Day 3: The Black Desert

Today the adventure steps up a gear as we ride deep into the Black Desert, known locally as Bahariya. Golden sands stretch endlessly, broken by dark volcanic hills that rise like silent guardians. This is a landscape built for speed — wide open, thrilling, alive.

Our Arabians surge forward into long, powerful gallops, hooves drumming the desert floor, manes flying in the wind. The rhythm is addictive, a perfect harmony between rider and horse as the horizon rushes towards you. We pause for a picnic lunch in the stillness of the desert, before riding on again, tracing valleys and open plains until the light begins to soften.

As night falls, the pace slows. A campfire is lit, music and laughter drift into the night, and the desert sky — crowded with stars — becomes our ceiling.

Tomorrow, the scenery transforms completely, as the golden tones of the Black Desert give way to the surreal, chalky formations of the White Desert.

Day 4: The White Desert

If the Black Desert is fierce and raw, the White Desert is a dreamscape. Here wind and time have sculpted the limestone into strange and beautiful forms — mushrooms, towers, and frozen waves of stone. Riding at speed between them is like threading through another world, your horse carrying you in bursts of canter and gallop across the glowing white ground.

We stop for lunch surrounded by these natural sculptures before riding on into the afternoon. As the sun sets, you may return to the comfort of the lodge, or choose something truly unforgettable: camping overnight beneath the stars.

Camping in the White Desert is an experience like no other. After the horses return home, the silence deepens. The limestone formations glow silver in the moonlight, their strange shapes casting long shadows across the sand. A fire is lit, dinner is served beneath a sky ablaze with stars, and the stillness of the desert feels almost sacred. You fall asleep on soft sand, wrapped in the magic of one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth.

The desert dawn brings new adventures, blending ancient knowledge with modern thrills.

Day 5: Desert Secrets & Farewell

Morning greets you gently in the White Desert. Waking beneath a canvas of endless sky, the formations around you are bathed in soft golden light — a scene that feels almost unreal. After a simple camp breakfast, the day begins with exploration alongside Bedouin guides whose families have lived here for generations, sharing stories and hidden corners of their desert home.

Later, the tempo rises. 4×4 jeeps roar over the dunes, laughter follows as you sandboard down golden slopes, and finally there is the bliss of sinking into a natural hot spring, easing muscles after days of adrenaline-fuelled riding.

We return to the lodge for a refreshing shower and lunch before the onward drive back to Cairo. You leave with dust on your boots, warmth in your heart, and the memory of the desert’s wild gallops still echoing inside you.

Day 6: Last Cairo Adventures – GEM Museum

Morning off to enjoy a late breakfast at your beautiful hotel, some pool and relax time with check out at 12. We will stop for lunch before visiting the newly inaugurated Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, showcasing a vast collection of artifacts spanning ancient Egyptian history. Visitors can expect to see treasures such as the belongings of King Tutankhamun and other iconic artifacts that have been meticulously preserved and displayed for public viewing.

Afternoon flight to Luxor. Flight time 45 minutes

Note: Domestic flights are not included in our package. Please refer to our Info & FAQ page for more information on booking your flight to Luxor.

Day 7: Luxor and The Land of the Pharaohs

Due to the popularity of Luxor we have created two experiences – those for returning guests who do not wish to sightsee again but would rather dedicate their time with us to being in the saddle, and those who are new to Luxor and wish to combine both riding and sightseeing into their stay.

• Option 1: After breakfast, meet the team and horses for a tour of the stables and enjoy a 2-hour introductory ride that takes you through authentic Egypt, exploring local villages, farmlands, and the scenic Nile. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, followed by a tour of the Valley of the Kings, and end the day with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon at sunset.
• Option 2: For saddle junkies, we offer a full saddle day, riding from 9-3pm. In the morning, we will head out into the fields where you will see farmers working the land as their forefathers did. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant while the horses dose in the shade. You’ll return to the stables via the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, offering fantastic photo opportunities.

