Beyond Egypt's iconic Pyramids lies a surreal destination—its White Desert, an alien-like landscape waiting to be discovered.

While Egypt is famed for the Great Pyramid of Giza and its luxury resorts along the Mediterranean and Red Sea, there is more to explore.

What remains largely overlooked is the stunning White Desert National Park, one of Egypt's most remarkable natural wonders.

Nestled in the Farafra depression in western Egypt, this vast and protected area is a true marvel of nature's design.

Travelers to this eerie, otherworldly terrain often report feeling as though they’ve journeyed to a distant planet, despite it being just a five-hour drive from Cairo.

Trips to Egypt's Western Desert have become increasingly popular among both locals and international visitors.

Visitors can enjoy a wide array of activities, from dune ing and sandboarding to mountain biking and kayaking at the nearby Bahariya Oasis.

"The White Desert is unlike anything else on Earth," said Ziad Omran, co-founder of adventure travel company Destination 31, in an interview with Dinogo Travel earlier this year.

"Once travelers experience the thrill of adventure travel here, they can't help but return with friends, eager for them to experience it too," said a local guide.

Black Desert

The journey to the White Desert often begins with a visit to a starkly contrasting landscape—the Black Desert.

This desert is home to a series of dramatic mountain ranges, each covered in black volcanic stones that were ejected millions of years ago, giving the landscape its distinctive name.

After ascending one of the desert’s peaks, it becomes evident that life is scarce here, with nothing but a lonely road stretching far into the horizon.

But this isn’t the path that leads to the White Desert.

To reach the national park, you’ll need to lower the tires of a 4x4 Land Cruiser and engage in exhilarating dune ing, navigating steep inclines and sharp turns across the desert.

Racing down the undulating dunes in a zigzag pattern is an adrenaline-charged ride that eventually reveals the awe-inspiring sight of the White Desert.

Upon arrival, the eerie beauty of the landscape immediately sparks curiosity about its mysterious origins, offering a stark reminder of the dramatic forces of climate change on our planet.

It’s truly astonishing to think that this was once an ocean, with the only remnants of that time being the calcified limestone rocks that have been sculpted over millennia by wind and sand.

The chalky, abstract formations seem to shift their hues throughout the day, transitioning from bright white to soft cream, and eventually taking on a rich golden brown as the sun sets.

As night falls

Tucked away between towering rock formations in the Valley of Agabat, there’s a smooth, sandy hill that provides the perfect spot for sandboarding.

Though sandboarding is slower and harder than riding down snow-covered slopes, it still offers an exhilarating rush. However, in the desert, there are no ski lifts, and climbing up a steep, sandy hill can be exhausting.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the desert makes it clear that it’s a land of extremes. With every passing hour after sunset, the chill in the air deepens, requiring more layers for warmth.

Once the camp is set up, local Bedouins prepare a traditional, authentic dinner over an open fire for their visitors.

The rich aroma of the feast often attracts one of the White Desert’s rarest residents—the fennec fox, or sand fox, who comes out under the cover of night.

These shy, harmless creatures are difficult to spot, often appearing as dark silhouettes in the distance. They’re familiar with the campsite routines and frequently approach, hoping to find scraps from the meal.

With the vast, uninterrupted landscape and no light pollution in sight, the stars shine brightly at night, often streaking across the sky. This offers one of the clearest and most stunning views of the Milky Way in all its glory.

When the moon rises, its radiant light reflects off the rocky terrain, casting a ghostly blue glow that illuminates the park, inviting curious travelers to explore its otherworldly landscape under the night sky.

Those venturing out after dark should tread carefully and carry a flashlight, as the rugged, alien terrain can easily lead to disorientation or a fall on the uneven surfaces.

An adrenaline-pumping trail awaits those seeking adventure.

At dawn, the rising sun has a way of rousing even the deepest sleepers. Before packing up camp, it’s well worth taking a hike to one of the park's iconic formations, known as the Chicken and Mushroom due to its distinct shape.

After leaving the park, most adventurers head just over an hour to the Bahariya Oasis for their next stop.

One of the area’s most popular attractions is hiking to the top of English Mountain, named after the ruins of a British World War I outpost perched on its peak.

At the summit, visitors are rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view of the oasis, including sprawling groves of date and olive trees. It also offers an exciting challenge for mountain biking enthusiasts.

Descending the mountain’s winding trails, strewn with sharp rocks and sandy patches, is not for the faint-hearted, but it provides an exhilarating ride for experienced cyclists.

At the foot of the mountain lies the untouched Bahariya Salt Lake. Remarkably, there is no development around its shores, making it a peaceful and therapeutic destination for kayakers, especially at sunset.

"My favorite part of the trip was kayaking as the golden sunlight danced on the water. It was a truly magical moment," recalled Noreen Fadel, an adventurer on a recent Destination 31 journey, speaking with Dinogo Travel.

All of these remarkable sights and activities can be experienced within a two- to three-day trip. However, the longer you stay, the more opportunities there are to explore the surrounding area, which is full of fascinating attractions.

While it may be years or even decades before we can travel to the moon, for those eager to experience something out of this world now, the White Desert National Park might just be the next best thing for those seeking lunar-like adventures.