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Offered languages
- English
Trade Cairo's traffic for golden dunes, desert waterfalls, and 40-million-year-old whale fossils on this private, full-day tour to the Fayoum Oasis. Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with your own guide to Lake Qaroun, one of the oldest natural lakes in the world, then continue into the Wadi El Rayan Protected Area, where a channel of cascading waterfalls links two desert lakes, a rare sight in the heart of the Sahara. Climb the golden dunes for a sandboarding session, cool off at the color-shifting Magic Lake, and refuel with a traditional Egyptian lunch overlooking the water. The day finishes at Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales), a UNESCO World Heritage Site holding the world's largest collection of fossilized ancient whales, living proof that whales once walked on land. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo or Giza, bottled water, lunch, and all entrance fees are included, for a seamless, hassle-free day in Egypt's Western Desert.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Pickup is available from all hotels and accommodations in Cairo and Giza. Please provide your hotel name and address at the time of booking. Your driver or guide will meet you in the hotel lobby holding a sign with the lead traveler’s name.
If you are staying in a private apartment or Airbnb, the driver will meet you at the main entrance of the building. Travelers are kindly requested to be ready at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Pickup time may vary slightly depending on your location and traffic conditions.
Itinerary
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1Qaroun
Begin with a scenic drive from Cairo into the Fayoum Governorate, arriving at Lake Qaroun, one of the oldest natural lakes in the world. Take in views where the desert meets the water's edge and spot native birdlife, including flamingos and herons, along the shoreline.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
2Wadi El-Rayan
Continue to the Wadi El Rayan Protected Area to see its cascading desert waterfalls, a rare sight in the Sahara. Climb the golden dunes for a sandboarding run, then visit the Magic Lake, known for shifting between blue, turquoise, and violet through the day. Stop for a traditional Egyptian lunch overlooking the water.
3 hours • Admission ticket included -
3Valley of the Whales (Wadi Al-Hitan)
Finish at Wadi Al-Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest open-air collection of fossilized ancient whales. Walk among 37–40-million-year-old Basilosaurus and Dorudon skeletons and visit the fossil museum to see how these ocean giants evolved from land-dwelling mammals, before the drive back to your Cairo or Giza hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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