Fayoum, a place of picturesque landscapes where you can ride for days uninterrupted, and offering authentic hospitality, food and accommodation.
Starlight Winter Wonderland
8 days / 7 nights – £2099 (based on 2 sharing)
Cairo: Giza, Abu Sir and the Red Pyramid of Dashur
A place that need very little introduction and where else would we begin an epic Egyptian adventure than with the 7th Wonder of the World – Giza, along with wide open spaces of the deserts surrounding Abu Sir and Dashur Pyramids
Wadi Al-Hitan: The Valley of the Whales
Thirty-seven million years ago, in the waters of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean, a sinuous, 50-foot-long beast with gaping jaws and jagged teeth died and sank to the seafloor. Over thousands of millennia a mantle of sediment built up over its bones. The sea receded and as the former seabed became a desert, the wind began to plane away the sandstone and shale above the bones.
Slowly the world changed. The pharaohs built their pyramids. Rome rose, Rome fell. And all the while the wind continued its patient excavation. Imagine this dry expanse underwater, with whales hunting and diving. Today visitors to Wadi Al-Hitan walk a stone-lined path to see rocks that hold the fossils of the long-gone sea creatures.
White Desert National Park
Upon first glimpse of the 300-sq-km national park of the White Desert, you’ll feel like Alice through the looking-glass. 20km northeast of Farafra, on the east side of the road, blinding-white chalk rock spires sprout almost supernaturally from the ground, each a frost-coloured lollipop. White Desert, an “outdoor museum of contemporary art”. Walking around the White Desert feels like visiting an art museum. The desert was recognised as a Natural Protectorate by the Egyptian government in 2002 so as to keep the area as pristine as possible. You are really in the middle of nature!
Black Desert : Crystal Mountain : Agabat Valley
Visiting the Black Desert is like stepping onto a different planet – postcard-perfect golden dunes surrounded by fully black powder-covered hills. A start contrast. Crystal Mountain: This is a large rock made entirely of quartz! It’s a special moment to climb to the top of a mountain made of crystal to enjoy panoramic views. Agabat Valley: A spectacular vision of white and gold limestone boulders that decorate an otherwise flat landscape.
Bahariya Oasis & Hot Springs
During the Middle Kingdom and especially during Roman times, this oasis was a centre of agriculture, producing wine sold in the Nile Valley and as far away as Rome. Its strategic location on the Libya–Nile Valley caravan route ensured it prospered into later ages. In recent years, stunning archaeological finds (such as that of the Golden Mummies) and easy access to the hot springs are one of the main attractions in this verdant area filled with palm trees and fresh fruits. The over 40°C sulphur-scented waters are perceived by many locals and visitors to hold healing properties, as well as offer a pleasurable way to end a long day.
Trip Highlights
White Desert camping · Riding in Cairo · Black Desert · Agabat Valley
Cookery lessons · Sandboarding · Riding in Fayoum
Crystal Mountain · Bedouin villages
Sunset Camel ride in the White Desert · Bathing in the Hot springs of Bahariya
Mixed accommodation, from guest houses to sleeping under the stars
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Transfer to our authentic farm guesthouse close to Sakkara Pyramids.
Day 2: Welcome to the land of the Pharaohs – Riding at Giza and Abu Sir
Today we have two trail rides for you! In the morning we will visit one of the remaining ‘Seven Wonders of the World’, the Great Pyramids of Giza, on horseback. This is a great ride, not only is the backdrop more than “photo ready” but the ride itself offers a mix of paces allowing you to get to know us and our horses therefore setting the scene for a Ride Egypt adventure!
After a morning in the saddle we will transfer to our horse farm in Abu Sir where the team will prepare a home-cooked lunch for you whilst you relax and sit in the sun watching the beautiful horses play in their paddocks.
