Egypt Discovery
ExcursionCairo

Fayoum, Tunis Village Pottery and Wadi El Rayan: Private Day Out from Cairo

About 10 hours by road, private guide and vehicle, Lake Qarun, Tunis village pottery and the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private 10-hour road trip from Cairo to Fayoum: the Lake Qarun viewpoint, the pottery workshops of Tunis village, the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan and lunch. No 4x4 and no Valley of the Whales.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Cairo · Fayoum · Lake Qarun · Tunis Village · Wadi El Rayan · Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls
Includes
A pick-up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, and a ride back there at the end · Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver all day · A private English-speaking guide · A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Autumn to spring is more comfortable for walking in the village and by the lakes. Summer is hot.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh, operating since 1988

02Overview

A first look

This day trip is for travellers who like a bit of craft along with the scenery. You leave Cairo early, drive to the Fayoum oasis and look over Lake Qarun. Next comes Tunis village, on the south shore, known for its pottery school and workshops. After that you see the lakes and waterfalls at Wadi El Rayan and sit down to lunch. The vehicle, driver and guide are yours alone. You stay on the paved road all day, so there is no 4x4 and no Valley of the Whales. Buying pottery is up to you.

Background

The facts

Tunis village sits on the south shore of Lake Qarun in the Fayoum oasis, about two hours south-west of Cairo. Wadi El Rayan lies further south-west.

Named in this entry

Fayoum oasis·Fayoum pottery

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers who like village crafts as well as scenery, and want a private day away from Cairo.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to anyone after a 4x4 desert drive or the Valley of the Whales, or who dislikes long days by road.

What lingers

  • 01A lookout point above the water of Lake Qarun
  • 02Pottery workshops and lanes in Tunis village
  • 03The two lakes and the waterfalls at Wadi El Rayan
  • 04A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals
  • 05A private guide, driver and air-conditioned vehicle
  • 06Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cairo or Giza

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Pottery workshops as well as lakes and waterfalls
  • Private guide and vehicle
  • Lunch is included

Things to Consider

  • A long day, with about four hours of driving
  • The Wadi El Rayan fee is paid at the gate
  • No 4x4 or Valley of the Whales

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  7. 7

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • A pick-up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, and a ride back there at the end
  • Your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver all day
  • A private English-speaking guide
  • A midday meal at a restaurant used by locals

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Wadi El Rayan park fee, which you hand over at the entrance gate
  • Drinks with your lunch
  • Any pottery or other shopping in Tunis village
  • Off-road extras: this trip has no 4x4, Valley of the Whales visit or sandboarding

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Bring cash if you might buy pottery

  2. 02

    Ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and count towards your party size. The day lasts about 10 hours, with around four 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

  1. 01What is Tunis village?
    It is a village on the south shore of Lake Qarun, known for its pottery school and workshops. You can watch the work and walk through the lanes. Buying anything is up to you.
  2. 02Do we go off-road or to the Valley of the Whales?
    No. The trip uses a road vehicle and stays on the paved road, so there is no 4x4 driving, no sandboarding and no Valley of the Whales.
  3. 03Is the Wadi El Rayan entry fee covered?
    No. You pay the protected-area fee at the gate. Lunch is part of your fare, but drinks are not.
  4. 04How do I book, and why does the price differ by group?
    You can book online at least 48 hours ahead. It is a private trip, priced per person. The guide and vehicle cost the same whether two or six of you travel, so each person pays less in a larger group. The booking page shows what your group pays.
  5. 05Where does the day start and finish?
    At your hotel in Cairo or Giza. You are collected at 07:00 and return between about 17:00 and 17:30, depending on traffic.
  6. 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-645443

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