wadi al hitan whale valley

Less than 100 miles south-west of Cairo in the Faiyum Governorate of Egypt lies a paleontological site unlike any other in the whole world. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 because of the sheer number and concentration of fossils of one of the earliest forms of whale called the Archaeoceti.This type of whale is now extinct but is crucial for helping answer one of the greatest mysteries of the evolution of whales which is how they became marine mammals when they were initially land-based animals. The fossils show the whales in the last stages of losing their hind limbs.Other fossil material in the site makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and ecological conditions of the time which dates back 40 million years ago.

Wadi Al-Hitan is a tourist area located in the Egyptian Western Desert in the city of Fayoum. Tourists come there every summer to see the Milky Way and the stars.This area is characterized by dry weather and a pure isolated environment which allows viewing the galaxies and stars clearly at night.

In Wadi El-Hitan you can also enjoy the experience of camping in the Wadi El-Hitan desert relax away from the noise of the city and see whale skeletons preserved in the Wadi El-Rayyan Reserve in Fayoum. Wadi Al-Hitan Reserve is 40 kilometers away from Wadi Al-Rayyan Reserve, and the valley can be reached via an unpaved road.

Entire skeletons of whales were discovered in Wadi al-Hitan.They lived in the area that was in the past part of a large ocean (the Teth Sea) that included North Africa before the waters dried up approximately 40 million years ago such as archaeocytic whales. In addition to more than 300 fossilized whales, there are also many marine fossils that can be seen there in the reserve’s open museum.In the museum, the tour guide will explain to you the museum’s exhibits then you can visit the screening room where a 12-minute documentary is shown explaining to you in Arabic and English how the fossils were discovered and extracted and the history of these fossils.

Astronomy tourism and watching the stars and planets in Wadi Al-Hitan
Wadi Al-Hitan is a very special place for astronomical observation or astronomical tourism due to the clear night vision in this area far from the pollution and noise of the city.The area is also a natural environment for endangered animals such as the fennec fox and some migratory birds. You can also visit Mount Mudawara where you can see the lake's mouth and stunning landscapes. In 2005 Wadi al-Hitan was classified as a World Heritage Area, and UNESCO chose it as the best World Heritage area for whale skeletons.

It takes 3 hours to reach Wadi El Hitan by car from Cairo and there are modern facilities hotels and camping places. Wadi Al-Hitan is one of the areas where there is no coverage of mobile phone networks as it is not possible to contact anyone, and in isolated areas there is no source of electrical power so you must prepare batteries, flashlights, and a power bank before traveling to Wadi Al-Hitan.

-Tips before visiting Wadi Al-Hitan

• It is recommended to reach the valley by four-wheel drive vehicles equipped for safari trips due to the nature and isolation of the valley.
• Take plenty of ice-cold water with you when camping, as it is difficult to obtain a cold water source.
• Take a mask or scarf with you to avoid desert dust, especially during windy seasons.
• You can wear light clothing as the weather in Wadi al-Hitan is mild in summer and often cold in winter.
• Take a flashlight and batteries with you, because there is no source of electricity in remote desert areas.
• When camping, take sports shoes with you, as camping requires walking long distances.