Have you visited the Valley of the Kings near modern day Luxor in Egypt? Yes? Have you visited that “other” valley in Egypt? “What other valley?” you ask? Well, the Valley of the Whales, of course! AKA Wadi El-Hitan!
Located about 100 miles southwest of Cairo near the town of Fayoum, you can easily visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site in intriguing and iconic Egypt within a day.
Whales in the Egyptian desert?
The fossilized remains of about 100 whales are found on this site in their evolution from land to water animals in the last stage of losing their hind legs. This site, million of years ago, was part of a large sea that connected what today are the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. This sea covered large parts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It existed for many millions of years when the warmer climate of the planet prevented ice caps on the poles. As the climate of the planet cooled, the water receded as the ice caps formed (and the cycle will repeat in the reverse of many millions of years as the planet is wont to do!).
The whale bones have been laid out for easy observation…
These whales were carnivorous and had a serpentine form. The longest fossil found is about 69 ft (21 m) long. The field of fossils was discovered in the first part of the twentieth century as it was a difficult area to reach.
Fossilized mangroves have cleverly marked them for the visitors to notice…
The cliffs of Wadi El-Hitan
The cliffs in this Western Desert were formed as the sea receded and the wet climate produced rains that eroded sediment and rock in the area. And now, Wahi El-Hitan is a valley of whales, where fossilized bones of these long-ago creatures settled.
Paths have been laid for visitors to explore the site without accidentally stepping over anything important or fragile.
The valley, a protected area reachable by four-wheel drive, is a neat place to visit and walk around, witnessing this open history book that preserves the story of animal evolution and shows how Earth’s climate changes over periods of times fluctuating between hotter and cooler, impacting water levels.
Nearby oasis: Wadi El-Rayan and Fayoum Falls
Near the Valley of the Whales, is a neat area to sit back and have a delicious lunch before or after visiting Wadi El-Hitan: the oasis town of Fayoum in Wadi El-Rayan. A small waterfall connects the two large bodies of water outside of the town of Fayoum. A nice break!
There is a LOT to see and do in Egypt. And I won’t try to convince you this ought to be in your top 3 or top 5 sights to make sure you see. But, if you like off the beaten -or weathered- path, the Valley of the Whales in Egypt is for you!
