A_SNOW_2010

We had the WORST experience ever. My son and I visited the pyramids in Giza on our 2nd say in Egypt and we wanted to return and we wanted to see more of the pyramids on our 4th day in Egypt. During our first visit, we saw several people on horseback and camels thought that it would be a fun way to spend more time among the ancient sites. We booked the tour on-line, paid $162 US, and received an itinerary (copied below) that promised a wonderful experience. I had not rode a horse in years but the tour company said "our horses are very highly trained so NO EXPERIENCE is required." It was TERRIBLE and absolutely the WORST experience we had in Egypt. A tour guide picked us up in our hotel at 4:30 AM, drove us to a stable in Giza and, although the tour company promised "An English speaking escort throughout the trip" we were left us with a horse handler that spoke little English. After mounting unruly horses, we were transferred onto another set of horses and started into the dessert. The horses walked, wouldn't or couldn't cantor and would only gallop in spurts when the horse handler whipped them from behind. We passed several horse carcasses discarded on the sand dunes on our left and the Giza pyramids on our right, which were barely visible due to the smog. We rode to a nearby hilltop where tea and water were offered while we waited for the sun to rise. After the sun rose, the horse handler told us that the Dashsure and Sakkarra pyramids were an 8-hr and 4-hr round trip ride. We had booked a 3-4 hr ride but it was clear that we'd have to run the horses for the majority of the time to visit one of these sites. We asked to visit the Giza pyramids and were told they did not open until 8 AM. So, we rode in the dessert but farther into the dessert and away from the Giza pyramids. At about 8 AM, we asked to return. We had to wait in a room adjacent to the stable for 40 min. for the guide to return and have the driver bring us to our hotel. About 10 min before we arrived at the hotel, the guide stopped to buy us bottled water and soda. The tour guide bought himself and the driver a snack to eat but offered us nothing even though the confirmation stated we would have "refreshments including sandwiches." The Itinerary we received via email was fiction. The experience left exhausted and disappointed. This is the Itinerary we received via email: "Memphis Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza to enjoy a horse tour for 03-04 hours in the desert among the secrets of 7,000 years. We give you the opportunity to experience Egypt in a way very few people get the chance to, on horse back. Our tour starts from what can be considered an oasis in the desert near the pyramid of Sakkara, from the minute you exit into the desert you will be greeted with a panoramic view of the great pyramids of Giza, the step pyramid of Sakkara and the ruins of abu sir all at the same time. During your tour, you will see panoramic view of Giza Pyramids, Step Pyramids of King Zoser at Sakkarra, Bent Pyramid at Dashsure. All the horses are of the highest standard and ride with the grace and posture only true Egyptian horses of the desert do, our horses are very highly trained so NO EXPERIENCE is required, whether you are looking for a slow walk in which to take in the amazing scenery or you wish to gallop through the desert we have horses to suit all sizes and ability levels, back to your hotel.