Fayoum Oasis and Wadi El Rayan Lakes: Private Day Trip from Cairo by Road
About 10 hours by road, private guide and vehicle, Lake Qarun, the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls and the Fayoum waterwheels.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
A private 10-hour road trip from Cairo to the Fayoum oasis: the Lake Qarun viewpoint, the lakes and waterfalls at Wadi El Rayan, lunch and the waterwheels of Fayoum city. No 4x4 and no Valley of the Whales.
- New
- Private
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Cairo · Fayoum · Lake Qarun · Wadi El Rayan · Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls · Fayoum City
- Includes
- Collection from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, and a lift back at the end · Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the whole day · A private English-speaking guide · A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The cooler months, from autumn to spring, are the most comfortable for time outdoors. Summer days in the oasis are hot.
- Licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh, operating since 1988
02Overview
A first look
The Fayoum oasis is green, watery and quiet, and it makes a change from the noise of Cairo. This private day trip takes the road south-west to Lake Qarun and then on to the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan. After lunch you visit the old waterwheels in Fayoum city. Your guide, driver and vehicle are for your party only. The whole day is on the paved road in an ordinary car, so there is no 4x4 driving and no visit to the Valley of the Whales. It is a long day, with about two hours of driving each way.
Background
The facts
The Fayoum oasis lies south-west of Cairo, about two hours by road. Lake Qarun is in its north, Wadi El Rayan to the south-west and Fayoum city near the centre.
Named in this entry
Fayoum oasis·Fayoum city waterwheels
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travellers who want a quiet, green day out of Cairo, with a guide and no off-road driving.
Maybe not, if
- Not suited to anyone who wants a 4x4 desert drive or the Valley of the Whales, or who dislikes long journeys by road.
What lingers
- 01A lookout point above the water of Lake Qarun
- 02Wadi El Rayan's pair of lakes, joined by waterfalls
- 03The old wooden waterwheels in Fayoum city
- 04A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals
- 05A private guide, driver and air-conditioned vehicle
- 06Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cairo or Giza
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Private guide and vehicle
- Lunch is included
- A calm change from city sightseeing
Things to Consider
- A long day, with about four hours of driving
- The Wadi El Rayan entry fee is paid at the gate
- No 4x4 or Valley of the Whales
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Collection from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, and a lift back at the end
- Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the whole day
- A private English-speaking guide
- A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals
Not included
- Tips for your guide and driver
- The Wadi El Rayan protected-area entry fee, which you pay at the gate
- Drinks with your lunch
- Anything you choose to buy for yourself
- Off-road extras: this day has no 4x4, no Valley of the Whales and no sandboarding
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the evening before
- 02
Keep some cash ready for the entry fee at the gate
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children are welcome and count towards your party size. The day starts at 07:00, ends at about 17:00 and involves about four hours in the car, so it suits children who travel well. Please tell us their ages when you book.
These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Is this a 4x4 trip, and do we see the Valley of the Whales?
No. We use a normal road vehicle and stay on the paved road, so this trip does not go to the Valley of the Whales. Ask us about our separate 4x4 Fayoum trip if that is what you want.02Is the Wadi El Rayan entry fee included?
No. You pay the protected-area fee yourself at the gate. Your guide will show you where. Lunch is included, but drinks are not.03Where does the day start and finish?
At your hotel in Cairo or Giza. You are collected at 07:00 and dropped back between about 17:00 and 17:30, depending on traffic.04How do I book, and does the price change with group size?
You can book online at least 48 hours ahead. The trip is private and priced per person. The vehicle and guide are shared among your party, so the price per person drops as your group gets bigger. The booking page shows the figure for your group.05How long are we in the car?
The drive to Fayoum takes about two hours each way, with the day's stops spread between. It is a long day, so bring something to read or watch.06What if I need to cancel?
Cancel at least three days before the trip and you get a full refund. Cancel between three days and one day before and you get half back. After that, or if you are not at your pick-up point, there is no refund.
If plans change
Plans change? We make it easy.
- More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
- Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
- Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
- Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.
Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds
Continue reading
From the archives
Product ID: EXC-CAI-321724
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