Al-Fayoum is the capital of the Fayoum region. The oasis town lies in the middle of a large depression, the so-called Fayoum Basin. Situated only 24 meters above sea level, the land here is particularly fertile, which is why it is often referred to as “Cairo’s vegetable garden.” The city is estimated to have existed for at least 6,000 years, with the difference that the population has quadrupled to date. On an archaeological and historical basis, the Al-Fayyum area is important and well known because of the mummy remains found here.
Fayoum Oasis
Fayoum is fondly referred to as an oasis due to its desert environment and fertility, but to be precise it is only a semi-oasis, as irrigation is not provided by underground springs, but by the Nile River. The entire depression that forms Fayum is called an oasis. A mild climate prevails here year-round, which continues to benefit the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and cotton. A special highlight of the oasis is water scoop wheels from the 3rd century, which are up to 5 meters high and serve as a water supply for the fields.
History
In the 19th century, Pharaoh Sesostris III, together with his son Amenemhet III, constructed the artificial Joseph Canal, connecting the Nile with the marshes in the Fayum Basin. With the help of an ingenious canal system, created from a multi-million construction project, it should be possible to control the Nile, on the one hand, to avoid floods and on the other hand to be able to supply the country with water in times of drought.
The amalgamation turned the barren desert of Fayum into an agricultural goldmine for Egypt and the new capital Al-Fayyum. Hardly anyone would have expected that a bustling metropolis would emerge here, which in earlier times was called “Crocodilopolis” by the Greeks because of the numerous crocodiles living here.
Sights and activities
The desert oasis area of Fayum has some great sights to offer and is also an excellent place to pursue exciting and adventurous activities. For example, in the surrounding desert, you can ride camels, go sandboarding, go hiking, or marvel at ancient pyramids. Large lakes, on the other hand, offer opportunities to take a boat tour – through being prepared to encounter crocodiles if you’re lucky!
Wadi Hitan
Wadi Hitan is also known as the “Valley of the Whales”. Here you can discover fossilized whale bones that are 40 million years old. There is also a large mangrove that appeals to adventurous wildlife and nature lovers, and fascinating stone formations throughout the area. The dry valley is about a two-hour drive from the Cairo Oasis of Fayoum and Wadi El-Rayan-Qarun Lake-Egypt.
Wadi El Rayan
Wadi El Rayan is a nature reserve located southwest of the Fayum Basin. It is an adjoining depression with an area of about 700km². Wadi El Rayan is home to the only waterfall that exists in all of Egypt. You can take a nice boat trip to the adjoining lake.
Arrival and visit
The capital Al-Fayyum is a good starting point if you plan to spend a few days in the region and visit different places. The city is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Cairo and is easy to reach by land. There are public buses to the capital, where there are numerous hotels and accommodations for tourists.
Those who wish to visit Cairo’s Fayoum Oasis and Wadi El-Rayan only on a day trip can book a tour online or at a hotel in Cairo to get a total package including transportation, guide, and meals, or set out specifically with a rental car.
