We GUARANTEE you won't find the same horse riding holiday at a lower price through any other source... and if you do, we promise to refund the difference!
from £2,699 or €3,145
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Rates are quoted per person sharing. Non riders are very welcome, the price remains the same and cultural trips will be offered instead. All trips are fixed departure dates with some flexibility.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
28 December – 4 January 2024
Included – All riding, English speaking guide, full board accommodation, transfers at set times, sight seeing, water on rides.
Excluded – Flights, Transfers outside set times, drinks, tips
Getting There
Arrival in Cairo & depart from Luxor.
Transfer
Please ask if you require airport transfers or meet and greet services.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Choose your currency
Rates are quoted per person sharing. Non riders are very welcome, the price remains the same and cultural trips will be offered instead. All trips are fixed departure dates with some flexibility.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
12 – 20 January
8 – 16 February
12 – 20 April (Fully booked)
Included – All riding, English speaking guide, full board accommodation, transfers at set times, sight seeing, water on rides.
Excluded – Flights, Transfers outside set times, drinks, tips
Getting There
Arrival in Cairo & depart from Luxor.
Transfer
Please ask if you require airport transfers or meet and greet services.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
This is an exciting new trip for 2023 that takes in three glorious locations, showcasing the very best of Egypt’s fascinating history and filled with exhilarating rides in the desert.
Your trip begins in bustling Cairo where you will ride to the Pyramids and gallop in the desert before transferring by car to Fayoum. Spend a full day riding in the Fayoum National Park, a magical place where you will feel transported back in time with its unspoilt scenery and off the beaten track feel. It is then on to Luxor to discover the ancient tombs, visit the Colossi of Menom and head by boat for cocktails at the Winter Palace Hotel, made famous by Agatha Christie’s “Death On The Nile”. On the last morning, you will 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.
There is an option to add an additional two days to you trip to visit Aswan and Abu Simble. 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). 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 ride is run by British woman Emma Jane Levin who has made Egypt her home and combines great riding on fabulous horses with fantastic cultural days. Like many of our trips you will get under the skin of Egypt and meet the real people and explore the rich cultural landmarks this special place has to offer.
Tombs, Dunes & Kingdoms: Horses – Arab & Arab Crosses.
Tombs, Dunes & Kingdoms: Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate to Advanced. Riders should be confident to canter in open spaces.
Tack – English, Western, Arabian & Australian Trail.
Weight Restriction – 15 stone / 100kg / 220lbs.
Tombs, Dunes & Kingdoms: Group Size – Maximum 10.
Your accommodation in Giza will be the Pyramid Edge Hotel chosen for it’s location. It’s a simple hotel with the benefit of great views of the Pyramids.
In Fayoum, the accommodation is a local guest house next to the stables with a swimming pool and amazing authentic food.
In Luxor you will stay on the West Bank at Villa Nile House. Villa Nile House is a charming guesthouse which offers excellent service. The house has been built using traditional materials in an oriental style – it has two roof terraces with views of both Luxor and Hatsheput temple. The grounds offer great relaxation with a flower garden, ‘Bedouin corner’, swimming pool and jacuzzi. The rooms are appropriately named: ‘Nefertiti’ and ‘Cleopatra’ are just two examples. Rooms have air-conditioning, LCD TVs and Wi-Fi. They have private bathrooms.
The location is perfect for those wishing to take an evening stroll, visit one of the charming Bedouin bars or restaurants along the Nile or visit one of the traditional shops offering keep sakes not found in standard tourist shops.
The unique Egyptian cuisine has been influenced throughout history, particularly by its neighbours from the Middle East. More recently, the foods of other Arabic people in the Middle East such as the Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians, as well as some foods from Europe, have affected the Egyptian diet. However, Egyptian cuisine maintains its uniqueness. After thousands of years, rice and bread remain staple foods, and molokhiyya (a spinach-like vegetable) and fulmudammas (cooked, creamy fava beans), a national dish, are nearly as popular as long ago. Other popular dishes include Kebab and Kofta usually of lamb meat, chops and minced meat on skewers grilled on charcoal. Egyptians are famous for stuffing spicy rice in vegetables like green pepper, aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes to make Mahshi.
Please Ask About
Day 1
Travel Day, transfer to your hotel and at 8pm there is a welcome dinner.
Day 2
Wake to the frenetic sounds of a thriving city. The pyramids at Giza are a must-see for most visiting Cairo, but today we elevate this experience by riding onto the plateau on our beautiful Egyptian horses.
After a traditional breakfast and a briefing from our guides we will make the short journey to the horses who wait for us within the site. Pure of heart and renowned for their stamina, these horses are the pride of Egypt and a symbol of its strength and fortitude. The open desert allows for fantastic riding at all paces including exhilarating gallops.
