Whale Valley - paleontological site in the Faiyum Governorate of Egypt

Whale Valley (Wadi al-Hitan or Wadi El Hitan) is in Fayum Protectorate in Egypt.

Understand

The Valley contains an incredible amount of fossils, particularly those of the earliest whales (hence the name), and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

History

These whale fossils from 37 million years ago, showing an evolutionary transition from land-based to ocean-based mammals, were first discovered in 1902.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Get in

You must cross an unpaved desert track which required a vehicle able to be driven through rugged terrain. Camel treks have been opened.

Fees and permits

Get around

See and do

• Tour the track to see the skeletons of the animals. There are about 30 sites on both sides of the track, mostly of early whale species. Each one contain an animal skeleton either all of it or part of it.
• There are some hills you can climb to see all the valley.

Buy

There is a gallery in which you can buy some things made by the Badu or other things made by normal vendors. There are clothes, books, maps, artistic things, and hats.

Eat

It is best to bring everything you want to eat with you. There is a cafe but it's very small and lacks a lot of things.

Drink

Bring drinks with you. You have to drink a lot of water during the summer season.

Sleep

Lodging

Camping

You can camp there in the tent they provide, or in your own.

Backcountry

Stay safe

Take care to avoid scorpions.

Go next

• Cairo is the must-see capital.
• You may need to return to Cairo to reach the oasis towns of the Western Desert.