After the noise and crowds of Cairo, the Fayoum oasis, which includes Lake Qaroun, is literally a breath of fresh air. The oasis offers both Egyptian and foreign visitors a relaxing break from city life; a day at the beach and a chance to see oasis life without having to venture too far. It has ancient monuments as well for those who are passionate about sightseeing. Fayoum is a wonderful area of Egypt with a rich and interesting history. It is an area where Egyptians often vacation and which is constantly growing more popular among Europeans. Fayoum City, the main town in the oasis, is located 85 km south of Cairo. Although usually described as an oasis, Fayoum is not fed by underground water, like the Western Sahara Desert oases further to the south and west, but by water from the Nile transported to this natural triangular depression by a series of canals. Having irrigated the oasis, the water runs into Lake Qaroun which despite having dramatically shrunk over the past few thousand years, still covers roughly 215 sq km, and it is still Egypt’s largest natural salt-water lake.
Wadi Al-Hitan, is a paleontological site in the Fayoum Governorate of Egypt, some 150 km southwest of Cairo. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2005 for its hundreds of fossils of some of the earliest forms of whale, the archaeoceti (a now extinct sub-order of whales). The site reveals evidence for the explanation of one of the greatest mysteries of the evolution of whales: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. No other place in the world yields the number, concentration and quality of such fossils, as is their accessibility and setting in an attractive and protected landscape. This is why it was added by the UNESCO to the list of protected World Heritage sites.
The fossils found at the site may not be the oldest but their great concentration in the area and the degree of their preservation is to the extent that even some stomach contents are intact. The presence of fossils of other early animals such as sharks, crocodiles, sawfish, turtles and rays found at Wadi El-Hitan makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and ecological conditions of the time, adding to its justification to be cited as a Heritage site.
Al Fayoum is famous for its more than 200 waterwheels, which have become a prominent symbol of the town and the oasis. These four rather rickety and unassumingly small examples are slap in the centre of Medinat Al Fayoum. The Greeks invented the waterwheel, and the first depictions of them are seen in Ptolemaic Egyptian sources, so it’s quite likely that since Pharaonic times these devices have kept the town well irrigated despite its irregular topography of rolling hills and steep depressions.
Lake Qarun is a popular weekend spot for Cairenes looking to cool down, and the lake edge is dotted with cafes and wedding pavilions. It’s not a big swimming spot, but even the sight of an expansive lake on the edge of the desert is refreshing, and you can rent a rowing boat. The lake is now an important bird area where thousands of migratory birds rest during their winter migration pattern south, including large numbers of flamingos.
Over the past few centuries, the lake has regained some of its former grandeur due to the diversion of the Nile to create more agricultural land, and it now stretches for 42km. However, since it presently sits at 45m below sea level, the water has suffered from increasing salinity. Remarkably, the wildlife has adapted, and today the self-proclaimed ‘world’s most ancient lake’ supports a unique ecosystem. Chances are that you’ll spot countless varieties of birds here, particularly in autumn, including a large colony of flamingos, grey herons, spoonbills and many duck species.
Explore Our Tour from Cairo to Fayoum
Flying Carpet Tours Guide will escort you to a wonderful Tour from Cairo to Fayoum by air-conditioned van, You'll visit the heart of the city to watch the the Water Wheels, which have been running since the Ptolemaic era and that transported water from Bahr Yusef to Medinet El Fayoum. then go to Ain Selein park to live a great moments by watching the marvelous scenery after that you will visit Qarun Lake, which considered in Egypt the third largest lake and one of the oldest natural lakes in the world, Relax by having lunch at local restaurant, finally Flying Carpet Tours Guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Cairo.
Included
• Pick up and drop off to your hotel in Cairo
• Air-conditioned Van Cairo / Fayoum / Cairo
• Excursion to Fayoum oasis as mentioned at the above program
• Entrance fees to the above mentioned sites
• English speaking guide at the sites mentioned above
• One Lunch at local restaurant
• Bottle of Mineral Water during Cairo Excursion
• All transfers in Cairo and Fayoum by air-conditioned Van
• All service charges and taxes
Excluded
• Visa to Egypt
• Any optional tours required
• Tipping
For more info about Tour from Cairo to Fayoum:
E-mail: sales@flyingcarpettours.com
Website: www.flyingcarpettours.com
Tel.: +201099906242
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