Fayoum Oasis

The Fayoum oasis, is a paradise for nature lovers, was well known for its rich soil and was very important to the integrity of the ancient Egyptian, Ptolemaic, and Roman empires. With cliffs meeting Lake Qaroun, the area is a total contrast of white desert and green land, Nowadays, the Fayoum Oasis is known for the Wadi Al-Hitan and Wadi Al-Rayan, dubbed the ‘Valleys of Whales and Waterfalls, The oasis is also known for its rich Ptolemaic culture, Fayoum Mummies, Old Kingdom pyramids, and its beautiful countryside.

The oasis of Fayoum is about 1,270 km², and irrigated by Yusuf Canal which was constructed 3,500 years ago, It is bringing in water from the Nile, The city of Fayoum is a market and administrative centre for its region. With about 1,000 of the total 1,827 km² cultivated and the abundance of water and local agriculture makes it one of the most fertile areas in Egypt, producing cotton, flax, hemp, rice, sugar-cane, roses, oranges, peaches, pomegranates, figs, grapes and olives. The raising of sheep and poultry, this plus fishing (in both Lake Qarun and Wadi Rayan lake).

The area harbours a number of small but important archaeological sites slumped, some remains of pyramids and crumbled remnants of vast Ptolemaic cities that were major centres of crocodile worship. Fayoum is also the base for adventures out to Wadi Al-Rayan's desert and to Wadi Al Hittan, where prehistoric whale skeletons founded on the rock-outcrop sand.

Bird life still abounds around Lake Qaroun, bordered by Bedouin settlements and fishing villages. on its famous Lake Qaroun you can enjoy fishing, Other places of outstanding natural beauty near Fayoum are the hot springs at Ain Al Siliyin, where you can bath, this beside the waterfalls at Wadi Al Rayan, 40km towards Bahareya, also suitable for swimming and picnics.