As you drive south from Cairo through the gold and tan hues of Egypt’s Western Desert, Al-Fayoum appears on the horizon as a blur of green. Sometimes incorrectly called the Fayoum Oasis, the area has something to offer every type of traveler. History buffs will thrill to the Meidum Pyramid and the ancient cities of Medinat Madi and Karanis; nature lovers will love the lakes and waterfalls at Wadi El-Rayan; while the ancient skeletons in the Valley of the Whales make spectacular photos.
Al-Fayoum sits about 66 miles (106 kilometers) south of downtown Cairo and microbuses run from near Ramses station to Faiyum city. As most sights can only be reached by private vehicle—and the Valley of the Whales is only accessible by 4WD—most travelers visit on a day trip from Cairo.
Al-Fayoum can be surprisingly cool in winter (December–February), especially at night, and uncomfortably hot in summer (June–August). Shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) are ideal.
Set in the desert about an 80-mile (130-kilometer) drive from Faiyum city, the Valley of the Whales is a don’t-miss attraction for lovers of archaeology, photography, or dinosaurs. The fossils here chart the evolution of large, land mammals into oceanic creatures with fins but no limbs—and a network of tracks lets you experience them and other prehistoric water creatures in situ. The site has bathrooms, a basic campsite, and a small but fascinating museum.
