Horseback Riding & Cultural Adventure in Egypt - Alice’s Experience

Sep 12

the best of both worlds- riding arabian horses and discovering the rich culture and history of EGYPT- all in one holiday!

Alice was all about adventure and excitement when she chose a horseback riding holiday in Egypt. She recounts her amazing journey across the country, exploring beautiful landscapes and ancient monuments, combining riding with sightseeing in the land of the world’s wonders. Her story will definitely make you wish you were there!

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

Hi there ! My name is Alice, I'm 29 years old, and I've been riding horses since I was 6. I used to own a horse, and now I've been riding on a partial lease for several years. I enjoy horseback riding in all the countries I've traveled to.

Which destination did you visit for your riding holiday?

I went to Egypt in May 2022. I participated in a “complete Egypt tour” for 7 days, which included Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada.

Why did you chose this destination?

First of all, I visited Egypt as a child and I always wanted to go back and see it through adult eyes to really understand and get a grasp of the rich culture and history behind these impressive monuments.

I was also eager to go on an adventure and discover the famous local horse breed known for their beauty and speed (I love and live for adrenaline !). So Egypt was the winning destination for me, as I could combine visiting the country while horse riding!

Was this your first riding holiday?

Yes, this was my first riding holiday.

How were your days organized during the holiday?

The days started early due to the high temperatures: we would go horseback riding for several hours, sometimes with cultural visits in between.

A woman rider and a horse adorned with traditional Arabian ornaments are standing in a palm grove.

What did you think of the rides and your guides?

The English-speaking guides were extremely kind and they perfectly understood our personalities to match us with the right horses (always based on our riding levels and preferences).

As mentioned before, I love speed and adrenaline, which our guide noticed and suggested a horse that would be perfect for me. I was lucky enough to ride the iconic Aslan, the fastest horse on the ranch, also known as 'the King of Egypt.' Needless to say, I won every race we had during the trip!

What did you think of the visits and tourist activities outside of horseback riding?

Egypt is truly a magical country! I loved learning more about the culture, which I found incredible, and the landscapes are breathtaking. Of course, the highlight of the trip was horse riding in Egypt, but it definitely wouldn’t have been this incredible without the variety of landscapes! We got to see the pyramids and other monuments, fields with farmers at work, cute alleys in small villages, and finally, the Red Sea. Every day brought a change of scenery! Experience-wise, this trip really blew my mind—we saw so many things!

What advice would you give to future riders considering this retreat? (must-see visits, equipment, etc.)

Don't forget your sunscreen, but more importantly, bring treats for the horses (they loved them!). We often visited cultural sites in our riding clothes, so I recommend bringing a cap and a t-shirt to cover up from the sun (as some visits took place around noon).

Although summer hadn’t officially started when I joined this trip in May, it was already very hot, which is why we started very early every day. I wouldn’t recommend going in May to someone who is not comfortable riding and visiting in high temperatures.

I would also recommend to exchange your currency before the trip starts as we didn’t come across many places where we could get local money.

A between the ears picture allows us to see the Red Sea and the Egyptian desert, as we ride atop a chestnut horse.

What did you think of the services, rooms, meals, horse equipment, etc.?

Everything was perfectly in line with my expectations: the hotel rooms were clean, the meals were delicious and the horse equipment comfortable and well maintained. The horses are all very well cared for and well trained. I really loved getting to know this breed, they made this trip unforgettable !

Can you share a memorable moment from this vacation?

Galloping—or was it flying?!—with my horse against the backdrop of the pyramids of Egypt is definitely a memory I will never forget!