Fayoum Ecotravel Guide provides 7 maps for Qarun, Tunis, Nazla and Medinet Madi. The maps help travelers easily find their way to the cultural and natural attractions of these sites and give information on how to access them from different directions.
Simply click on the pins in sequential order (1, 2, 3, etc.) to get from the starting to the end point of each route. Each pin includes GPS coordinates, a description and an image of a particular landmark you will find along the route.
Helnan Auberge
Helnan Auberge Hotel on Lake Qarun
Waahit ilSalaam
8km after Helnan Auberge Hotel, you will find the coffee shop “Waahit ilSalaam” on your right; turn left into Ibshaway Tourist Road and go straight.
Abuksah
After 5km, you will arrive in Abuksah; turn right at Al Abudi Square marked by a fountain-like structure; continue straight.
Ibshaway
You will reach Ibshaway Market situated in the heart of Downtown Ibshaway. The market begins right after the building of National Bank of Egypt on your right side; avoid taking the street on Thursdays during the busy weekly market; a minibus is the maximum vehicle size that can get through the narrow market street.
El Mustafa Restaurant
Shortly after the National Bank of Egypt, you will see El Mustafa Restaurant. It serves very clean and fresh Egyptian breakfast (foul beans and falafel).
In case you need further directions to find the restaurant, contact one of the staff Mustafa
Mobile: 01002757811.
Nazla
Continue straight after El Mustafa Restaurant and you will arrive at a crossroads right at the end of Ibshaway Market; take the first street to the right to head for Nazla; then, continue straight.
From Al Abudi Square to this spot takes about 4 km.
brick factory
On the way to Nazla, you will see a brick factory on the right side marked by a high and round-shape chimney; at this point, the valley of Nazla begins; continue straight.
Kushk
Turn left at the square called “Kushk” marked by a fork junction divided by a triangle shape building; from Ibshaway Market to Kushk Square takes around 4 km; then go straight.
Mousa Misar Mosque
At Mousa Misar Mosque (in the shape of a Pharaonic temple with Minaret) turn left; at the curve, go left and down for around 500m and you will find the Nazla Pottery Workshops down in the valley; the entrance to the workshops is marked by pottery displayed on the road.
It takes around 4km from Kushk Square to the Nazla Pottery Workshops.
Nazla Pottery
From the Nazla Pottery Workshops,
go back to Mousa Misar Mosque; right after the Mosque, turn left (going right would take you back to Kushk Square) to head for Abu Gandir and Medinet Madi; go all the way straight.
Contact of the Nazla Pottery Workshops:
BRAVO Field Project Facilitator, Hosni Younis, Mobile: 01004146582.
There are badly maintained public toilets right at Nazla Pottery Workshops.
rounded balconies
Coming from the Nazla Pottery Workshops, you will reach a fork junction; turn right and go straight.
The landmark at the fork junction is the building on the corner with rounded balconies.
Abu Gandir
When you reach Abu Gandir, turn right after the school surrounded by a creamy coloured wall; it takes around 7km from Mousa Misar Mosque to the school; continue straight.
After 3km, you will get to a canal and the drinking water station of Abu Gandir; turn right.
After 1km, turn left and cross the canal.
After 1km, turn right.
After around 100m, turn left and go straight.
Medinet Madi
Turn left into Medinet Madi marked by a sign.
Tunis
After visiting Medinet Madi, go back to Kushk Square and there turn left (going right would take you back to Nazla and Ibshaway) and then all the way straight on Ibshaway / Qarun Street until you reach Tunis; the first entrance to Tunis from Ibshaway Street is marked by the two signs “Tunis Pottery Welcome” and “Hotel Sobek”.
From Kushk Square to Tunis takes around 14km.
Contact in Tunis:
BRAVO Field Project Facilitator
Khairy, Mobile 01003656773.
Helnan Auberge
Helnan Auberge Hotel on Lake Qarun
Waahit ilSalaam
8km after Helnan Auberge Hotel, you will find the coffee shop “Waahit ilSalaam” on your right; turn left into Ibshaway Tourist Road and go straight.
Abuksah
After 5km, you will arrive in Abuksah; turn right at Al Abudi Square marked by a fountain-like structure; continue straight.
