Bucket List Destinations

8 days, 7 nights – £2399 (based on 2 sharing)
Cairo – White Desert – Coastal Dahab
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From Desert Legends to the Red Sea

Our Bucket List Adventure journeys take you from the ancient heartbeat of Cairo, across the surreal landscapes of the White Desert and Black Desert, before concluding on the tranquil shores of coastal Dahab. From pyramids and pharaohs to wild desert horizons, star-filled nights, and the calming blues of the Red Sea, this is a journey of contrasts – raw adventure balanced with beauty, comfort, and soul-stirring moments.

Designed for those who want to experience the very best of Egypt in one extraordinary journey, these adventures blend culture, nature, freedom, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s bold, breath-taking, and deeply rewarding – the kind of trip that stays with you long after you return home.

This isn’t just a holiday. It’s a true bucket list journey, done the Ride Egypt way.

Trip Matchmaking: This itinerary is for…

  • Adventurous riders seeking a unique and exclusive experience: we are the only supplier in Egypt offering Bahariya, and the Black and White Deserts as riding destinations!
  • Those comfortable with longer hours in the saddle.
  • Riders who value a closer connection with horses, staying at a villa and stable in one location.
  • Fans of unique camping experiences under the stars.
  • Nature lovers who are ready to unplug—this isn’t the place for guaranteed Wi-Fi or phone signal.
  • Travelers looking to explore the next big riding destination, forecasted to surpass Fayoum in popularity.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Welcome to Egypt! Your journey begins with an afternoon arrival in Cairo.

Day 2: Riding by the Great Pyramids of Giza & Transfer to Bahariya Oasis

Starting with a bang! Cairo is the ultimate destination for Egyptology and the history of the Pharaohs, and what better way to start this adventure than with a trail ride at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza! You will learn about our history and meet our beautiful Arabian horses. Known for their endurance and elegance, these horses are as much a part of the experience as the incredible landscapes.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel by road to the stunning Bahariya Oasis, where your cozy lodge awaits. The journey takes approximately 4.5 hours. Upon arrival, settle into your cozy lodge, enjoy a delicious dinner, and unwind.

The Bahariya Oasis is a lush paradise, filled with swaying date palms, vibrant fruit trees, and dozens of natural springs just waiting to be explored. Over the course of three days, you’ll spend 4–5 hours a day riding, venturing deep into the heart of this enchanting oasis. During this exploratory ride, we’ll carefully select routes and itineraries that showcase the best of this stunning location.

We’re proud to partner with Tzila, a trusted name in Egyptian travel with whom we’ve worked for many years. Together, we combine Ride Egypt’s exceptional horses and expert guides with authentic accommodations and immersive experiences to create unforgettable adventures.

Our stables are conveniently located right next to the guesthouse, making it easy to bond with your horse throughout your stay. When not riding, you can unwind in the oasis’s soothing hot springs or simply take in the peaceful beauty of your surroundings. This is a place where you’ll not only deepen your connection with your horse but also immerse yourself in the magical spirit of Bahariya.

Day 3: The Black Desert

Morning in the oasis is calm and spacious. Coffee in hand, you may wander to the stable before the day begins. After lunch, you ride into the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Black Desert.

Rolling charcoal hills and firm open ground create the perfect natural arena for forward, controlled gallops. Long, uninterrupted lines allow horses to move in full athletic expression — powerful yet composed.

Routes are carefully selected for flow and footing, ensuring speed is experienced with balance and confidence.

As the light softens, you return to the lodge where home-cooked food awaits and a fire glows beneath a sky heavy with stars.

Day 4: The White Desert

Today you ride into one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth — the White Desert National Park. White chalk formations rise from pale sand in sweeping sculpted shapes. The ground here feels designed for horses — open, firm, expansive.

Long, balanced gallops stretch across endless white plains. Space without fences. Freedom without chaos. Partnership at its strongest. A private tented lunch awaits in the heart of the desert, horses grazing nearby as you pause in complete stillness.

As golden light washes over the formations, your horses are returned to their stable — rested and cared for — while you continue to your remote desert camp. Tented accommodation awaits beneath a sky scattered with a million stars. No artificial light. No distant noise. Only open fires, home-cooked food, and complete desert silence.

Luxury here is privacy, space, and simplicity at its most refined.

For those who choose not to camp, you return to the lodge for an additional night ($150pp)

Day 5: Golden Light & Return

Sunrise over the White Desert is unforgettable. Breakfast is served in the open desert before we make our return to the Lodge, by 4×4 over the White Desert stopping to enjoy a spot of sandboarding before experiencing the Hot natural springs.

Once back at the lodge, time to shower and refresh before check out and sit down to a delicious lunch. By afternoon, you travel back to Cairo by road transfer

You leave Bahariya having ridden one of the most remarkable natural arenas in the world — expertly hosted from beginning to end.

Now back in Cairo we will head to the airport for your short evening flight to Dahab (flight not included).

Day 6: Snorkelling paradise and lunch at the world-famous Blue Hole National Park.

Kickstarting our adventure in Dahab with a visit to the famous Blue Hole. There, you’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling, exploring the vibrant coral reefs and underwater wonders (note: for PADI-qualified divers, we offer an alternative program to dive instead). 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 colourful marine life, including vibrant fish, majestic sea turtles, and beautiful coral formations.

