Description

This tour is designed especially for those who want a short trip in the Egyptian desert, an expedition for one day where we visit Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley which contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. Also we will be able to visit the marvelous great dunes of Abou-Moharek and seeing the outstanding sculptures of Gara cave then finalizing our trip with the white desert dazzling formations and then depart from Cairo.

Whales Valley / Wadi Al-Hitan: World Heritage Site the Valley of the Whales (Wadi el Hitan, Wadi Zeuglodon) is situated in the west of the Fayoum, 35 km north of Wadi er Rayyan. Contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution. It portrays vividly the form and life of these whales during their transition. The number, concentration and quality of such fossils here is unique, as is their accessibility and setting in an attractive and protected landscape. The fossils of Al-Hitan show the youngest archaeocetes, in the last stages of losing their hind limbs. Other fossil material in the site makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and ecological conditions of the time .

ITINERARY:

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo: 7:30 to 8:30 Drive to El-Fayoum oasis (110 k.m south west of Cairo). See Fayoum city center with the famous dynamic water wheels. 8:30 to 9:15 Drive to Qaroon lake to see the famous Auberge once was the rest house of king farook. 9:30 to 9:45 Drive to Wadi El-Rayyan with stop in Mudawara Mountain (The magnificent spot overlooks the beautiful landscape below where deep blue waters meet the golden yellow sands. 9:45 to 10:30 Visit Wadi El-Rayyan Protected Area where there is so much to see(the two lakes, waterfalls & birds). The most memorable is the spectacular scenery of Wadi El-Rayyan, the contrast between the blue waters of the lakes and the golden desert land. 10:30 to 11:30 Drive to Wadi El-Hitan (one of the UNESCO sites classified as a world's heritage site). 11:30 to 14:30 See Wadi El-Hitan, one of the best sites by UNESCO, see the fossilized whales 35 to 200 million years old, fossilized Mangrove,..and much more. (the area used to be under the ocean's water millions of years ago). 14:30 to 17:00 Drive Back to Cairo.