Day Tour TO Fayoum from Cairo

Description:
Wadi El Ryan,WadiHitan, Mudawara Mountain and MedinetMadi

In ancient Egyptian times Fayoum was known as Chdat which means the island. The main cult was dedicated to god Sobek, the crocodile god. In Greek times it was known as Arsinoe, during the Romans’ rule it was known as Crocodilopolis (the crocodile city) but the Christians called it Payom which means the lake or sea from which came the Arabic derivation Fayoum.

Fayoum is really a wonderful part of Egypt, rich in its pyramids,monuments and natural beauty. It is a depression with more than 1100 square km area. During prehistoric times the Nile flooded and separated the surrounding mountains from Fayoum. People who lived here during prehistoric times were hunters and gatherers, but later cultivated land near lake Qaroun. This became the earliest agricultural area in history. It has remained an agriculture center famous for its vegetables, fruits and chicken.

The Greek mummy portraits discovered in Hawara in Fayoum are believed to be the first true life portraits in the world's history. Also scholars think that the first dam was built here to control the Nile flood into the area.

You can enjoy the beautiful lake Qaroun or the waterfalls at Wadi al-Rayan.

Fayoum is not really an oasis since it depends on the Nile water instead of underground springs. The Bahr youssef, irrigation canal thought to be dug by Biblical Joseph, irrigates the land.

A long time before man existed on earth more than 40 or 50 million years ago WadiHitan(Wadi Al-Hitan), valley of the whales was submerged in water and constituted part of the ocean. Now the area contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, extinct whales. It was designated Tour itinerary: a UNESCO World Heritage Sitein July 2005.

Then Comes the huge area of Wadi El-Rayan Egypt Protected Area (Protecting the area's unique biological, geological and cultural resources) with 1800 square km area. It has upper lake, lower lake and beautiful waterfalls between them.

JabalMadwera orMudawara Mountain near the lower lake is known for its extensive dune formations.

MedinetMadi, city of the past has a temple of the cobra harvest goddess dating back to the Middle Kingdom (1800 B.C.). It was later extended and redecorated during the Greco-Roman period.