Escape the bustle of Cairo and join Anubis Tours for a relaxing day trip to the lush Fayoum Oasis. Located about 95 km southwest of Cairo, Fayoum offers desert vistas, ancient ruins and tranquil lakes fed by the Nile. Our private day tour explores highlights such as Lake Qarun, Wadi El Rayan and the nearby Valley of the Whales, with time to experience local culture along the way. You travel in a comfortable, air‑conditioned vehicle with an expert guide and return to Cairo in the evening.
Highlights
- Fayoum Oasis: Discover one of Egypt’s oldest inhabited areas. The oasis is watered by the Bahr Yussef canal, creating fertile farmland and attracting abundant birdlife. See peaceful villages and farmlands set amid the desert.
- Lake Qarun: Visit one of the world’s oldest natural lakes, covering over 53 000 acres. The saltwater lake has supported agriculture and hunting in Fayoum for millennia and remains an important habitat for migratory birds.
- Wadi El Rayan Nature Reserve: Explore a protected desert reserve known for its dunes, natural springs and Egypt’s only waterfalls. Wadi El Rayan connects to Wadi Hitan (Valley of the Whales), a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing fossilized whale skeletons.
- Ancient ruins: Time permitting, visit the Pyramid of Meidum and the Greco‑Roman ruins of Karanis (Kom Oshim) to glimpse Fayoum’s Pharaonic and Roman past.
- Local culture and optional activities: Enjoy an authentic lunch in a local restaurant, take a boat ride on Lake Qarun, or try sand‑boarding down the dunes of Wadi El Rayan. Interact with local residents to learn about their traditions and way of life.
Sample Itinerary
- Morning departure – Our driver and guide pick you up early from your hotel in Cairo or Giza for the 1½‑hour drive to Fayoum. Along the way, your guide introduces the region’s history and ecology.
- Lake Qarun – Walk along the shores of Lake Qarun and observe migratory birds. Learn how this ancient lake has sustained life and agriculture in Fayoum since antiquity.
- Wadi El Rayan & Waterfalls – Continue to Wadi El Rayan to see Egypt’s only waterfalls and wander among dunes, springs and fossil beds. Depending on conditions, visit the nearby Valley of the Whales to view fossilized whale bones.
- Lunch in Fayoum – Enjoy a hearty Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
- Optional visits – Time permitting, explore the Pyramid of Meidum, the ruins of Karanis or the Fayoum Museum. You can also choose to take a boat ride on Lake Qarun or try sand‑boarding down the dunes.
- Return to Cairo – After a full day of exploration, relax during the drive back to Cairo, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.