Escape Cairo for a full-day circuit through Fayoum’s lakes, waterfalls and fossil fields. Visit Wadi El-Rayan’s below-sea-level lakes, try sandboarding on golden dunes, and explore the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Whales.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of Cairo’s morning haze and the road unfurls toward open sky; in a few hours the Nile’s green give way to pale desert, then the sudden shine of Lake Qarun. The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with hotel pickup and a smooth drive west—by midmorning you’re at Wadi El Rayan, a bowl of water and dunes 100 km from Cairo where lakes sit 42 meters below sea level and waterfalls dare the desert to move.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers; expect several short walks on sand, stepping in and out of a 4x4, and standing during site interpretation.
Wildlife
History
Fayoum has been an agricultural hub since Pharaonic times; Wadi Al-Hitan’s whale fossils date to the Eocene and illustrate marine-to-terrestrial evolutionary stages.
Conservation
Both Wadi El-Rayan and Wadi Al-Hitan are protected; visitors should follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing habitats and must not remove fossils or artifacts.
Reserve your spot on the Full Day Fayoum Oasis Tour from Cairo with Lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start Early
Morning pickup avoids hottest hours and gives soft light for photography and comfortable dune walks.
Hydrate Often
Carry at least 1–2 liters of water per person—desert air is dry and activity like sandboarding increases fluid needs.
Protect Fossils
Stay on designated paths at Wadi Al-Hitan and don’t touch or remove fossils; guided 4x4 routes protect sensitive sites.
Footwear for Sand
Choose closed, grippy shoes over sandals for dune climbs and uneven fossil surfaces.
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Provides traction on sand and protection on rocky fossil surfaces.
Reusable water bottle (1–2 L)
Keeps you hydrated through long stretches between shade; many guides offer refills.
High-SPF sunscreen & wide-brim hat
Essential protection from intense desert sun during midday stops.
summer
Light wind shell or scarf
Blocks windblown sand during dune activity and provides modesty when visiting rural villages.
spring