In the evening all guests will enjoy dinner and belly dancing lessons at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Land of the Pharaohs Continued

• Option 1: Non-riding tour of Karnak Temple and Luxor Museum, followed by lunch and a sunset trail ride to the Colossi of Memnon and the desert of Mount Thebes.
• Alternatively – Option 2: Full day trail ride.

Day 9: Hot Air Balloons & Check-Out

Sail high over the famous monuments of Luxor on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. You’ll get unmatched aerial views and photo ops as your private guide provides insightful narrative. Alternatively, guests have the option to embark on a sunrise trail ride to observe the hot air balloon flights.

You will return to your hotel for breakfast around 9am, having a few hours to relax and enjoy the facilities and pool before checking out at 12.00. Late checks out are available on request at an extra charge (payable locally).

OPTIONAL ASWAN EXTENSION

Day 9 – Journey South to Aswan & Felucca Dreams

After a week of riding beautiful Arabian horses through temples, valleys, and timeless villages, it’s time to gently part from our four-legged friends and continue the adventure south to Aswan

Arriving in Aswan, the landscape changes – the Nile widens, framed by golden granite boulders and lush islands. This has long been the gateway to Nubia, a land of warmth, colour, and living traditions.

That evening, step aboard a traditional felucca sailing boat. With its billowing white sail and timeless wooden frame, the felucca has glided across the Nile since Pharaonic times. As the sun sinks low, casting golden light across the river, you’ll drift into tranquillity, dining under the stars and sleeping to the gentle lap of water against the hull.

Overnight: Felucca, Aswan

Day 10 – Abu Simbel & Nubian Encounters

This morning begins with an extraordinary journey further south, across desert landscapes that lead to the mighty temples of Abu Simbel. Hewn from solid rock over 3,000 years ago, these colossal monuments to Pharaoh Ramses II and his beloved queen Nefertari are among Egypt’s greatest treasures. The sheer scale of the seated statues, their gaze fixed eternally across the sands, is humbling — and the story of their rescue and relocation during the building of the Aswan High Dam is a marvel of modern archaeology.

After the visit, we return to Aswan for a local lunch, savouring the flavours of Upper Egypt.

As the day cools, the Nile calls once more. This time, we sail to a Nubian village, a place alive with colour and tradition. Houses are painted in bright blues and ochres, children’s laughter fills the alleys, and warm smiles welcome you into homes that pulse with music, spices, and stories. The Nubians are Egypt’s oldest civilisation, guardians of a culture shaped by the river, and sharing an evening with them offers a connection far beyond sightseeing.

The night closes back on the felucca, rocked gently to sleep by the Nile’s timeless current.

Overnight: Felucca, Aswan

Day 11 – Aswan Treasures & Farewell Flight

Our final morning is devoted to exploring Aswan’s jewels. The sacred Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rests gracefully on an island in the Nile — a temple so loved that it was rescued stone by stone from the rising waters. Its carvings glow with sunlight, whispering stories of devotion and magic.

You may also see the Unfinished Obelisk, lying silent in its granite quarry, offering a rare glimpse into ancient craftsmanship; or stroll along the riverside corniche, where feluccas drift and spice merchants call from the souk.

Aswan has a serenity all its own — golden light, palm-fringed banks, and the sense that time is suspended between desert and river. After soaking up these final impressions, we transfer for the evening flight (normally to Cairo, around 7:00 PM).

It’s a graceful farewell, closing your Egyptian journey with the memory of temples, traditions, and the eternal Nile.

✨ Highlights at a Glance

• Sail the Nile on a traditional felucca – dine and sleep under the stars as travellers have done for millennia.
• Stand in awe at Abu Simbel – colossal temples carved into rock by Ramses II and Nefertari.
• Enjoy authentic southern Egyptian flavours – lunch with local ingredients and family recipes.
• Meet the Nubians – experience vibrant painted villages, music, and warm hospitality.
• Discover Aswan’s treasures – from the sacred island temple of Philae to the ancient Unfinished Obelisk.
• Absorb the serene beauty of Aswan – golden light, wide Nile waters, and palm-fringed islands.

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.