Siwa Oasis & Alamein Battlefield Tour Oct 2026

El Alamein – the battle that turned the tide in North Africa. See the actual battlefield where the 8th Army won undying fame. Tel el Eisa fought over time and time again by the Australians in July 1942. The original railway station, from which the battle takes its name, plus every other major part of the battlefield. Over eighty years have not yet eradicated traces of the fighting. Join us on a memorable tour of this famous battlefield and see the actual ground where numerous Victoria Crosses were won. Stand on the Alamein Memorial and see the 7,200 graves with the battlefield beyond. Siwa Oasis is a definite highlight, so much history to be seen there. Guests love this new addition to the itinerary. An ideal relaxing “take it easy” tour and an opportunity for the ladies to see places other than battlefields.

Please note that all hotels West of Alexandria do not serve alcohol. Even non-alcoholic versions. Apart from the first night in Cairo and the return to Alexandria, alcohol is not accessible. You may take drinks with you to consume in your room but the ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ is generally much appreciated.

10 days 9 nights 17th to 26th October 2026

Day 1

Independent flights to Cairo, Greeted and escorted to our hotel in the pyramid district of Cairo, overnight in Cairo. Early arrivals can visit the Pyramids or the new amazing GEM museum. A superb guided experience at extra cost.

Day 2

Today we leave to travel west to Meras Matruh. Visit battle site of Alam El Halfa en route. Lunch in El Alamein town and walk around the corner to visit the iconic train station.

Day 3

Leave the Matruh Hotel to visit Rommel’s bunker museum. Then drive to Siwa Oasis, stopping at Sidi Hemsa where Adam Wakenshaw won his VC. Mingar Quaim is just visible from here, where the New Zealanders did their famous breakout. (4×4 needed to access). Late Lunch at Siwa Oasis.

Day 4

This is an amazing day. Guided tour of the old citadel and the Mountain of the dead, At-Mawta. Stand exactly where Alexander the Great stood when he visited the Oracle at te Temple of Amun. Lunch at Cleopatra’s Pool where you can dive into this historic warm pool. Salt Lake swimming. 4×4 dune drive and sunset experience.

Day 5

Chance of sunrise experience from hill top. Long drive back to El Alamein.

Day 6

First tour of El Alamein via the Italian, German and Allied cemeteries (4 Victoria Cross recipients are buried) and the Alamein museum.

Day 7

On the anniversary of the start of the battle we visit the El Alamein battlefield, Tel el Eisa where Arthur Gurney won the Victoria Cross. We spend time at Kidney Ridge, (actually depression as featured below) where Lt-Col Vic Turner won his VC. Springbok Road and Ruwesait Ridge, where Keith Elliott and Charles Upham won their VC’s. Miteirya Ridge where Percy Gratwick and William Kibby won their VC’s. The famous Qattara Track, Bab el Qattara. Visit Lots to see during a busy day.

Day 8

Leave Alamein, visit anything we missed around El Alamein or have a chilled morning. Drive to Alexandria, possibly stopping at coast airfield locations if desired. Sidi Haneish, Bagush, Fuka and El Daba. Although nothing to see here now. Time in Alexandria might be preferable. Visit Hadra and Chatby Cemeteries or other Alex sights. Check in to the magnificent Cecil Hotel and have a classic and well-deserved ‘Ice Cold’ beer in Monty’s Bar.

Day 9

Leave Alexandria, visitanything we missed, Hadra and Chatby Cemeteries or other Alex sights such as the Catacombs or Qaitby Citadel. Possible lunch in Alexandria.

Day 10

Last night in a luxury Cairo Hotel on the Nile banks. Possibility of a Nile dinner cruise if late flight, there is a chance of more sightseeing. Return flight to the UK or other destination.

