Egypt - Desert and Beach Ride

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from AH of London on 19/02/2025

SAMPLE ITINERARY -
Day 1
Arrive at Hurghada Airport to meet the hosts and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
Free morning to relax around the pool. After lunch, a car will collect riders to meet the hosts and horses at the stables. Introductory 2hr sunset ride in the desert

Day 3
A full day ride into the desert through breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a typical Bedouin lunch and a camel ride before riding back to the stables (approx. 5hrs riding).

Day 4
Enjoy a full day trip on a boat, with 2 stops for snorkeling, 1 hr stop on the beach and enjoy lunch on board the boat (snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drink, coffee and tea included).

Day 5
Start the day with a beach ride with the possibility of a swim with the horses (weather permitting). Afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure.

Day 6
Final sunrise desert ride, back to the hotel in time for the last relaxing day.

Day 7
Departure Day. Checkout from hotel & transfer to Hurghada International Airport.

Non Rider Options
6-nights accommodation, full board, airport transfers a full day boat trip. ''Adventure' includes the main package plus a Private Jeep deep desert ride where you will join your riding partner for a Bedouin lunch and camel ride.
"Bike Extreme" includes the 'Relax' package plus a biking adventure in the desert on Enduro Bikes (suitable for experienced bikers). Includes 2 ½ to 3 hours riding (depending on experience), and covers about 100km in the desert, crossing all terrains from soft sand to rocks. 2 drink breaks included. Safety equipment is provided. This program will be taken on the riders full ride day.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - GHOST CITY RIDE

Day 1
Arrive in Hurghada Airport where the hosts will meet riders and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
Free morning to relax around the pool. After lunch, a car will collect riders to meet the hosts and horses at the stables. Introductory 2hr sunset ride in the desert.

Day 3
A full day ride into the desert through breath-taking scenery. Enjoy a typical Bedouin lunch and a camel ride before riding back to the stables (approx. 5hrs riding).

Day 4
Enjoy a full day trip to the dolphin house and a chance to snorkel, and if lucky enough, swim with dolphins. Lunch on board (snorkelling equipment, lunch, soft drink, coffee and tea included)\

Day 5
Riders will be collected from the hotel in the late morning and transferred to the starting point of today's ride to the natural water spring in the heart of mountains. Ride through valleys and sand canyons on& the way to Ghost City and the panoramic views of the whole city. Explore the Ghost City's historical mosque, houses, schools, shops, hospital, the British engineer's house and phosphate mines. Back to the camp for a dinner under the stars. Transfer back to the hotel at around 19:00hr.

Day 6
Today there is a morning beach ride with the possibility of swimming with the horses (weather permitting). After the ride transfer back to the hotel for the last relaxing day

Day 7
Departure Day. Checkout from hotel & transfer to Hurghada International Airport.

Please note this itinerary is for maximum of 4 riders.

Non-riders and other activities:
Non-riding companions have a host of activities to choose from, like diving, snorkelling and parasailing to beach volleyball, fishing and bike tours. The programme also offers camel riding and includes a full day boat trip to Mahmya, where one can snorkel or dive, as well as take a tour of the city.
Novices and Non-Riders may enjoy the 8-Day / 7-Night "Know-Being" Programme in September. Accommodation is aboard the yacht 'Iceberg' in cabins that can accommodate up to 3 pax, moored at the Hurghada marina. Spend 2 days with the horses and 3 days cruising the Red Sea, snorkling and scuba diving - or just relaxing in the sun.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

Experience the thrill of riding "Baladi", the fantastic Egyptian cross Arab horses that combine warm blood with a more resistant body. The horses range in size from 145cm to 160cm. They are docile and patient with beginners, but always ready to gallop with more experienced riders! Up to three/five hours per day are spent on horseback and the riding takes place either at sunrise or sunset in order to avoid the hottest part of the day.

The guides are European and speak English. The tack used is English style. Riding helmets are compulsory and can be borrowed if required. Years of experience and passion for horses has helped our hosts to become the biggest operators in the Red Sea. The stable is managed in European style, paying special attention to safety. This is one of the reasons why all the activities, from lessons to excursions, are custom-made to suit the clients needs.

Riders must be confident and secure at all paces and have experience of riding out. The horses are lively and forward going and some are of a young age. Riders should be comfortable both sitting and standing at all paces (rising in trot). Horses will be groomed and tacked up but riders are welcome to groom and tack up if they wish.
Riding helmets are compulsory, we recommend you bring your own but there are some on site to borrow although these may not be of the same standard.
Children from 12 years old are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Guests stay in a 5-star hotel (inclusive full board - local alcohol included)

Old Palace Resort (or similar) - located in the exclusive Sahl Hasheesh district and a short 20 minute drive to the city. Tucked behind high Red Desert mountains, the Resort is within walking distance from the Old Town and is located on the 12km promenade connecting the various beach areas along a seemingly endless stretch of white sand. The resort offers spacious rooms with a balconies overlooking the pool, gardens or Red Sea. The rooms have a satellite TV, safety deposit box and minibar. Some rooms have a separate lounge.

The main restaurant serves International Cuisine. There are also two a la carte restaurants serving Italian and Brazilian Cuisine, plus 24 hours room service. Enjoy a drink in one of the 4 bars or the night club.

