Oh Satalana – Egypt on Horseback

Upon arrival at Sharm El Sheikh airport, you’ll be greeted and taken on a scenic one-hour road journey to Dahab, a charming old fishing village overlooking the Red Sea. Nestled between majestic mountains and the azure waters of the Red Sea, Dahab is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, its vibrant Bedouin culture, clear turquoise waters, and numerous water sports activities. Your accommodation await at an authentic guest house with breathtaking views of the sea. Enjoy dinner with your hosts and fellow riders.

For those who want to spend longer in Egypt, you can add a night in Cairo before your adventure!

Kickstarting your adventure in Dahab, you’ll embark on a full-day ride, with a highlight being a visit to the famous Blue Hole. There, you’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling, exploring the vibrant coral reefs and underwater wonders. Renowned as one of the most spectacular diving spots in the world, the Blue Hole is a captivating sinkhole plunging vertically to depths of around 94 meters (approximately 308 feet) with the ocean floor extending even deeper beyond that point. This area boasts crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful marine life. To recharge, indulge in a delicious lunch amidst picturesque surroundings.

In the afternoon, you will go on a 2-hour introductory ride just as the sun begins to set. Horses are revered in Egypt, so they always bring a smile to people’s faces as you ride past through the Bedouin villages. As you get to know your horse’s personality, you will be amazed at how kind-hearted and generous they are despite their hot-blooded natures. Sensitive and inquisitive, they are also incredibly brave and 100% bombproof!

Your day ends with a traditional dinner in the oasis under the stars, where you’ll experience the warmth and hospitality of the local Bedouin culture.

Your day begins with a half-day ride through the Wadi Qnai — a picturesque valley characterized by its rugged mountains, winding trails, and lush palm groves. Following this, you’ll unwind by the beach or the hotel swimming pool during the heat of the afternoon.

After dinner, you will embark on a journey from Dahab to St. Catherine, driving to the base of Mount Sinai. You will travel through the late hours of the night in darkness across the Sinai desert to Mount Sinai, the highest peak on the peninsula. Standing from a height of 2.629 m above sea level, you will be at the highest point in the whole of Egypt, a place filed with natural beauty and historical significance.

You’ll begin our climb before dawn to watch the magic of sunrise from the summit. The ascent isn’t overly steep, although there are around 500 steps at the summit. Before dawn breaks, you’ll gaze upon the mesmerizing Milky Way from the warmth of your sleeping bags, before witnessing the breathtaking sunrise. Legend has it that you will be following the very footsteps of the Prophet Moses who climbed Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God.

In the morning, you will descend again to visit St. Catherine, one of the oldest and most famous Christian monasteries in the world and site of the Burning Bush, where you will have breakfast. The mountain was named in honor of Saint Catherine, a significant figure in Europe’s Christian history, known for her role in spreading Christianity in Egypt. She met a tragic end in Alexandria at the hands of the Romans, but her body mysteriously disappeared. Monks later discover her body atop the mountain, believing angels had placed it there.

The Burning Bush, also known as the living bush, resides with in the Saint Catherine’s Monastery complex in Sinai. According to church tradition, the monks believe it to be the original bush seen by Prophet Moses. You’ll return to Dahab in the afternoon to unwind before your evening flight to Cairo.

Note that domestic flight is not included in the package and is approximately GBP £65 – GBP £150. The team will let you know which flight to book about 30 days before you travel.

Today ticks off every rider’s dream when visiting Egypt – A trail ride to the Great Pyramids of Giza. Enjoy breakfast with a view and chat about the day’s advnetures. Departing from the hotel around 9 am, a short journey brings you to the horses who wait patiently.

Witness Egypt’s treasure as one of the Seven Wonders of the World through the ears of desert Arabians. This is a great place to take unforgettable photos and enjoy a “Yalla!” moment as you gallop in front of these incredible structures. After an exhilarating ride, you will dismount next to the Great Sphinx, and be met by an Egyptology guide who will give you an indepth history about the pharaohs during ancient times.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant before taking a short minibus ride to the Grand Egypt Museum. This newly opened museum, welcoming visitors for the first time in 2024, holds some of the world’s greatest ancient treasures. Its location is just outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau (and next door to the Pyramids) is considered not only considered the new crown jewel of Egypt, but is also one of the largest, most modern, and most renowned museums in the entire world.

After your explorations, you’ll head to the airport for your flight to Luxor.

Note that domestic flight is not included in the package and is approximately GBP £65 – GBP £150. The team will let you know which flight to book about 30 days before you travel.

Welcome to Luxor and home of Ride Egypt! Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be collected for your road transfer to your hotel in Luxor. Check in to El Gezira Garden Hotel. Nestled on Luxor’s serene West Bank, it is the perfect place to find tranquillity surrounded by trees and fragrant citrus fruits—ideal for unwinding after a day of riding and sightseeing.

Today, you have the choice of a full day in the saddle or a blend of sightseeing and riding. Of course, if you prefer a relaxing morning by the pool combined with an afternoon ride this is also an option, especially for returning guests who have already visited the sites.

You will have the opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Luxor, home to ancient wonders like the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings and experience the magic of riding in Egypt. Accompanied by an Egyptologist you will have the opportunity to visit three very different tombs all representing the values of the pharaohs to which they belong.

You will travel by tuk-tuk to the stables where you will be introduced to the horses and be able to explore the Bedouin style stables. On horseback under the palm trees along the River Nile, you’ll find a peaceful place where you can often see buffalo grazing along the banks.

End your day with a delicious dinner of typical Egyptian fare cooked by your wonderful hosts

Continue your exploration of Luxor with another full-day trail ride or opt for a half-day historical tour to delve deeper into the city’s rich cultural heritage. The choice is yours! Lunch will be served somewhere scenic and dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel.

No trip to Luxor would be complete without a sunrise balloon trail. This has become one of our most iconic rides! You’ll wake up early morning before sunrise and head off in the dark towards Valley of the Kings. On arrival, you’ll be able to witness the colourful break of dawn as the sun rises and the balloons take flight. The riding tour then takes you up to the desert where you can witness a kaleidoscope of magical skies and panoramic views of the farms and mountains.

Next head to the Temple of Habu for breakfast and a tour of the site. Amun, the god of air, was one of the primordial Egyptian deities famously twinned with Ra the sun god in later times. This memorial temple, built by Rameses III, is said to be the place where Amun first appeared according to ancient belief. It is an imposing structure and boasts some beautifully preserved murals and hieroglyphs. You will visit early morning before the crowds descend so it feels like a well-kept secret!

Our final site of the day is the Temple of Hatshepsut, thought to be a masterpiece of the pharaonic era. It represents not only her devotion to her god Horus, the falcon-headed god, but is also a reflection of her peaceful and prosperous reign. It would later become her mortuary temple as the afterlife beckoned her forth. This is a magnificent example of the wealth and master craftsmanship of the time – the paintings are exquisite and the scale of the monument, truly astonishing – a spectacular finale to your journey through Egypt.

After a farewell lunch it is time to say goodbye and you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home, or onwards.

For those wanting more time in Eygpt consider adding on a 2 night trip to Aswan and Abu Simbel.