Know everything about El-Fayoum with your Egyptian private tour guide Muhamed Amien .
El fayoum is about 103 km south west of Cairo. El Fayoum gets its water supply from the Nile through Bahr Yousef canal. Some call it an oasis, but actually, El Fayoum is not a true oasis since it depends on Nile water instead of underground springs or wells.
El-Fayoum Sightseeing and archaeological areas:
El Fayoum enjoys a variety of tourist attractions, and El Fayoum is known for its beautiful scenery with the vast Lake Qarun. Lake Qarun is a protected area, and it is one of the most treasured natural landmarks in Egypt. There is also Wadi Al Rayan protected area; it is a depression and semi desert area. It encompasses two slightly man made lakes. The two lakes have different altitudes, and therefore a waterfall was created where they meet. Al Fayoum is aiso famous for Wadi Al- Hitan. It is the most significant place in the world to show the evolution of the whales, as million years ago a sea reached far south of the exiting Mediterranean.
In Al Fayoum, there are many nature-based tourism activities that could be practiced, such as: desert hiking, camel trekking, bird watching, donkey rides, and visits to rural villages and craft centers.
El-Fayoum Sightseeing
A- pharaonic Monuments :
1- Hawara pyramid :built by king Amenemhat III of the XII th dynasty.
2- Al Lahoun pyramid :built by king Senousert II of the XII th dynasty .
3-The base of Amenemhat III pyramid in Behmo
4- Senousert I Obelisk at Fayoum’s entrance .
5- Medinet Madi Temple :dating from the XII th dynasty,built by king Amenemhat III and IV
6- Kiman fares : contain the remains of the ancient city and the temple of god Sobek built by king Amenemhat III.
7- Qasr Al Saga Temple : dates from the middle Kingdom ,lies north og Qarun Lake .it is a small temple built of lime stone .
B- Graeco-Roman Monuments :
1-Ruins of karanis town 30 km north of Fayoum.these include monuments dating from the ptolemaic,coptic and early Arab settlement .there are also 2 temples for the worship of the crocodile-god Sobek,a roman bath and a winery .
2- Qasr qaroun temple : on the southern side of Qaroun lake,50 km from .the temple still retains all the details .the entrance is ornamented with a sun Disk paintings
C- Christian Monuments :
1-Al -Malak Monastery :on the Naklun Mountain 16 km.south of Fayoum.
2- Al-Azab Monastery :in Al Azab village 8 km south of Dayoum called the monastery of saint Abram because it contains his remains.the monastery includes an old and new church ,the shrine of pop Abram and a Coptic Museum .
3- The virgin Monastery:Another monastery for the virgin .
D- Islamic Monuments :
1- Qantarah Al Lahoun :20 km south of Fayoum city.
2- Qaitbay Mosqur :dates from the Mameluke rea,built on Khunda Sulbai Bridge by the wife of Sultan Qaitbay in the 15 th century ,1476 Ad .it is distinguished by its rostrum inlaid with ivory.
3- The suspended Mosque (prince Suleiman) : dates from the Ottoman era in the style of the memluke mosques ,its name is attributed to being constructed on a hillside.
4- Lake Qaroun: A protected area,20 km from Fayoum.it is part of the ancient 5Moeris Lake ,where water sports, fishing and bird watching are available.
6-Wadi Al Rayan: a protected area ,75 km from Fayoum, known for its diversity of nature and serene beauty ,waterfalls ,springs, wild animals and birds.
7-Sawaqi Al Hadeer (waterwheels)
8- Local handicrafts museum in Sillen.
