The Black Desert and Crystal Mountain are the first big stops on our two-day trip from Cairo: dark volcanic hills, then a ridge of quartz crystal. Here is what you see and how it fits into the trip.
What is the Black Desert?
The Black Desert is a stretch of dark volcanic hills in Egypt’s Western Desert. On our trips we reach it by 4×4 from Bahariya Oasis, and we combine it with the Crystal Mountain, El Agabat valley and the old White Desert in a single route.
What you see
- Dark volcanic hills: the dark ground and hills that give the area its name.
- Crystal Mountain: a ridge of quartz crystal.
- El Agabat valley and the old White Desert: chalk towers in every shape, including Mushroom Valley.
How we get there
Everything is done by 4×4 with a Bedouin guide from Bahariya Oasis. Bahariya is our home: palm groves, hot springs, camel farms and the starting point for every desert trip we run.
Where it fits in the trip
On the classic two-day trip from Cairo, the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain come on the first day, after the drive south and lunch at the hotel in Bahariya. After that we continue to El Agabat valley and the old White Desert, then set up camp for sunset. Read the full day-by-day plan in our White Desert guide.
Tip: the Black Desert is a daytime stop. Bring sun protection for the day and warm layers for the camp, because desert nights are cold.
Make it longer
If you want a slower pace and more stops, you can add Bahariya Oasis and a second night out, or link the Black Desert to the Djara Cave and the White Desert. See all our tours, or tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route with you.
Want to see the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain?