We offer a unique day trip from Cairo to Fayoum Oasis and Wadi Al Hitan (Whale Valley), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore this stunning protected desert nature reserve in a 4×4 vehicle, discovering pre-historic fossilized whale skeletons dating back millions of years alongside majestic sand dunes and desert lakes.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Private A/C vehicle from/to Cairo hotel
- 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser for desert section
- Licensed guide
- Lunch
- Wadi Al Hitan UNESCO site entrance fee and museum
- Bottled water
The Cost Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tipping
Trip Facts
-
Lunch
-
Cairo or Giza Hotel at (07:00 AM)
-
English, German, French
-
October – April (birdwatching best October–March)
-
Private 4*4 air-conditioned vehicle
-
4-5 Star Hotel
-
Available
Overview & Highlights
Wadi Al Hitan — the Valley of the Whales — is one of the most extraordinary places in Egypt, and one of the world’s greatest natural heritage sites. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005, this remote desert valley in the Fayoum Western Desert contains the world’s most important collection of ancient whale fossils: the skeletal remains of early whales (Basilosaurus and Dorudon), up to 18 metres long, preserved exactly where they died 40 million years ago when this desert was the floor of a warm, shallow sea.
This private Wadi Al Hitan day trip from Cairo takes you from your hotel (pick-up at 07:00) to Tunis Village on the shores of Lake Qarun in El Fayoum, then by 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser into the desert to the Whale Valley.
Walk the exposed fossil beds with your expert guide — seeing intact whale skeletons, ancient sharks, sea cows, and early land mammals in the sandstone — and visit the on-site interpretive museum which displays the finest specimens and explains the extraordinary science behind this landscape.
The combination of the surreal desert setting, the 40-million-year-old fossils, and the profound sense of geological time makes Wadi Al Hitan a uniquely moving experience — very different from Egypt’s pharaonic sites, but no less remarkable.
Highlights
- Visit Wadi Al Hitan — UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 40-million-year-old whale fossils
- Walk among the exposed skeletons of ancient Basilosaurus and Dorudon whales
- Drive by 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser from Tunis Village through stunning desert terrain
- Visit the Wadi Al Hitan interpretive museum with the finest fossil specimens
- A completely unique Egypt experience — not pharaonic, but no less awe-inspiring
- Private transport and licensed guide from your Cairo hotel
Traveler reviews
Read Egyptian Trips reviews on Tripadvisor
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.