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Visiting Whale Valley- Uncover Wadi Al-Hitan’s Whale Fossils

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Within the Western Desert of Egypt is an interesting place the place the skeletal stays of a whole bunch of historical whales lie fossilized in dusty sand and rock. 

Whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.Whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.

Scattered throughout the enticing panorama of Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) is the world’s largest and most essential fossil assortment of the earliest whales, again once they had been land animals with legs transitioning to ocean-going by dropping their hind limbs. This vital stage of the whale’s evolution will be seen within the fossils mendacity within the desert and realized about within the onsite museum.

Whale skeleton on display in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum at Wadi Al-Hitan.Whale skeleton on display in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum at Wadi Al-Hitan.

Whale fossils should not the very first thing that involves thoughts when pondering of Egypt, however that uniqueness is without doubt one of the explanation why I included Wadi Al-Hitan on my Egypt itinerary. Another excuse why Whale Valley is price visiting is as a result of there may be nowhere else on this planet to see so many high-quality fossils of extinct whales in a concentrated space. Now that’s actually what makes Wadi Al-Hitan so particular!

Whale skeleton in Egypt.Whale skeleton in Egypt.

Earlier than I share my expertise visiting Whale Valley, right here is a few background details about Wadi Al-Hitan.

Rock formations in Whale Valley.Rock formations in Whale Valley.

About Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Egypt

Wadi Al-Hitan is a protected paleontological website with about 400 fossils of extinct whales from 3 species (and discoveries nonetheless being made). The fossils date again 40 million years to when the world was beneath an historical sea.

Rock formation with fossils in Whale Valley. Rock formation with fossils in Whale Valley.

The fossils at Wadi Al-Hitan are of the earliest suborder of whale, Archaeoceti, and present the youngest archaeocetes within the remaining levels of dropping their hind limbs. This proof of the whale’s evolution from land animals to ocean dwellers make Wadi Al-Hitan a globally essential website and the focus, quantity, and high quality of fossils make it much more distinctive. 

Whale skeleton lying on the sand in Whale Valley.Whale skeleton lying on the sand in Whale Valley.

The Wadi Al-Hitan fossils characterize a serious stage of the earth’s historical past and this significance led to it being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.

The 2 commonest whale fossils you possibly can see at Wadi Al-Hitan are the Basilosaurus (the biggest archaeocete whale) and the smaller, dolphin-like Dorudon. The whales turned extinct when local weather temperatures out of the blue dropped.

Whale skeleton in the desert.Whale skeleton in the desert.

The fossils at Whale Valley embody full skeletons, partial skeletons, and single bones. The most important skeleton discovered is 21 m lengthy and has hind legs and five-fingered flippers on the forelimbs. 

Fossils of whale vertebrae.Fossils of whale vertebrae.
Fossils of whale bones in the rock.Fossils of whale bones in the rock.
Fossils of whale bones in the sand.Fossils of whale bones in the sand.

Along with whale fossils at Wadi Al-Hitan, there are additionally fossils of sea cows, turtles, sawfish, crocodiles, sharks, rays, mollusks, and mangrove timber.

Mangrove fossil.Mangrove fossil.

Visiting Whale Valley- My Self-Guided Wadi Al-Hitan Tour

My journey to Whale Valley began by visiting the Fossils and Local weather Change Museum to get an introduction to the positioning’s historical past and the fossils I might be seeing. I then headed out to discover the desert, strolling the prescribed path to view the uncovered fossils. 

Me standing in front of a whale fossil.Me standing in front of a whale fossil.
Whale fossil display in the desert at Wadi Al-Hitan.Whale fossil display in the desert at Wadi Al-Hitan.

My non-public information who was taking me round Egypt waited for me on the museum whereas I went out by myself to find the fossils, which I appreciated as a result of I wasn’t rushed and will stroll so far as I needed.

Tourists on a path in Wadi Al-Hitan.Tourists on a path in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Rock formations beside a path and a shelter in Wadi Al-Hitan.Rock formations beside a path and a shelter in Wadi Al-Hitan.

