Discover the amazing wonders of Egypt’s heritage at Wadi El Hitan National Protectorate. Do you think visiting 6000-year-old tombs and temples is like peeking into the past? Try Wadi El Hitan National Protectorate and watch whales that are 40 million years old! The Valley of Whales, 150 miles southwest of Cairo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains relics of the ancient Tethys Sea when Egypt was flooded and sea cows, crocodiles, and turtles swam. But it is most well-known for providing insight into the evolution of whales.
Whale relatives roamed on land and hunted in shallow waters fifty million years ago, much like sea otters do now. For the following 10 million years, Archaeoceti (ancient whales) adopted a more marine lifestyle. The Fossil and Climate Change Museum opened in 2016 and features outstanding displays in English and Arabic that describe the area’s climatic changes over time and how land-based animals evolved to return to the sea. The fossils, on the other hand, aren’t only on exhibit. Along a walking route covered with invertebrate fossils and bone fragments, whole skeletons of Basilosaurus and Dorudon are on exhibit, some of which still have little hind limbs not found in current whales.
Up until 2022, the site had only approximately 1000 visitors per year since the only way to get there was by 4WD vehicle over a sand-blown road; however, the route was paved in April 2022, allowing the place to attract more people.
The Climate Change and Fossil Museum
The biggest “Basilosaurus isis” whale fossil and a unique collection of fossils found nowhere else in the world may be discovered in the Modern Fossil and Climate Change Museum. Over millions of years, climatic change converted the area from a sea to a hyper-arid desert. The museum’s mission is to create public awareness about climate change and how to mitigate its harmful consequences for the environment and people. The museum was built by the UN Development Programme in collaboration with the Egyptian government and with financial support from the Italian government as part of a larger set of initiatives to support the conservation of protected areas, promote eco-tourism, and promote sustainable development, which connects environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Make the Most of Your Visit
The Valley of Whales tour is an exciting and educational experience that takes visitors through the stunning desert landscape of southern Egypt to the site of an ancient whale graveyard. During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the history and geology of the area, as well as the fascinating story of how these enormous creatures came to be trapped in the rocks millions of years ago. Along the way, visitors will also have the chance to see a wide variety of desert wildlife and unique plant species, as well as learn about the important role that conservation efforts are playing in preserving this fragile ecosystem. With knowledgeable guides and comfortable accommodations, the Valley of Whales tour is a must-see for anyone interested in natural history, geology, or adventure travel.
Take the greatest trip with Egypt Fun Tours and a team of professional tour guides and tour leaders who will make your trip unforgettable and too much fun. The greatest Wadi El Hitan excursions are with us.
