Wadi El Rayan: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Cairo: 4x4 Desert Safari, Sandsurf, and Camel Ride

1. From Cairo: 4x4 Desert Safari, Sandsurf, and Camel Ride

Start with pickup from your hotel or another selected location in Cairo or Giza between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM. Board a comfortable air-conditioned car and enjoy a comfortable 100-minute ride to the Wadi El Rayan Desert. Upon arrival, enjoy fantastic views of the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls in the heart of the desert. Admire the powerful cascades of water which provide a stark contrast to the surrounding arid landscape. If you are lucky, catch glimpses of desert wildlife in the area such as the slender-horned gazelle. Next, make a stop for photos of the beautiful Mudawara Mountains. Then, get ready to enjoy the desert adventure. Board the 4X4 car for some dune bashing and experience the excitement as the car glides through yellow, soft sand. After riding over the dunes, stop to enjoy some sandboarding. Strap yourself to the sandboard and glide down the sparkling, yellow sand at a fast pace. Next, mount a camel and feel like a Bedouin explorer as you ride through the beautiful desert terrain. After the camel ride, stop at a Bedouin desert camp and enjoy an elaborate and delicious BBQ lunch. Once you are done with your lunch, you will be dropped back to your hotel or selected location in Cairo or Giza.

From Cairo: Whale Valley and Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls Tour

2. From Cairo: Whale Valley and Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls Tour

Leave Cairo behind on this day tour to El Fayoum. Visit a charming Tunis Village in Fayoum and learn about the fossil history of Whale Valley. See the natural beauty of the Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls. Be picked up in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle and begin the adventure by traveling to a Tunis village in Fayoum. Admire breathtaking views of a large saltwater lake, and the contrast of the desert landscape on the other side. Explore Qarun Lake, one of the oldest natural lakes in the world, and the third largest in Egypt, before moving on to Wadi El Rayan. Marvel at the majestic Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, the second-largest in Egypt, and take in the natural wonder. Move on to Whale Valley (Wadi Al-Hitan) in the western desert of Egypt, an extraordinary valley where fossil remains have been found of Archaeoceti, the earliest known suborder of whales, and learn about the history of these ancient fossils. Relax with a delightful lunch at a local establishment and savor the flavors of the local cuisine. Get ready for excitement with sandboarding after lunch, and experience the thrill of gliding down the slopes. Experience the enchanting Magic Lake, and finish the tour by returning to your hotel in Cairo. Optional Overnight Add-On ($100 per person): For an enhanced experience, you can choose the overnight option. After sandboarding, proceed to the campsite, where a delicious dinner awaits you, featuring mouthwatering Chicken Mandi cooked underground. As the night sky blankets the desert, marvel at the celestial wonders above, gazing at the stars and enjoying the magical ambiance. On the second day, awaken to a special breakfast comprising Feteer Meshaltet, accompanied by black honey, cheese, Halawa, and hot drinks. After a satisfying meal, begin your return journey to Cairo, bringing an end to this extraordinary excursion.

From Cairo: Fayoum Oasis and Wadi Al Rayan Guided Tour

3. From Cairo: Fayoum Oasis and Wadi Al Rayan Guided Tour

Begin your adventure with a morning pick-up at your Cairo hotel. Travel to the Fayoum Oasis in a comfortable, air-conditioned van with your personal guide. Explore the desert lakes of Fayoum Oasis and gaze at ruined, ancient temples. Marvel at the waterfalls of Wadi Al Rayan. Board a private van at your hotel in Cairo. Go on a relaxing drive to Fayoum, 105km southwest of Cairo. Arrive at Fayoum Oasis in the desert and admire the birds at Quaroun lake. Delve into the ancient city of Karanis and see the collection of statues and Roman portraits at Fayoum Museum. Stop for lunch during your tour. Travel to Wadi Al Rayan nature reserve, known for its lakes, springs, and wildlife. Snap some photos of the largest waterfall in Egypt. Ride on a traditional wooden sailboat, known as a felucca. Finish your tour as your driver takes you back to your hotel in Cairo.

Cairo: Fayoum Oasis and Waterfalls of Wadi ElRayan Tour from

4. Cairo: Fayoum Oasis and Waterfalls of Wadi ElRayan Tour from

Wadi El-Rayan, 65 km southwest of Faiyum city 80 km west of the Nile River, Al Fayyum Egypt Start with pickup from your hotel or another selected location in Cairo or Giza between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM. Board a comfortable air-conditioned car and enjoy a comfortable 100-minute ride to the Wadi El Rayan Desert. Upon arrival, enjoy fantastic views of the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls in the heart of the desert. Admire the powerful cascades of water which provide a stark contrast to the surrounding arid landscape. If you are lucky, catch glimpses of desert wildlife in the area such as the slender-horned gazelle. Next, make a stop for photos of the beautiful Mudawara Mountains. Wadi Hitan Then, get ready to enjoy the desert adventure. Board the 4X4 car for some dune bashing and experience the excitement as the car glides through yellow, soft sand. After riding over the dunes, stop to enjoy some sandboarding. Strap yourself to the sandboard and glide down the sparkling, yellow sand at a fast pace. Next, stop at a Bedouin desert camp and enjoy an elaborate and delicious lunch. Once you are done with your lunch, you will be dropped back to your hotel or selected location in Cairo or Giza.

