Palms, Pyramids & Pharaohs

From £2199 (based on 2 sharing) – 8 days, 7 nights
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If you desire a holiday filled with temples and tombs, pharaohs and phenomenons, this is the trip for you. Egypt is the land of allure and mystery which is best enjoyed on a multi-adventure week. You’ll ride fabulous horses to explore local Bedouin villages and see temples up close, and of course you’ll float down the Nile River for a day enjoying classic Egyptian foods. You’ll visit the 7th Wonder of the World by horseback, swim with wild dolphins, go snorkeling and ride your horse in the Red Sea.
During this incredible week you’ll visit the site of the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient Thebes, and the Royal Tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are on the river’s west bank. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about ancient history while trying new things, Egypt will provide an experience of a lifetime.
This trip is designed for those that want to understand Egyptian culture, food and people. Although we’ll be traveling by horseback several days, we’ll also explore this mystical place on foot, tuktuk, harong, camel and boat.

Curious about our next confirmed departures? Visit our travel calendar!

ON HORSEBACK

Witness the Great Pyramids of Giza & the mythical Sphinx · Explore traditional Egyptian villages · Swim in the Red Sea on horseback · Gallop across Mount Thebes · Visit historical monuments on horseback.

CULTURE & REAL EGYPT

Explore the Pyramids of Cairo, Cairo Museum, Karnak Temple, Medina Habu Temple & other ancient mosques, temples & tombs · Banana plantations, farmlands & water buffalo · The great deserts of Egypt · Traditional Cuisine

HIGHLIGHTS

See for yourself the amazing diversity of alluring Egypt · 3 incredible destinations in one holiday · Guided throughout · Horses, camels and dolphins! · Adventures mixed with the best culture and history.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival

Arrive Cairo, transfer and overnight at hotel. Welcome dinner at 8pm overlooking the pyramids.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids & Museum visit. Late flight to Luxor

We will meet for breakfast at 8.15 to catch up on the plan for today! Departure from the hotel at approximately 9am. A short journey brings us to the horses who wait patiently, eager to take you on your first adventure, an exciting ride across the desert to the pyramids at Giza.

Before we start there is a safety briefing and we explain the history of horses in the area. These proud horses are in their element out in the sand dunes. Here you will witness first-hand the incredible energy, bravery and stamina of the Egyptian horse.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant in town followed by a visit to the Cairo Museum, home to the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. A short, evening flight will take us down to Luxor, our base for the next four days.

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.

*NEW* Motor Paragliding: Our Cairo adventures just got even more exciting! You can now opt for an unforgettable paramotor flying tour above the iconic Pyramids of Giza! Available at sunrise (6 a.m.) or for early birds at 7 a.m. Contact us to book your spot!

Day 3: Introductory Ride. Temple of Hatshepsut & Valley of the Kings

Welcome to Luxor and the home of Ride Egypt! Our first horse adventure begins in the morning, where you’ll travel by tuk-tuk to the stables. Here, we will introduce you to our home and horses in our Bedouin-style yard, crafted by local Egyptians on the West Bank of the Nile. The yard features several boxes and lush plantation fields where we grow our horses’ food. Our carefree Egyptian horses graze happily in the glossy green fields, sparkling in the sunshine against the backdrop of the mountains. Our facility also houses donkeys and camels, creating a true ‘farm atmosphere.’ You’ll receive a tour of the stables and horses, and we’ll show you how we grow our food and use plants and herbs for medical issues. Enjoy an introductory ride through bustling streets, river tributaries, local villages, farmlands, and along the Nile, where you can watch feluccas sail calmly by in the late afternoon light—a perfect spot for photos with your new four-legged friend against the iconic Nile setting.

After a relaxed lunch back at the hotel, we’ll head out to see the Temple of Hatshepsut, an impressive mortuary temple built into the cliffs, showcasing unique terraced architecture honoring one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs. Next, we will visit the Valley of the Kings, home to 63 magnificent tombs, along with an Egyptologist whose knowledge will transport you back to the land of the Pharaohs. Here you will marvel at the tombs’ intricate hieroglyphs and the sheer size of these well-preserved catacombs. The landscape is dramatic; great cavernous cliffs of limestone and sedimentary rock with the imposing Al-Qurn, the peak of the valley, resembling a pyramid, a nod to the Old Kingdom. This site has fascinated archaeologists since the 1900s yet the area is so vast a new tomb chamber was discovered as recently as 2005.

We will end the afternoon at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have stood since 1350 BC, famous for their incredible height and historical significance.

We will wrap up the day with a fun dinner party featuring local music and dancing. Enjoy the food and the lively atmosphere as you settle into the Egyptian vibe.

Day 4: Luxor Saddle Day

A full day in the saddle today and a great opportunity to really bond with your horse as you canter happily along long, dusty farm tracks surrounded by verdant farmland. See the farmers in the fields, working the earth as their ancestors did. Horses are revered in Egypt so they always bring a smile to people’s faces as we pass through the Bedouin villages and the local children love the spectacle of our bejewelled steeds prancing proudly through the streets.