Ibshaway
You will reach Ibshaway Market situated in the heart of Downtown Ibshaway. The market begins right after the building of National Bank of Egypt on your right side; avoid taking the street on Thursdays during the busy weekly market; a minibus is the maximum vehicle size that can get through the narrow market street.
El Mustafa Restaurant
Shortly after the National Bank of Egypt, you will see El Mustafa Restaurant. It serves very clean and fresh Egyptian breakfast (foul beans and falafel).
In case you need further directions to find the restaurant, contact one of the staff Mustafa
Mobile: 01002757811.
Nazla
Continue straight after El Mustafa Restaurant and you will arrive at a crossroads right at the end of Ibshaway Market; take the first street to the right to head for Nazla; then, continue straight.
From Al Abudi Square to this spot takes about 4 km.
brick factory
On the way to Nazla, you will see a brick factory on the right side marked by a high and round-shape chimney; at this point, the valley of Nazla begins; continue straight.
Kushk
Turn left at the square called “Kushk” marked by a fork junction divided by a triangle shape building; from Ibshaway Market to Kushk Square takes around 4 km; then go straight.
Mousa Misar Mosque
At Mousa Misar Mosque (in the shape of a Pharaonic temple with Minaret) turn left; at the curve, go left and down for around 500m and you will find the Nazla Pottery Workshops down in the valley; the entrance to the workshops is marked by pottery displayed on the road.
It takes around 4km from Kushk Square to the Nazla Pottery Workshops.
Nazla Pottery
From the Nazla Pottery Workshops,
go back to Mousa Misar Mosque; right after the Mosque, turn left (going right would take you back to Kushk Square) to head for Abu Gandir and Medinet Madi; go all the way straight.
Contact of the Nazla Pottery Workshops:
BRAVO Field Project Facilitator, Hosni Younis, Mobile: 01004146582.
There are badly maintained public toilets right at Nazla Pottery Workshops.
El Amir Tadros Monastery
After visiting the Nazla Pottery Workshops, continue straight on the road and drive uphill. After 1km, you will reach El Amir Tadros Monastery. 1km after the Monastery, turn right and continue straight.
Crossroads
5km after the Nazla Pottery Workshops, you will reach a crossroads; continue straight.
Street parallel to Ibshaway Market
At the next crossroads, continue straight. This street is parallel to Ibshaway Market. Then go right and straight.
Curve left and straight
Next curve left and straight and at the next crossroads left and straight.
El Mustafa Restaurant 2
You will reach the Ibshaway Market and find on your left El Mustafa Restaurant. The restaurant serves very clean and fresh Egyptian food (foul beans and falafel).
In case you need further directions to find the restaurant, contact one of the staff: Mustafa 01002757811.
Abuksah 2
After 5km, you will arrive in Abuksah; turn left at Al Abudi Square and go all the way straight on Ibshaway Tourist Road.
End of Ibshaway Tourist Road
When you reach the end of Ibshaway Tourist Road, go left and continue straight along Lake Qarun.
From Nazla to the beginning of the tourist road takes around 14 km.
Tunis
After around 19km, you will arrive in Tunis.
From Nazla to Tunis you will cover around 33 km.
Helnan Auberge
Helnan Auberge Hotel on Lake Qarun
User Seif
26km after Helnan Auberge Hotel, you will reach User Seif (Hotel, Safari and boat trips, restaurant) on Lake Qarun.
Contact Owner:
Mohamed Fathi Mohamed Mahmoud
Mobile: 010090413722, 011105496820, 01099138136
1.3km after User Seif, you will reach the entrance to Ecolodge Zad Al Musafer, Pottery School Ragab & Ashraf and horse stables “Les Chevaux du Lac”.
Les Chevaux Du Lac
After the entrance from Lake Qarun, you will find “Les Chevaux Du Lac” on your right.
Contact Owner Mohamed Salah Abdel Aalim
Mobile: 01002094774.
Pottery School Ragab & Ashraf
After the horse stables, take the curve and you reach Pottery School Ragab & Ashraf.
Mobile: 011155816691
Ecolodge Zad Al Musafer 2
A few meters after Pottery School Ragab & Ashraf, you will find yourself in front of Ecolodge Zad Al Musafer.
Contact Owner Abdou Ghobeir
Mobile: 01006395590
Landline: 084682018
Boats for rent
Go back to main road on Lake Qarun, turn left and go straight; after 400m, you will find boats for rent; continue straight.
