Fairy-tale Fayoum

9 days / 8 nights – £3,800 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation

Our journey starts in Cairo as riding Arabian stallions at the Great Pyramids of Giza is top of every horse lover’s bucket list! We then head off to Fayoum for 3 days, where we will enjoy long riding hours exploring this picturesque area, dining under the stars, and heading out on a 4 x 4 safari! Then, quickly hop back to Cairo for one last “Yalla” before flying onto Luxor and Ride Egypt’s HQ.

In Luxor, you’ll ride more beautiful, well-trained horses, fly in hot air balloons at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, and retrace the steps of Ancient Egypt with guided tours of the temples and tombs. Our accommodations are hand-picked, 5-star hotels with amazing views and private lodges for our groups and their chef. All our food is locally grown, catering to all diet requirements.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

You’ll be met by your ‘meet and greet’ host, who will help you with your bags and introduce you to your driver outside the airport terminal building. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: Rise and Shine!

Throw open those curtains! It’s truly a ‘pinch yourself moment’ as right outside your window is the most iconic landmark in Egypt, The Great Pyramids of Giza, there to welcome you on the first day of your trip of a lifetime. Next, it’s time to grab a delicious, luxury buffet breakfast before heading off on the first ride.

Having talked so much about the Great Pyramids, our first ride together could only be there! This ride is exhilarating due to the scenery, the forward-going horses, and the fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities! Ride time is approximately 2 hours.

After our ride, we will visit the mythological and legendary Sphinx, estimated to be approximately 4500 years old – our Egyptology guide will share the area's secrets with you. We stop off for some lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel to shower, relax, and check out before we leave for our road transfer to Fayoum. The drive takes around 1.5 hours—check-in at our accommodation, dinner, and overnight.

Day 3: Magic Lake Afternoon/Sunset Ride

Today, you have a free morning to walk to the pottery school, dip in the pool, or relax. This morning is all yours to do as you wish.

The Magic Lake is an obscure but beautiful lake and the destination of today’s 3-4 hour riding trip. Interestingly, it got its name because it changes its colors several times each day, depending on the time and the amount of sunlight it receives; it’s like a natural kaleidoscope.

As a riding location, it is beautiful! It is surrounded by a desert where you can race your horses and climb dunes; you’ll love how these sure-footed horses explore and enjoy the open landscapes. Relaxing trails and speedy gallops, this place has it all. Overnight at our accommodation

Day 4: Full-Day Riding to Wadi El Rayan National Park

Wadi El Rayan is one of Egypt’s most famous nature reserves, and you are in the perfect place to ride and explore its breathtaking desert and rock formations. 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.

The day is around 6 hours in the saddle with various paces and includes lunch on the way. Dinner in the desert, for this evening, there will be a choice to sleep in a private tent under the stars or return to the lodge.

Day 5: 4 x 4 Safari

Today, we are going off-road with a 4 x 4 safari to play on the dunes and visit Whale Valley, home to invaluable fossil remains of the earliest and now extinct suborder of whales. These fossils represent one of the significant stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal about 37 million years ago. This is the most critical UNESCO site in the world to demonstrate this stage of evolution. We will also visit the Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls.

The waterfalls in Wadi El Rayan are a natural phenomenon and are considered the largest waterfalls in Egypt. Wadi El Rayan is distinguished by its springs in the middle of the desert and small cascades. During the day, we will stop for lunch along the way. Sandboarding ends our adventurous day at sunset before we hit the road again and drive back to Cairo. Overnight and dinner at Mena House in Cairo.

Day 6: Last Cairo Adventures

We have a handful of options before our flight to Luxor in the afternoon:

• For saddle junkies, ride beautiful horses at our Abu Sir stable, a location loved by riders due to the vast open space, perfect for enjoying the incredible speed of Arabian horses.
• For history lovers, a guided tour of Cairo’s new museum, The New Museum of Civilisation, where you’ll have a chance to see the royal mummies up close and personal.
• For those who want to relax, enjoy the morning to yourself and some pool time and enjoy hotel hotels' luxury facilities.

Afternoon flight to Luxor. Flight time: 45 minutes (flight included in the package).

Day 7: Luxor and The Land of the Pharaohs

Due to the popularity of Luxor, we have created two experiences – those for returning guests who do not wish to sightsee again but would instead dedicate their time with us to being in the saddle and those who are new to Luxor and wish to combine both riding and sightseeing into their stay.

• Option 1: Non-riding tour of The Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Tutankhamun, followed by lunch and an introductory ride.
• Alternatively – Option 2: Full-day trail ride with lunch.

All guests will enjoy dinner and belly dancing lessons at a local restaurant in the evening.

Day 8: Land of the Pharaohs Continued

• Option 1: Non-riding tour of Karnak Temple and Luxor Museum, lunch, and a sunset trail ride to the Colossi of Memnon and the desert of Mount Thebes.
• Alternatively – Option 2: Full-day trail ride.

A short transfer to Al Moudria, a palace in the desert now a hotel, is our grand finale in accommodation—dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Hot Air Balloons & Check-Out

Sail high over the famous monuments of Luxor on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. You’ll get unmatched aerial views and photo ops as your private guide provides insightful narrative.

You will return to your hotel for breakfast around 9  a.m., having a few hours to relax and enjoy the facilities and pool before checking out at noon. Late checks out are available on request at an extra charge (payable locally).