Cairo to Luxor
Upcoming 2024 Dates:
September 2-9
September 21-28
October 1-8
October 12-19
October 27-November 3
November 16-23
December 1-8
December 22-29
Duration:
8 days / 7 nights
Difficulty:
Intermediate/Advanced
This fast-paced riding itinerary showcases the best of both Cairo and Luxor. Gallop at the Pyramids of Giza, explore ancient temples and tombs, ride in the mountains, camp in the desert, and cruise on the Nile.
Horses
Egypt is world-renowned for its Arabian horses. The horses we ride here are Egyptian “Baladi” horses, a local breed commonly found across Egypt. Baladi horses are native to Egypt and have mixed bloodlines with Arabian and European influences. They are spirited, quick, and versatile.
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 we will do our best to match horse to rider based on riding ability and personal preferences.
Riding
Intermediate-Advanced
Riders will be in English tack and should be able to ride comfortably at all paces, spending 2-6 hours in the saddle each day.
Accompanying non-riders are welcome!
Accommodation
Accommodations will vary as we move locations during this itinerary. Several different accommodations are used depending on time of year, but all are equipped with modern comforts and amenities, Wi-Fi, swimming pool, TV, etc.
In Cairo, stay close to the pyramids at a boutique hotel in the heart of Giza, guaranteed to have a once-in-a-lifetime view!
In Luxor, stay on the tranquil West Bank in the small village of Ramlah, surrounded by farms and close to historical sites. 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.
Spend one night camping in a Bedouin-style tent in the desert alongside the horses. The tent is equipped with mats, sleeping bags, pillows, and camel hair blankets. Individual pop-up tents are also available. Water is provided for washing up and the desert is the bathroom. Delicious, freshly cooked meals are prepared over an open fire.
Dining
Explore local cuisine and traditional specialties throughout this itinerary. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice.
Itinerary
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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!
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Kick off your adventures with an exciting ride at the Pyramids of Giza! You’ll quickly fall in love with Egyptian horses as you traverse the desert around one of the ancient wonders of the world. The open space is perfect for galloping and an exhilarating race across the sand. The ride ends at the base of the Great Pyramid, where you will meet up with your tour guide to further explore the pyramids complex and the sphinx on foot. 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.
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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 Muhammed 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If you have the time, tack up for a casual morning ride. 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!
Trip Extensions
Luxor
If you want to visit more sights in Luxor that were not part of your tour, or you need an extra night in Luxor due to your return flight and want to ride one more time on your last day, this option is for you! Add an extra half-day ride or add a full day of sightseeing.
2 days/1 night
Hurghada
Finish your holiday at the Red Sea, where you can enjoy beach riding and swimming with horses or go snorkeling with dolphins.
3 days/2 nights
Aswan & Abu Simbel
Experience more ancient history and culture in one of the most scenic and laid-back parts of Egypt - Abu Simbel is simply a must-see!
3 days/2 nights
Planning and Packing
Rider Resources:
Stories from the Saddle:
Dates
Book Now
Price Includes:
7 nights accommodations
Airport transfers to/from Cairo & Luxor Airports
Ground transportation between locations and activities
All meals
Drinking water
Cultural tours and entrance to activities in itinerary
5 riding days + local guide
1 night camping + equipment
Does not include:
Airfare to and from Egypt
Transfer flight from Cairo to Luxor
Travel Insurance
Egypt entry
Gratuities and personal expenses
Additional excursions or activities not included in itinerary
Soft and alcoholic drinks