To recharge, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch amidst picturesque surroundings. In the afternoon, we will go on a 2-hour introductory ride just as the sun begins to set over Wadi Canyons. Expect skyscraper mountains, fascinating canyons, and views across the sea to Saudi Arabia.

Our journey culminates with a traditional dinner in the oasis under the stars, where you’ll experience the warmth and hospitality of the local Bedouin culture.

Day 7: Full Day Ride &  Swimming with Horses at the Blue Lagoon

Get ready for a full day of riding (from 9 am to 3 pm), including the unique experience of swimming with horses at the stunning Blue Lagoon. This sheltered pond of clear, shallow, turquoise water is an iconic natural wonder: an oasis of azure waters nestled between rugged desert mountains and the sparkling waters of the Red Sea. The area also features long sandy stretches, perfect for exciting canters.

Dinner downtown at a local seafood restaurant along the marina.

Day 8: Sunrise riding and breakfast at the ‘Three Pools.’ Journey onward home.

We start our day with an early morning ride to the ‘Three Pools,’ a scenic spot boasting a series of interconnected natural rock pools with sandy bottoms. After our ride, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast served near local caves. Riding hours are from 6 am to 10 am, avoiding the heat of the day.

Later, we’ll head back to the hotel for lunch and some relaxing poolside time before you check out. Your journey with Ride Egypt ends here, but this isn’t goodbye forever… we’ll make sure you get to the airport comfortably and with a heart full of memories!

Non-riders Welcome!

At Ride Egypt, everyone is welcome — riders and non-riders alike. Egypt is the perfect destination to share with non-riding friends or partners, and we design bespoke programs so they can enjoy the journey just as much as those in the saddle. You’ll come together for meals, social evenings, and special moments, while your days can be filled with adventures tailored just for you.

From jeep safaris across the desert to guided history tours, from extra sightseeing to sailing the Nile at sunset, our non-rider programs are crafted to give maximum enjoyment and unforgettable memories. And because no two guests are the same, we also offer an in-house holiday matching service, making sure everyone — rider or not — has their perfect program.

For more information, drop us a line — we’d love to help plan your ideal Egyptian adventure.

Trip Highlights

White Desert camping · Black Desert · Agabat Valley – Crystal Mountain · Bedouin Villages · Bathing in the Hot springs of Bahariya · Riding in Cairo by the Pyramids · Grand Egyptian Museum – Mixed Accommodation, from Guest Houses to Sleeping Under the Stars

Cairo: Giza & Great Pyramids

A place that needs very little introduction — there’s no better way to begin an epic Egyptian adventure than with the 7th Wonder of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza, along with the wide-open deserts surrounding them.

White Desert National Park

Upon first glance at the 300-sq-km expanse of the White Desert National Park, you’ll feel like Alice stepping through the looking glass. Just 20km northeast of Farafra, on the east side of the road, blinding-white chalk rock spires rise almost supernaturally from the ground, each resembling a frost-colored lollipop. Often described as an “outdoor museum of contemporary art,” walking through the White Desert feels akin to wandering through a surreal gallery. Recognized as a Natural Protectorate by the Egyptian government in 2002, this untouched wilderness immerses you in the raw beauty of nature.

Black Desert : Crystal Mountain : Agabat Valley

Visiting the Black Desert is like stepping onto another planet. Its postcard-perfect golden dunes are surrounded by hills covered in a fine layer of black volcanic powder, creating a striking and unforgettable contrast.

Nearby, Crystal Mountain stands as a natural wonder: a massive rock made entirely of glittering quartz. Climbing to its summit offers a breathtaking panoramic view!

Agabat Valley, with its stunning white and gold limestone boulders, decorates the otherwise flat desert landscape with an almost dreamlike quality.

Bahariya Oasis & Hot Springs

During the Middle Kingdom and Roman times, the Bahariya Oasis thrived as a center of agriculture, producing wine that was traded as far as Rome. Its strategic position along the Libya–Nile Valley caravan route helped it flourish through the ages.

Today, the oasis remains a verdant haven of palm trees, fresh fruits, and inviting hot springs. Recent archaeological discoveries, such as the famed Golden Mummies, have added to its allure. The hot springs, with waters over 40°C and a distinct sulfur scent, are believed by locals and visitors alike to have healing properties. They also provide a soothing, pleasurable way to relax amidst this lush desert escape.

Information

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  • Price & Duration: £2399 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 8 days / 7 nights.
  • Single person supplement: £550 (limited availability). Additional £50 if camping.
  • Optional camping night in White Desert: £100
  • Private tent for camping supplement: £50
  • Group Size: Maximum of 8.
  • Arrival and departure airports: Cairo
  • Rider levels: Advanced riders only
  • Non-Rider Packages: On request
  • Paces: Varied.
  • Equipment/Tack: English.
  • Optional extensions based on 2 nights and 3 days (including arrival airport transfers £850)
  • Single supplements for extensions: £350

Our information page has more details on what is and isn’t included as well as useful general advice.

Accommodation

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  • Cairo: Neom Pyramid Valley
  • White Desert: Camping
  • Bahariya: Tzila
  • Dahab: Dahab Paradise

Other Riding Holidays at Ride Egypt

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