Interview to Mohsen Abdull Moneam Mohamed

New Valley Governorate is located in the south-west of Egypt and is the biggest Governorate of the country. It hosts many touristic places, both archaeological sites dating back to different periods of human history (from prehistoric to modern times) and natural sites (such as hot springs and the White Desert). More information about the sites to visit in New Valley Governorate can be found on the page Tourism. Being there plenty of different touristic sites for all tastes, New Valley Governorate is a promising tourist destination for both Egyptian and foreign visitors. 

CISS Team, in order to discover more about New Valley Governorate as a tourist destination, learn more about what its oases can offer and listen to peculiar stories about its sites, interviewed Mohsen Abdull Moneam Mohamed, Director of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion in the New Valley Governorate office.  

Introduce yourself; what do you do as Director of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion?

My name is Mohsen Abdull Moneam Mohamed. I am the Director of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion in New Valley office (Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Baris). We have two offices, one located in Kharga and one in Dakhla. We are a working team of ten people, all speaking Arabic and English. Our main activities consist of informing visitors (both foreigners and Egyptians) coming to New Valley about the touristic sites and supporting them in every aspect of their trips (accommodation, transportation, etc.), giving lectures to students (aged from 6 to 20 years old) every week, and advertising New Valley as a tourist destination. During this year more than 70 persons from Cairo came to New Valley, as well as around 20 foreigners, who dedicated their journey to visit touristic places and enjoy hot springs. 

What do you think about New Valley as a tourist destination? Which are the best sites to visit in New Valley? Why?

New Valley Governorate is full of touristic sites, both archaeological (from prehistoric to modern times) and natural ones, and every oasis is different. 

Kharga oasis is mostly known for its culture and history. People coming from the North of Egypt or Luxor already have temples, but in New Valley they can visit some peculiar sites, such as El-Bagawat or Qasr al Labheka, that are totally different from other places in Egypt. 

Dakhla oasis hosts in El Qasr a meditation house built by a German woman, and 25 km in the north of Dakhla there is an area called Al Aoina, where people can meditate surrounded by its holy atmosphere. In Dakhla Oasis there is also an interesting site, whose name is Qila al-Dabba; it is an underground tomb. There are three tombs in total, but until now only one tomb was excavated by archaeologists.

The latest archaeological sites in New Valley date back to 110 years ago, when there was the British Occupation (1882-1954). For example, in the way to Dakhla Oasis there is a mountain that hosted a big camp during World War II. Here you can find a lot of memories about those times. British soldiers wrote their names and their age, when they arrived there, and you can also find some material that was used in those times (jars of oil, jackets, etc.).

One of the most interesting sites in New Valley is the Necropolis of El-Bagawat. The site is a common stop for pilgrims travelling from North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, etc.) and going to Sudan and then to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Their journey takes about six months. When they reach Egypt, they spend about forty days crossing the Western Desert by camel. They can take two different routes. One comprises several stops along New Valley, such as Qasr al Labekha, Qasr Mustafa Kashef, Qasr El-Bagawat, Qasr al Nadura, Qasr al Dush and Baris. Another route, starting also from North Africa, comprises the site of El-Bagawat as a stop, then the pilgrims continue to reach Esna (located on the south to Luxor), from Esna they cross the Nile, then they arrive to the Red Sea, they cross it and continue their journey to Mecca. Being an important stop for the caravans of pilgrims, El-Bagawat is a really interesting place. Inside its walls a lot of people from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, wrote their memories. If people (especially from Arab countries) come to visit the site, they may find a memory made in the walls by their families during their journey. Inside El-Bagawat there is also a basilica church; there is only another example of this type of church in Egypt and it is located in Baharia oasis (Giza Governorate). 

Being New Valley a transit route, its population is mixed. People come from everywhere (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, etc.). During the journey to Mecca some people die, other decide to stay in New Valley and sometimes they even marry. This is why people in New Valley are a mix coming from North Africa and also from the South of Africa. 

In Dakhakin the culture is mixed between Nile Valley and oases. The houses’ architecture is typical of the oases, but the tombs are built according to the Nile Valley architecture.

In conclusion, New Valley is many things: hot springs, but also history and culture. 

What kind of tours do you organize for tourists who want to visit New Valley? Which are the main routes?

If you come from the North of Kharga, you can start visiting Qasr al Labekha while, if you come  from the South of Kharga, you can start the journey enjoying other places such as Hassan Fathy Village. From Kharga to Dakhla around ten places can be visited, but people only know about Balat and Bashindi. If you are coming from Luxor, you can visit first Baris; if you are coming from the North (from Cairo), you can start your trip from Farafra. 

Me, as Director of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion in New Valley office, I organize tours around all New Valley Governorates (Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Baris, Balat, etc.). 

How many days can a journey in New Valley take?

A trip to New Valley Governorate should last minimum 5 days; a period of 5-7 days (6 nights) is good to enjoy the main sites of New Valley. However, there are so many different places in New Valley that even a one-month trip would hold many surprises. 

Until what time the touristic sites are open?

Museums are open until around 2 pm, while touristic sites until around 5 pm. Ticket prices of the touristic sites can be found on the page Tourism. Governmental sites are closed during the weekends. 

Are there any kinds of packages and promotion for those who want to visit New Valley and its touristic places? 

Our office is able to provide good packages for the tourists coming to the Oases as well as many facilities such as hotels, restaurants, car rental, especially for people who are resident in Egypt. 

Please, tell us the reason why people should visit New Valley. 

First of all, the weather is really pleasant during the whole year. The atmosphere in the Governorate is relaxing: people are really calm and quiet. Entrance to touristic sites is really cheaper than places located in other Governorates of Egypt. Our food is genuine, without any added chemicals. We also have some eco-hotels and a house for meditation. You can enjoy hot springs all the day, even in the night, watching stars. Everything you have in your mind, you can find it in the oases: discover history, make a safari, enjoy hot springs. Moreover, there are so many places in New Valley that until now nobody discovered or excavated: New Valley is a continuous surprise. I recommend also to visit the White Desert and to stay there admiring the amazing sunset landscape.

Reference contact to arrange a trip/tour to New Valley:

Contact person: Mohsen Abdull Moneam Mohamed
Position: Director of Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion
Mobile phone: +2 01001806127 / +2 01226866299
E-mail: mohsen_dl@yahoo.com