Ancient Adventures

This week-long tour will show you the best of Cairo and Luxor with a combination of riding and sight-seeing.

Egypt

•
8
Days
Intermediate
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Highlights will include a ride at the Pyramids of Giza, desert camping with your horses, a sunset dinner on the Nile and a visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples. Ride forward-going horses through the desert and take in the incredible sights of this ancient land.

This is a unique opportunity to explore ancient Egypt on horseback. Riding highlights include galloping at the Pyramids of Giza, riding though deserts to ancient temples and exploring the Valley of the Kings. Halfway through the week you'll transfer to Luxor where the riding is through lush banana plantations, and you can gallop through fields of sugar cane.

  • Gallop at the Pyramids of Giza, one of the most iconic riding experiences on earth
  • Two destinations in one: Cairo's ancient wonders followed by Luxor's temples and the Valley of the Kings
  • Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent in the desert
  • Ride through banana plantations, sugar cane fields and along the Nile with spirited Egyptian horses
  • Watch hot air balloons rise above Luxor at sunrise from your desert campsite
  • A sunset dinner on the Nile and visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple & the world's oldest pyramid at Saqqara

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itinerary

Nearest Airport:
Cairo

Day 1

You made it to the home of the pyramids! Pickup is at Cairo International Airport. When you arrive at your hotel in Giza, take some time to get settled in, soak in the lively atmosphere, or relax with a drink. You’ll have dinner on the hotel rooftop with phenomenal views of the pyramids. Watch the Sound & Light Show as you enjoy your meal. It’ll be a relaxed night so you’re well-rested for the first day of riding!

Day 2

We begin our riding adventures at the Pyramids of Giza! You will have the opportunity for an exhilarating gallop with the pyramids as your backdrop – an experience you will never forget. We explore the surrounding desert, riding to a panoramic viewpoint that showcases the pyramids and the city of Giza beyond before heading up close to the base of the Great Pyramid on horseback. We end our ride near the Sphinx, where you will meet your tour guide to learn about the fascinating history behind these ancient wonders. After lunch, you will continue your sightseeing by car with a trip to Saqqara. The largest archeological site in Egypt, this vast necropolis contains pyramids and tombs for the pharaohs and noblemen of the Old Kingdom. Most notably, Saqqara is home to the oldest pyramid in the world: the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built about 4,700 years ago. When you return to the hotel, watch a once-in-a-lifetime sunset at the Pyramids of Giza from the rooftop before dinner.

Day 3

This morning you’ll visit the Egyptian Museum, where you will get to explore the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The Egyptian Museum is one of the most important museums of ancient history and the oldest archeological museum in the Middle East. You’ll get to see incredible works of pharaonic art, mummies, sarcophagi, papyrus, and loads of ancient treasures. A special highlight is the collection of objects recovered from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, including his iconic burial mask weighing about 10 kg of solid gold. After exploring the museum, you will stop for lunch at one of the most famous restaurants in Cairo to try Egypt’s national dish: koshary. You will then make your last visit in Cairo to the Salah Al Din Citadel, where you will visit the beautiful Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Located on the top of a hill overlooking Cairo, this Ottoman-style mosque showcases stunning Islamic architecture and offers one of the best views of the city. Then it’s time to head to the airport for your next destination: Luxor! Just a short one-hour flight away, Luxor feels like a world apart from busy Cairo. Unwind and have dinner at your accommodation in the peaceful village of Ramlah.

Day 4

After breakfast, you’ll come to the stable to meet the horses and saddle up for your first ride in Luxor. Today you will visit two ancient temples on horseback! Along the way, we ride through the lush farmland and quaint villages of Luxor’s agricultural west bank, showing you what daily life is like in rural Egypt. You’ll be transported back in time as we ride past farmers working their fields with traditional tools and animals such as donkeys and water buffalo. As we get closer to the Theban Mountain, we approach our first destination: Ramesseum, a memorial temple for the great warrior Pharaoh Ramesses II. You’ll get to explore the temple on a guided tour while the horses rest nearby. We then have another short ride to our next stop: Medinet Habu Temple. You’ll learn about this impressive temple built by Ramesses III on another guided tour. Lunch is at a nearby restaurant before we meet up with the horses again and ride back to the stable. After freshening up at the hotel, you will enjoy a late afternoon boat trip on the Nile River. Relax and reflect on the day’s adventures while sipping some Egyptian tea and watching the sunset on the water. Dinner is at a restaurant on the banks of the Nile.

Day 5

This morning, you will visit one of the most famous sites in Luxor: The Valley of the Kings! Explore some of the spectacular tombs hidden in this desert valley, which was the burial ground for the New Kingdom pharaohs. You’ll then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning temple built into the foothills of the mountain for Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh. After the sightseeing, you’ll have lunch and relax at the hotel before the afternoon ride to the desert. We ride out of the village and into the hills behind the Valley of the Kings on our sure-footed partners. As the sun starts to go down, we venture further into the desert where our campsite awaits for the night. When we arrive at camp, we watch the sunset and relax with a drink while our dinner is prepared for us. After a delicious meal, we relax around the campfire under the stars with a cup of Egyptian tea, the horses resting around us.