Contact boat owner Ali Ahmed Hussein
Mobile: 01006105788, 01003464729
Entrance to Tunis
After 500m, you will reach first entrance to Tunis; go up hill; at mosque turn left and go straight.
The distance between Zad Al Musafer and first entrance to Tunis is around 700m.
kiosk selling soft drinks, coffee, oil, matches
After the Pottery Workshop Mahmoud Youssef, you will find a kiosk selling soft drinks, coffee, oil, matches, etc.
Hotel Kom El Dikka
Then, you will get to Hotel Kom El Dikka.
Kom El Dikka also sells fresh organic fruit & vegetable.
Al Muallim Ahmed Abdullah Baarur
After a few meters, you will reach Al Muallim Ahmed Abdullah Baarur offering his services in fountain construction.
Mobile: 01141613953
Hotel Lazib
Then, You will get to the newly constructed Hotel Lazib scheduled to open in June 2015.
Mosque after Hotel Lazib
After Hotel Lazib, you will reach a mosque.
Caricature Museum & Fayoum Art Center
Continue your way to the Caricature Museum &
Fayoum Art Center.
Sign with directions to the Ecolodge Zad Al Musafer
Further along the way on the main street inside Tunis, you will find a sign with directions to the Ecolodge Zad Al Musafer.
Hotel Zilal El Nakhil (Palm Shadow Corner)
Then, you will reach the Hotel Zilal El Nakhil
(Palm Shadow Corner).
Contact hotel owner Mme Nahed
Mobile: 01097771143
Rawia Pottery
Rawia Pottery will appear right after the Hotel Zilal Al Nakhil.
Mobile: 01062575464
Pottery House Mohamed Mahmoud
After a few meters, you will arrive at Pottery House Mohamed Mahmoud.
Mobile: 0108958373
Pottery workshops of Nora
Then, you will get to two further pottery workshops of
Nora
Mobile: 01095618872
&
Vazat
Mohamed Gomaa Abdel Hakim Mohamed
Mobile: 01004764974, 01063907148
Small kiosks selling fruits, vegetables and chicken.
Starting from here to the end of the main street inside Tunis village, there are several small kiosks selling fruits, vegetables and chicken.
Ahmed Mansour kiosk
Right after the kiosk, Ahmed Mansour runs a small kiosk and offers his services as a
Bird Watching Guide.
Mobile: 01003779542
Email: ahmedmansour05@hotmail.com
Mahmoud El Sherif Pottery
Follow the sign to Mahmoud El Sherif Pottery
Mobile 01005542649
Next to it is a small kiosk selling soft drinks, oil, salt, coffee, matches, etc.
Pottery Abdel Sattar
At the end of the street, turn right to Pottery Abdel Sattar.
Mobile: 01002843751
Hotel Sobek
Or go left at the end of the main street to arrive at Hotel Sobek.
Pottery Ibrahim Samir
Right after Hotel Sobek, you will find
Pottery Ibrahim Samir.
Evelyn’s Pottery School
A few meters after Pottery Ibrahim Samir, you will reach Evelyn’s Pottery School.
Contact:
Evelyn 01281115151
Karim El Sayed 01149525826
Hussein Saadawy 01021795742
Mohamed El Sayed 01008681529
Ali Mohamed 01063954145
Second Entrance to Tunis from Lake Qarun
The distance between the first entrance and the second entrance to Tunis on the road along Lake Qarun is around 700m.
The second entrance is marked by 3 signs giving directions for Tunis Village and Qasr Qarun, Hotel Palm Shadow Corner (Zilal Al Nakhil) and the Pottery School.
Medinet Yousef Al Seddik
The third entrance to Tunis is marked by a blue sign written on it in Arabic “Medinet Yousef Al Seddik”.
The roads after the second and third entrance to Tunis run parallel and lead to the same crossroads.
petrol station
After around 800m, you will pass by a petrol station and reach a crossroads with small supermarkets and coffee shops; on the crossroads, turn left to go to Tunis, turn right to go to Qarun or straight to go to Wadi El Rayyan.
92 at petrol station is available.
