The Valley Of Whales & Tunes Village

2 Overnights Camp: The Valley Of Whales & Tunes Village

 

Day 1

Early morning pick-up from from School campus and departure by 4×4 vehicle from Cairo to north Qaroun Lake in EL Fayoum (80 km.) to reach Qasr El Saghah   29°31’58N 30°40’10E . Students will then visit Qasr El Saghah temple that dates to the Middle Kingdom of the ancient Egyptian history and is built of sandstone.

Then they will visit Dimai temple that lies to the south of Qasr El Saghah; it is dedicated to God Soknopaios, a variation of God Sobek. It is established on an elevated land that was once an island in the lake but merged to the land after the water ebbed. The ruined city adjacent to the temple was once a port and caravanserai.

Then proceed driving, other 120 km, with picnic lunch en route, via the western side of Qaroun Lake enjoying its remarkable landscape, Cannon balls, and the scenery of the lake and the stretched desert, till reach the remarkable desert of Qusour El Arab (Arab’s Palaces) , with its rock formation, that seems to be on another planet, it is part of the preserved area of Wadi El-Hitan (The Valley of Whales)    29°18’40N 30°01’50E, where the group will camp in GTK Camp. Before sunset, the students will have a guided visit the natural reserved zone of Wadi El-Hitan (Valley of the Whales).  The area is of important paleontological interest due to the existence of wide variety of fossilized flora and fauna. On July 15, 2005 Wadi El- Hitan was designated as a UNISCO World Heritage Site owing to the important 40 million year-old whale skeletons found there. A fossil remains of the first primitive whales and ancestors of the modern day whales.

Evening & night are totally dedicated for Stargazing. BBQ dinner will be prepared and served. Students will then stay overnight in the camp.

Day 2

Breakfast in Camp – after packing, travel to the Magic Lakes, not far away from Wadi El Hitan, where the students will enjoy practicing Sand-Boarding on its sand dunes under the supervision of professional instructors.  Light lunch will be served on the spot.

After lunch, proceed to drive to Tunis village   29°24’18N 30°29’00E in El Fayoum City, about 45 km.  Upon arrival, check-in the Eco Lodge of Zad El Mosafer (or similar). In the afternoon, walk to the Fayoum Pottery School, established by the Swiss Potters Evelyne Porret and Michel Pastore, where the students will spend the evening  learning and practicing , under supervision of professional potters, about Pottery making,

Then students will be back to the Eco Lodge for dinner and gathering round Campfire for a Marshmallow BBQ. Overnight.

Day 3

After breakfast in the Eco Lodge, the students will walk through the narrow streets of the village to reach the Caricature Museum, and learn about the work of the Egyptian Artist Mohamed Abla.  They will also go through an Interactive Method Workshop (please check this video to have an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4sxKuWmV20)

Back to the Eco Lodge for lunch and check-out. Transfer back to Cairo (150 km), drop-off at school Campus.