New Valley

The New Valley Governorate is one of the largest governorates in Egypt, occupying 37.6% of the country’s total area. It possesses a unique character, with its inhabitants distinguished by their customs and traditions. They also excel in numerous industries and handicrafts, such as pottery and arabesque, for which they have been renowned for centuries. Despite the considerable distance of 1,000 kilometers between Cairo and the New Valley, it boasts a diverse array of tourist attractions that draw both Egyptian and foreign visitors year-round. These attractions are spread across the governorate’s three districts: Kharga (the capital), Dakhla, and Farafra.
In Kharga district, one can find various sites, including:
The Temple of Hibis: One of the most important temples and tourist sites in Egypt, located approximately 1 kilometer north of Kharga city. The temple represents different historical periods, including Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, Persian, and Roman, and is the only remaining temple from the Persian era.
The Bulaq Wells: are located about 28 km south of Kharga City. These are naturally flowing wells that emerge from a depth of up to 1,000 meters, with a water temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. They are surrounded by lush greenery, and laboratory analysis has confirmed that their water contains minerals with numerous therapeutic benefits.
Fine sand dunes, used to treat joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and cartilage pain, are also found nearby.
The Temple of Nadura: is situated on a high hill to the southeast of the Temple of Hibis. Built during the Roman era in the early 10th century AD, it still contains remnants of hieroglyphic inscriptions and relief reliefs. The temple was named Nadura because it was used during the Mamluk period for observation, as it could reveal the path from a distance.
Nasser Wells:
Located 18 km south of Kharga City, these wells consist of three distinct pools that converge into a swimming pool. The pool is used to treat rheumatic diseases, chronic pain, and skin conditions.
Among the attractions of the Dakhla Oasis are:
Al-Qasr Islamic Village:
Located 22 km north of Mut City, this village boasts numerous Islamic monuments that attract tourists. Among its most famous is the Sheikh Nasr al-Din Mosque, considered one of the oldest mosques in Egypt still standing. The village also contains several mosques from the Ottoman and Mamluk periods, as well as a renowned courthouse dating back to the Pharaonic era.
Al-Bashandi Village:
All the village’s dwellings are built in the Pharaonic style. It features a temple buried in the sand, dating back to the 19th Dynasty. The Roman cemetery for the rulers of this region, dating from the 1st century AD, is also located there. There is the Islamic cemetery of Sheikh Bishandi, named after him, which was used for teaching the Quran. South of the village lies the Barbi’a Temple, dating back to the Roman era and constructed of sandstone.
Al-Muzawwaqa Tombs:
Located 37 km from the city of Mut, this cemetery dates back to the Roman era and includes tombs carved into the rock. These tombs feature vibrant depictions of birds, water, barley fields, palm trees, and mummification.
Finally, the Farafra Center includes:
“The White Desert,” a renowned site that attracts tourists from all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty.
Bir Sitta 6 (Well 6):
Located 6 km west of Farafra, this site is near a large tourist village that includes a restaurant, cafeteria, swimming pool, and numerous green spaces.
In general, tourism in the New Valley is diverse, including:
Safari tourism: The governorate is characterized by rocky hills, soft sandy valleys, and plateaus, all of which provide an ideal environment for rally and safari tourism.
Wellness tourism: The governorate boasts numerous medicinal herbs used to treat various ailments, as well as water wells rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Sand dunes: Sand dunes are widespread in the oases. The sun’s heat on these dunes is believed to help treat many rheumatic diseases and alleviate cold and allergy symptoms. The soft sand dunes are also used for sandboarding.

All these places and more are located in the New Valley Governorate and are waiting to be visited, explored and enjoyed.