Kharga is an ideal base for an exciting safari into the Western Desert. In and around town, you can visit Ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman sites, such as the Temple of Hibis, and buy from local traders at the simple souk for pottery in the southern part of Qasr town, the oasis’ main town, before heading to the interesting Kharga Museum of Antiquities.
Not far from Kharga, you’ll have the opportunity to explore very old Coptic landmarks such as the Necropolis of Al-Bagawat and Deir Al-Kashef Monastery.
Roman temple and fortress
Drive a little over a mile outside of Al-Kharga to the Roman temple and fortress ruins for a brilliant view of the desert. Note the paintings of women playing percussion instruments on the temple walls.
A History of Life in the Desert
Visit the Al-Kharga Museum of Antiquities. Displaying a great collection of prehistoric, Ancient Egyptian, Graeco-Roman and Islamic objects and artefacts.
Majestic Coptic Ruins in the Western Desert
See impressive mud-brick ruins and fallen arched corridors that date back to the early Christian period.It stands over the cliffs north of the Necropolis of Al-Bagawat, near the oasis of Kharga.
A Great Persian Landmark
The Temple of Hibis is a well preserved Persian temple set on a volcanic outcropping dating back to Ancient Egypt. Dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu, several additions to the temple were built up until the Ptolemaic reign over Egypt.
Qasr El-Gueita
The sandstone fortress Qasr el-Gueita is a fortress was built and expanded by several Ancient Egyptian dynasties and Roman governors; the fortress contains a temple behind walls that take up to one-fifth of the space on the summit.
One of the World's Oldest Christian Cemetery
While most of the tombs are unadorned mud-brick crypts, a few have well preserved biblical scenes etched on the walls. Also you can see paintings of Jesus, Moses and Abraham and other colorful tombs for a tip.
The Temple and Fortress of Dush
One of the oldest, most impressive fortresses of the Western Desert , the fortress and temple of Dush dating back to the 2nd century AD. The fortress’ solid architecture is a testimony to its importance; the building included as much as four storeys underground. The adjoining sandstone temple dates back to the 1st century and was dedicated to the Ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Serapi
Ruins of a fortress
A few kilometers south of Qasr El-Gueita lies Qasr El-Zayyan, or what's left of it, the ruins of a fortress enclosing a temple. These ruins are exceptional compared to other ancient landmarks you may explore in the oasis; here, you’ll find a lively village nearby, whereas usually the desert landmarks are always situated in uninhabited areas of barren desert.
Prehistoric and Coptic Paintings
This intriguing hill boasts some of the western desert’s oldest prehistoric drawings and inscriptions, but also and most importantly, Coptic engravings that date back to the 4th, 5th and 10th centuries. Their writings, next to which they’ve drawn a cross, consist of prayers and invocations. However, the absolute must-see in Gebel al-Tayr is located at the top of the mountain in the form of the Cave of Mary.
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