Day 5: Morning in Fayoum, Half-day Ride in Wadi El Rayan National Park & Transfer to Cairo

Start your day with a peaceful morning in the village of Tunis, a charming area nestled on the shores of Lake Qarun. Tunis Village is renowned for its vibrant artistic community, featuring numerous pottery workshops and art studios. You can enjoy a stroll through the picturesque streets, where you’ll find beautiful handcrafted ceramics and artwork. The serene landscapes, quiet atmosphere, and fields with grazing farm animals add to the village’s charm.

In the late morning, we will set off for a half-day ride in Wadi El Rayan National Park. This protected area is known for its stunning natural beauty, including waterfalls, expansive lakes, and rolling sand dunes. These wide open spaces are perfect for exhilarating gallops as we take in the breathtaking views of unspoiled nature.

After lunch, we’ll transfer by road to Cairo, where you’ll check into a 4-star hotel and conclude the day with a much-desired cocktail and the luxury of fluffy bath towels.

Day 6: Breakfast in Cairo & Flight to Dahab.

After breakfast in Cairo, we take a short domestic flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and taken on a scenic one-hour road journey to Dahab, a charming old fishing village overlooking the Red Sea. Nestled between majestic mountains and the azure waters of the Red Sea, Dahab is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, vibrant Bedouin culture, clear turquoise waters, and numerous water sports activities.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset introductory ride and a traditional dinner in the desert. You have the option to camp or stay in a guest house for the night.

Day 7: Blue Hole Snorkeling & Afternoon Ride in Wadi Qnai. Dinner & camping under the Stars.

Beginning our day in Dahab with a visit to the famous Blue Hole, you’ll have the chance to snorkel and explore vibrant coral reefs and underwater wonders. 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 colorful 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 late afternoon, and as the sun begins to set, we will go on a 2-hour ride to Wadi Qnai Oasis, a picturesque valley characterized by rugged mountains, winding trails, and lush palm groves. Our day culminates with a traditional dinner in the oasis and an opportunity to camp under the starlit sky, where you’ll experience the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Bedouin culture.

Day 8: Sunrise Ride at “Three Pools” with Breakfast in Mountain Caves & Departure.

We start our last 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.

You will return to your guesthouse for a shower and to pack for your journey home. We will then transfer you to Sharm El Sheikh airport for your departure flight.

** OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS**

CAIRO EXTENSION: Giza Pyramids Ride & Grand Museum Visit

Arrive a day early to kickstart your adventure with an epic Pyramids ride! Our Cairo extension package includes a one-night stay, a 2-hour ride to the Pyramids, a tour of the Sphinx, lunch, a visit to one of the famous museums, and airport transfers for your arrival in Cairo and next day departure to Sharm el Sheikh for the Dahab adventure with the rest of the group.

Upon arrival in Cairo, we’ll greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The following morning, we’ll convene for breakfast at 8:15 to discuss the day’s plan. Departing from the hotel around 9 am, 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 Grand Egyptian Museum- This newly opened museum, welcoming visitors for the first time in 2024, holds some of the world’s greatest ancient treasures. Its location is just outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau (and next door to the Pyramids) is considered not only considered the new crown jewel of Egypt, but is also one of the largest, most modern, and most renowned museums in the entire world.

Following the museum tour, we’ll provide transportation to the airport for your flight to Sharm el Sheikh. Multiple daily flights operate between Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh, each with a quick 55-minute journey time. Most guests opt for a domestic flight around 6/7pm.

LUXOR EXTENSION:

Day 1: Multi Option Luxor* Full day trail ride / or half day with historical site seeing.

Welcome to Luxor and home of Ride Egypt!  Today, we offer you the choice of a full day in the saddle or a blend of sightseeing and riding. You will have the opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Luxor, home to ancient wonders like the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.

Today, you will also have a chance to get acquainted with our Egyptian steed! Our horses are spirited and forward-going but they are also polite, sensitive and willing to please. You will notice how they listen to you, receptive to voice and tone. Highly intelligent with expressive eyes and ears it is easy to bond with them and understand their ways. All possess endless enthusiasm for the journey and you will feel this as they carry you effortlessly for hours in the sometimes unforgiving heat. 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.

