Short answer: yes. As of September 2026 you can still ride a horse at the Pyramids of Giza. What changed this year is how the plateau works, not whether you can ride. If you saw headlines about a "ban" and wondered whether to cancel your plans, this page explains what happened and how to book a ride that is safe, fair and good for the horses.
What the headlines said
In June 2026 several outlets reported that Egypt would phase out camel and horse rides around the Pyramids of Giza and replace them with electric buses, after years of criticism about how some working animals were treated (IOL). The story spread fast, and many travelers read it as "no more horses at the Pyramids."
What actually changed on the ground
The plateau was reorganized around visitors on foot and on electric shuttles. Travel guides updated in 2026 describe the same picture (Catching Auroras, Pyramids Land):
- A new main entrance on the Fayoum Highway, on the south side of the plateau, with a visitor center.
- No private cars or tour buses on the plateau itself.
- Free electric shuttle buses that loop between the main stops (the panorama point, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Sphinx), included in your ticket.
- Animal handlers moved to designated areas, away from the paths where visitors used to be approached at every step.
- Cashless ticket booths: bring a credit or debit card.
Rides were not banned. They are regulated, and the free-for-all at the gates is gone. More development of the plateau is planned, and we will update this page if anything changes for riders.
What this means if you want to ride
The change is good news for anyone who wanted a real ride rather than a ten-minute photo on a tired animal:
- You no longer need a horse or camel to get around. The shuttle covers transport, so a ride becomes what it should be: an experience you choose.
- Choose a stable, not a street offer. Book with an established stable that shows its prices online, tells you what's included and lets you see the horses.
- Expect desert routes with pyramid views. The classic rides start from the stables in the villages at the edge of the plateau and head into the open desert, where the views of the pyramids are wide and the crowds are gone.
How to recognize a well-kept horse
Welfare was the reason for the headlines, so it's worth knowing what to look for. Before you get on:
- The horse's ribs and hip bones should not stick out. A healthy horse looks rounded, with a shiny coat.
- There should be shade and water where the horses wait, not just a spot in the sun.
- Look at the corners of the mouth and under the saddle: no sores or raw patches.
- The horse should move evenly, without limping, and have well-trimmed hooves.
- A good guide will ask about your experience and match you with a horse, not put everyone on the first one available.
If something feels wrong, walk away. There are good stables at Giza, and your booking is how they win over the bad ones.
How a ride with iRide Egypt works
Our rides start at the iRideEgypt Stud in Kafr El Gabal, at the edge of the Giza plateau. We match every rider with a horse that suits their experience, from first-timers to confident riders, and a local guide rides with you the whole way.
- The Great Pyramids Ride heads into the desert for wide views of the Giza pyramids. You can add the plateau entrance fee, an upgrade to an Arabian horse, and professional photos or video when you book.
- The Saqqara Ride goes south through the quieter desert toward the pyramids of Abu Sir and Saqqara, home of the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
- Hotel pick-up can be added to either ride; we confirm the price on WhatsApp.
You reserve online with a 50% deposit, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before your ride.
Quick answers
Is horse riding at the Pyramids banned in 2026?
No. The plateau was reorganized and animal handlers were moved to designated areas, but riding continues. Book with a stable rather than accepting offers on the street.
Do I need riding experience?
No. First-timers are welcome: your guide matches you with a calm horse and stays with you.
Do I need a Giza plateau ticket to ride?
Only for routes that enter the ticketed archaeological area. On the Great Pyramids Ride you can add the entrance fee when you book.
Can I still visit the pyramids without riding?
Of course. The free electric shuttle now makes it easy to see the main sights on foot and by bus. A ride adds the view you can't get from the shuttle: the pyramids from the open desert.
Planning your ride? Read when to ride at the Pyramids, what a fair price looks like and how to spend a perfect day in Giza.