Price per person: £3,100 Single Supplement: £560 per person
Price includes: Assisted airport transfers.
All transport in air-conditioned buses. Mineral water while travelling
All hotels.
All meals
All entrance fees to museums and ancient sites, Campaign booklet
Battlefield Guide (Richard Pinches)
Not included in Price:
Flights.
Social drinks and tips.
Hotel services (i.e., telephone, room service, laundry etc)
Any optional tours (i.e., Pyramid Light Show, GEM)
Passports must be valid for a minimum 6 months.
For those wishing to arrive early or depart later, arrangements can be made for sightseeing or other activities.
Western Desert Battlefield Tour reserves the right to change the price if the local agency increases its price.

Explore History With Us

Guided tours to the battlefields of North Africa, including Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. Battlefields visited range from ancient times, Napoleonic, 1880’s Egyptian Campaign, WW1 and WW2.

What do our visitors think ?

Don W. Operation Dragoon 2016

We made it home safe and sound and want to thank you for a wonderful trip. It was a pleasure traveling with you as always. What an opportunity to learn about WWII and see the beautiful French countryside close up. As you Brits would say..."Brilliant!!". Thanks again, and happy travels! I toured North Africa three times in the last two years with an outstanding guide, Steve Hamilton. I got to meet veterans on both sides of the conflict at the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in El Alamein, Egypt. I have been to many of the battle sites in Tunisia fought by the GIs and the Commonwealth Forces. I have been to Tobruk and outlaying battle sites. Being in situ really brings to life the events which went on over 70 years ago. I have found that Steve Hamilton is more versed in the history and location of the various battle sites in North Africa than most that write the books and have not even been there. He has the local contacts and travels with Talal Bariun, a former Libyan judge and current lawyer for the Libya stock exchange. It amazes me how few Americans are interested in visiting the North Africa battle sites. It may be the "terrorist" threats, but Steve has taken extra steps to make sure his guests are safe and secure. The tours have enlightened me.

Samantha J. Kasserine Pass and Sicily July 2018

Your passion for this country and its people, your knowledge of the events that took place here and across North Africa during WWII, and your experience of and feel for the land itself are simply remarkable. The way in which you thought about my Fathers story; his experiences; the locations; and caring about what I was hoping to find here are far more than I ever expected. I am profoundly grateful for being able to share this solitary and personal journey with someone who really understands. Thank you for the invitations to join you and Talal and for sharing your friendship and stories with me. I felt welcomed and included in the respect and warmth that you both have for each other. This is perhaps the greatest gift of all.

Adrian EL Alamein October 2018

May I say on behalf of Vicky and myself how much we enjoyed it. Thank you so much for escorting us round. As a gang I thought we all got on fine. As far as Nick and I were concerned, the trip covered all we wanted to see exactly. Cairo to see where we born etc and El Alamein where our father fought. As you can understand, for my parents the years 1938 to 1947 in their late 20s and early 30s was the highlight of their lives. They were forever talking about it and I can quite see why. Their real close friends were from their Cairo days. My main impression was how damn flat and featureless the battlefield was. Ruweisat and Miteiriya Ridges were barely recognisable and one now quite understands how difficult it was to navigate in, there was so much to take in. How appropriate it was getting back in time for Remembrance Sunday with ones thought still filled with all those immaculate cemeteries we had just visited. Anyway, many thanks again. A trip we have been so looking forward to and one will never forget.

Richard P. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

I am now back after an amazing 10 days in Egypt on an El Alamein battlefield tour. Steve Hamilton and his team looked after us all superbly and I have increased my knowledge of the Battle of El Alamein hugely. Nothing can replace the experience of actually standing there amongst the shell fragments and seeing the positions that were fought so hard for with your own eyes. The high point was the 75th Anniversary Ceremony at the Commonwealth cemetery. So many young men buried there after fighting over virtually featureless desert thousands of miles from their home, Very moving. A tot of 8th army rum was taken with the remembrance oath. My father's photograph now lies buried under a tree in the Allied Cemetery with his fallen comrades. He is forever 'Up the blue' with his mates.

