Experience the wild, primeval beauty of Egypt’s Western Desert on this 2-day desert camping trip from Cairo to El Fayoum. This adventure takes you to one of Egypt’s most extraordinary natural wonders — Wadi Al Hitan (the Valley of the Whales) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the fossils of ancient whales lie exposed in the desert floor, telling a story from 40 million years ago when this desert was a vast shallow sea.
The journey begins with a scenic drive from Cairo to Tunis Village on the shores of Lake Qarun — the most picturesque village in Fayoum, known for its pottery and sweeping lake views. From here, a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser takes you 69 km into the desert to Wadi Al Hitan, where you’ll explore the fossil beds on foot with your guide — a profoundly moving experience as you walk among the enormous skeletons of ancient Basilosaurus and Dorudon whales, some up to 18 metres long, perfectly preserved in sandstone.
Camp overnight under the vast desert sky with dinner around a campfire. Day 2 brings the sunrise over the fossil valley before returning to Cairo through the emerald landscape of the Fayoum Oasis.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Private A/C vehicle from/to Cairo
- 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser for desert section
- Licensed guide and Bedouin desert guide
- Wadi Al Hitan UNESCO site entrance fee
- Desert camping equipment (sleeping bag, mattress, blanket)
- Dinner and breakfast at camp
- Bottled water throughout
The Cost Excludes
- Lunches
- Tipping for driver and guides
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Trip Facts
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Private A/C vehicle + 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser in desert
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Cairo hotel (06:00)
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October – April
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Campfire dinner (Day 1) and breakfast (Day 2) included
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Desert camping (sleeping bags, mats provided)
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English, German, French
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1–10
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Desert Camping Adventure, Private
Overview & Highlights
Experience the wild, primeval beauty of Egypt’s Western Desert on this 2-day desert camping trip from Cairo to El Fayoum. This adventure takes you to one of Egypt’s most extraordinary natural wonders — Wadi Al Hitan (the Valley of the Whales) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the fossils of ancient whales lie exposed in the desert floor, telling a story from 40 million years ago when this desert was a vast shallow sea.
The journey begins with a scenic drive from Cairo to Tunis Village on the shores of Lake Qarun — the most picturesque village in Fayoum, known for its pottery and sweeping lake views. From here, a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser takes you 69 km into the desert to Wadi Al Hitan, where you’ll explore the fossil beds on foot with your guide — a profoundly moving experience as you walk among the enormous skeletons of ancient Basilosaurus and Dorudon whales, some up to 18 metres long, perfectly preserved in sandstone.
Camp overnight under the vast desert sky with dinner around a campfire. Day 2 brings the sunrise over the fossil valley before returning to Cairo through the emerald landscape of the Fayoum Oasis.
Highlights
- Explore Wadi Al Hitan — UNESCO World Heritage Site with 40-million-year-old whale fossils
- Camp overnight in the wild Western Desert under a breathtaking canopy of stars
- 4×4 desert drive to Wadi Al Hitan from Tunis Village on Lake Qarun
- Watch the sunset over the fossil valley and enjoy a campfire dinner
- Sunrise at the Whale Valley — extraordinary desert light and silence
- Visit Tunis Village — Fayoum's most beautiful pottery village on Lake Qarun
Traveler reviews
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See what travelers say about Egyptian Trips, then share your own experience after your tour.
Trip of a lifetime
From the pyramids at Giza to the temples of Luxor, every day was perfectly organised. Our guide was knowledgeable, warm and made sure we never felt rushed. Highly recommend Egyptian Trips.
Seamless from start to finish
Booking was easy, the driver was always on time, and the hotels were excellent. The Nile cruise was the highlight of our holiday. We will be back for the desert tour next year.
Knowledgeable guides, no hidden costs
Everything was exactly as described. Our Egyptologist brought the history to life and the whole team was responsive on WhatsApp throughout the trip. Five stars well deserved.
Better than we imagined
A truly authentic experience. The food, the people and the sites all exceeded our expectations. Special thanks to the team for handling every detail so we could just enjoy Egypt.
Felt safe and looked after
As two women travelling alone we felt completely safe and cared for the entire time. The itinerary balanced sightseeing with rest perfectly. Cannot recommend them enough.
Outstanding value
Great communication before the trip and flawless execution once we arrived. Abu Simbel at sunrise was unforgettable. Thank you Egyptian Trips for a wonderful week.