Palms, Pyramids & Pharaohs on Horseback

On arrival, you will be met at the airport by your driver and transported through the bustling streets of Cairo to your accommodation. Your hosts choose boutique hotels located on the back streets of Giza, just a few hundred metres from the great Pyramids. The rooftop terraces offer stunning views over the Pyramids and Sphinx. Enjoy your first dinner with your fellow adventurers and hosts.

On your day in Cairo, you’ll have the opportunity to tick off some of Egypt’s bucket-list sights! You’ll meet for breakfast around 8 AM to talk through the day’s itinerary.

After breakfast, you’ll head to the stables where you’ll meet the herd of beautiful Arabian horses. Before you begin, there will be a safety briefing and your guides will explain the history of the horses and their role in the unique Egyptian culture.

Then it’s time to mount up as you set off on your first ride to the world-famous Pyramids of Giza! Riding across the plains towards this unique skyline is a thrill that not many people get to experience! Once you arrive at one of the 7 Wonders of the World, you will have the opportunity to dismount and explore on foot. Walk a short distance to the Sphinx with your Egyptologist guide who will tell you all about its fascinating history.

After an awe-inspiring morning, lunch will be served at one of the local restaurants in town. Then you’ll head out in the afternoon for a non-riding tour of Cairo Museum.

Next, it’s time to head to Luxor! All guests will need to purchase an internal flight between Cairo and Luxor which will be confirmed about a month before travel. . The late afternoon flights are inexpensive and less than an hour, giving you time for a relaxing dinner and rest. Luxor is quite peaceful after the hustle and bustle of the city. The guesthouse is close to the stables and the river Nile for a truly authentic stay!

This non-riding morning will be an excellent introduction to the Land of the Pharaohs. Stroll through the “Valley of the Kings”, also know as “The Valley of the Dead”, where some of the most important pharaohs in Egyptian history built their crypts. Take the opportunity to visit three amazing historical sights, including the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Carter House.

The Tomb of Tutankhamun or “The Boy King” is considered to be the best-preserved and most intact tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings. The temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most well-known women and pharaohs in Egyptian history, reflects her success, fame and beauty, with terraces reaching almost 30m (100 feet) high. The Carters House is a hidden gem, rarely visited, yet a place that holds the most fascinating history. Here you will have the opportunity to walk through the very house where Howard Carter lived during his search for Tutankhamun’s Tomb and the excavation of the Valley of the Kings. A very special feature on the Luxor itinerary!

Optional Extra: £50 Your trip in Luxor has an optional add to visit Valley of the Queens, commonly known as, “the place of beauty”, where wives of pharaohs were buried in ancient times. This is one of the most stunningly beautiful and well-preserved tombs in all Egypt.

After lunch, you will travel by tuk-tuk to the stables where you will meet the horses who will take you on your first ride in Luxor. The Bedouin-style yard, crafted by locals, is located on the West Bank of the Nile with a stunning, mountainous backdrop. The herd of Arabian horses will be grazing in the lush green plantation fields, accompanied by the farms resident camels and donkeys.

Enjoy a casual and relaxing ride through the colorful villages while getting to know the wonderful horses. Continue along under the gently swaying palm trees of the River Nile where you might see the powerful water buffalo grazing along the banks. Watch as the feluccas sail calmly by in the late afternoon light. This is a great spot for photos with the River Nile in the background! After the lovely late-afternoon ride, a local Egyptian feast will be served for dinner.

Get a good breakfast in before a long day in the saddle and prepare to fall in love with both Arabian and Baladi (local breed) horses! Saddle up and venture far past the farmers working their fields just as their ancestors did, and deep into the desert. These wonderful breeds are famous for their beauty, endurance, intelligence and kind-nature. Horses are revered in Egypt so they always bring a smile to people’s faces as we pass through the Bedouin villages and the local children love the spectacle of our bejewelled steeds prancing proudly through the streets.

On horseback, you get the full experience of authentic Egypt, complete with all the colourful chaos of this beautiful country. 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!