After lunch you’ll have a couple of hours down time before we saddle up to ride at sunset in the desert. The deserts in this area offer wide open spaces and plenty of freedom to fly with the horses. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 3: Fayoum Transfer & Riding
After breakfast we will pack up and transfer by road to El Fayoum. Sensational riding, crystal clear lakes and waterfalls, temples, tombs and the countryside – this is Egypt off the beaten track.
On arrival to the village of Tunis we shall check in to our guesthouse and have an early lunch. In the afternoon it’s time to saddle up for a 4 hour trail ride though the picturesque golden deserts on our doorstep. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 4: Full day Riding with desert dinner
Rise and shine, it’s the perfect time to ride and explore the stunning deserts of the national park. 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.
Our team will prepare a dinner for your arrival on an open fire. You’ll watch the sunset and have dinner under the stars before later in the evening returning back to the guesthouse.
Day 5: Full day trail ride to Wadi El Hitan’s Magic Lake
The Magic Lake is an obscure but beautiful lake – 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 is a brilliant place surrounded by desert so you can you can also enjoy riding and racing through the open landscapes, go swimming or enjoy sitting by the amazing waterfall. Guesthouse stay overnight.
Days 6 & 7: Black & White Desert 4 x 4 safari
Working with a local family-run business, we offer a unique experience and go the extra mile to ensure you will have memories of the desert that will last a life time. The people of the oasis, or the Waḥātī people (meaning “of the oasis” in Arabic), are the descendants of the ancient people who inhabited the oasis, ancient tribes with connections to western Egypt and eastern Libya. These people keep have kept the secrets of the desert for generations.
Highlights:
White Desert National Park, camel safari & star light camping
Upon first glimpse of the 300-sq-km national park of the White Desert, you’ll feel like Alice through the looking-glass. 20km northeast of Farafra, on the east side of the road, blinding-white chalk rock spires sprout almost supernaturally from the ground, each a frost-coloured lollipop. White Desert, an “outdoor museum of contemporary art”. Walking around the White Desert feels like visiting an art museum.
Black Desert : Crystal Mountain : Agabat Valley
Visiting the Black Desert is like stepping onto a different planet – postcard-perfect golden dunes surrounded by fully black powder-covered hills. A stark contrast. Crystal Mountain: This is a large rock made entirely of quartz! It’s a special moment to climb to the top of a mountain made of crystal to enjoy panoramic views. Agabat Valley: A spectacular vision of white and gold limestone boulders that decorate an otherwise flat landscape.
Bahariya Oasis & Hot Springs
During the Middle Kingdom and especially during Roman times, this oasis was a centre of agriculture, producing wine sold in the Nile Valley and as far away as Rome. Its strategic location on the Libya–Nile Valley caravan route ensured it prospered into later ages. In recent years, stunning archaeological finds (such as that of the Golden Mummies) and easy access to the hot springs are one of the main attractions in this verdant area filled with palm trees and fresh fruits. The over 40°C sulphur-scented waters are perceived by many locals and visitors to hold healing properties. Evening Return to Cairo.
Day 8: Cairo Riding and Departure
We end our adventure in the same way we started, through the eyes of the Pharaohs, with our final ride at Giza Plateau. This last, fast-paced ride sees you flying to the top of the plateau with the pyramids as a backdrop. A BBQ lunch will be served before we ride back in time to shower before checking out and departure. Those continuing the Red Sea will transfer for their internal flight.
Accommodation
- Cairo: Guesthouse
- Fayoum: Guesthouse
- White Desert: Camping
- Bahariya Oasis: Guesthouse
Information
- Arrival and Departure Airport: Cairo
- Price & Duration: £2099 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 8 days / 7 nights
- Single person supplement: £400 (limited availability)
- Main Meals and Water are included – alcohol and extra drinks payable locally
- Group Size: Maximum of 8
- Paces: Varied. Riders should be fit and capable of longer hours in the saddle
- Equipment/Tack: English
- Horses: Arabian and Balady our local breed
- Weight limits: 100kg unless pre agreed with us
- Airport transfers on request at an extra charge
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