Travel: Wadi Al-Rayan and the Faiyum

Al Ahram Weekly (Amira El-Naqeeb)

After a week full of work, a night out with friends on the weekend or chilling out in front of the tube won't do it for me. I decided to pack for a short and easy trip to Wadi Al-Rayan.

Although Fayoum governorate and the Wadi Al-Rayan protected area (WRPA) in particular are popular destinations, there are places inside the protectorate itself which are not. Fayoum, the largest oasis in Egypt, lies 80km from Cairo. It takes almost an hour's drive from Rimaya Square in Giza. Wadi Al-Rayan lies 150km away from Cairo, and it's almost a two-hour drive. It was designated a protected area in 1989. The protected area covers 1,759 square kilometres of the southwestern part of Fayoum governorate.

Eighteen kilometres after the protectorate gate stands Gabal Al-Madwara (the round mountain). The area around the mountain is a perfect spot for spending the day and relaxing. A friend of mine and I parked and got our bags and tent out and started heading down the sandy dunes. We started scouting the area in search of a spot on the shore, and as away as possible from the reed beds forming along the shoreline. The area around Gabal Al-Madwara consists of sand dunes, large water bodies and botanical life. We nestled on a sandy spot on the water.

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