You’ll stop for lunch at a villa where the horses are untacked to have a doze in the shade. Guests can unwind by the swimming pool during the heat of the day, before an hour-long ride back to the stables. You’ll have some time at the hotel to relax before meeting up at around 5 PM for a sundowner cruise down the River Nile. To complete this epic day, you will be joined by a professional belly dancer after dinner who will teach you all about her art as well as give you some moves to take home. This is often the highlight of the trip and a very fun experience!

A morning of sight-seeing awaits you today. You will cross the river to the East Bank in a water tax, then head to your first stop, the world-famous Karnak Temple. Dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khosu, Karnak is said to be the largest religious monument ever built and it took over 2000 years to complete. The local Egyptologist guide will talk you through key elements of its history and structure bringing it to life before our eyes.

From here, walk to the Mummification Museum, a small but well-curated museum dedicated to the art of mummification, which aims to provide an understanding of the ancient Egyptian belief system as well as the process itself.

Finally, visit Luxor Temple, a breath-taking structure steeped in history, the entrance alone is over 200ft wide! Unlike many temples constructed to honour the gods, Luxor Temple was built in dedication to the rejuvenation of kingship. It is one of the many projects commissioned by Rameses II during his long, successful reign.

Sailing back across the Nile we will enjoy an alfresco lunch back at the hotel before setting off for a late afternoon ride into the desert. Ride up the escarpment to mount Thebes, looking down over the city, to take in the glorious colours of sunset shimmering over the surrounding sands. ause to take in the breathtaking, panoramic views of Luxor from horseback. Then ride back to Luxor in the glorious colours of sunset shimmering over the desert sands. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

This morning you’ll get up before dawn, making your way to the stables in the dark. The sunrise trail ride to Valley of the Kings, just as the sun begins to peek out beyond the desert plains, has become one of the most famous rides in Luxor! Watch the sun lift over the valley, throwing gorgeous colors over the vast landscape whilst vibrant hot air balloons light up the horizon like lanterns.

You will ride past Ramesseum Temple, the Colossal of Memnon, and the giant statues of Tutankhamun’s grandfather. Breakfast will be served out with the horses overlooking Habu Temple.

After the spectacular morning ride, you will be collected for a tour of the Temple of Hatshepsut, considered one of the most impressive mortuary temples in all of Egypt. It represents not only her devotion to her god, Horus, but is also a reflection of her peaceful and prosperous reign. Set against the backdrop of a striking red cliff face, it is a dramatic sight to behold.

You will return to the hotel for lunch and prepare for the drive to the Red Sea and Hurghada. Aiming to arrive for sunset, you will have the opportunity to enjoy sundowners overlooking the beach; the perfect end to a fun-filled day!

Today you will have the morning off. Relax by the Red Sea, go for a swim in the hotel pool, or simply enjoy a lazy morning at the resort! If you prefer to tag on something unique and memorable to your trip, we can book an amazing professional photoshoot complete with hair, makeup, and flowing dresses. Choose from a beach or a desert setting and strike a pose with your horse! Alternatively, for the restless adrenaline junkies, we can offer an exhilarating quad bike safari across the dunes (these activities are an extra cost).

After an early lunch, head out to explore the magnificent Eastern Desert by horseback. Known as ‘Yalla country,’ the desert’s vast open plains allow you to really let the horses go and revel in their speed and endurance! Catch a famous Egyptian sunset, an impressive show of color as the last of the light dances across the desert sands and glistens on the gentle waves of the Red Sea. After freshening up at the hotel, you will head down to Hurghada’s Marina. Your final evening will be spent sampling a feast from the sea. 

No trip would be complete without swimming with horses; the grand finale to an adventure holiday for the books! The horses love the cool, refreshing waters and glide effortlessly across the bay, their tails streaming out like banners behind them. This is also one of the many fantastic photo opportunities on this riding holiday. After final cuddles with your horses it is time to thank them and to say farewell.

Hotel check out is at 11.30. For those wishing to stay for later departure, an extra charge is payable locally.

For those who aren’t quite ready for the adventure to end, there is an option to stay for an additional night and embark on our full day boat trip to Dolphin House. Here, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in the Red Sea and swim with wild dolphins. This add-on is an extra £250 per person (includes all meals and an extra night with check out on day 9 at 11am. If you do this add-on, you’ll still have your horse swim on your departure day.