From Cairo: El Fayoum Private Day Trip with Lunch

5. From Cairo: El Fayoum Private Day Trip with Lunch

Sun Pyramids Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo to enjoy El Fayoum famous sites. From Cairo to Fayoum is about 95 km. Today all our visits are in Wadi El Ryan, designated as Protected Area in 1989. We will start our tour to Wadi Hitan Protected Area (Valley of the Whales), about 90 km far from Fayoum. Wadi Hitan or Valley of the Whales is located in the Protected Area of Wadi El Rayan and it was designated by UNISCO as a world Heritage Site in recognition of the 40 million year –old whale skeletons found there. On the way to Wadi El Rayan Water Falls, visit Mudawara Mountain. Then onto Wadi Al Ryan Water Falls. Wadi El Rayan is a natural depression located in the western desert, 42 m below sea level. Wadi Rayan consists of two lakes connected by Egypt’s only waterfalls, formed in 1970 by an overflow of drainage water from the farmlands in Fayoum. Enjoy sandboarding in Fayom Late Lunch will be served at a good quality restaurant. After that transfer back to Cairo.

Cairo: Wadi El Ryan, El Fayoum Oasis & Bird Watching Tour

6. Cairo: Wadi El Ryan, El Fayoum Oasis & Bird Watching Tour

Sun Pyramids Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo to enjoy El Fayoum famous sites. From Cairo to El Fayoum is about 95 km. Today all our visits are in Wadi El Ryan, designated as Protected Area in 1989. fayoum Oasis is a wonderful bird watching destination, well known for its delicious fruits and vegetables. Birds migrate to the oasis for the lush plants and the waters of Lake Qarun, the largest salt water lake in Egypt. you’ll find Grebes, coots, etc. Late Lunch will be served at a good quality restaurant. After that transfer back to Cairo.

Private tour El Fayoum Oasis and Wadi Rayan waterfall

7. Private tour El Fayoum Oasis and Wadi Rayan waterfall

Day Tour to El Fayoum Visiting starting with pickup from your Hotel at 07:00 AM, Drive from Cairo to El Fayoum around 1 hour, Then once you arrive change to 4x4 vehicle and start the tour by visiting the Tunis Village in Fayoum, The small village of Tunis (‘izbat Tunis) is located in the oasis of Fayoum, on the way to Wadi Rayan. Located on a hill facing a large salt water lake, the village overlooks a stunning view of the edge of the desert on the other side of the lake. It is one of the most beautiful places in Egypt. Then Visit the Qarun Lake, Qarun Lake is considered the oldest natural lakes in the world, the third-largest lake in Egypt and the rest of Lake Old Maurice. Then head to Wadi El Rayan & Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls, The waterfalls in Wadi el-Rayan are a natural phenomenon, and are considered to be the largest waterfalls in Egypt. After waterfalls drive to Whales Valley, Wadi Al-Hitan, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. enjoy Sand boarding, Enjoy the Sand Dunes and Magic Lake in one of the best destinations in Egypt Then drive back to your hotel in Cairo.

Other Sightseeing Options in Wadi El Rayan

Want to discover all there is to do in Wadi El Rayan? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Wadi El Rayan

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 114 reviews

6 stars! Our college age impossible to impress kids said it was the most fun they could remember having!! Fares (pronounced Ferris) was the best guide I have ever had!! Personable, friendly, funny, caring, knowledgeable, great photographer and totally dedicated to making sure everyone had a BLAST!!! Worth every penny! Van picks you up promptly at hotel (water provided). Drive out through Fayoum where you switch to 4 x 4 with Bedouin driver! Cue awesome Bedouin music! Then you go to the National park where the waterfall and lake are. Camel ride is a must at the waterfall. Camels are all dressed up and well cared for. (You could also go on a boat or ride a horse instead - include) Fares is always snapping photos of the group! We stopped for local fafalel (best!) and at a local tea place. Then off roading in desert and it’s wild! Crazy fun! Climbed beautiful buttes. Swam in “magic lake”. Sand boarding + bbq lunch at cool Bedouin camp—delish! BOOK THIS! Great break from tombs + crowds!

Mohammed was an amazing tour guide , he made us feel very safe and comfortable the entire trip. Became more like part of the family by the end of the trip, highly recommend him. He made our experience in Cairo the best one. From the pick up to the drive to the desert he taught us a lot about the culture and where we will be going. The food was also very amazing that was made at the camp for us. Funnest part was the sand surfing.

We cannot put into words how much we enjoyed the day today. We have not worked through all the points in the description, but have seen and experienced other things that we think are great. Our highlight was the Bedouin-style tea on the dune above the magic lake. In our opinion, the Felounkenfahrt is worth every penny, it's magical. The food was also very authentic and delicious!

Kholud Was the best guide we could ever have had! We really enjoy the day shared with her and the car drivers , it was BRILLIANT. We highly recommend this tour !!

Everything was great in the trip. The tour guide "Ramy" was supper, very professional and friendly. Highly recommended!