Animal Tourism: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ): lists of travel companies that do not offer animal rides at the Pyramids of Egypt

 Warning: graphic and not suitable for children

Posted by Margarita Sachkova on May 12, 2025 | Permalink

Good news for camels and horses. UK-based travel company Aero Travels has dropped cruel camel and horse rides at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt from its tours.

The decision was made just a week after we urged our supporters to contact the company to ask them to do right by horses and camels. Thank you to more than 12,000 compassionate people who emailed the company. When we speak out for the animals, we create change.

Camels and Horses Are not “Taxis”

Horses are herd animals who can feel stressed if forced to live alone and mourn each other’s deaths. Camels are known to greet one another by blowing air on each other’s faces. They don’t deserve to be abused for tourist rides.

PETA Asia’s latest investigation into the historic site documented handlers violently beating exhausted horses and camels who are used to haul tourists in the blistering heat and without shade. Injured and malnourished horses were seen eating from rubbish dumps, and the bodies of dead horses were found discarded every day at rubbish heaps outside the Giza pyramids.

Camels considered too old, sick, or injured to be useful were often hauled to a slaughterhouse, where their throats were slit while they were still conscious. One camel on video can be seen continuing to kick for agonising minutes after her throat has been cut.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Egypt or anywhere else in the world, please always stay away from camel riding and camel trekking.

17 Reasons Why Camel Rides Are Unethical and Cruel

Travel Companies Reject Animal Abuse

Aero Travels’ decisive action will stand them in good stead with compassionate tourists who only want to deal with companies that shun these shameful rides. It now joins more than 50 businesses that won’t promote or sell animal rides at the pyramids, including Marriott, Airbnb, Audley Travel, British Airways Holidays, easyJet holidays, Exodus Adventure Travels, Flash Pack, Hays Travel, Scott Dunn, and Travel Republic.

Camels Need You to Take Action

Travel operators that are still profiting from animal abuse in Egypt must immediately follow suit. Let’s secure another victory for horses and camels. Join us in calling on Stubborn Mule Travel and On The Go Tours to follow in Aero Travel’s compassionate footsteps and drop horse and camel rides from their offerings.

Take Action!

donderdag 4 december 2025

Animal welfare organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA) , has made 2 lists of travel companies that do, or refuse to offer camel and horse rides

www.peta.org

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) 

More British Travel Providers Are Saying ‘No’ to Animal Rides at the Pyramids in Egypt

Posted by Margarita Sachkova  | 

More and more travel companies are agreeing not to offer or promote animal rides at the Pyramids in Egypt. And a growing number are saying no to camel rides worldwide. Here’s how camels are abused for rides, which companies made the compassionate decision not to promote such cruelty, and what you can do to help.

What’s Wrong With Camel Rides?

PETA Asia investigations at the pyramids of Egypt reveal extreme suffering and the subsequent death of camels and horses used for tourist rides. Watch this video to see handlers routinely beating them with sticks, whips, and other weapons. ( I have removed the video too graphic )

Many animals are so emaciated that their ribs jut out through their skin, and when they collapse, they are beaten and forced to continue working. Camels often have open sores and bloody wounds, are tied up or hobbled when not being used for tourist “selfies” or rides, and are not provided with shade or water. Malnourished horses try to subsist by eating from rubbish dumps and are not provided with veterinary care – even when they have open wounds and broken legs.

At Birqash Camel Market, where camels are often sold to be used for tourist rides, the exploited animals are beaten bloody and their legs are tied so tightly with rope that they can’t even walk freely. When camels and horses are no longer able to give rides, they are dumped like rubbish or hauled to abattoirs and killed for their flesh.

These Travel Companies Do Not Offer Camel Rides at the Pyramids

These British travel operators do not offer or promote exploitative animal rides at the pyramids.

Abercrombie & Kent
Aero Travels
Affordable Luxury Travel
Airbnb
AllTrippers
Audley Travel
Booking Holdings
Contiki
Costsaver
Exodus Adventure Travels
Explore!
Families Worldwide
Flash Pack
G Adventures
Hays Travel
Insight Vacations
Marriott
Original Travel
Tauck
The Adventure People
The Natural Travel Collection
Trafalgar
Trailfinders
Travel Bag
TravelLocal
Travel Republic
Uniworld

These Travel Companies Do Not Offer Camel Rides Anywhere

Whether it’s happening in Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Gran Canaria, Australia, or anywhere else, camel treks and rides exploit camels. Leading the way in compassionate travel, these travel operators do not offer or promote exploitative rides in Egypt, or anywhere else worldwide.

American Holidays
British Airways Holidays
Citalia
Destination 2
Destination 2 Cruise
easyJet holidays
Exoticca
Expat Explore
Group Tour Shop
HF Holidays
HolidayGems
KE Adventure Travel
Newmarket Holidays
Red Savannah
Riviera Travel
Scott Dunn
Sovereign Luxury Travel
The Ultimate Travel Company
Titan Travel
TourAxis
Travcorp Holdings
We Are Travel Girls

Say ‘No’ to Camel Rides

You don’t have to wait until all travel operators stop promoting cruel activities that exploit camels, horses, and other animals. Be a responsible traveller and avoid all tourist traps that involve animals. Use this guide to learn more about the ways animals are abused for tourism

https://www.peta.org.uk/living/animal-tourism/

Horses leap through flames and pets go to church in Spanish animal rituals honoring St Anthony

SAN BARTOLOME DE PINARES, Spain (AP) — Hundreds of Spaniards watched horses gallop through towering flames, hours before pet owners in Madrid on Saturday took their dogs and cats to church to be blessed with holy water.