After exploring the desert on horseback it is then time for a tour of the Sphinx on foot. Carved from one solid piece of stone this mysterious statue is one of the oldest sculptures from the Old Kingdom and was built during the reign of Khafre.
Our lunch stop is at a local restaurant in town; flatbread, kofte, fragrant rice as well as various delicious salads and dips make up a typical lunch.
Satisfied, we now pack our bags for the transfer to Fayoum, a road trip of approximately 1.5hrs, aiming to arrive late afternoon to enjoy a leisurely sunset ride through the surrounding villages. We finish this glorious first day with dinner in the desert.
Day 3
A full day ride to explore the extraordinary hidden gem that is the Fayoum Oasis, considered by many as a time capsule harking back to Egypt’s eminent past. We drive for 20 minutes along with our horses to the centre of the National Park, one of the most magical, off-the-beaten-track places you will visit.
The oasis itself is one of the first areas in Egypt where agriculture took hold. Here we are surrounded by vast open desert, perfect for fast gallops across the dunes! There will also be time to take in the awe-inspiring rock formations and unspoilt scenery. Dinner is overnight at our guesthouse.
Day 4
Today we have a free morning, to soak up the sun, relax by the pool and generally reflect on the adventure so far! After lunch we will ride to Magic Lake located in Wadi El Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its abundance of fossils including some of the earliest whales. Riding through the sands it will seem like a mirage!
The lake’s name derives from the variety of colours it becomes throughout the course of the day depending on the sunlight it gains and the time of year. It is also said to contain healing minerals for ailments such as rheumatism. The desert is the horses’ playground, vast and open, inviting fast canters and gallops, but here we also have the contrasting peace and serenity that’s this mystical lake emanates. Famous for its sunsets, you will have the chance to watch the sun fall below the horizon from between your horse’s ears.
Day 5
A non-riding start this morning with a tour of Wadi El Hitan, also known as Whale Valley. This extraordinary lowland plain contains the fossilised remains of the Archaeoceti, the precursor to today’s whales, at the stage in their evolution where they took to the oceans having previously been land-based mammals. Whale Valley remains the most significant and important example of this stage of whale evolution in the world.
Following this fascinating tour we make our way to the Fayoum Pottery School. Founded in the 1970s by Swiss artists it has become a successful business as well as educating people in the local pottery-making traditions. With the help of village craftsmen and local materials they built their kiln, studio and house. The school lies within a striking mudbrick compound and we will have a tour of the studio with a local guide.
After a day of cultural sight-seeing it is back to Cairo Airport for our flight to Luxor. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 6
Today we give you the option of a full day in the saddle or a combination of sight-seeing and riding; a non-riding tour of the Valley of the Kings followed by an afternoon ride.
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 7
A full day ride today gives you the chance to really get to know your 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.
You’ll return to the stables via the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, offering fantastic photo opportunities.
After an inspiring day of riding it’s time to freshen up and head by boat to the East Bank for cocktails at the Winter Palace Hotel, made famous by Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’. Built in the 1900s it was designed to accommodate nobility and much of its opulent nature is retained today. Famous guests include Howard Carter and his team, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Post drinks we offer two evening options:
Option 1: We sail our way back in time for an alfresco dinner in the courtyard of our hotel and a spot of belly-dancing! Lessons and accessories included.
Option 2: Take in the delights of historic Karnak at night with their light and sound show followed by dinner on the boat.
Day 8
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. It is also possible to ride the Valley to witness this spectacle from horseback, please enquire.
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.
Optional Aswan extension from the afternoon of Day 8. After lunch we 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.
Day 9
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:
-Temple of Philae
-Unfinished Obelisk. 890. Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
-Aswan High Dam.
-Nubian Museum (evening opening times)
-Nubian Village
-Elephantine Island
-Cocktails Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract (Where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile)
Overnight at your guest house.
Day 10
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 seafood restaurant for a delicious lunch before driving back to Aswan in preparation for your evening flight to Cairo and your onward journey home.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
We have travelled the world testing a huge variety of horse riding holidays to make sure we offer you, our client, the best horse riding holiday experience possible.
Our horse riding holidays are thoroughly researched – we consider all the elements that go towards making our horse riding holidays collection the best in the world. We check the quality of the horses, if they are fit for the job, well produced and looked after. We make sure the riding terrain is good going, the countryside is interesting and, for example, on Classic Dressage horse riding holidays, the arenas are in good condition. We make sure the accommodation, whether it’s a five star hotel, a farmhouse or camping, is clean and comfortable, and offers a great night’s sleep. The food is all important too – we take the time to make sure we tell you if it’s cordon bleu, home cooked, or regional and locally sourced – above all it has to be delicious, plentiful and nourishing. Last but not least, we choose the horse riding holidays that have the best hosts, who are friendly, warm and welcoming.
It’s only when all these elements come together that we add a horse riding holiday into our hand-picked collection of horse riding holidays.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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