Fairy-tale Fayoum

9 days / 8 nights – £3,800 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation

Our journey starts in Cairo as riding Arabian stallions at the Great Pyramids of Giza is top of every horse lover’s bucket list! We then head off to Fayoum for 3 days where we will enjoy long riding hours exploring this picturesque area, dining under the stars and heading out on a 4 x 4 safari! It’s then a quick hop back to Cairo for one last “yalla” before flying onto Luxor and Ride Egypt’s HQ.

In Luxor you’ll ride more beautiful, well-trained horses, fly in hot air balloons at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings and retrace the steps of Ancient Egypt with guided tours of the temples and tombs.

Our accommodations are a hand-pick mix between authentic and quaint guest houses mixed with some 5-star hotels, private lodges and even a palace! All our food is locally-grown and we cater for all diet requirements.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

You’ll be met by your ‘meet and greet’ host who will help you with your bags and introduce you to your driver outside the airport terminal building. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: Rise and Shine!

Throw open those curtains! It’s truly a ‘pinch yourself moment’ as right outside your window is the most iconic landmark in Egypt, The Great Pyramids of Giza, there to welcome you on your first day of your trip of a lifetime. Next it’s time to pop down for a delicious, luxury buffet breakfast before heading off on the first ride.

Having talked so much about the Great Pyramids our first ride together could only be there! This ride is exhilarating due to the scenery, the forward-going horses and the amazing, once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities! Ride time is approximately 2 hours.

After our ride we will visit the mythological and legendary Sphinx, estimated to be approximately 4500 years old – our Egyptology guide will share the secrets of the area with you. We stop off for some lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel to shower, relax and check out before we leave for our road transfer to Fayoum. The drive takes around 1.5 hours. Check in at our accommodation, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Five-hour Trail Riding to Magic Lake with Dinner in the Desert

Today you have a free morning to take a walk to the pottery school, dip in the pool or just relax. This morning is all yours to do as you wish.

The Magic Lake is an obscure but beautiful lake and the destination of today’s 3-4 hour riding trip. Interestingly it got its name because it changes its colours several times each day, depending on the time of day and amount of sunlight it receives, it’s like a natural kaleidoscope.

As a riding location it is beautiful! It is surrounded by desert where you can race your horses and climb sand dunes, you’ll love the way these sure-footed horses explore and enjoy the open landscapes. Relaxing trails and speedy gallops, this place has it all. Overnight at our accommodation.

Day 4: Sunrise Ride with Breakfast in Desert

Wadi El Rayan is one of Egypt’s most famous nature reserves and you are in the perfect place to ride and explore its breathtaking desert and rock formations. The scenery is picturesque and goes on as far as the eye can see, it’s THE place for riders to enjoy plenty of fun canters and gallops.

The day is around 6 hours in the saddle with various paces and includes lunch on the way.

Day 5: 4 x 4 Safari & Wadi Hitan. Return to Cairo

Today we are going off-road with a 4 x 4 safari to play on the sand dunes and visit Whale Valley, home to invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales. These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution; the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal, about 37 million years ago. This is the most important UNESCO site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution. We will also visit Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls.

The waterfalls in Wadi El Rayan are a natural phenomenon and are considered to be the largest waterfalls in Egypt. Wadi El Rayan is distinguished by its springs in the middle of the desert and small cascades. During the day we will stop for lunch along the way. Sand-boarding at sunset ends our adventurous day before we hit the road again and drive back to Cairo.

Day 6: Last Cairo Adventures

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 in between visiting as many museums as time permits before our internal flight to Luxor.

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: Non-riding tour of The Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Tutankhamen followed by lunch and an introductory ride.
Alternatively – Option 2: Full day trail ride with lunch.

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.

Short transfer to Al Moudria, a palace in the desert which is now a hotel is our grand finale in accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

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).

Accommodation & Information

Your package includes:

Accommodation as listed
All meals with soft drinks
Sunrise hot air balloon ride in Luxor or sunrise trail ride to watch the hot air balloons flights

Not included:

International flights
Domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor. Flight time approximately 55 minutes
Travel insurance
Tips
Alcohol in the hotels

DAY 1: Marriott Mena House (Cairo)

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Marriott Mena House, Cairo Overlooking the Great Pyramids of Giza. Mena House is surrounded by 40 acres of green gardens and has a spa, fitness centre and a pool. The rooms are decorated with handcrafted furniture. Dining choices range from Italian specialties at Alfredo Restaurant, while Daily Buffet Breakfast and unforgettable vistas with its cocktails served at 139 Pavilion.

Room Type: Deluxe Garden View

DAY 2,3 & 4 – Tzila Private Lodge (FAYOUM)

Tzila Lodge is the second oldest building in Tunis Village, now beautifully renovated. Its architectural structure is designed to follow the ancestral Fayoum method of dome construction whilst meeting the requirements of modern day life, thus adding a spice of culture to your stay.

Room type: Eight unique rooms, each designed and beautifully furnished with the element of ancient motifs and traditional techniques reflecting Egypt’s wealth of inspirational culture and heritage. Domes, arches, thick walls, and absence of cement keep the rooms cool during the summer and warm during the cold winters. The rooms’ layout are spread out in an Omda style house.

DAY 5 -Mövenpick Cairo Media City (Cairo)

Mövenpick Hotel Cairo-Media City is located in the 6th of October City, on the outskirts of Cairo and 45 kilometres from the city centre. This 5-star hotel is just 65 kilometres from Cairo International Airport, with relaxation and recreation also close at hand. This luxury hotel is only 20 kilometres from the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. A 20-km drive will take you to the new Egyptian Museum so you can wander through the different eras of ancient Egyptian history.

DAY 6 & 7 – Steigenberger Nile Palace (Luxor) – Subject to availability

The 5-star Steigenberger Nile Palace is situated in the heart of Luxor and provides modern accommodation with stunning views of the Nile.

Room type: Executive with side Nile view

DAY 6 & 7 – Djoff Palace (Luxor) – Subject to availability

Set next to Banana Island on the West Bank of Luxor, this 5-star luxury nubian style hotels offers stunning rooms with Nile views, a swimming pool and an onsite restaurant serving amazing Mediterranean cuisine.

Room type: Room Type: Deluxe

DAY 8: Al Moudira – Palace in the Desert (Luxor)

Al Moudria is a grand, all-suite hotel in an Arabic-style palace with 8-hectare gardens, a spa and fine dining. The hotel is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and a swimming pool. The restaurant menu is ‘a la carte’.

Room Type: Deluxe

Information:

Arrival and departure airport: Cairo for arrival and Luxor for departure.
Price & duration: £3,800 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 9 days / 8 nights.
Single person supplement: £1200 (limited availability).
Paces: Varied. Riders should be fit and be able to canter on a well trained horse on open ground without assistance.
Equipment/Tack: English. You must be able to ride in an English saddle.
Horses: Arabian and Balady, our local breed.
Weight limit: 100kg unless pre-agreed with us.
All meals and soft drinks are included throughout the trip (hotel or on location).
Main language: English. Guests are required to have a good knowledge of the English language and to be able to communicate with us easily. This is a firm and non-negotiable requirement.

Payable locally:

Tips approx. 250 USD recommended
Spa Treatments
Alcohol inside the hotels

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