The contrasting Spanish traditions take place every January to honor St. Anthony the Abbott, the patron saint of domestic animals. And despite criticism from animal rights groups, the horse-and-fire spectacle draws loyal crowds ever year.

Las Luminarias is a centuries-old tradition that takes place in the Spanish village of San Bartolomé de Pinares — population 500 — about 100 kilometers (60 miles) outside Madrid. Riders guide horses through bonfires in the middle of the street in an act believed to purify the animals in the coming year.

“In the old days, it was held because it was believed that the branches and the smoke blessed the horses and donkeys, which were used for farming, as a form of healing to prevent them from getting sick and to ensure they continued working in the fields,” said attendee Antonio Patricio, 62.

Festivities started around nightfall Friday as giant stacks of tree branches are placed on the side of the street, while locals mull about sharing wine, beer and sweets. Hours later, the stacks are lit and become the menacing fires that the animals must jump through — or around.

Animal rights groups have long criticized Las Luminarias, but locals say the horses are rarely, if ever, injured.

The next morning, on St. Anthony’s Day, pet owners in some churches across Spain take their furry companions to to be spritzed with holy water. That ritual blessing is also believed to bring the animals health and protection for the year.

Pet owners waited patiently Saturday outside the entrance of St. Anthony’s church in central Madrid, where Catholic priests blessed the passing animals. Many of the dogs were wrapped in winter vests, while the cats looked a little more bewildered.

“I’m happy to be able to do it,” Madrid resident Rosa Gómez said, holding up her pointy-eared dog Kia. ”She is a little dog that was given to us six years ago by a family that couldn’t take care of her, so we adopted her, and since then she has kept us great company.”

Hours before the start of Las Luminarias, riders wrap their horses’ tails in fire-resistant tape and braid their manes. Some apply a glaze on the animals’ mane to prevent them from burning as they leap through the flames. Others beautify them, tightly braiding their manes, tying pink and red ribbons to their tails wrapped in tape, and adorning them with decorative headpieces.

Livestock and farming were common livelihoods in San Bartolomé and scores of other central Spanish villages and towns that now stand empty for much of the year. Locals say Las Luminarias started after a mysterious illness swept through the village’s animals centuries ago, after which people started to believe that smoke could purify and heal the horses.

Going to Las Luminarias means returning home in the early hours the next day with clothes and hair that reek of smoke. In Spain’s emptying countryside, locals welcome that the tradition brings family, friends and onlookers to the village for one night each year.

Update from the veterinarians in Gaza, Israel, accross the Westbank and Egypt, helping horses, mules and donkeys working in brick kilns in difficul conditions

 https://www.safehaven4donkeys.org/  More information

https://www.safehaven4donkeys.org/safe-haven-for-donkeys-blog/

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Dear Friends Thank you for everything you do for donkeys, mules and horses living in the toughest conditions. Your support means our vet teams can be there when animals are injured, exhausted or in pain, giving them care they would never otherwise receive. I’m so grateful you're able to support our small charity. Today, I’d like to share an update from Egypt that shows exactly how your kindness helps working animals recover and keep going. With very best wishes, Wendy Safe Haven UK Office   Working in a bick kiln in Egypt. Why always a whip? Dr Shaaban's update from Egypt This 11-year-old donkey works long days in the brick kilns. When we met him, he had been kicked in the head by another donkey and was in obvious discomfort. The left side of his face was badly swollen, and he was quiet, withdrawn and refusing food. You can clearly see the swelling on the side of this donkey’s face after being kicked by another donkey while working in the brick kilns. When we examined him, we could see he was dehydrated. The swelling made it painful for him to chew and move his jaw, so eating had become difficult. We carefully checked his mouth and teeth and took X-rays to make sure there were no broken bones. Thankfully, his skull was not fractured. Side view of the donkey's abscess - his cheek was clearly very swollen and painful. However, we discovered that the swelling was caused by a badly infected haematoma. This is a blood-filled swelling that had turned into a painful abscess. To ease his pain and stop the infection spreading, we carried out a small surgical procedure to drain the abscess. Dr Shaaban undertakes careful, delicate surgery to relieve the donkey's pain and prevent the infection spreading. We inserted a drain so fluid could continue to escape, and the wound was cleaned every day. He was also given antibiotics to fight the infection and medication to reduce pain and swelling. Throughout his recovery, our team kept a close eye on him. Dr Shaaban and Moharram with the donkey after his recovery. Slowly, we began to see a change. The swelling went down, his appetite returned, and his energy started to come back. With time and careful treatment, the wound healed completely. A close-up showing how well the wound has healed. This recovery was only possible because your support allows us to reach donkeys like him, right where they are working, and give them the care they urgently need. Thank you for making that possible. Thank You  Everything we do is made possible by you. Your support keeps our vet teams working in Egypt, reaching donkeys in the brick kilns, helping animals who have nowhere else to turn to. It also helps our vet teams in Gaza and across the West Bank respond when animals are injured or unwell, and ensures rescued donkeys in our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank receive the daily care they depend on. Thank you for bringing comfort and healing to these gentle animals. Donate today to help our vet teams Every donation you give helps us to care for donkeys, mules and horses in desperate need. Thank you. If you'd like to read previous updates of our work, please click here to visit out blog. You can also view today's update online by clicking here.