Fossils and Local weather Change Museum

The Fossils and Local weather Change Museum must be each vacationer’s first cease at Whale Valley as a result of it shares details about the extinct whales, their evolution, and the way previous local weather change affected the world. 

Exterior of the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.Exterior of the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.

The museum’s reveals encompass a central show of the biggest intact skeleton of a Basilosaurus isis whale. Its measurement was spectacular and I favored seeing the bones of its fingered forelimbs. 

Whale skeleton in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum at Wadi Al-Hitan. Whale skeleton in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum at Wadi Al-Hitan.

Another reveals you possibly can see within the museum are whale enamel, the cranium of a crocodile, the cranium of an Arsinoitherium (an extinct rhinoceros-like animal), and the bones of a whale forelimb and jaw.

Display of whale teeth in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.Display of whale teeth in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.
Fossil of a whale fore limb on display in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.Fossil of a whale fore limb on display in the Fossils and Climate Change Museum.

The museum additionally has an fascinating video in regards to the historical past of Wadi Al-Hitan that’s price testing.

The Whale Valley Fossils

There are various fossils within the desert at Wadi Al-Hitan however the principle ones are signed, numbered, and linked by a path to allow them to simply be visited. There wasn’t a map after I was there, however I used to be informed there are 18 fossil shows on the marked route. It took me two hours to go to the shows (I feel I missed two), together with time to learn the data panels and take a number of pictures. 

Skeleton of a Basilosaurus whale on display in Whale Valley.Skeleton of a Basilosaurus whale on display in Whale Valley.

The path begins throughout from the museum on the northeast nook of the car parking zone. Immediately I used to be impressed with the panorama and rock formations and couldn’t wait to begin exploring!

Tourists visiting Whale Valley.Tourists visiting Whale Valley.

The primary fossil I got here to was a cranium and vertebrae of a Basilosaurus whale embedded in sandstone. The cranium was partially coated by sand, however I used to be nonetheless excited to see my first whale fossil out “within the wild”.

Whale skull and vertebrae in the sand at Whale Valley.Whale skull and vertebrae in the sand at Whale Valley.
Sign at a fossil display.Sign at a fossil display.

The second show was the fossil of a small Dorudon atrox whale. This skeleton was extra full with ribs and a forelimb bone.

Whale fossil at Whale Valley.Whale fossil at Whale Valley.

The third show alongside the trail was of a Sirenia (sea cow). I’m unsure if this was a younger sea cow, however the fossil was fairly small, the smallest one I noticed in Whale Valley.

Fossil of a sea cow on display in Wadi Al-Hitan.Fossil of a sea cow on display in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Fossil of a sea cow.Fossil of a sea cow.

The fourth fossil was one other one among a Dorudon atrox whale. This one had a crumbling cranium, a number of bones of a forelimb, and vertebrae.

Fossil of a Dorudon atrox whale in Whale Valley.Fossil of a Dorudon atrox whale in Whale Valley.
Fossil display in Whale Valley.Fossil display in Whale Valley.

The fifth fossil show was one of the vital fascinating as a result of the backbone of a Basilosaurus whale was curved alongside a ledge in the course of a rock formation. 

Whale fossils on a rock formation in Whale Valley.Whale fossils on a rock formation in Whale Valley.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.

Subsequent up on the sixth show was a fossil of a Sawfish.

Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.

The seventh show is without doubt one of the most spectacular fossils at Whale Valley. This intact skeleton of a Basilosaurus whale was my favorite fossil due to its measurement, completeness, and place. Its lengthy curved backbone main in direction of ribs resting on a slope made it particularly photogenic.

Whale skeleton in Whale Valley.Whale skeleton in Whale Valley.
Whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.Whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Whale skeleton in Whale Valley.Whale skeleton in Whale Valley.

Many of the vacationers I noticed didn’t enterprise previous the seventh skeleton as a result of after this level the fossils are extra spaced out and farther from the trailhead. In case you solely have the time or need to go so far as quantity 7, you should have seen what I assumed had been the perfect whale fossils at Wadi Al-Hitan. Nonetheless, a number of the finest panorama views are close to the tip of the route so it’s price persevering with. 