Mark V. El Alamein October 2019

I would like to say a big thank you to you for making our tour of the El Alamein battlefields a very memorable experience. It is those extra touches that made a big difference to me personally and given me memories that money cannot buy.

Chuck L. Kasserine Pass and Sicily July 2018

Thanks for your expertise and enthusiasm for honouring those who fought for our freedom during the war. You do honour to them for devoting 30 plus years to learning and telling their stories. It was an exciting and very interesting tour. I admire great tour guides like you and benefit enormously.

John B. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

I want to thank you sincerely for a tremendous tour - one of the highlights of my life........ I can hardly remember all where we went or all of what we did - we crammed so much into 10 days. This tour will be fodder for the rest of my cruise dinners at sea - no other guest will possibly have done this! I will tell all my friends (those who will listen!) of my Alamein Tour and 'Aboukir Bay' and my side trip to 'Sinai'. I will recommend you to all my friends and acquaintances.

Art S. El Alamein October 2017 75th Anniversary

David and I just want to say again how pleased we were with everything on the tour. The accommodations, food, the sites themselves, your explanations and expertise and comradery were all wonderful. We are considering taking another tour with you because of this positive experience.

Bill and Dru Vodra. Operation Torch and Operation Dragoon 2017

We had a wonderful two weeks with you. Thank you so much.

George M. Operation Torch and Operation Dragoon 2017

Thanks for a great trip with many interesting and varied sites visited.

Bob and Nan R. El Alamein October 2015

Our annual October tour to El Alamein went ahead as usual with everyone enjoying themselves. Before leaving Cairo, we arranged for our guests to sit at Churchill’s and Montgomery’s desks, a real treat with very few getting the opportunity. We only had three special requests for this tour from a RAF enthusiast – to visit the old airfields of Sidi Haniesh and Fuka, and on the way back to Cairo one of the El Daba airfields. The first two were both attacked by the Special Air Service. Our guests were lucky enough to find bullets at both sites. “Thanks for the photo! Yes, we arrived home safe and sound. What a wonderful time we had! The tour was everything we hoped for and more. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and carting us about on the north coast of Egypt . . . an adventure we will always remember.

John and Alyson El Alamein October 2015

We had a really lovely time on the tour - it was certainly a very thoughtprovoking and moving experience in many different respects e.g., seeing the actual sites of the battles, the cemeteries, the environmental factors (the rubbish), the traffic, the hospital for all those poor horses (I'd thought beforehand it was a museum displaying treatment given during the various wars). Finishing with the meal & trip on the Nile was a good idea as we went out on a high. The hotels certainly exceeded our expectations as we never stay anywhere so grand - usually B&B or Travelodge’s! We enjoyed the company of the other travellers & felt we gelled well together. We are now reading your booklet which gives an excellent guide to the background & details of the battles. Anyway, thanks for making the whole tour a very meaningful, well-coordinated & varied experience. We will be thinking about it for a long time to come. Let us hope some effort is made to preserve the battle zones

Brian El Alamein October 2015

Just want to say thanks very much for an excellent tour as well. Well organised and very enjoyable

Richard. El Alamein October 2015

It was great Steve, thanks for putting it together.

Craig Kasserine September 2014

Want to thank you again for a great trip. Enjoyed hearing about the history of the war in Tunisia, along with seeing the actual sites. Your crew did a great job as well. My best to everyone

Dave Kasserine September 2014

It was a great trip largely because of your expertise and the team you have put together. So, thanks

Mr and Mrs Rudd Kasserine May 2014

Steve was a wonderful guide. We loved getting out on the back roads of Tunisia, meeting locals, eating lunch at roadside cafes, and learning history while immersed in Tunisian culture. We enjoyed visits to ancient history sites, along with the WWII itinerary. A bonus!

