Fossils of ancient whales, lying in open desert just two hours from Cairo. Wadi El Hitan, the Valley of Whales, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great first night out in the desert.
What is Wadi El Hitan?
Wadi El Hitan means the Valley of Whales. It is a place in open desert where you can see the fossils of ancient whales. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Fayoum, about two hours southwest of Cairo, which makes it one of the easiest desert places to reach from the capital.
Why go
- Fossils in the open: ancient whales, lying in the desert where they were found.
- Close to Cairo: about two hours southwest of the city.
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- A desert night: our trip here is an overnight camping trip.
Our overnight trip
Our Wadi El Hitan overnight trip is 2 days and 1 night. You visit the Valley of Whales, then spend the night in a Bedouin camp in the desert, with your guide, dinner and tea by the fire. We confirm the exact plan, what is included and the price with your quote.
Desert nights are cold, even after a warm day. Check our packing list for a desert camping trip before you go.
Combine it with more
Prefer a longer route? You can combine Wadi El Hitan with the White Desert. Read about the classic trip in our White Desert guide and see what a night in camp is like in One Night With No Electricity.
Plan your trip
Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route with you. See all our tours or contact us.
Want to see the Valley of Whales?