Ibshaway Street
On crossroads go left into Ibshaway Street to go to Tunis; continue straight for around 1km.
first entrance to Tunis
After going 1km on Ibshaway Street, you will find the first entrance to Tunis marked by three signs giving directions to Hotel Zilal Al Naklhil (Palm Shadow Corner), Hotel Lazib and Rawia’s Pottery; turn left and go straight.
Hotel Zilal Al Nakhil
At the end of the street, you will find yourself in front of the Hotel Zilal Al Nakhil (Palm Shadow Corner) right on the corner.
This street intersects the main street inside Tunis.
Main road on Lake Qarun
The distance between the first entrance and the second entrance to Tunis from the main road on Lake Qarun is around 700m.
The second entrance is marked by 3 signs giving directions for Tunis Village and Qasr Qarun, Hotel Palm Shadow Corner (Zilal Al Nakhil) and the Pottery School.
Tunis 3rd entrance
The third entrance to Tunis is marked by a blue sign written on it in Arabic “Medinet Yousef Al Seddik”.
The roads after the second and third entrance to Tunis run parallel and lead to the same crossroads.
petrol station
After around 800m, you will pass by a petrol station and reach a crossroads with small supermarkets and coffee shops; on the crossroads, turn left to go to Tunis, turn right to go to Qarun or straight to go to Wadi El Rayyan.
92 at petrol station is available.
Tounes Pottery Welcom
At the crossroads, go left into Ibshaway Street to go to Tunis all the way straight for around 1.5km until you reach the second entrance to Tunis; the second entrance is marked by two signs “Tounes Pottery Welcom” and “Hotel Sobek”.
Abdel Sattar’s Pottery
After some meters, you will find Abdel Sattar’s Pottery on the left.
The first street right after Abdel Sattar’s Pottery to the left will take you straight to the main road inside Tunis
Hotel Sobek
Or take the second entrance to Tunis from Ibshaway Street to pass by Abdel Sattar’s Pottery, continue straight until the end of the street; then turn right and you will arrive at Hotel Sobek.
Pottery workshop of Ibrahim Samir
Right after Hotel Sobek, you will reach the pottery workshop of Ibrahim Samir.
Evelyn’s Pottery School
A few meters after pottery Ibrahim Samir, you will reach Evelyn’s Pottery School.
Main road on Lake Qarun
The distance between the first entrance and the second entrance to Tunis from the main road on Lake Qarun is around 700m.
The second entrance is marked by 3 signs giving directions for Tunis Village and Qasr Qarun, Hotel Palm Shadow Corner (Zilal Al Nakhil) and the Pottery School.
petrol station
After around 800m, you will pass by a petrol station and reach a crossroads with small supermarkets and coffee shops; on the crossroads, turn left to go to Tunis, turn right to go to Qarun or straight to go to Wadi El Rayyan.
92 at petrol station is available.
Ptolemaic-Roman Qasr Qarun Temple
Continue straight until you reach the Ptolemaic-Roman Qasr Qarun Temple located in the ancient Town of Dionysios.
Fayoum Tourist Road on Lake Qarun
After visiting Qasr Qarun Temple, you can take a nice walk to Lake Qarun. If you come with your own car, leave it at the car park of Qasr Qarun Temple; walk right on the road next to the Temple towards the east in the direction of Ibshaway and continue straight; after the first curve, enter the first side road (small pathway) on the left.
The picturesque pathway is marked by a ditch, grape fields and palm trees. You will walk for 2.5 km all the way straight until you reach the Fayoum Tourist Road on Lake Qarun. If you come in a group by bus or car, the driver can pick you up on the Fayoum Tourist Road at the end of the walking tour.
End of Qarun Lake
If your driver picks you up on the Fayoum Tourist Road after the walk, you can continue west for a few minutes until you reach the end of Qarun Lake where you can enjoy a wonderful view.
This part of Qarun Lake provides plenty of space for all kinds of activities: biking; donkey, horse or camel riding, etc.
El Megra Island
Go back on Fayoum Tourist Road, turn left and go straight for around 2.8 km until you reach a narrow path; this path will take you to the Lake where you can rent a boat to go to El Megra Island located in the Middle of Lake Qarun.
Contact the boat owner Ali Aziz
Mobile: 01065827112
Ali also offers tea and food.
