Hurghada: Desert and Sea Horseback Riding Tour with Transfer

Riding an Egyptian horse from the dry Hurghada desert into the Red Sea is the memorable part here. I like the careful matching of horses to riding ability and the instructors who stay close to beginners. I also like the hotel pickup, helmet, drinks, and return ride bundled into the $50 price.

The main thing to understand is that the sea portion may not always work exactly as planned. Local beach restrictions have stopped some rides from reaching the water, and one outing treated the sea stop more as a photo session than a long swim. Ask about sea access before you set out.

Key points at a glance

• Desert to sea in one outing: Ride across Hurghada’s dry terrain, then take your horse into the Red Sea when conditions allow.
• Good for first-time riders: Instructors such as Ahmed, Mohamed, Mostafa, Saeed, and Mustafa have helped nervous beginners get comfortable.
• Horses matched to your ability: Experienced riders may get chances to trot or canter, while beginners receive closer support.
• Hotel pickup is included: Air-conditioned transport takes you from your Hurghada hotel to the stable and back.
• Photos are part of the experience: Guides often take pictures and videos with your phone, with no required photo charge mentioned.
• Extra transfer fees apply: Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Soma Bay costs $15 per person, and Safaga costs $20.

From your hotel to a Hurghada stable

The outing begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The ride is arranged as a direct transfer, which saves you from finding a stable on the edge of town or sorting out a taxi before breakfast.

Drivers have been praised for being on time, friendly, and helpful. Hamsa, Hanni, and Ahmed are among the drivers named by people who had especially smooth transfers. One driver even stopped for soft drinks, while another let the passengers choose the music. Those extras are not guaranteed, but they show the relaxed, personal tone this operation aims for.

The stable is described as being off the main road and easy to miss without transport. That is one reason the included pickup matters. You are not simply paying for two hours on a horse. You are also paying for the ride to a working stable, help getting settled, and transport back to your hotel.

If you stay in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Soma Bay, add $15 per person for pickup. Safaga pickup costs an additional $20 per person. The standard $50 price applies to pickup in Hurghada, so check your hotel area carefully before booking.

Meeting the horses and choosing the right mount

At the stable, you are introduced to your horse and may have time to see the other animals. The property includes Arabic horses, young foals, and, according to several accounts, horses that appear well cared for and in good shape.

That matters more here than it might on a short pony ride. You will spend time crossing open desert and entering salt water, so a calm, responsive horse makes the experience much easier. The stable team selects horses according to your ability. Beginners are not simply placed on the same type of horse as confident riders.

The staff also appear to care strongly about the animals. People describe the horses as friendly, calm, and well treated, and several mention the team’s affection for them. One stable owner also looks after stray dogs, while the property may include other animals such as camels and a chameleon. These details are not the main reason to book, but they add warmth to the stop.

You should still remember that horses are living animals, not automatic beach equipment. Your ride depends on your ability, your horse’s temperament, the guide’s judgment, and local conditions. A confident rider may be allowed to move faster, while a first-time rider may spend much of the trip at a walk.

The safety briefing before the ride

Before setting off, your guide explains how to sit, hold the reins, direct the horse, and stop safely. A helmet is included. The guide also stays with the group during the ride, rather than leaving beginners to work things out alone.

This is a strong point for first-time riders. Several people who had never ridden before felt comfortable after the introduction, and nervous riders received patient help from instructors including Saeed, Mustafa, Mostafa, and Ahmed. Guides have also adjusted the plan when one person in a group had experience and another did not.

You should tell the instructor honestly how much riding you have done. Do not claim to be experienced just to get a faster horse. The best experience comes when the guide knows if you need a quiet mount, extra help mounting, or a slower pace.

The tour is offered in Arabic and English. Communication is not always perfect, but English-speaking guides have helped explain riding instructions and stayed nearby during the outing. If you are nervous, say so at the stable. This is the right moment to ask for a calm horse and close support.

Crossing the desert with the Red Sea ahead

Once everyone is ready, the ride moves through Hurghada’s desert setting. The views combine pale sand, distant mountains, and the blue Red Sea. This is not a long expedition into empty wilderness. It is a short riding trip near the coast, but the contrast between the dry ground and the water gives it a special sense of place.

The desert section is where experienced riders may get the most freedom. Some guides have allowed suitable riders to trot or canter, while keeping less experienced riders at a walk. That difference is useful for mixed groups. You can enjoy a more active ride without forcing a beginner to keep up.

Guides often stop for pictures during this part. They may use your phone to take photographs and videos, including shots of you on horseback with the mountains or sea behind you. This is a practical benefit because handling a phone while riding is awkward, especially for a beginner.

Bring water with you anyway. Water is included, but one person specifically found that it was not always offered as clearly as the tea or coffee. Desert heat can build quickly, even during a short ride. Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet later, and use sun protection. The supplied information does not specify changing rooms or storage, so ask the stable where to leave valuables.

