Valley Of The Whales Day Tour, Egypt
TOUR TYPE: Private
|
1 person: GBP 150 / USD 225 / EUR 200 p/p
|
This full day tour from Cairo visits the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Hitan in the Fayoum Oasis region, a couple of hours drive outside the city. It provides a fascinating and beautiful contrast to the ancient Egyptian pharaonic sites that the rest of your time in Egypt may have concentrated on. We see beautiful desert scenery, cliffs and sand dunes, and learn about how whales evolved with the help of the skeletons and whale bones discovered in the valley, many of which are still lying on the surface of the sand.
This tour features a day trip from Cairo to the Fayoum region, once known as the bread basket of the Egyptian empire, and still a very important agricultural area today. After driving through varied farmland we head into the desert to the Wadi Rayan Protected Area, which surrounds a fresh-water lake in the middle that is filled by the excess irrigation water from the Fayoum area. The lake is an important stop for migrating water birds in the winter months, and there are some waterfalls here (which feature in many popular Egyptian music videos), as well as a bird hide overlooking the lake. Our next stop is the Springs Oasis area which is a rare example of an uninhabited Saharan oasis, home to a wide range of different plants and animals. These include Ruppell’s Sand Fox, Dorcas Gazelle, and Fennec Fox.
After a packed lunch, we head into the beautiful desert & mountain scenery of Wadi Hitan (Valley of the Whales). A World Heritage Site, Wadi Hitan is considered the world's most significant site that demonstrates how whales evolved. We'll take a 2-3km walk around the site to see several specimens of fossilised whales of different types sitting on the surface of the sand, some still showing the remains of front and back legs. You will also see fossilised mangroves and the remains of crab holes.
Finally we return to Cairo to drop you back at your hotel or airport.
| Included |
- Sightseeing tour of the Wadi Rayan and the Valley of the Whales
- All transport in AC car/minibus/coach
- Local guide
- Entrance fees to all sights visited
- Packed lunch & bottle of water
| Excluded |
- Guide/driver tips
| Essential Information |
- It can be very hot in Wadi Hitan so please ensure you bring adequate protection, sunscreen and a sun hat.
- Timings are approximate and you may arrive back into Cairo later than shown.
- Please contact our local office at least one day before departure to reconfirm your hotel or flight arrival and pick-up details.
Why Choose Us?
- Financial security for your peace of mind
- Airport transfers included
- Encounters with local cultures and like-minded travellers
- No local payment as part of tour price
- Tours designed by experts
- Itineraries that don’t cut corners or costs at your expense
- Clear info provided on entrance fees & local costs
- The best industry renowned guides
- Every booking contributes to local projects
- Great value for money!