Day 6

Wake up in the desert to a beautiful view of the vast landscape and the horses nearby. If you get up for sunrise, you may even be able to see hot air balloons floating on the distant horizon. After a quiet morning enjoying nature and having breakfast with the horses, we leave camp to return to the stable. We traverse a range of landscapes, riding from the desert and mountain until we reach villages, farms, and the Nile River. Lunch is served at your accommodation upon your return. After lunch, you’ll freshen up and get ready for your sightseeing on Luxor’s east bank. You’ll cross the Nile by water taxi to the massive Karnak Temple complex, the largest religious site ever constructed and a must-see in Luxor. Next, you’ll visit the Avenue of Sphinxes and Luxor Temple, an important place of worship that has been in almost continuous use since ancient times. Back on the west bank, you’ll have a little downtime before heading out for dinner at a restaurant.

Day 7

Today you’ll have an early start, but this morning’s ride is worth it! We ride to see the hot air balloons take off at sunrise, watching from the horses as they float above us and over the Valley of the Kings. As the sun continues to rise, we ride along the edge of the desert, with tomb-filled valleys on one side and ancient temples and ruins on the other. When we return, we enjoy a traditional Egyptian breakfast: falafel and ful medames. In the midday, you will have downtime to relax at the hotel after your early start to the day. In the late afternoon, you will saddle up for your final ride. We begin through the villages and farms until we reach the outskirts of the desert, where we get to enjoy a long gallop across the sand. We ride up the desert hills for an incredible view of the mountain and the vast landscape beyond, and from here we watch as the sun sets on the horizon. When we return, we enjoy our last dinner together – homestyle Egyptian cooking at the stable alongside the horses.

Day 8

If you have the time, saddle up for an extra morning ride (not included). Otherwise, relax at the stable with the horses, take a dip in the pool, or pick up some last-minute souvenirs to bring home. Our driver will take you to the Luxor Airport to catch your flight. Until next time!

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Ancient Adventures

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Level of Riding & Fitness

You should be comfortable with the basics of riding (in control at the walk, trot, and canter). There are 3-7 hours of riding a day so a good level of general fitness is beneficial. Although there is an age limit of 16 years or older, younger riders may be considered if they have sufficient riding ability. The weight limit is 95kg.

Guides & Group Size

Your guide Ganun has made a name for himself in the horse world in Egypt. He is well-known around the streets of Luxor and can’t go far without someone trying to sell him a horse!

Ganun has worked with horses since a young age and his understanding of them is remarkable. From Sharm El-Sheikh to Luxor, he has excelled as a guide leading horseback riding tours for over 16 years. He was even featured as a top tour guide in Luxor in 2016. In addition to leading tours, he has extensive experience training, breeding, showing, and rehabilitating horses.

The group size for this ride is limited to 2-6 people.

The Horses

All of the horses are Egyptian or “Baladi” horses, the type of horse most commonly found across Egypt. Baladi horses are native to Egypt but have mixed bloodlines with Arabian and European influences. They are spirited, quick, and versatile. They are ridden in English tack.

Many of the horses have been rescued from difficult situations and rehabilitated. They are forward-going and responsive with impressive stamina for long days in the saddle. Each horse has their own unique personality, and your guides will do their best to match horse to rider based on riding ability and personal preferences.

Tack & Riding Equipment
What’s Included
Price includes
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Transfer from Cairo airport and transfers to and from Luxor airport
  • Other ground transportation
  • Entrance fees and cultural tours
  • 5 Days riding
Price Excludes
  • Flights
  • Personal travel expenses
  • Visas
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
  • Additional activities outside of the itinerary

Accommodation

In Cairo you will stay close to the pyramids at a boutique hotel in the heart of Giza, just across the Nile from Cairo. No matter which hotel you are in, you are guaranteed to have a once-in-a-lifetime view!

In Luxor, you will stay on the tranquil West Bank, the quieter side of the Nile with fewer tourists. The riding base is in a small village surrounded by farmland not far from the sights; the atmosphere is laid back and relaxing. You might be in a charming villa with traditional dome rooms, a vibrantly decorated guest house with views of the Nile, or your own fully equipped flat. In any of the places, you will be well accommodated while still feeling integrated with the local area. When camping, you will spend the night in a Bedouin style tent or under the stars with sleeping bags alongside the horses.

Ancient Adventures

8
days
7
Nights
5
Days Riding

Do not book your flights until you have received your booking confirmation email from SaddleTravel.com.

Flight and transfer information

  • Arrival airport: Cairo International Airport (CAI); the tour ends in Luxor (LXR)
  • Arrival time: Afternoon or earlier on Day 1.
  • Departure time: If returning via Cairo, allow at least 3 hours between the Luxor–Cairo flight and your international departure.
  • Transfer arrangements: Airport transfers are included, you will be collected from Cairo Airport on Day 1. The trail finishes in Luxor so we recommend booking an internal flight from Luxor to Cairo after 11am on the final day.

Single room supplement: £190. No single supplement is charged if the rider is willing to share with someone of the same sex, and a sharer can be found.