Valley of the whales ( Egypt )

The wander valley of the whales

It is one of the most special places on earth as it has many skeletons for whales’ dates back to 40 million years ago , the importance of the area because it shows the transition of the whales from land-based animals to ocean going mammals and it was declared by UNISCO as a world heritage area

The valley of the whales reveals a whole unknown side of Egypt.

This site contains a fabulous, modern museum was built in 2016, reflects some of the best practices related to displays and explanations. Explanations are written in Arabic and English. The bathroom area is modern, with all necessary amenities.

The main importance of the valley of the whales

1- because it is the only place that has skeletons for whales with limbs that shows transaction of the whales from land-based animal to ocean going mammals

2- it is very clear example for the climate change as this remote desert was full of underwater life millions years ago it just became very dry desert and all the sea life died

Where is Valley of the whales located?

in Egypt’s Western Desert is the only place in the world where the skeletons of families of archaic whales can be seen in their original geological sites.

The fossils of Wadi El-Hitan were discovered for the first time in 1902 by H. J. L. Beadnell of the Geological Survey of Egypt and it was by accident. Between 1983 and 2007, nine expeditions were led by Egyptian and American paleontologists. The expedition teams found and mapped about 400 whale and sea cow skeletons in the valley. During the 1989 expedition, the first fully aquatic whale specimens with legs and feet were discovered.

The ancient whales of Wadi El-Hitan are an important link in the evolution of whales. Fully aquatic Basilosaurus and Dourdan with their small legs and feet show that the change from life on land to the seas was successful.

you can discover the secrets of this mysterious valley with us in a private tour.