Fayoum: Sand Sand Everywhere
This post was originally published on March 2017 and republished with no edits made on February 2025
A place so untouched by technology and urbanization,
Sand dunes and oasis waiting for you to start your exploration.
Camping in the desert, not for the faint-hearted,
Welcome to Fayoum, so let's get started.
ps: Poem inspired by Achu & Aakansha, and also Fayoum, obviously.
#TIPS Bring lots of sunblock.
If people can eat sand, no one will ever be hungry ever again. My first thought when I saw the landscape zooming through me on my 3 hour bus ride from Cairo to Fayoum. There was literally just sand, stretching over miles and miles, until we reach our first destination.
Rayan Valley
Dark blue water greeted me, the kind of blue you can never find in KK unless you're 40,000 ft above the sky looking down at the deeper part of the sea. And guess what's the most insane part of this is?
People are swimming in the lake at 12pm. Crazy? Apparently not, at least not to an Egyptian.
People are swimming in the lake at 12pm. Crazy? Apparently not, at least not to an Egyptian.
We took a boat ride around the lake, it was nice, just chilling with friends and enjoying the view of the lake or lack thereof.
So that didn't exactly wowed me, but guess what did?
Wadi El-Rayan
The only waterfall in Egypt.
This doesn't even makes sense, where did all the water come from?
Magic Lake
I honestly had no idea this was an oasis until I came back from my trip. Cartoon has ALWAYS depicted oasis be a place where water is drinkable and there are palm trees next to it, magic lake was nothing like it.
1) It's salty despite being called a "lake"
2) There was no palm trees.
3) And if the first 2 wasn't obvious enough. It's call Magic LAKE not Magic Oasis.
But I had so much fun here.
1) It's salty despite being called a "lake"
2) There was no palm trees.
3) And if the first 2 wasn't obvious enough. It's call Magic LAKE not Magic Oasis.
But I had so much fun here.
We needed to use 4x4 to come to the Magic Lake, because of the soft sand and sand dunes.
Going up the hill is painful and tiring, the sand is hot because of the sun so it kinda burns a bit and also the sand is soft so a lot of exertion is needed to actually go up.
Sand-boarding ? Checked !
Swimming in an Oasis ? checked !
Saw the night sky, unfortunately no one had a tripod and there was no stones for a makeshift tripod so we didn't take any pictures. But it was a full moon anyway and I swear the moon was brighter than the spotlight.
#Tips When planing for a trip outdoor, choose whether you'd want naturally lighting at night (full moon) or a sky full of stars.
Dinner was surprisingly good. Salad, rice, Baked potatoes and chicken and rice (they cooked it in a fire place). It always amazes me that the further I am from civilization, the better the food is. All I get in places where's there is shops are ful, falafel and chips in bread... more of that later. Oh! And tea, they make really good tea.
#Tips When planing for a trip outdoor, choose whether you'd want naturally lighting at night (full moon) or a sky full of stars.
Dinner was surprisingly good. Salad, rice, Baked potatoes and chicken and rice (they cooked it in a fire place). It always amazes me that the further I am from civilization, the better the food is. All I get in places where's there is shops are ful, falafel and chips in bread... more of that later. Oh! And tea, they make really good tea.
Slept under the stars instead of the tent because it was cooler and somewhat saw the sunrise. Somewhat because I opened eyes and shut it back few seconds later.
All in all, an unforgettable trip but there are a few things you need to take note of coming here.
1. There are no toilet, do whatever business you have in the dark at some isolated area and make sure cover your tracks after that
#TravelHacks Bring lots of wet wipes especially if you're going into the lake (saltwater).
2. If there's no wind, there will be lots of flies. You are warned
#TravelHacks Use a scarf to cover your face to protect yourself from flies.
3. You are going to get up at 5am because the sun will greet you like it's the last day on earth.
#Tips Be prepared for not having lots of snooze time, but hey! it's a great place for bonding.
1. There are no toilet, do whatever business you have in the dark at some isolated area and make sure cover your tracks after that
#TravelHacks Bring lots of wet wipes especially if you're going into the lake (saltwater).
2. If there's no wind, there will be lots of flies. You are warned
#TravelHacks Use a scarf to cover your face to protect yourself from flies.
3. You are going to get up at 5am because the sun will greet you like it's the last day on earth.
#Tips Be prepared for not having lots of snooze time, but hey! it's a great place for bonding.
Missing these bunch of crazies (and also the lot of you that are not in this picture).
And lastly..
Here's a beautiful sight to hopefully make your day.
And lastly..
Here's a beautiful sight to hopefully make your day.