The Old Palace Resort has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub and boasts a kids club, a health club and a water sports centre.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. When visiting Egypt your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive. You can get a visa before you travel from the official Visa2Egypt portal or your nearest Egyptian consulate. A tourist visa granted using the e-visa system is valid for a maximum of 3 months. You will need a paper copy, and the e-visa must be obtained a minimum of 7 days before arrival and a maximum of 2 months in advance. It is advisable to get a visa before you travel, particularly if travelling for work or business. If you wish to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters. The visa fee is US$25, payable in US dollars as the preferred currency, although you may also be able to pay in pounds sterling or Euros. Visas granted on arrival are valid for a maximum of 30 days. There’s no need to buy a visa from an agent. In many cases agents will charge more than US$25 for a visa. If you’re harassed by an agent, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

In Hurghada, the climate is subtropical desert, with mild winters and hot summers. The average temperature ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) in January and February to 31 °C (88 °F) in July and August. Precipitation is very low, and amounts to a few millimetres per year: in practice it never rains. In winter, the temperatures are very mild, and the sky is usually clear. The rains are very rare also in this season. Every now and then, a bit of cold air can comes in the area, lowering the night temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), from December to February and more rarely in March. Spring is pleasantly warm at the beginning, ie in March, it becomes hot in April, when it's similar to the Mediterranean summer, while by May the heat is intense. Summer, from mid-May to September, is very hot, with high temperatures and the sun always shining. It's true that this season is windy enough, and the air is usually dry, especially on hotter days, but the heat is felt, and sometimes the temperature exceeds 40 °C (104 °F), with peaks of 45 °C (113 °F). Autumn, in October and November, is warm and sunny; sometimes in early October the heat is still intense, then the temperature decreases gradually. In Hurghada, clear skies are the norm, so the sun shines all year round. However, at times the sun can be obscured by sandstorms, while cloud banks can sometimes pass over the area between November and February.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Tap water is NOT considered safe to drink, bottled water is widely available and reasonably priced. Bilharzia and water-borne parasites are rife in the canals and under no circumstances should guests bathe or swim in the canals or rivers.

Travellers should come prepared for heat particularly from April to October. High Factor sunscreen should be worn at all times and rehydration salts should taken and taken daily as a precaution.

Medical facilities around Cairo are good. Outside Cairo they can be basic and in case of emergency you are advised to travel to Cairo. You should ensure that your medical insurance covers the cost of local hospitalisation and medical repatriation to your country of residence.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Egypt and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

The heat may be a problem for guests in the summer especially and every effort should be taken to avoid sunstroke. Rehydration salts should be taken if required and more water than usual consumed, even if you don't feel thirsty. Try to ensure a good volume of urine is produced at least 4X daily and that it is a light colour (not concentrated). This is a far better measure of hydration status than thirst.

In Egypt the supply voltage is 220V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 220V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

As this is a hotel-based ride, electricity is readily available for charging equipment such as cameras and mobile phones. Some UK phones do not work in Egypt, please check with your network supplier for coverage, local sims can often be purchased at the airport if your phone does not work, speak with your guide if you need help with this.
To call Egypt from the UK you should dial 00 + 20 + area code + number. To ring the UK from Egypt, you should dial 00 44 before omitting the first 0 of the area code. WiFi is available in the public areas of the hotel (lounge and pool side).

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384. (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- T-shirts and Long-sleeved Shirts
- Fleece - Although the weather is generally very warm, the evenings can be a bit cooler
- Casual Clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Raincoat - although it rains very rarely it may be a good idea to pack a lightweight waterproof
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear
- Beach Towel
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take inset repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera and Spare Batteries/Charger - It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding.

Provided by hosts
Helmets are available at the stables if you do not have your own but may not be to the same standard.

Ride & Relax / Ghost Itinerary: 7d / 6n / 4 riding days. Either program available on request all year round with any day arrival.

Either program can be booked on request if no others are booked.
2025: Ride & Relax: 19-25 Jan; 16-22 (Full) Feb; 1-7 March*; 12-18 Apr (*New Date)
2025: Ghost City Ride: 2-8 Feb; 15-21 Mar; 29 Mar-5 Apr

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The Amelia Peabody Mysteries by Elizabeth Peters. 

The Complete Pyramids by Dr Mark Lehner 

Tombs, Temples and Hieroglyphics by Barbara Mertz

Ancient Egypt and Nubia — Fully Explained: A New History of the Nile Valley Civilizations of Kemet and Kush by Adam Muksawa

The Egyptian Alternative: In Search of the Identity of the Egyptian Arabian Bloodlines by Philippe ParaskevasFor the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Egypt is 90% muslim (mostly Sunni) and 9% Coptic.The type of Islam practised is far more moderate than in the gulf states and very accepting of other religions. There is no requirement for women to cover up or wear the veil. Having said that it is a conservative society and both women and men should dress modestly, keeping upper arms and legs covered. We recommend loose fitting T-shirts with short sleeves (to just above the elbow), no low cut necklines or shorts, trousers and skirts ending below the knee. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may be frowned upon in other areas. Drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed. Apart from visits to "must see" tourist sights much of the itinerary is off the beaten track. This means you will be welcomed and treated as an honoured guests by most villagers you encounter and be far safer than the average tourist. The Muslim religion commands its followers to honour and protect visitors and this is taken seriously in the countryside where hospitality is without strings. At mass tourism sights you will often be besieged by guides asking you to visit a shop, and consider souvenirs to buy. Most guides make their money, not from their job as a guide, but from the commissions they earn when you buy something. Should you not wish to buy anything it is worth explaining to your guide that he will receive a good tip but it will be in inverse proportion to how much you are hasseled to buy things. In any event decline politely. The dialling code is +20. The time difference is GMT +2 The crime rate in Egypt is low and mostly consists of petty theft/pickpocketing in crowded areas. You should safeguard valuables including your passport and money. You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times. A copy of your passport is sufficient.