Whale Valley (Wadi al-Hitan or Wadi El Hitan) is in Fayum Protectorate in Egypt.
Understand edit
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 edit
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 edit
Flora and fauna edit
Climate edit
Get in edit
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 edit
Get around edit
See and do edit
- 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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Bring drinks with you. You have to drink a lot of water during the summer season.
Sleep edit
Lodging edit
Camping edit
You can camp there in the tent they provide, or in your own.
Backcountry edit
Stay safe edit
Take care to avoid scorpions.
Go next edit
- Cairo is the must-see capital.
- You may need to return to Cairo to reach the oasis towns of the Western Desert.