El Sheemy home in Qarun
Have a traditional Egyptian lunch in El Sheemy home in Qarun; directions: Go back to the crossroads right after the petrol station; after the crossroads, turn right into Qarun Street and go straight for 1.4km until you arrive at the store Mariam Clean (on the other side of the street there is a shop called Lamsit Gamal); the narrow road before Mariam Clean turn right and go all the way straight for around 200m until the end of the street and you will find ElSheemy home on your right
Contact of BRAVO project field facilitator Shoeb El Sheemy, Mobile: 01003104322.
“Hotel Sobek” and “Tounes Pottery Welcom” Signs
Coming from Tunis via the exit marked by the signs “Hotel Sobek” and “Tounes Pottery Welcom”, turn right into Ibshaway and Qarun Street and continue straight until you reach the first crossroads.
Qarun Street
When you get to the crossroads, continue straight on Qarun Street.
Ptolemaic-Roman Qasr Qarun Temple
Continue straight until you reach the Ptolemaic-Roman Qasr Qarun Temple located in the ancient Town of Dionysios.
Fayoum Tourist Road on Lake Qarun
After visiting Qasr Qarun Temple, you can take a nice walk to Lake Qarun. If you come with your own car, leave it at the car park of Qasr Qarun Temple; walk right on the road next to the Temple towards the east in the direction of Ibshaway and continue straight; after the first curve, enter the first side road (small pathway) on the left.
The picturesque pathway is marked by a ditch, grape fields and palm trees. You will walk for 2.5 km all the way straight until you reach the Fayoum Tourist Road on Lake Qarun. If you come in a group by bus or car, the driver can pick you up on the Fayoum Tourist Road at the end of the walking tour.
End of Qarun Lake
If your driver picks you up on the Fayoum Tourist Road after the walk, you can continue west for a few minutes until you reach the end of Qarun Lake where you can enjoy a wonderful view.
This part of Qarun Lake provides plenty of space for all kinds of activities: biking; donkey, horse or camel riding, etc.
Rent a boat
E 030°25.753’
N 29°26.088’ 75 14/5 Go back on Fayoum Tourist Road, turn left and go straight for around 2.8 km until you reach a narrow path; this path will take you to the Lake where you can rent a boat to go to El Megra Island located in the Middle of Lake Qarun.
Contact the boat owner Ali Aziz
Mobile: 01065827112
Ali also offers tea and food.
El Sheemy home in Qarun
Have a traditional Egyptian lunch in El Sheemy home in Qarun; directions: Go back to the crossroads right after the petrol station; after the crossroads, turn right into Qarun Street and go straight for 1.4km until you arrive at the store Mariam Clean (on the other side of the street there is a shop called Lamsit Gamal); the narrow road before Mariam Clean turn right and go all the way straight for around 200m until the end of the street and you will find ElSheemy home on your right
Contact of BRAVO project field facilitator Shoeb El Sheemy, Mobile: 01003104322.
FAYOUM ECOTRAVEL GUIDE
A Sustainable Tourism Development Initiative
Only 90km away from Egypt’s capital, Cairo, Fayoum has become a popular weekend destination for local and foreign travelers. Beyond its long history spanning the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras still visible by a wealth of archaeological testimonies, Fayoum is also famous for its natural beauty with its lakes, palm trees, pristine desert areas, fossil remains, bird sanctuaries, and rural quietude. Fayoum has much to offer to visitors who like to explore one of Egypt’s richest rural areas, its surrounding desert and lakeshores of Wadi El Rayan and Lake Qarun.
Building Rural Assets with Valuable Opportunities “BRAVO” which is financed by the Italian-Egyptian Debt for Development Swap aims at tackling the challenges hindering the full development of Fayoum Governorate in its tourism sector. Sustainable tourism itinerary maps have been designed for the Fayoum villages Qarun, Tunis and Nazla to connect their natural, archaeological, cultural and rural heritage to an integrated and harmonized travel route. This newly created travel itinerary is linked to the archaeological site of Medinet Madi, one of Fayoum’s most frequently visited cultural visitation sites, to expand the official Fayoum tourism route with additional culture and nature based activities.
The BRAVO travel route offers a number of flexible itineraries that allow visitors to discover the cultural, natural and rural assets of Qarun, Tunis and Nazla and give detailed directions on how to reach them. The BRAVO trips promote sustainable tourism as a viable alternative to mass tourism and use professional local services to contribute to improving the livelihood of the local communities and enriching the experience and pleasure of travelers.
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