Fayoum Day Trip from Cairo: Whales Valley and Wadi El Rayan

This Fayoum day trip from Cairo is a private desert excursion southwest of the capital, combining Whales Valley, the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, Qarun Lake and Tunis Village. Pickup, a guide, entry fees, lunch and transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle are all included.

What you will see

• Whales Valley (Wadi Al-Hitan): a UNESCO World Heritage Site where fossil skeletons of ancient whales lie in the open desert, evidence that this area was once covered by sea.
• Wadi El Rayan: a protected area with two lakes joined by small waterfalls, a rare sight in the Egyptian desert.
• Qarun Lake: a large saltwater lake on the edge of the Fayoum oasis.
• Tunis Village: a quiet village overlooking the lake, known for its pottery workshops.

Along the way you also try sandboarding on the dunes, a fun break between the sightseeing stops.

Good to know

Fayoum is a long drive from Cairo and parts of the route are on desert tracks, so expect a full day with an early start. Lunch and bottled water are provided.

The price is for a private tour and varies with group size; the price shown here is per person. Wear closed shoes, bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen, and pack a light jacket in winter, when desert evenings can be cool. An overnight camping experience in the desert can be arranged as an optional extra.