Egypt

 White Desert

White Desert, Egypt

Rating:
 

Egypt’s White Desert is truly awe-inspiring. And the experience isn’t lost on the kids. Bizarre white chalk formations and inselberg monoliths, the result of thousands of years of mechanical weathering, will soon have them shouting, ‘Hey mom, look over there!’ Mushrooms, camels and fields of marshmallows are but a few of the rock-sculpted shapes on show. Crystal mountain, an outcropping made entirely of quartz crystal, can’t help but get them wondering, ‘How did this lone mountain get here?’ Seashell fossils and black iron pyrite litter the ground and will keep the kids talking long after the setting sun turns nature’s hand first orange and then pink. Yet before you make the trek to this unique Western Desert destination, take note. It takes more than a day to fully explore this 300 square kilometer protectorate. What's more, a 4x4 vehicle and professional guide are a necessity for all off-road desert safaris.

White Desert Photo Gallery
White Desert Photo Gallery
White Desert Photo Gallery
White Desert Photo Gallery
 
 
White Desert reviews

The White Desert merits a trip off the beaten path

Rating:
Submitted on 20 March 2008 by snowedunder from Monza, Italy

Touring Egypt's White desert is awe-inspiring and frustrating at the same time. The white chalk formations and inselbergs are stunning. Camping in a field of marshmallows that turned first orange and then pink as the sun set was nothing short of unique. An evening visit from a timid fox was heartening. Unfortunately, the stop at Crystal Mountain will, for my 9-year-old daughter, forever define the trip. A group of rough-cut travelers chipped away at the quartz notwithstanding our appeal to the posted sign \'Do not break, collect fossils, calcite crystals, and stones from the site.\' After 5 days in the desert it was an unwelcome bru ... Read More

Touring Egypt's White desert is awe-inspiring and frustrating at the same time. The white chalk formations and inselbergs are stunning. Camping in a field of marshmallows that turned first orange and then pink as the sun set was nothing short of unique. An evening visit from a timid fox was heartening. Unfortunately, the stop at Crystal Mountain will, for my 9-year-old daughter, forever define the trip. A group of rough-cut travelers chipped away at the quartz notwithstanding our appeal to the posted sign \'Do not break, collect fossils, calcite crystals, and stones from the site.\' After 5 days in the desert it was an unwelcome brush with reality.

1 out of 1 travelers found this review helpful. Was this review helpful? Yes No

Points of interest nearby

Cultural Vacations

Get the latest kids can travel ideas, guides, reviews and tips for traveling with kids. It's FREE!
  • Add kids can travel
RSS FeedAdd to GoogleAdd to My MSNAdd to My Yahoo!
  • Tell others about us
Furl itdel.icio.usStumbleUponDigg!
TRAVEL TRIVIA
Wisconsin is nicknamed the:
Cactus state
Badger state
Lone Star state
Sunshine state
About Us | Suggestions | Submissions | Advertise | Site Map