From Hurghada: Red Sea Sunrise and Desert Horseback Riding

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scene beneath you: one moment you are moving across golden desert sand, and the next you are riding beside the Red Sea. A sunrise start adds cool air, soft light, and a much better excuse for leaving your hotel before dawn than a buffet alarm.

I like the careful horse matching and the patient instruction. I also like that the ride is not limited to one dull track, with routes through desert plains, valleys, and the shore. The main consideration is the early pickup and long transfer for some hotels, especially from Soma Bay, El Gouna, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

Key points at a glance

• Sunrise changes the whole ride: The 5:00 AM option includes an Oriental breakfast, cooler air, and warm light over the sea.
• Beginners are welcome: You receive a safety briefing, a short riding test, a helmet, and a horse suited to your ability.
• The shore is the star: The route can take you from dry desert trails to the Red Sea edge, with time for photos.
• Several versions are available: Pick a simple 2-hour ride, shared transfer, quad bike combo, sunset dinner, or VIP swim stop.
• Guides help build confidence: Didi, Hussain, and Hassan have been praised for patient coaching and taking photos and videos.
• The price is unusually reasonable: At $29 per person, the standard ride offers a full morning or afternoon activity without luxury-tour pricing.

From Sahl Hasheesh desert to the Red Sea

The riding area is in or near Sahl Hasheesh, south of central Hurghada. The basic outing lasts about two hours on horseback, with the full activity taking three to five hours once transport, preparation, and optional food are included.

You begin with a drive from your hotel if you select the transfer option. The timing is not exact until the day before, and pickup may come 0 to 1 hour before your chosen start time. Keep your phone connected to WhatsApp so the operator can send the final details.

Travel time depends heavily on your resort. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, allow about 25 to 30 minutes. Hurghada takes around 40 to 45 minutes. From Soma Bay, El Gouna, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa, the journey can be close to an hour.

That matters because the 5:00 AM sunrise ride can require a very early hotel departure. If you are staying far from Sahl Hasheesh, the standard morning or afternoon schedule may be easier. Private transfers are available if you want more control and comfort.

On arrival, you get about 15 minutes to rest and prepare. This is not wasted time. It gives you a chance to use the facilities, adjust your clothing, and settle your nerves before meeting the horses.

Meeting the horses and finding your pace

The staff gives a safety briefing before the ride. Helmets and safety equipment are available, and helmets must be worn throughout the outing. You also take part in a short driving or riding test so the guides can judge your comfort level.

Groups are arranged by riding experience. Beginners are not simply placed beside advanced riders and expected to keep up. You are matched with a horse whose nature fits your skill and confidence, which is one of the strongest features of this experience.

The horses have been described as calm, healthy, and well cared for. Several named horses, including Princess, Cleopatra, and Power, have made a strong impression on returning riders. Of course, the exact horse depends on availability, but the matching process should help first-time riders feel less anxious.

The pace is guided and relaxed. This is not a racing session, even though some riders may be allowed to gallop when conditions and ability make it suitable. If you have never ridden before, expect instruction and steady support rather than a sudden sprint across the sand.

Guides including Didi, Hussain, and Hassan have been praised for being friendly, patient, and good at taking photos. That combination matters here. You need someone watching your position and the horse, not just someone pointing toward the next stop.

What the two-hour ride feels like

The route can move through open sand, lower desert valleys, and the shoreline. Each setting gives you a different view of Hurghada.

Across the desert, the ride feels spacious and quiet. The golden sand and surrounding mountains make a strong contrast with the bright resort areas. The horses give you a slower, more physical way to see the area than a quad bike, and you notice the ground, wind, and changing color more directly.

Near the Red Sea, the mood shifts. You can watch the waves from the saddle and see the water sparkle beside the dry shore. This is the most memorable section for many people, especially when the route allows a faster pace or a photo stop by the beach.

The photo stops are useful, not just decorative. Riding on a beach creates awkward angles if you are trying to photograph yourself from horseback, and guides are known for taking both posed photos and short videos. Bring your phone only if you can keep it secure. The instructions advise leaving valuables at the hotel.

Do not expect a private trail ride in complete silence. This is a guided activity, and the group format helps with safety and horse control. It can also mean waiting briefly while the group stays together.

Choosing the right departure time

The sunrise option begins around 5:00 AM and includes an Oriental breakfast. You get cooler air, pale morning light, and a quieter start before the strongest heat of the day. For photography and comfort, this is the most appealing departure.

The early hour is also the biggest drawback. You may be collected well before sunrise, particularly if your hotel is far from Sahl Hasheesh. If you dislike early starts, do not choose this option just because breakfast is included.

Morning rides are a good middle ground. The separate quad bike and horse combo runs in the cooler morning hours, with one hour on a quad and one hour on horseback. It gives you more action in a shorter program, but the horse section is half as long as the standard two-hour ride.

