Dakhla
Oasis
Major Cities and Towns
Mut
Al Qasr
Description
The Dakhla Oasis lies to the northwest of Kharga and is also
about 310 km to the southeast of Farafra. This oasis consists
of 14 settlements and has a population of about 70,000 people.
Dakhla is the farthest oasis out of Cairo and is considered
one of Egypt's most beautiful oases.
Dakhla sits in a depression surrounded by pink cliffs. There
are about 30,000 acres of cultivated land. Most of its 70,000
or so residents are farmers who constantly fight the battle
of the dunes that threaten their fields and orchards. The fields
and gardens are filled mostly with mulberry trees, date palms,
figs and other citrus fruits. Dakhla has retained most of its
culture and charm even though it has increased in size by about
double and government funding and technical training has revitalized
the economy. Dakhla is the only place in Egypt where new water
wheels which are driven by buffaloes are constructed. They are
made of palm timber and clay jars and are called saqiyas. The
oasis is connected to Kharga by a 120 mile (200 km) road that
has buses running daily.
Research has found that the Oasis has been inhabited since
prehistoric times, and that there was once a huge lake here.
There are neolithic rock paintings that indicate that the lake
was frequented by elephants, buffaloes and ostriches. As the
lake dried up, the inhabitants migrated to the Nile valley and
were probably some of its first settlers.
Dakhla Oasis is dominated on its northern horizon by a wall
of rose-Colored rock. Fertile cultivated areas growing rice,
peanuts and fruit are dotted between sand dunes along the roads
from Farafra and Kharga in this area of outstanding natural
beauty. The capital, Mut, named after the ancient goddess of
the Theban Triad, houses the Museum of the Inheritance, a traditional
house, with an intricate wooden combination lock. Rooms, with
sculpted clay figures, are arranged to show different aspects
of Dakhlan culture and family life. Al-Kasr, about 35 km. from
Mut, was originally a Roman settlement which later became the
medieval capital of Dakhla. The old town is a labyrinth of mud-walled
alleys narrowly separating houses with elaborately- carved wooden
lintels; there is also an Ayyubid mosque. Climb to the rooftop
of the 10th century madrassa (school) for wonderful views of
the surrounding area. Bir al-Gabel, a palm-fringed salt lake
where you can camp and picnic, is on the road back to Mut.
Other day trips from Mut could include the 1st-century al-Muzawaka
tombs and Deir al
Hagar, a temple which was originally dedicated to the Theban
Triad and later rebuilt by the
Romans. After exploring the temple, bathe in the hot sulphur
spring nearby. Visit Bashendi to
see Roman tombs and a factory where carpets are still woven
with scenes of Dakhlan life. At
nearby Balaat village, a trading post with ancient Nubia, archeologàts
are still uncovering
dozens of 6th dynasty mastabas.
How to get to the Dakhla Oasis
From outside Egypt
International flights direct to Cairo, then either an internal
flight (see below) or overland by bus or by car.
From Cairo
Overland
You may like to book a tour through a travel agent or hire your
own transport. Bear in mind that desert driving has special
requirements and be sure to get a suitable vehicle and guidance
on possible hazards. 0therwise you can travel to each location
by bus or service taxi and arrange trips from there.
Dakhla:
Buses frorn the Al Azhar terminal, near Midan Ataba.
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