Path and rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.Path and rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.

The eighth and ninth stops had been a possibility to see historical mangrove layers within the rock and fossilized mangrove roots. The presence of mangroves signifies the shoreline of an outdated sea. Whale skeletons had been discovered within the highest concentrations on prime of the mangrove layer, doubtless as a result of the plentiful meals provide drew the whales right here. Lifeless whales might even have been pushed into the mangrove-lined bays by tides and winds.

Rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.Rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Mangrove fossils.Mangrove fossils.

On the tenth cease alongside the route there have been petrified burrows of Teredo, a kind of saltwater clams generally referred to as shipworms. Teredo bore into wooden and dwell within the tunnels they make. This show wasn’t that fascinating to me as a result of it was only a piece of petrified wooden.

Petrified burrows of Teredo.Petrified burrows of Teredo.

The eleventh fossil show was a Basilosaurus isis. It had vertebrae and ribs, however my favorite a part of this cease was really the rock formations round it. 

Whale fossil in Whale Valley.Whale fossil in Whale Valley.
Fossil of a whale skeleton.Fossil of a whale skeleton.
Fossil of whale vertebrae.Fossil of whale vertebrae.

The twelfth cease was additionally fairly scenic because of the fascinating rock formations within the background. The fossil was of the lumbar and tail vertebrae of a Basilosaurus whale.

Rock formation in the desert.Rock formation in the desert.
Rock formation and fossil display in Whale Valley.Rock formation and fossil display in Whale Valley.

The thirteenth show had an intact skeleton of a Basilosaurus whale. The situation of the fossil wasn’t nearly as good as a number of the others I’d seen and far of it was nonetheless coated by sand. Nonetheless, I might nonetheless gauge its measurement and see the attribute curved form that whale carcasses soak up loss of life, probably due to their sturdy spine muscle tissues.

Whale fossil in the desert.Whale fossil in the desert.
Whale fossil in the sand.Whale fossil in the sand.

A brief distance after this fossil, the trail got here to a T-intersection. It was getting late so as an alternative of maintaining straight and heading additional into the desert, the place it seemed like there was one other show, I turned left and adopted the path uphill. From right here there have been panoramic views of the desert panorama of Whale Valley. I cherished the little “mountains” of rock, every uniquely sculpted by erosion. I might additionally see a layer of black shale. 

Landscape of Wadi Al-Hitan.Landscape of Wadi Al-Hitan.
Landscape of Wadi Al-Hitan.Landscape of Wadi Al-Hitan.
Layer of black shale.Layer of black shale.

Following the trail on the prime of the hill, I got here to a shelter the place there was one other good view of the surroundings. After admiring the view, I adopted the arrow signal to a path going downhill. I used to be enthusiastic about what I might see subsequent!

Shelter overlooking Wadi Al-Hitan.Shelter overlooking Wadi Al-Hitan.
Looking out a window towards the desert.Looking out a window towards the desert.
Path and rock formations in Whale Valley.Path and rock formations in Whale Valley.

Again down within the valley, I got here to the sixteenth fossil show (I missed fourteen and fifteen). This one was simply fragments embedded in rock and there wasn’t an indication explaining what the fossils had been, however they nonetheless seemed fascinating.

Whale fossils in rock.Whale fossils in rock.
Whale fossils in rock.Whale fossils in rock.

The seventeenth marked cease gave a close-up take a look at a number of the giant textured rocks that dot the valley.

Rock formation.Rock formation.
Rock formation in the desert.Rock formation in the desert.

The eighteenth and remaining fossil was a sea turtle. It was very neat to see the faint sample on the turtle’s shell. I additionally observed an impression of a seashell on one of many rocks close by.

Fossil of a sea turtle.Fossil of a sea turtle.
Fossil of a sea turtle shell.Fossil of a sea turtle shell.
Fossil of a seashell in rock.Fossil of a seashell in rock.

