Day 4 – Kom Ombo, Sobek Crocodile Museum, Transfer to Luxor (Non-Riding Day)

Rise and shine for a delicious breakfast on our sailing boat before our departure to Luxor, stopping off along the way, first at the Temple of Kom Ombo which stands on the Nile between Aswan and Edfu. The Kom Ombo Temple, as it is more commonly known, is a unique double temple shared by Sobek and Horus, each having its own gateways and chapels. Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon-headed god, are the two primary gods so the temple was also known as the ‘House of the Crocodile’ (Sobek) and the ‘Castle of the Falcon’ (Horus).

We will aim to arrive in a Luxor for an early dinner at our charming Egyptian guesthouse close to the River Nile where you’ll eat some of the best food in Luxor and experience the best service and hospitality.

Day 5 – Habu Temple Ride & Karnak Temple

Rise and shine for an 7am departure, it’s time for another tick off the bucket list for many visitors to Luxor – a visit to Medinet Habu Temple!

Leaving the stables around 7.30am, it takes us about 2 hours to ride up to Habu Temple, passing through local villages and sugar cane fields. On arrival, we dismount and tether the horses outside in the shade before heading inside this magnificent complex to explore and learn more about its history. Built as a mortuary temple for Ramses III (1186-1155 BC), one of the great pharaohs of ancient Egypt, Habu Temple was built on land that was considered to have magical powers by local farmers long before his time. Ramses often lived in the adjacent palace but other deities resided at Medinet Habu permanently. During the Libyan invasions of the late Twentieth Dynasty, Medinet Habu sheltered the entire popular of Thebes.

We will have a light brunch after our visit, around 11am, before riding back in time to change for our afternoon adventures and our non-riding tour to the East Bank of Luxor, starting with the incredible Karnak Temple. Karnak is the largest religious complex on the planet. Forget all you have come to expect in regard to scale and space and be astonished by the Temples of Amun-Ra and his divine wife, Mut, and their son, Khonsu.

We will be on hand to show you through the labyrinth and explain the purpose, meaning and history of the amazing ruins of Karnak. Many visitors walk right past one of the treasures of Karnak – its Open Air Museum.

We will introduce you to some of the architectural wonders which have been re-erected in all their glory in this museum. Enter the Great Hypostyle Hall built by Seti I, father of Ramesses the Great – over 6000 sqm, 134 columns. The 12 which flank the processional way are 23m tall – words, facts and figures can never do justice to the experience that is Karnak. After Karnak we will visit Luxor Temple, largely built by the New Kingdom pharaohs Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BC) and Ramses II (1279–1213 BC). This temple is a strikingly graceful monument in the heart of the modern town. Also known as the Southern Sanctuary, its main function was during the annual Opet celebrations when the statues of Amun, Mut and Khonsu were brought from Karnak, along the Avenue of Sphinxes, and reunited here during the inundation.

Our finale ends with a tour of Luxor Museum – this wonderful museum has a well-chosen and brilliantly displayed and explained collection of antiquities dating from the end of the Old Kingdom right through to the Mamluk period, mostly gathered from the Theban temples and necropolis.

This is one of the most rewarding sights in Luxor and one of the best museums in Egypt. Riding time approx. 4-5 hours.

Day 6 – The ULTIMATE trail ride through the land of the Pharaohs

Your first full day with our horses – prepare to fall in love with both Arabian and Baladi (local breed) horses who are famed for their beauty and endurance. These wonderful breeds are chosen for their ability to form a cooperative relationship with humans and they are good-natured, quick to learn and willing to please. Longer trails encourage you to experience our horses and country life.

You will see farmers working their fields just as their ancestors did. Mid-morning you can prepare to be amazed as our sure-footed horses will take you behind the Valley of the Kings and to the top of Mount Thebes so you can see panoramic views of Luxor.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and our trail home will take us past The Colossi of Memnon (Arabic: el-Colossat or es-Salamat) which are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII. They have stood in the Theban Necropolis for the past 3,400 years (since 1350 BC)! This is a wonderful opportunity for photos together with the horses. This ride is approx. 6 hours end to end. You will have a couple of hours left of the day to enjoy a well-deserved rest by the pool and we highly recommend one of the fabulous massages available too.

Day 7 – Valley of the Kings and Sunset Camel Safari

After yet another delicious breakfast cooked by our friends at Nile House, we will begin to retrace the steps of the pharaohs though the West Bank of Luxor starting with a tour of the Valley of the Kings where you will be able to visit at least four open tombs including that of Tutankhamun – the ‘boy king’.

We will return to the guest house for lunch and a couple of hours off before experiencing Egypt by camel! Our camel safari takes you through the villages and along the Nile – the birds eye view also makes a fantastic setting for photos of real Egypt up close and personal, not to mention how beautiful the ride is at sunset along the river.

This is our last evening in this region and we will finish our Luxor adventures with a belly dancing show and an Egyptian BBQ dinner and music. Riding time 2-3 hours.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS ON REQUEST:

• Guided tour and shopping at the souk markets (no charge)
• Sunrise Balloon tour $150
• Private Boat Dinner on the Nile (price on request)
• Massage service at Nile House from £35pp