Day 1: The Great Pyramids of Giza (2 x riding tours)

Where else could such an epic Egyptian celebration begin other than with a trail ride to the Great Pyramids of Giza! After breakfast overlooking the pyramids, we will take a short walk to our stables where our adventures begin. This is a 2-3-hour riding tour to the great pyramids of Giza with plenty of amazing photo opportunities to be had!

After our mornings ride, you’ll have a chance to relax and have a cold drink and we will walk a couple of minutes to reach the Sphinx and our Egyptologist guide. Known in Arabic as Abu Al Hol (Father of Terror), this sculpture of a man with the haunches of a lion was dubbed the Sphinx by the ancient Greeks because it resembled their mythical winged monster who set riddles and killed anyone unable to answer them.

A geological survey has shown that it was most likely carved from the bedrock at the bottom of the causeway during Khafre’s reign, so it probably portrays his features. Legends and superstitions about the Sphinx abound, and the mystery surrounding its long-forgotten purpose is almost as intriguing as its appearance.

Once we have completed the tours, we will stop at our favourite local restaurant for a light, but delicious Egypt buffet style lunch complete with freshly prepared lemon and mint juice! You’ll then have of hours downtime to relax and unwind at the hotel.

Our second riding tour takes us behind the back of the pyramids with plenty of open ground to fly with the horses. We will watch the sunset from a local Bedouin tea camp before taking a leisurely stroll back with the horses to the stable. There’s time for a quick shower on return before having dinner on the roof of our hotel to see the legendary Light and Sound show. It’s then time to bid you goodnight until the following morning.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Abu Sir & Memphis

Sightseeing by car & a sunset riding trail at Abu sir.

After breakfast you will be picked up in an air-conditioned bus with our guide. No need to be dressed in riding clothes for this morning’s tours, but please bring them for our ride later in the day.

We start at Giza Pyramids. They were built to endure an eternity, have done just that. The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt’s Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago. Egypt’s pharaohs expected to become gods in the afterlife. To prepare for the next world they erected temples to the gods and massive pyramid tombs for themselves—filled with all the things each ruler would need to guide and sustain himself in the next world.

Pharaoh Khufu began the first Giza pyramid project, circa 2550 B.C. His Great Pyramid is the largest in Giza and towers some 481 feet (147 meters) above the plateau. Its estimated 2.3 million stone blocks each weigh an average of 2.5 to 15 tons. Khufu’s son, Pharaoh Khafre, built the second pyramid at Giza, circa 2520 B.C. His necropolis also included the Sphinx, a mysterious limestone monument with the body of a lion and a pharaoh’s head. The Sphinx may stand sentinel for the pharaoh’s entire tomb complex. The third of the Giza Pyramids is considerably smaller than the first two. Built by Pharaoh Menkaure circa 2490 B.C., it featured a much more complex mortuary temple.

Our pyramid day tours then take us onto the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser.

We will then head onto to Memphis and Saqqara. This is an amazing display of how tomb and pyramid-building progressed; a necropolis containing burials from different dynasties. It includes both royal and non-royal tombs, mastabas and cemeteries. We’ll also visit the Serapeum of Saqqara where we will enter a series of tunnels to see the sarcophagi of the Apis bulls, sacred to the god, Ptah. Ptah was the local god of the town of Memphis, our next location. He was a patron of artisans and craftsman and was also considered a creator god.

Memphis was founded in 2925 BC and the Egyptian king Menes helped to unite upper Egypt and lower Egypt. In fact, it was the capital during the Old Kingdom. Memphis is an open-air museum with many things to see, such as a statue of Rameses II and the famous 80-tonne Sphinx made from one gigantic piece of alabaster.

At some point somewhere we will stop for lunch. Don’t worry, you’ll be fed and watered!

We will finish the day with a riding tour from Abu sir. The area is perfect for riders due to the masses of open ground and wide deserts allowing the horses abs riders plenty of space to fly! Witness the epic sunsets Egypt is known for whilst blasting through the deserts. The end to a perfect day. Return to your hotel for a relaxing dinner and zzz.

Day 3: Cairo City, Coptic and Islamic tour (non riding)

After breakfasting our driver and guide will pick you up for today’s tours! The first one being one of the world’s most important collections of ancient artefacts, the Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo. Inside the great domed, oddly pinkish building, the glittering treasures of Tutankhamun and other great pharaohs lie alongside the grave goods, mummies, jewellery, eating bowls and toys of Egyptians whose names are lost to history. To walk around the museum is to embark on an adventure through time.

There are many fabulous local restaurants for us to stop at for a break before we then proceed to visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque inside the Citadel of Salah El Din. Continue our tour to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara, Church of Abu Serga.

We will leave the descriptions of these places to our guide however one of our favourite places is next on the visit list…. We will end our city tour with Khalili market which is particularly vibrant in the evenings alive with the smell of incense and burning spices to a backdrop of twinkling Bedouin lanterns.

There is a great number of cultural and historic structures in Khan El-Khalili. So, it’s no surprise that the area has featured in many movies and literary works such as Naguib Mafhouz‘s famous novel Midaq Alley. Once you’re there, you’ll be steps away from Muizz Street which has many examples of medieval Islamic architecture. You’re also close to Al-Hussein Mosque as well as Wekalet El Ghouri, and Al-Azhar market. It’s like stepping back in time to medieval Cairo.

While strolling the market, you may find your eyes becoming lost between the unique mix of merchandise displayed in shops and allies. There is a variety of goods — from sparkling silverware, gold artefacts and antiques, to stained glass lamps, incense, handmade accessories and ancient Pharaoh souvenirs. Also, the soft touch of the handmade carpets will take your breath away. There are also districts for gold-selling, copper-made things and spice-selling.

TOP TIP! Visit El Fishawi cafe: Nestled on a narrow street is this iconic café, strikingly beautiful with its dark wood mashrabeya panelling and yellow ochre walls will capture your senses. Delicious, aromatic mint tea is served in dark blue teapots that come served on large golden trays and poured into ornate glasses, while hefty chandeliers and mirrors framed in wood hang inside; it’s nothing short of a visual feast for photographers and aesthetes.

A steady stream of street vendors, offering anything from Islamic prayer beads to blue necklaces said to ward off the evil eye, files past those sitting in the outdoor part of the café in the snug alley lined with ornate tiles.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Breakfast (check out at midday)

Pls also visit our Cairo day trip menu for other tours we can offer you in Cairo.

https://www.rideegypt.com/cairo-day-trips/

• Price & duration: £899 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 4 days / 3 nights.
• Single person supplement: £250.
• Board type: All meals & water. Soft drinks and alcohol are payable locally.
• Type of ride & paces: Guest house based; Riders should be confident in open spaces.
• Tickets & entry fees: Included.
• Riding months: October to May.
• Saddles: English.
• Weight limit: 100kg.

NB: We recommend you arrive the day before the mini break begins to get the full benefit of the program. We can book an extra night for you, or you may book yourself via https://pyramids-valley.cairo-hotels-eg.com/en/.

We reserve the right to switch the orders of the day tours around to avoid endless traffic, as some days of the week are busy.
Please allow at least 2 hours to transfer from the airport to your hotel and vice versa. Domestic flight check is one hour before departure, international up to 3.

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