In a country as full of wonders as Egypt, it's often difficult to find the time to venture beyond the most obvious sights the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the fabulous temples of Luxor and Aswan. And yet, if you have space in your schedule and a thirst for taking the road less travelled, there is another, lesser-known wonder to be discovered in the depths of the Western Desert. The road to reach it is paved these days, but in millennia past it was trodden only by camels, traders of exotic goods, and the faithful who sought wisdom from the great oracle in the Oasis of Amun Ra. Now known simply as the Siwa Oasis, it is a haven of palm trees and natural springs surrounded by unspoiled desert, known for its tranquil pace of life and astonishing history. Here's everything you need to know if you wish to add this legendary destination to your Egypt itinerary.

Located 50 kilometres from the Libyan border on the edge of the Great Sand Sea, the Siwa Oasis is a captivating collection of thermal springs and salt lakes set in a depression some 19 metres below sea level. The only source of water for many miles around, it stretches for 80 kilometres from end to end and 20 kilometres across. Along its life-giving shores stand groves of verdant palms and olive trees whose fruits are famed throughout the region. Roughly 33,000 people call Siwa Oasis home, and the vast majority are Berbers - an ethnic group with their own unique language, culture and traditions, enhanced by living in one of the most isolated communities in Egypt. The largest settlement in the area is Shali, overlooked by the ruins of the older Shali Fortress and the ancient village of Aghurmi, both of which stand atop their own rock outcrops. The Aghurmi mound is home to the oasis' most famous feature, the ancient Temple of Amun.