Wadi El Hitan

Whale fossil in the "Valley of the Whales", Wadi El Hitan, Western Desert, Egypt, about 150 km southwest of Cairo. The fossils here are one of the earliest forms of whales, the link between the previous land based mammal and the ocean mammal of today. There is a small delightful museum and several fossils were left in situ in the desert that you can hike to see. It was worth the drive from Cairo for me.
The #history:
The Valley of Whales was once submerged beneath the Terhys Sea. It is now home to an obscure museum which was built around the fossils of the prehistoric whale, Basilosaurus Isis. These fossils show the archaic species to have small hind legs; which supports the evolutionary notion that whales evolved from land based animals to sea dwelling creatures. 

What you see in this photo:
Most of the museum is open air but the rest of it is in these structures, designed to mimic their surrounding landscape. You can also see the beauty of the petrified coral on the ambient rock formations. 

Travel tips:
You can take a 4x4 tour to this National Park, the ride itself is part of the fun! At the museum make sure you explore the trail and then relax and have tea and snacks in their cafe.
Afterwards, have a BBQ with the locals, go sand surfing, see the Magic Lake and go horse riding as the sun sets! It is a very doable day trip from Cairo, and an unforgettable one for sure.


Planifiez un voyage pour découvrir Wadi El Hitan

Prix trouvés au cours des 48 dernières heures. Cliquez pour obtenir les prix mis à jour.
Central Cairo Hotel
Le Riad Hotel de Charme
Mazeej Balad - Boutique Hotel - Adult Only

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Offres d’hôtel populaires

Zad Elmosafer Guest House

Zad Elmosafer Guest House

2.5 out of 5
Izbat Tunsi Yusuf as-Sidiq
Zad Elmosafer Guest House
Lazib Inn Resort & Spa

Lazib Inn Resort & Spa

5 out of 5
Youssef El Sedeeq Center Yusuf as-Sidiq
Lazib Inn Resort & Spa
Golden Horizon Villa - Tunis village

Golden Horizon Villa - Tunis village

Youssef Al Seddik
Golden Horizon Villa - Tunis village
ZAD Villa - Tunis Village

ZAD Villa - Tunis Village

Youssef Al Seddik
ZAD Villa - Tunis Village
Tunis Pyramids Hotel

Tunis Pyramids Hotel

2 out of 5
Tunis Village Yusuf as-Sidiq Faiyum Governorate
Tunis Pyramids Hotel
Tunis castle

Tunis castle

2.5 out of 5
Qaroun, 12 Yusuf as-Sidiq Faiyum
Tunis castle
Spacious 7-bedroom villa in brilliant Faiyum Governorate with AC

Spacious 7-bedroom villa in brilliant Faiyum Governorate with AC

Faiyum Governorate
Spacious 7-bedroom villa in brilliant Faiyum Governorate with AC
Modern 4 bedrooms Villa with private pool & garden In Tunis village

Modern 4 bedrooms Villa with private pool & garden In Tunis village

Faiyum Governorate
Modern 4 bedrooms Villa with private pool & garden In Tunis village
Charming 2-bedroom villa with AC, WiFi in lovely Youssef Al Siddik

Charming 2-bedroom villa with AC, WiFi in lovely Youssef Al Siddik

Youssef Al Siddik, Faiyum Governorate
Charming 2-bedroom villa with AC, WiFi in lovely Youssef Al Siddik
Il s’agit du prix par nuit le plus bas trouvé au cours des 24 dernières heures pour un séjour d’une nuit pour deux adultes. Les prix et la disponibilité peuvent changer. Des conditions supplémentaires peuvent s’appliquer.