El-Tarif Travel Guide

City City in New Valley, Egypt

A Nile-adjacent village near Luxor that serves as a quiet access point to West Bank antiquities; visitors use local roads to reach the Valley of the Kings, temple ruins and small agricultural plots along the river.

Costs

Safety

Best Time

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

5:27 AM

GMT+2

Weather

68°F

Clear

Population

38,871

Infrastructure & Convenience

Popularity

Why Visit El-Tarif? #

In the New Valley Governorate, El‑Tarif represents oasis life amid Egypt’s desert expanses and attracts travelers seeking off‑the‑beaten‑track history. Palm groves and date plantations frame mudbrick qasr forts and small village settlements, while guided trips reveal Roman and Pharaonic remnants scattered across the oases. Slow‑paced village markets, traditional Bedouin tea and wide desert skies offer a calming contrast to Nile valley tourism.

Best Things to Do in El-Tarif

All Attractions ›

Karnak

Vast ancient Egyptian temple complex near Luxor

Temple

Valley of the Kings

Ancient Egyptian royal tombs on Nile's west bank

Archaeological Site

Luxor Temple

Large New Kingdom temple complex on Nile's east bank

Temple

Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut

Rock-cut mortuary temple of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Temple

Colossi of Memnon

Twin massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III

Monument

Medinet Habu

New Kingdom mortuary temple complex of Ramses III

Archaeological Site

Thebes, Egypt

Ancient city and religious center of Upper Egypt

Archaeological Site

Dendera

Ancient temple complex at Dendera, Hathor sanctuary

Archaeological Site

El-Tarif Bucket List

Don't Miss

Kharga Oasis - Oasis hub with palm groves, markets, and access to desert archaeology.
Temple of Hibis (Kharga) - Well-preserved Achaemenid and Egyptian temple located in Kharga Oasis.
Local oasis palms and date farms - Explore irrigation canals, palm groves, and traditional date farms nearby.

Hidden Gems

Small pottery and handicraft shops - Village workshops offering traditional oasis-made pottery and locally produced crafts.
Desert star-gazing spots - Remote desert clearings ideal for night-sky viewing far from light pollution.
Traditional oasis cafés and teahouses - Family-run teahouses serving local bread, tea, and regional hospitality.

Day Trips

Kharga Oasis archaeological circuit - Visit temple sites, necropoleis, and museums around Kharga in a day.
Dakhla Oasis (longer drive) - Drive west to Dakhla Oasis to see Roman ruins and oasis settlements.

Best Time to Visit El-Tarif #

El‑Tarif is best visited in the cooler months (October-April) when desert heat eases and nights are comfortable. Summers are intensely hot and best avoided unless you're prepared for extreme heat.

Winter

December - February · 5-20 °C (41-68 °F)

Mild, dry days and chilly nights - ideal for exploring archaeological sites and desert drives without the punishing summer sun altogether.

Spring

March - May · 20-35 °C (68-95 °F)

Temperatures climb quickly; days are hot and bright but still manageable early and late in the day - plan activities around cooler mornings.

Summer

June - August · 30-45 °C (86-113 °F)

Relentless heat, intense sun and very high daytime temperatures; outdoor exploring is exhausting and best limited to early morning or after sunset.

Best Time to Visit El-Tarif #

Climate

El-Tarif's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 7°C to 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Best Time to Visit

AprilMayOctober

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

47°

Warmest Month

0°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

7° – 22°

45%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

High

10.6h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

8° – 25°

36%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

12° – 29°

26%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

18° – 35°

20%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

May

May is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

22° – 39°

18%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

13.3h daylight

June

June is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

32°C

Temperature

24° – 40°

18%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

13.6h daylight

July

July is the hottest month with highs of 40°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

33°C

Temperature

26° – 40°

20%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

13.4h daylight

August

August is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

33°C

Temperature

25° – 40°

21%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

September

September is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

23° – 38°

25%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

19° – 35°

30%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

13° – 28°

40%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

10.8h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

8° – 24°

47%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

10.4h daylight

How to Get to El-Tarif

By Air

By Train & Bus

Where to Stay in El-Tarif #

Budget

El-Tarif / New Valley region - $5-30/night

El-Tarif (New Valley area) is remote with only simple local accommodation. Most visitors combine travel with larger oasis towns that offer more choices.

Local guesthouses in El-Tarif - Very basic, locally run rooms.
Budget options in larger towns - Drive required for more choices.

Mid-Range

New Valley governorate towns - $40-100/night

Mid-range hotels are few in El-Tarif; travellers typically stay in larger oasis towns or in regional hubs that have established hotels with better facilities.

Mid-range hotels in regional oases - Better amenities in bigger oasis towns.
Select regional hotels - Comfortable stays near main roads.

Luxury

Cairo / major cities (travel needed) - $150+/night

There are no luxury hotels in El-Tarif. For five-star service and amenities, travellers need to stay in Cairo or other major Egyptian cities and travel in.