- DurationApprox. 11–12 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel
- PriceFrom $119 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Fayoum day trip from Cairo swaps the city for open desert, lakes and dunes about two hours south-west of the capital. You travel with your own guide and driver, then change to a 4×4 to cross the sand of the Wadi El Rayan protected area, with stops at the waterfalls, Magic Lake and Mudawara Mountain, a sandboarding session and lunch.
The afternoon is spent at Wadi El Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the skeletons of early whales lie where they died some 40 million years ago, when this desert was a sea. A marked trail and a small fossil museum make it easy to understand, and the landscape of wind-carved rock is beautiful in the late light.
The day suits couples, families and friends who want some adventure without a long drive. If you would like to stay for sunset, a campfire dinner and stargazing far from the city lights, ask about a late return, or choose our two-day Fayoum trip with a night in the desert.
Highlights
- 4×4 drive across the dunes of the Wadi El Rayan protected area
- Wadi El Rayan waterfalls between the two desert lakes
- Magic Lake and the view from Mudawara Mountain
- Sandboarding on soft dunes, boards provided
- Wadi El Hitan (Valley of the Whales), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 40-million-year-old fossils
- Egyptian lunch, private guide and air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
07:00 – Pickup in Cairo
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel in Cairo or Giza in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The drive to Fayoum takes about two hours through farmland and desert. On arrival at the edge of the protected area, you change to a 4×4 with an experienced desert driver for the rest of the day.
09:30 – Wadi El Rayan waterfalls
Begin at the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, where water flows between the upper and lower lakes of this man-made desert wetland. They are small cascades rather than mountain falls, but they are the only ones of their kind in Egypt and a lovely, green contrast to the sand around them. Time for photos and a cold drink.
10:30 – Magic Lake, Mudawara Mountain and sandboarding
Drive over the dunes to Magic Lake, whose colour shifts from blue to green through the day. Climb partway up Mudawara Mountain for a wide view of the lakes and desert, then try sandboarding on a smooth dune. Boards are provided and your crew shows beginners how to start gently.
13:00 – Lunch
Lunch is an Egyptian meal at a local restaurant or desert camp, usually with grilled chicken or kofta, rice, salads, tahini and fresh bread, followed by tea. Vegetarian options are always available; please let us know about any dietary needs when booking. Soft drinks are paid locally.
Meals: Lunch
14:30 – Wadi El Hitan (Valley of the Whales)
Continue by 4×4 to Wadi El Hitan. Walk an easy sandy trail past fossil whale skeletons, some over 15 metres long, still lying in the rock, and visit the Fossil and Climate Change Museum, which explains how whales evolved from land animals. Allow around ninety minutes with your guide.
17:00 – Return to Cairo
Drive back to the main road, switch to your air-conditioned vehicle and head back to Cairo, arriving at your hotel around 19:00 to 19:30. With a late-return option, you stay for sunset, a simple campfire dinner and stargazing, and reach Cairo around 22:30.
Good to know: Desert driving and sandboarding depend on conditions on the day; in very hot weather (June–August) the crew may shorten the dune time. The 4×4 and sandboarding are not recommended in pregnancy or with back problems.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Private 4×4 with desert driver in the protected areas
- Private English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees: Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan protected areas
- Sandboarding equipment
- Lunch and bottled water
Not included
- Soft drinks
- Late return with campfire dinner and stargazing (optional extra)
- Tips for the guide and drivers
- Personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $355 |
| 2 travellers | $195 |
| 3–5 travellers | $145 |
| 6+ travellers | $119 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Cairo to Fayoum?
About two hours each way from central Cairo or Giza, sometimes a little less early in the morning. Wadi El Hitan lies deeper in the desert, so the 4×4 section adds another hour or so of driving across sand and tracks, which is part of the fun of the day.
Is sandboarding suitable for beginners and children?
Yes. The crew chooses a dune that suits your group and shows you how to ride sitting down or standing. Children usually love it. Climbing back up the dune is the tiring part, so take it at your own pace. Boards are included and there is no extra charge.
Can we stay for sunset and stargazing?
Yes, ask for the late-return option. You stay in the desert for sunset, have a simple Bedouin-style dinner by a campfire and look at the stars, which are bright away from the city lights, then return to Cairo late in the evening. Clear skies are likely but cannot be guaranteed.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear light, comfortable clothes, closed shoes or trainers, sunglasses and a hat, and bring sun cream. A light jacket is useful from November to March, when desert mornings and evenings are cool. Bring a bag or cover for your camera and phone to keep out fine sand.
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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.
