Travel back in time to the ancient city of Thebes and the time of the Pharaohs on this enchanting riding holiday. Ride through history, relax on the banks of the Nile, and immerse yourself in the local culture and the magic of Luxor as you explore the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, temples of Luxor, Karnak, and Ramesseum, and more!

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.

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!

In Luxor, we stay on the tranquil West Bank. This is the quieter side of the Nile where fewer tourists stay. We are in the small village of Ramlah, surrounded by farmland and close to the historical sites; 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.

When camping, we spend the night in a Bedouin style tent 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 our bathroom. 

Explore local cuisine and traditional specialties throughout this itinerary. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice.

You’ve arrived at the land of the pharaohs! Pickup is at Luxor International Airport. Our driver will bring you to your accommodation to get settled in and unwind after your travels. We’ll meet you for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants where we can get acquainted over some delicious Egyptian food. 

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. 

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. 

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 the hotel 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. 

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. 

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!