Wadi El-Hitan, or the Valley of the Whales, located in the Fayoum governorate southwest of Cairo, is famous for being an open-air museum, featuring 40-million-year-old whale fossils. “The demand for this experience is growing every year,” Hassan said as he prepared a powerful telescope for the group. Astrotourism is growing in Egypt, with Wadi El-Hitan being one of the most popular spots for stargazing. Her husband Mostafa, a mechanical engineer, said he first discovered the magic of Wadi El-Hitan through a viral post on social media. As the desert air turns cold, the tourists sit around a crackling wood fire, making tea over the flames.

Source: The Star January 05, 2026 09:02 UTC