- Duration2 Days / 1 Night
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel
- PriceFrom $230 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This Fayoum overnight trip from Cairo gives you the desert at its best: late afternoon light on the dunes, a quiet night away from the city and a sky full of stars. Over two days you cover the highlights of the Fayoum depression with your own guide, a private car from Cairo and a 4×4 with an experienced desert driver.
Day one is the adventurous half, with the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, Magic Lake, sandboarding and the fossil whales of Wadi El Hitan, before dinner at a simple eco-lodge or desert camp and time to look at the stars. Day two is slower: breakfast, a visit to the shore of Lake Qarun, one of the oldest lakes in Egypt, and the village of Tunis, known for its pottery.
It is a relaxed, private trip that works well for couples, families and friends who want a break from Cairo’s traffic. Accommodation is simple and comfortable rather than luxurious, and all meals are included from lunch on day one to lunch on day two.
Highlights
- 4×4 safari and sandboarding in the Wadi El Rayan protected area
- Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, Magic Lake and Mudawara Mountain
- Wadi El Hitan (Valley of the Whales) fossils, a UNESCO site
- Night at an eco-lodge or desert camp with dinner and stargazing
- Lake Qarun shore and the pottery workshops of Tunis Village
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 2
Itinerary
Day 1 – Wadi El Rayan, sandboarding, Wadi El Hitan and a night under the stars
Morning pickup in Cairo and a two-hour drive to Fayoum, where you switch to a 4×4. Visit the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, Magic Lake and Mudawara Mountain, and try sandboarding. After lunch, walk among the fossil whales of Wadi El Hitan. Check in at your eco-lodge or camp for dinner, then stargaze by the fire.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Lake Qarun, Tunis Village and return to Cairo
Wake for sunrise and breakfast. Drive to the shore of Lake Qarun, a large salt lake popular with water birds in winter, then on to Tunis Village, where potters trained in a local school sell their colourful bowls and plates. After lunch in the village, return to Cairo, arriving at your hotel around 16:00 to 17:00.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Good to know: Accommodation is a simple eco-lodge or a fixed desert camp with shared or private facilities, depending on availability. Stargazing depends on clear skies and the moon phase. Desert driving may be shortened in very hot weather.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver for both days
- Private 4×4 with desert driver on day 1
- Private English-speaking guide
- 1 night at a Fayoum eco-lodge or desert camp
- Lunch on both days, dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2, bottled water
- Entrance fees to Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan; sandboarding equipment
Not included
- Drinks with meals
- Pottery or other purchases in Tunis Village
- Tips for the guide and drivers
- Personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $660 |
| 2 travellers | $365 |
| 3–5 travellers | $280 |
| 6+ travellers | $230 |
Per person in USD, twin share. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will we sleep?
You stay at a simple eco-lodge near Tunis Village or Wadi El Rayan, or at a fixed desert camp with proper beds, blankets and shared bathrooms, depending on availability and your preference. Solo travellers have their own room or tent, which is reflected in the single price. Tell us if you want private bathroom facilities.
Is the stargazing guaranteed?
We cannot promise clear skies, but Fayoum’s desert has very little light pollution and most nights from October to May are clear. The best views come on nights around the new moon. You look at the stars with the naked eye around the fire; the Milky Way is often visible away from the moon.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes. Children usually love sandboarding, the fossils and the camp. The 4×4 section is bumpy in places, so we drive gently with families. Children under 6 travel free and ages 6 to 11 pay half price. Let us know their ages so we can arrange suitable rooms or tents.
What should I pack?
Bring comfortable clothes, closed shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream for the day, plus a warm layer for the night, as the desert gets cold after dark, especially from November to March. A small torch, toiletries and a bag to protect your camera from sand are also useful.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