Historical sight-seeing: Accompanied by an Egyptologist you will have the opportunity to visit three very different tombs all representing the values of the pharaohs to which they belong. The choice is yours whether you’re a saddle-junkie or culture-vulture, Luxor has it all! Of course, if you prefer a relaxing morning by the pool combined with an afternoon ride this is also an option, especially for returning guests who have already visited the sites.

Today allows everybody to enjoy what makes them happy, followed by a delicious dinner of typical Egyptian fare cooked by our wonderful hosts.

Day 2: Multi Option Luxor* Full day trail ride / or half day with historical site seeing.

Continue your exploration of Luxor with another full-day trail ride or opt for a half-day historical tour to delve deeper into the city’s rich cultural heritage. 

Day 3: Sunrise balloons ride & Lunchtime check out/Departure

We will rise with the morning call to prayer today as we head out for truly a magical experience – a sunrise balloon tour by horseback. The sight as they all take flight is simply breath-taking. Glide through the Valley of the Kings and the farms of the West Bank watching the shadows fall away as the sun fills the sky with colour and light. This is a must-do activity when visiting Luxor.

We will next head to the Temple of Habu for breakfast and a tour of the site. Amun, the god of air, was one of the primordial Egyptian deities famously twinned with Ra the sun god in later times. This memorial temple, built by Rameses III, is said to be the place where Amun first appeared according to ancient belief. It is an imposing structure and boasts some beautifully preserved murals and hieroglyphs. We visit early morning before the crowds descend so it feels like a well-kept secret!

Our final site of the day is the Temple of Hatshepsut, thought to be a masterpiece of the pharaonic era. It represents not only her devotion to her god Horus, the falcon-headed god, but is also a reflection of her peaceful and prosperous reign. It would later become her mortuary temple as the afterlife beckoned her forth. This is a magnificent example of the wealth and master craftsmanship of the time – the paintings are exquisite and the scale of the monument, truly astonishing – a spectacular finale to your journey through Egypt.

After a farewell lunch it is time to say goodbye unless you have booked one of our fabulous extensions.

ASWAN & ABU SIMBLE EXTENSION: 

For those seeking further adventure, extend your journey with an optional extension to Aswan and Abu Simbel from Day 9-10. You will travel by road to Aswan, stopping along the way at Horus temple in Edfu & The temple of Sobek Kim ombo, this temple is dedicated to the Crocodile Headed God Sobek and the Falcon headed God Horus the Elder. Dinner and overnight at our charming Nubian guest house.

Aswan:

Aswan is known for its beautiful Nile Valley scenery, significant archaeological sites and its peaceful aura. Its weather is warm all year round, which makes it a perfect winter destination. The city provides splendid views and attractions to sail through the Nile with a felucca (Egyptian sailboat).

Aswan sightseeing:

1. Temple of Philae
2. Unfinished Obelisk. 890. Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
3. Aswan High Dam.
4. Nubian Museum (evening opening times)
5. Nubian Village
6. Elephantine Island
7. Cocktails Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract (Where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile)

Overnight at your guest house.

Abu Simble:

Rise and shine bright and early today marks the highlight and “must do” when visiting Aswan, the UNESCO Abu Simble World Heritage Site.

Abu Simbel is a historic site comprising two massive rock-cut temples in the village of Abu Simbel (Arabic: أبو سمبل), Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt, near the border with Sudan. It is situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km (140 mi) southwest of Aswan (about 300 km (190 mi) by road).

The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th Dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. Their huge external rock relief figures of Ramesses II have become iconic. His wife, Nefertari, and children can be seen in smaller figures by his feet. Sculptures inside the Great Temple commemorate Ramesses II’s heroic leadership at the Battle of Kadesh.

After an awe inspiring morning we will stop off at our favourite local sea food Resturant for a delicious lunch before driving back to Aswan in preparation for your evening flight to Cairo and your onward journey home.