Egypt Discovery
ExcursionCairo

Fayoum Oasis and the Valley of the Whales: Private 4x4 Day from Cairo

About 11 hours, private 4x4, English-speaking guide, Wadi El Rayan, Wadi El Hitan and lunch.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private 11-hour day from Cairo hotels to the Fayoum oasis: the Lake Qarun viewpoint, the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan by 4x4, and the fossil whale trail at Wadi El Hitan, with a guide and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Cairo · Fayoum · Lake Qarun · Wadi El Rayan · Wadi El Hitan
Includes
Pick-up and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel · An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only · A 4x4 for the ground inside the protected area · A private English-speaking guide · Admission to Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is the most comfortable for walking in the desert. Summer days are very hot, so take extra water and start early.

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

02Overview

A first look

The Fayoum oasis lies south-west of Cairo, and it feels a long way from the city even though the drive is about two hours. This private day takes you there and on into the desert beyond. You see Lake Qarun, ride a 4x4 to the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan, and walk among fossil whale skeletons at Wadi El Hitan. It is a long day with a rough track in the middle, so it suits travellers who like the outdoors more than the museum. Your guide, driver and vehicle are for your party only.

Background

The facts

The Fayoum oasis lies south-west of Cairo, about two hours by road. Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan are protected desert areas beyond it.

Named in this entry

UNESCO World Heritage

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers who want the desert and open landscapes rather than another day of monuments.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to wheelchair users, or anyone who dislikes long drives or rough tracks.

What lingers

  • 01A viewpoint over Lake Qarun on the way into the oasis
  • 02The lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan, reached by 4x4
  • 03Fossil whale skeletons set out along an open-air trail at Wadi El Hitan
  • 04A UNESCO World Heritage site and its small museum
  • 05A private guide and your own vehicle for the whole day
  • 06Plain Bedouin-style lunch out in the desert

Honest assessment

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

Highlights

  • A UNESCO World Heritage fossil site within a day of Cairo
  • Private vehicle, 4x4 and guide
  • Admission to both protected areas and lunch are included

Things to Consider

  • A 07:00 start and about 11 hours away from the hotel
  • A rough 4x4 track and a lot of time in the vehicle

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel
  • An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only
  • A 4x4 for the ground inside the protected area
  • A private English-speaking guide
  • Admission to Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan
  • Lunch on the day
  • Water to drink during the day

Not included

  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • What you drink with lunch
  • Anything you buy for yourself
  • Optional extras such as sandboarding

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask your hotel the evening before for a breakfast box

  2. 02

    Bring a warm layer in winter, as the desert is cool at the start of the day

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and count towards your party size. The day is long, with about four hours of driving and a bumpy 4x4 track, so it suits children who travel well and enjoy being outdoors. 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. 01Where does this excursion begin and end?
    At your hotel in Cairo or Giza. Your driver collects you at 07:00 and brings you back to the same hotel in the late afternoon or early evening.
  2. 02How do I book and how is the fare worked out?
    You can book online and receive confirmation straight away. The fare is for the vehicle and guide, so the cost per person falls as your party grows. The booking page shows the fare for your group size.
  3. 03Is it a long day?
    Yes. Allow about 11 hours, with roughly four hours of that on the road and a rough track by 4x4 inside the protected area. It suits travellers who are happy to spend most of the day in a vehicle and outdoors.
  4. 04What is there to see at Wadi El Hitan?
    Wadi El Hitan is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A trail in the open air passes fossil whale skeletons, and there is a small museum. Your guide explains what the fossils are and how they came to be there.
  5. 05What should I bring and wear?
    Bring a sun hat, sun cream and plenty of water. Wear sturdy closed shoes and light clothing, with a warmer layer in winter, as the desert can be cool early and late. Bring some cash for tips.
  6. 06What if I need to cancel?
    You are refunded in full when you cancel three or more days before the excursion. Between three days and 24 hours, half is refunded. After that, or if you miss your pick-up, no refund is given.

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-894931

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