This trip for me was by far the best way to see Egypt; Emma is a great host and has created a trip that is brilliant introduction to the country which I thoroughly enjoyed. It has a great balance of riding and sightseeing but may not suit those expecting to be in the saddle every day. We got to see the real Egypt by riding through the villages, farms of the West Bank and I love seeing the daily lives of real people.
The trip includes visits to the main highlights of Luxor but Emma has also thrown in a few that are not on the beaten track which really added to my enjoyment, especially Carter’s House and the worker’s village & tombs.
She has a great network of people who are there to ensure your week exceeds your expectations from Mansood who collects you in a motorised tuk tuk to the guys who look after the horses. All the locals know Emma and are extremely welcoming and friendly. As a solo female traveller I certainly didn’t feel unsafe in Luxor.
Emma took us out on carriage ride one evening and around which took us into the ‘locals’ souk which was incredible to see. The riding in Hurghada was outstanding due to the space available to you, its endless; the guides are also excellent at taking pictures for you. We rode in three different areas, the planes, the dunes and down at the beach which was great. Swimming with the horses was also a very special, especially on my birthday.
Hurghada is a resort town and certainly doesn’t have the character of Luxor but the 3 days there is worth it including the day out snorkelling and swimming with Dolphins. Emma’s horses are her first love and its shows, they are in great condition and clearly very happy. If you are an animal lover you do need to have an open mind when riding out, as the way Egyptians care for their animals is not the same as how we do in the UK. I was very comforted to see that the majority are well cared for and are in excellent condition. Do not let images posted by the charities put you off going.
I was asked if there is anything that could done to improve the trip and I don’t believe there is, well done Emma!
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