After the ocean turtle, I walked again to the trailhead and came upon that I used to be one of many final vacationers nonetheless within the valley. I used to be having a lot enjoyable discovering the fossils that I didn’t need to come again! 

Rock formation with whale fossils on it.Rock formation with whale fossils on it.

Closing Ideas About Egypt’s Whale Valley

After visiting so many temples and tombs in Egypt, it was refreshing to expertise one thing as completely different as Whale Valley. 

Rock formation and fossil display in Whale Valley.Rock formation and fossil display in Whale Valley.
Fossils on a rock formation.Fossils on a rock formation.

I completely cherished wandering by means of the desert and seeing the whale fossils in a pure atmosphere, as an alternative of on show in a museum. The shapes and textures of the eroded rock formations had been spectacular as effectively. 

Fossil of a whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.Fossil of a whale skeleton in Wadi Al-Hitan.
Path and rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.Path and rock formations in Wadi Al-Hitan.

Whereas the fossils and geology had been the highlights Wadi Al-Hitan, it was additionally fascinating to be taught in regards to the evolution of whales within the museum. I didn’t know that whales used to have legs and dwell on land till I visited Whale Valley.

Whale fossil in the desert.Whale fossil in the desert.
Fossil of a whale skeleton.Fossil of a whale skeleton.
Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.

It will be good if a map or pamphlet was out there in order that vacationers might resolve what fossils to see and the way far they needed to stroll. A few of the indicators on the fossil shows had been additionally laborious to learn as a result of sand had scratched and gotten beneath the glass.

Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.
Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.

Wadi Al-Hitan is a good vacation spot for travellers interested by paleontology and evolution, or those that need to discover past Egypt’s typical vacationer path. Whale Valley just isn’t a spot most individuals enterprise to on their first trip to Egypt, however I’m glad I did as a result of it gave me a extra well-rounded expertise, permitting me to see a aspect of Egypt I used to be much less acquainted with.

Fossil of whale vertebrae.Fossil of whale vertebrae.

When you have the time, I undoubtedly advocate visiting Whale Valley throughout a visit to Egypt.

Whale fossil on a rock formation.Whale fossil on a rock formation.

Extra Footage of Whale Valley

Listed here are a number of extra pictures of Whale Valley to encourage you to go to.

Buildings at Wadi Al-Hitan.Buildings at Wadi Al-Hitan.
Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.
Rock and fossil display in the desert.Rock and fossil display in the desert.
Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.
Path and rock formations in the desert.Path and rock formations in the desert.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Whale fossils on a rock formation.Whale fossils on a rock formation.
Sign with the number 11.Sign with the number 11.

Suggestions for Visiting Whale Valley

Location: Wadi Al-Hitan is positioned within the Faiyum Governorate about 190 km southwest of downtown Cairo (roughly a 3 hr 15 min to three hr 30 min drive). 

Getting There: Whale Valley is difficult to succeed in independently. The choices are to hire a automotive and drive your self or go together with a tour firm. Going with a tour firm or non-public information is the most suitable choice as a result of there are police checkpoints that complicate issues. My information and I needed to report our plan for the day at a checkpoint after which got a police escort a part of the best way (I used to be informed this was for security as a result of the world is much less touristic).

  • Excursions sometimes contain travelling in 4WD automobiles as a result of the street is tough. In my expertise, we went off-roading within the desert on our strategy to Whale Valley.

Admission Price: An admission price is charged and tickets will be purchased on the workplace on-site.

What to Carry: Put on solar safety and comfy strolling sneakers. Carry water.

Rock formations in the desert.Rock formations in the desert.

Excursions of Whale Valley

Here’s a trusted website the place you possibly can ebook tours to Whale Valley. Excursions sometimes embody visits to extra areas like Wadi El Rayan and the Magic Lake.

Lodging Close to Whale Valley

In your comfort, here’s a record of lodging in Fayoum (the closest metropolis to Whale Valley) and Cairo. Please take into account reserving your Egypt lodging by means of the included hyperlink. It prices nothing further and helps help this web site. Thanks!

Rock formation in the desert.Rock formation in the desert.

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