Only two hours drive from Cairo, in the area of Fayoum, you will discover an even more impressive meaning of “ancient” Egypt. The remote valley of Wadi El-Hitan (Valley of Whales) is more like an open-air museum, displaying rare gigantic fossils of whales and sharks from ancient times, proving that the area was submerged in the waters of the so-called Tethys Sea 40 to 50 million years ago. After being trapped in the sands of the Western Desert, the fossil skeletons were uncovered by wind and erosion and thanks to human intervention through a series of ongoing archaeological excavations sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the University of Michigan. The landscapes surrounding the valley are as impressive and amazing as the discoveries: gigantic sand cliffs and mountains, dunes and hills. Try to visit the valley at sunset for a magical experience; the views and colours are simply amazing at that time of day. The Valley of the Whales is part of the WRPA (Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area) and was included in the World Heritage List UNESCO in 2005 for its unique natural beauty and scientific significance. The Wadi Al-Rayan Protected Area can only be reached by private car or cab via the Fayoum Desert Road from Cairo. A 4X4 vehicle would be a good choice as the road becomes quite bumpy after leaving Fayoum.