Lt-Col Colin B the Royal Hampshire Regiment Trust Tigers in Tunisia

Thank you for a most memorable battlefield tour. I found it to be extremely informative and enormous fun. The museum hopefully will re-open next week (which is why I am still up to my eyeballs in work and have not written earlier) and what you showed us will have given me much greater authority and confidence to talk about the Hampshire Regiment in Tunisia. The organisation of your tour was excellent, the arrangements were impeccable, and it was just a brilliant, relaxed atmosphere that did everything that we asked and more.

Geoff P. Tigers in Tunisia

I just wanted to say a huge “Thank You” to you for all your hard work in making our trip so informative and so personal. I must admit to feeling quite proud when I see the front cover of the booklet you prepared for us, with the monument to Hunts Gap. I have been showing the photos I took to the family and friends, and I must say I still get quite emotional looking at the ones of the Beja cemetery. Despite the emotion, I also feel more settled in myself – it is very strange to be able to visualise the reality now of what has so far been pure imagination. Seeing all those gravestones I just thank God I have never had to go through anything like that. When I look at my children and grandchildren, it is sad to think of the generations lost through the deaths of all those young men - I had the most amazing time and have a whole new perspective on Tunisia as a country as well as a better understanding of the events there in 1942/43. As you can imagine, there were many emotional moments and I feel particularly privileged to have been asked to lay the commemorative wreath at Beja War Cemetery.

Natalie D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with the veterans to Egypt and I know my father and his partner did too. I thought your input made the trip; your knowledge and the way that you presented iJust wanted to send you an e mail to thank you again for giving me the trip of a lifetime - no make that a trip in a thousand lifetimes! I had a fantastic time and enjoyed every single second of everything that we did! You really did make a dream come true; it was EVEN better than I even dared to dream. Rest assured that I am now making every effort to save up the cash for another tour and as soon as I can be going back! Please send my warmest wishes and deepest gratitude too, to Talal for his part in making the tour so fantastic. I have never felt on such a high and in such GOOD company as in this last week. I will be writing to Manfred very soon to thank him for the special gift and to tell him what a great time I had, in fact I think I will be telling EVERYBODY, whether they are interested or not!!Thank you again, for such a marvellous time I don't think you will ever know how much I really enjoyed myself, CANNOT WAIT TIL THE NEXT TIME!!!!!t to us was wonderful.

Kate R. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Both Dad and I had a great trip thanks to all your organisation. He loved it and when I spoke to him yesterday was full of it. Cannot thank you enough for that, and for your patience in putting up with the slow pace of things! Big, big thanks

Judith M. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

could have hoped for and it has left me with a lot greater understanding of the key part of my father's war, the El Alamein battle and Egypt generally. I am so glad we made the trip.

Don W., Orange County, California. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I found the entire trip to Tunisia exciting, challenging, adventurous, eye opening, and educational, in no small part due to your involvement. For that I thank you and wish you the best in your future endeavours.

Norman C. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Once again, my heartfelt thanks for including me on the trip, I would not have missed it for the earth.

Tony D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I trust all is well at your end and your tours are continuing to do well with plenty of interesting people. We had a fantastic time and largely thanks to you and Talal – they will be memories treasured for ever.

Michael N. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thanks also for a great trip, and I really appreciated your overall effort and talks about the battlefields.

Bob F. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thanks also for a great trip, and I really appreciated your overall effort and talks about All the best and thanks once again to both of you for your help and friendship on the tour. Well remembered and much appreciated.the battlefields.

Alan D. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

All the best and thanks once again to both of you for your help and friendship on the tour. Well remembered and much appreciated.

Richard P. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

I had a wonderful time. It was really interesting, and I learnt a lot.

Tina W. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Judy U. El Alamein 70th Anniversary

Thank you for the most exceptional tour (following in the footsteps of my Father Major General Roy Urquhart). It answered many questions and provided unforgettable sights and experiences not to be forgotten. You were a great and inexhaustible guide and continuous fund of information. I felt incredibly lucky to have found your tour and cannot imagine a better leader. We were a good group aided by the Mohammed's and the trusty minibus - with five-star hotels appearing out of nowhere. Altogether an amazing week.