As you get to know your horse’s personality you will be amazed at how kind-hearted and generous they are despite their hot-blooded natures. Sensitive and inquisitive they are also incredibly brave; nothing phases them in these bustling environments and this stems from their strong sense of self. We will stop for lunch at a villa while the horses dose in the shade. In the heat of the day we can enjoy the pool and unwind before heading home to the stables, a ride of approximately 1 hour bringing us back to our hotel for mid afternoon.

Around 5pm we will reconvene for sundowners cruising down the Nile watching the sun set on the calm waters. To complete this epic day we will be joined by a professional belly dancer after dinner who will teach us all about her art as well as give us some moves to take home with us!

Day 5: Karnak Temple & Afternoon Mountain trail ride

A morning of sight-seeing awaits us today. We cross the river to the East Bank, along with our guide, first making our way to the world-famous Karnak Temple. Dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khosu, Karnak is said to be the largest religious monument ever built and it took over 2000 years to complete. Our Egyptologist guide will talk us through key elements of its history and structure bringing it to life before our eyes.

From here we will walk to the Mummification Museum, a small but well-curated museum dedicated to the art of mummification, which aims to provide an understanding of the ancient Egyptian belief system as well as the process itself.

Finally we visit Luxor Temple, a breath-taking structure steeped in history, the entrance alone is over 200ft wide! Unlike many temples constructed to honour the gods, Luxor Temple was built in dedication to the rejuvenation of kingship. It is one of the many projects commissioned by Rameses II during his long, successful reign.

Sailing back across the Nile we will enjoy an alfresco lunch back at the hotel before setting off for a late afternoon ride into the desert. We will ride up the escarpment to mount Thebes, looking down over the city, to take in the glorious colours of sunset shimmering over the surrounding sands. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 6:Sunrise Trail Ride to Habu Temple, Hatshepsut and transfer to the Red Sea

A very special morning. We rise before dawn, making the short journey to the stables in darkness.

We mount our horses and ride out into the deserted streets with the sun a mere glow on the horizon. We make our way out into farmland, trotting along rural tracks, until there before us is the Valley of the Kings. Bathed in the light of the morning sun, scores of hot air balloons rise gracefully into the sky like lanterns. The overall sight is breath-taking, but it is truly unique when enjoyed from the back of a beautiful Egyptian horse. We stop for breakfast overlooking Habu Temple and have time for a fascinating tour of the site before the return ride.

From here we will be collected for a tour of the Temple of Hatshepsut, considered one of the most impressive mortuary temples in all of Egypt. It represents not only her devotion to her god, Horus, but is also a reflection of her peaceful and prosperous reign. Set against the backdrop of a striking red cliff face it is a dramatic sight to behold. After lunch and showering we will journey north-east to Hurghada on the Red Sea, endeavouring to arrive in time for a spectacular sunset. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Hurghada Multi Options

A variety of options are open to us this morning. A relaxing lie-in, late breakfast and some downtime by the pool is a popular one!

Alternatively, for the restless adrenaline junkies, we offer an exhilarating quad bike safari across the dunes.

Lunch will be at the hotel before we don our riding clothes once again for an exciting ride across the Eastern desert. Known as ‘yalla country’, the desert’s vast open plains allow us to really let our horses go and revel in their speed and endurance, could there be anything more joyful? As the sun sets on another glorious day we ride home together, content, reflective and grateful as ever for the gift in life that is the horse.

After a freshen up we will head down to the marina at Hurghada. Once a typical fishing village it has become famous for its extensive fish market. Our final evening will be spent sampling a feast from the sea, dining on fresh produce straight out of the morning’s catch. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Swimming in the Red Sea with the horses. Check out.

A highlight of our riding holidays is swimming with the horses in the crystal-clear Red Sea. The horses love the cool, refreshing waters and glide effortlessly across the bay, their tails streaming out like banners behind them. This is also one of the many fantastic photo opportunities on this riding holiday. After final cuddles with your horses it is time to thank them and to say farewell.

Check out 11am. Optional extensions include an additional day swimming with dolphins, please enquire for more information.

Day 9: Full day boat trip 8am – 3pm

Swimming with wild dolphins, 2 snorkelling spots and lunch. All snorkel equipment is included (plus your extra night on night 8)

Accommodation

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Your accommodation during the trip will be at the Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort in Cairo, the Gezira Gardens in Luxor, and Sweet Home Hurghada. Please see the pages below for full details of your locations.

Red Sea Accommodation:

Extra nights on full board (all meals and water) basis: £125 per person based on 2 sharing, or £160 for a single occupant.

Information

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  • Price & Duration: £2199 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 8 days / 7 nights. Single person supplement: £500.
  • Board Type: All meals & water.
  • Type of Ride & Paces:This is multi-centre guest house based riding holiday covering Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea. Riders should be intermediate to strong.
  • Riding months: October to May.
  • Saddles: English. Western, Arabian and Australian trail saddles are subject to availability.
  • Weight limit: 100kg.
  • Recommended airports: Cairo for arrival & Hurghada for departure.

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

Other Riding Holidays at Ride Egypt

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