8 Day Secrets of the Southern Temples: Must-See Places & Horse Riding Holiday in Egypt
Sightseeing and Horse Riding Holiday in Egypt
This season, Ride Egypt is thrilled to unveil their brand-new Ride Egypt stables in the otherworldly Bahariya Oasis, pioneering an experience for experienced riders to explore the desert like never before! This carefully curated itinerary showcases the very best of Egypt: from the iconic sights of Cairo and the wonders of Bahariya to the stunning Black and White Deserts, featuring volcanic black hills, Crystal Mountain, and famous therapeutic hot springs. They've also included the beloved Luxor and a much-requested optional extension to Aswan and the breathtaking Abu Simbel. With the support of their dedicated local teams and partners at Tzila Lodge, they’ve expanded to ensure this tour delivers an unforgettable experience in an ecological paradise.
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 220 pounds / 100 kilograms
- Tack type: English saddle. You MUST be able to ride in an English saddle to join the holidays
Highlights
- Six days with horse riding
- Admire the amazing sites in Cairo and visit the enchanting Luxor
- Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza by horseback
- Stop by Bahariya Oasis, a lush paradise
- Rides at White and Black Deserts
- 7 nights accommodation
- Full board meal plan
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
Cairo International Airport (US$ 94 per person)
Accommodation
Your accommodation is based at the following locations:
- Cairo: Pyramid Edge Hotel is located just a 5-minute walk from our stable and offers stunning panoramic views of the pyramids from its rooftop restaurant. Situated in Giza, the hotel boasts a garden, shared lounge, terrace, and bar.
- Bahariya: Tzila – an eco-friendly haven that embraces local heritage. Our partner offers this exquisite retreat and introduces you to the geographical, geological, and historical wonders of the Bahariya Oasis, all while making you feel at home in a local paradise.
- Luxor: El Gezira Garden Hotel, nestled on Luxor’s serene West Bank, is the perfect place to find tranquillity surrounded by trees and fragrant citrus fruits- ideal for unwinding after a day of riding and sightseeing.
Program
Trip information
- Board Type: All meals & water.
- Type of Ride & Paces: This is multi-centre guest house based riding holiday
- Rider levels: Confident intermediate.
- Suitable for beginners: No.
- Riding months: October to May.
- Recommended airports: Cairo for arrival & Luxor departure.
- Language: English. All guests must have a good level of spoken English.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive Cairo, and your first meeting is at dinner overlooking the magical pyramids.
Day 2: Great Pyramids of Giza by Horseback. Transfer to Bahariya Oasis
Welcome to Cairo, the ultimate destination for Egyptology and the history of the pharaohs. And what better way to begin than with a trail ride at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza? On this ride, you’ll learn about Egyptian history and meet the beautiful Arabian horses—known for their endurance and elegance, these horses are as much a part of the experience as the incredible landscapes! The ride will take approximately 2 hours.
After the ride, you will visit the mythological and legendary Sphinx, estimated to be 4,500 years old. Your Egyptology guide will share the secrets of the area with you.
You will have a chance to get back to your hotel to enjoy lunch and a shower before heading to Bahariya Oasis by road, a journey of approximately 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, settle into your cozy lodge, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner, and unwind by the campfire with local music.
The Bahariya Oasis is a lush paradise, filled with swaying date palms, vibrant fruit trees, and dozens of natural springs just waiting to be explored. Over the next couple of days, you’ll spend 4–5 hours a day riding, venturing deep into the heart of this enchanting oasis. During your exploratory rides, the team will carefully select routes that highlight the most breathtaking parts of this stunning oasis.
Ride Egypt is proud to partner with Tzila, a trusted name in Egyptian travel with whom they’ve worked for many years. Together, they combine Ride Egypt’s exceptional horses and expert guides with authentic accommodations and immersive experiences to create unforgettable adventures.
The stables are conveniently located beside the guesthouse, allowing you to bond with your horse throughout your stay. When not riding, you can unwind in the oasis’s soothing hot springs or simply take in the peaceful beauty of your surroundings. This is a place where you’ll not only deepen your connection with your horse but also immerse yourself in the magical spirit of Bahariya.
Day 3: Full Day Riding in the White Desert
Your day begins with a breathtaking safari journey through the desert, taking in stunning scenery as you make your way to the magical White Desert, where your ride will begin.
At first sight of the 300-sq-km White Desert National Park, you’ll feel like Alice stepping through the looking glass.
Nowhere else does a place shout “Yalla!” quite like the White Desert National Park. Endless hours in the saddle await as you ride through this surreal landscape, gazing at the towering chalk rock spires that rise almost supernaturally from the ground—each frost-colored formation resembling a lollipop sculpted by the wind.
Your full-day ride includes a variety of paces for both horses and riders, including thrilling gallops across the open desert.
Lunch is cooked on-site using traditional methods over a desert-style BBQ. As you ride back after lunch, the sky is set ablaze with pink and orange hues as the sun dips below the horizon, marking the perfect end to our day in the saddle. You'll conclude the evening with a well-earned dinner and a cocktail at the lodge.
