The Western Desert is the part of Egypt most itineraries skip. Three options go in: eight days from Cairo through Fayoum and the White Desert, with a night camping among the chalk formations; eight days out to Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border, with its salt lakes and Berber town; and a 10-day discovery route that combines desert sections with the Nile Valley. All use 4×4 transport for the off-road legs, and desert permits are arranged in advance.
There are 3 relevant experiences in this archive. Start with Cairo, Fayoum & White Desert Tour | 8 Days with Desert Camping to see the route in detail. Another option is Cairo & Siwa Oasis Tour | 8 Days in Egypt's Western Desert; comparing the two is a practical way to match the route to your available time and priorities. Each tour page sets out its own itinerary, so review the stops, duration and travel sequence before making an enquiry. Merit Amun can then help align the selected programme with the rest of your private Egypt trip.