Escape the chaos of Cairo and embark on a breathtaking adventure to the Valley of Whales and Wadi El Rayan Water Falls. Discover ancient fossils and witness Egypt’s only waterfall in a stunning desert landscape.
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Cairo - Day Tour to El Fayoum begins with a hotel pickup at 07:00 AM. The drive from Cairo to El Fayoum takes about an hour. The tour starts with a visit to Tunis Village in Fayoum. This small village, located in the Fayoum oasis on the way to Wadi Rayan, sits on a hill overlooking a large saltwater lake and offers a breathtaking view of the desert’s edge across the lake. It is considered one of the most beautiful spots in Egypt.
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Wadi El-Rayan - Covering an area of 1759 km², Wadi El-Rayan features 113 km² of lakes. It is situated approximately 65 km southwest of Faiyum city and 80 km west of the Nile River. The valley contains man-made lakes formed from agricultural drainage, creating two separate Wadi El Rayan Lakes. The reserve includes a 50.90 km² upper lake and a 62.00 km² lower lake, connected by waterfalls. The southern side of the lower lake has three sulfur springs and extensive mobile sand dunes. Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls are the largest in Egypt.
To the south and southeast of the springs lies Gabal Manqueer Al Rayan, known for marine fossils and archaeological remains. Gabal Madwera, near the lower lake, is famous for its extensive dune formations.
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Qarun Lake - Also known as Qarun Pool, this lake is located in Fayoum city in Upper Egypt, northwest of Beni Suef and about 50 kilometers west of the Nile River. It is one of the largest natural lakes in Egypt.
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Valley of the Whales (Wadi Al-Hitan) - Wādī al-Ḥītān, or ‘Wadi of the Whales,’ is a paleontological site in the Faiyum Governorate, about 150 kilometers southwest of Cairo. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2005, it contains hundreds of fossils of early whale forms, the archaeoceti, which are now extinct. The site provides crucial evidence for understanding the evolution of whales from land-based to ocean-going mammals.
No other location in the world offers the same number, concentration, and quality of such fossils, along with their accessibility in a protected and scenic landscape. This uniqueness led to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.
Visitors can enjoy sandboarding, the sand dunes, and the Magic Lake, making it one of Egypt’s top destinations. The tour concludes with a drive back to your hotel in Cairo.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Driver who is happy to take photos using your phone
- Jeep Safari included if selected entry fees option
- Personal Items
- Tipping
- enter fees (optional)
- Lunch (optional)
- Tour representative
Step out from the hustle and bustle of Cairo and step into an adventure of stunning natural beauty with our Valley of Whales and Wadi El Rayan Water Falls tour. Experience a part of Egyptian history and nature that is often overlooked. Our day trip commences from Cairo and brings you face-to-face with the enigmatic desert whales in the Valley of Whales (Wadi Al-Hitan). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses fossil remains of the last known kind of Archaeoceti, an ancient sub-order of whales.
Post this, we head to the Wadi El Rayan Water Falls- the only waterfall in Egypt. See the cascading water and take in the raw beauty of this spectacle. It is a sight of surging waters in the middle of a desert landscape that you don’t want to miss. Join us for this unique excursion that blends history, nature, and culture in a tapestry of unforgettable sights and experiences.
- Entrance fees -Depending on the Tour Options Chosen
- Jeep Safari included if selected entry fees option
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