Day 4: Sunrise Ride in the Black Desert with Breakfast, Museum of Golden Mummies, Hot Springs and Transfer Back to Cairo
Located on Ride Egypt's stables / guest house doorsteps lies the phenomenal Black Desert. Older than the pyramids and as sublime as any temple, Egypt’s Western Desert is a vast sweep of elemental beauty; surreal rock formations and the ripple and swell of the Great Sand Sea’s mammoth dunes are simply bewitching.
This beautiful sunrise ride covers all paces. What could be a more beautiful finish to your days here than watching the sunrise with your new four-legged friend and a hearty breakfast again in one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces?
After the morning ride, you will enjoy some majestic ancient beauty from the Tomb of Bannentiu to the Museum of the Golden Mummies. You’ll then unwind with a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs, renowned for their healing properties—so don’t forget to pack your swimwear!
After lunch at the lodge, you’ll check out and transfer back to Cairo by road.
Day 5: Last Cairo Adventures – GEM Museum
Your last Cairo adventure will take you to the newly inaugurated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, showcasing a vast collection of artifacts spanning ancient Egyptian history. Visitors can expect to see treasures such as the belongings of King Tutankhamun and other iconic artifacts that have been meticulously preserved and displayed for public viewing.
You will stop for lunch before heading to the airport for your transfer to Luxor, where you will be welcomed with dinner (afternoon program subject to change according to domestic flight times).
Note: Domestic flights are not included in this package. Please ask Ride Egypt for more information on booking your flight to Luxor.
NEW: Motor Paragliding
The 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 (06:00) or for early birds at 07:00. Let Ride Egypt know if you are interested.
Days 6 & 7: Luxor – Full Day Riding with Evening Entertainment
Welcome to Luxor and the home of Ride Egypt! The next couple of days will give you the option of full days in the saddle or a combination of sightseeing and riding.
In Luxor, you will have the chance to really get to know your Egyptian steed. The 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.
For saddle junkies, Ride Egypt offers a full saddle day, riding from 08:00 to 14:00. In the morning, you 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 doze 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. Then go to your hotel to refresh. Then the optional Luxor Temple and Luxor Museum.
For culture vultures, half-day rides with historical sightseeing are also an option. After breakfast, meet the team and horses for a tour of the stables and enjoy a 2-hour introductory ride that takes you through authentic Egypt, exploring local villages, farmlands, and the scenic Nile. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, accompanied by an Egyptologist, followed by a tour of the Valley of the Kings, and end the day with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon at sunset.
You will reconvene in the evening for a sunset cruise on the Nile. Picture yourself sailing along the river as the sun sets, enjoying a delightful dinner onboard while heading toward Karnak Temple for a captivating light and sound show.
Note: Dreaming of your own photoshoot in the stunning Sunset Mountains or the iconic Valley of the Kings in Luxor? Be sure to book your private session in advance! (extra cost)
Day 8: Luxor Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight or Morning Ride. After Lunch Departure
You will rise with the morning call to prayer today as you head out for a truly magical experience—a sunrise balloon tour by horseback (approx. 3 hours). The sight as they all take flight is simply breathtaking. 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 color and light. This is a must-do activity when visiting Luxor.
Alternatively, guests will have the option to embark on a hot air balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings (at extra charge).
You return to your hotel for a leisurely lunch and check-out at 13:00. After the farewell lunch, it is time to say goodbye unless you have booked one of Ride Egypt's fabulous extensions.
Luxor optional extras: Hot air balloon flights and photoshoots.
Riding level
The holidays are designed for ‘riders’—travelers coming from around the world to ride together. You should be confident and in control at all paces, including gallop, on well-trained, spirited horses in open spaces and in English saddles.
Location
This horse-riding holiday takes place in Egypt. Highlights of this holiday include Cairo, Bahariya Oasis, Black & White Deserts, and Luxor.
Food
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on riding holidays. Soft drinks & alcohol are payable locally. Complimentary water bottles on riding trips.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on riding holidays
- Complimentary water bottles on riding trips
- Guides
- Horses & tack including saddle bags and water for each ride
What's not included
- Insurance: Ride Egypt requests that you take out travel insurance. Ask your local insurance company or travel agent about it. You will not be allowed to participate in the trail ride without having personal travel insurance
- Flights: International and domestic flights are not included
- Ticket entries are payable locally with a debit or credit card (no cash options)
- Personal expenses
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Cairo International Airport
29 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 94 per person
Arrival by airplane
- Airport Transfers: Cairo + Luxor (70 GBP)
Please book your flight to arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Cairo Airport to or from Cairo Hotels transfer costs 70 GBP (2 hours).
If you have booked a transfer with Ride Egypt, please EXIT the airport after you have your bags. Their drivers wait outside with a sign for Ride Egypt. Do not wait inside the terminal.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 21 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.