Afternoon rides offer softer desert light and a slower feel. They may suit you if you spent the morning at the beach or want to avoid setting an alarm while on holiday. Check the available start times because the total activity duration varies.

The sunset version combines a two-hour horse ride with an Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing. This is the most event-filled option, but it is also less focused on the riding itself. Choose it if you want an evening program as much as a horse experience.

The VIP swim stop

The four-hour VIP option includes a private ride and a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea. This is the unusual add-on that separates the premium program from the standard outing.

The swim stop is not included in the ordinary two-hour rides. You must choose the four-hour VIP option if this is the main reason you want to go. Pack swimwear, but remember that the basic tour can include several different packages, so check the exact option before booking.

A four-hour private ride will take more energy than the standard trip. It may suit confident riders who want extra time with the horses and a less shared experience. If you are a first-time rider, the two-hour version is the safer value choice unless the staff confirms that the longer program matches your ability.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, the standard experience is priced well for a two-hour guided ride that can include desert trails, seaside riding, safety equipment, and hotel transport if that option is selected. You are paying for more than a short photo session, but less than a private equestrian excursion.

The value improves if you want a simple activity without a full-day commitment. You can leave your hotel, ride through two very different settings, and return in roughly half a day. That leaves time for a pool, lunch, or another Hurghada activity.

Check the package details carefully. Shared transfer, entry-only riding, sunrise breakfast, dinner and show, quad biking, and the VIP swim stop are not all part of the same ticket. The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride.

The $29 rate should not be compared directly with the four-hour private swim option. That premium program offers a different level of time and privacy. If your priority is simply riding along the sea, the standard two-hour option is likely enough.

Practical preparation for desert riding

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Comfortable shoes are required, and sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are useful in the open desert.

On windy days, long clothing helps protect you from blowing sand. Seasonal clothing is sensible for the early morning, since the air can feel cool before the sun rises and warmer later in the ride.

Bring swimwear only if you are taking an option with a swim stop, or if you want to be prepared for a package that includes water time. Avoid jewelry, large bags, and luggage. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets, alcohol, and drugs are not permitted.

The weight limit is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. You should also treat the riding as a physical activity, even at a relaxed pace.

The operator provides an English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup is included only when selected, and you should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. The exact pickup hour arrives the day before.

What makes this ride worth considering

Many horseback programs near resort towns feel like a short loop with a photo at the end. This one has more variety because the route can include both desert and shore, and the guides make an effort to group riders by ability.

The strongest point is the support for beginners. You are introduced to the horse, given instructions, and tested before the ride begins. First-time riders have gained confidence during the session, while experienced riders may get the chance to gallop when the guide considers it safe.

The horses are another reason to take the experience seriously. Princess, Cleopatra, and Power are among the animals singled out by name, and the horses are described as calm and healthy. That does not remove the need to ride responsibly, but it suggests that the operation takes horse care seriously.

Photography is a useful extra. Guides such as Didi and Hussain have been praised for taking photos and videos while also helping riders. You should still ask about any photo charges if the staff offers a separate service, since the provided details do not state that photography is included in every package.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time riders who want a supported introduction, couples looking for a memorable Red Sea activity, and families with older children who meet the safety and weight requirements. The desert-to-sea route gives you more visual variety than a riding session confined to one paddock.

It also suits experienced riders who want a casual holiday outing rather than a serious equestrian training session. The guide controls the pace, so this is not the place for long independent gallops or technical riding.

You should think twice if you dislike early mornings, cannot sit comfortably on a horse, or want a completely private experience at the standard price. The transfer can also be tiring from distant resorts, and the normal two-hour ticket does not include swimming.

Should you book the Hurghada horseback ride?

Book it if you want an affordable half-day outing with a real change of scenery, patient help for beginners, and the chance to ride beside the Red Sea. Choose the 5:00 AM option for the best light and breakfast, the sunset package for dinner and stargazing, or the VIP four-hour program if swimming with your horse is the main goal.

Skip it if you are looking for a fast, independent riding adventure or have a medical condition that makes horseback riding unsuitable. For most able riders, especially first-timers, the standard two-hour ride offers the clearest value at $29.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The total activity lasts about three to five hours, depending on the chosen option, transfer time, and schedule. The standard horseback ride lasts two hours. The VIP program lasts four hours and includes a swim stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. Pickup details are sent the day before, and the pickup may be 0 to 1 hour before your selected start time.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. It is not included automatically with the other morning, afternoon, sunset, or entry-only options.

Can beginners join the horseback ride?

Yes. You receive a safety briefing, horse introduction, and short riding test. Groups are arranged by riding level, and horses are matched to your experience and comfort.

Does the standard ride include swimming with the horse?

No. A swim stop with your horse is included only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and swimwear if you are taking an option with a swim stop. Leave valuables, jewelry, luggage, and large bags at your hotel.