Entering the Red Sea on horseback

The sea ride is the tour’s big draw. At the designated beach area, you may guide your horse into the water and, when conditions allow, ride or swim with it. For many people, this is the moment that makes the outing feel different from a standard desert horseback ride.

The horses are described as calm in the water, and guides remain close while riders enter the sea. You may have time for photographs and videos in the shallows. Some outings include an actual swim with the horses, while others spend a shorter time at the water for pictures.

That variation deserves attention. One person found the sea part too focused on photography, and another said the beach stay felt short. A separate outing could not reach the beach because of restrictions, although the stable owner offered a camel ride and a look at the other animals instead.

The best approach is to treat the sea ride as weather and access dependent, not as an absolute promise of a long swim. Ask the operator about current beach access and how the two-hour period is divided. If swimming with a horse is your only reason for booking, this question is essential.

When sea access works, the experience can be wonderful. The horse’s movement slows, the water reaches the animal’s legs, and the bright coastal setting makes a striking contrast with the desert. It is a memorable photo opportunity, but the ride is still guided and controlled. Do not expect a long free swim or an unsupervised gallop through deep water.

What the guides add to the experience

The people running the ride are a major part of its appeal. Names that come up often include Ahmed Elsayaad, Ahmed, Mohamed, Mostafa, Saeed, Mustafa, Demiana, Zaglol, and Hamsa. Staff roles can overlap, with one person acting as instructor, riding guide, photographer, and translator.

Ahmed Elsayaad is described as teaching riders about horses as well as giving riding instructions. Mohamed is praised for putting people at ease and taking pictures. Saeed helped first-time riders feel safe, while Mustafa was patient with someone riding for the first time.

The style is informal and personal. Guides may stop for drinks, help with pictures, explain the horses, and check how you are doing during the trip. Some people were even invited to see the young horses and other animals after the ride.

You should not assume every named guide will be working on your date. Staff assignments change. Still, the overall pattern is clear: this is not presented as a silent, self-guided ride. You receive direct instruction and company from the stable team throughout.

Timing, pace, and what two hours really means

The advertised duration is two hours, including the desert and sea riding. The exact balance can vary. Some accounts describe roughly an hour through the desert before reaching the water, while another estimates the riding itself at about one to one and a half hours, with transport and stable time around it.

Departure times are selectable, subject to availability. That makes the activity easy to fit around a beach day, dinner, or another Hurghada excursion. A morning departure may feel easier in hot weather, while another time may suit your sightseeing plans. Confirm the available start time before booking because the listing does not provide a fixed daily schedule.

The group may include mixed abilities. Guides can separate the pace, allowing a confident rider to move faster with one guide while a beginner stays at a walk with another. This is helpful for couples, families, and friends who do not ride at the same level.

Parents should note that a seven-year-old child has ridden a horse independently with close help. That does not guarantee suitability for every child. Ask the operator about the child’s age, confidence, and the current riding setup before booking.

Is $50 good value?

At $50 per person, the price is fair for a two-hour desert and sea outing with hotel transfers. The cost includes riding, a helmet, an air-conditioned pickup and drop-off, water, and coffee or tea. You also get the instructor and the stable experience, not just access to a horse.

The free photographs and videos add value. Guides have taken many pictures for visitors using their own phones, and no required photo fee is described. Still, you should consider leaving a tip if a guide spends time taking pictures, helping you ride, or giving extra assistance.

The value drops if the sea section is shortened or unavailable, especially if your main goal is swimming with a horse. In that case, the desert ride, instruction, stable visit, and transfer still have value, but the central image of horse and sea may not happen.

For a couple, family, or solo rider who wants a compact activity with simple transport, the price compares well. For a serious rider looking for a long, technical ride, this is probably too short and too guided.

What to wear and bring

Wear comfortable trousers and closed shoes that will stay secure while riding. Since the water portion can get you wet, bring a change of clothes and a towel if you hope to enter the sea. The supplied details do not confirm changing facilities, so keep your packing simple and ask where wet items can go.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses with a secure fit, and your own bottle of water. Water is included, but having it in your hand before the ride avoids confusion. A phone with enough battery is useful because guides may take pictures and videos for you.

Do not bring anything you cannot afford to get sandy or wet. You will be handling reins, moving around a horse, and possibly entering salt water. The helmet is provided, but the details do not state that riding boots, towels, or lockers are included.

Who should book this Hurghada horse ride?

This suits first-time riders who want patient help rather than a demanding lesson. It also works well for couples, families, and small groups with mixed ability. A confident rider can sometimes trot or canter, while a beginner receives a slower, more closely supervised ride.

It is also a good choice for a solo visitor. The transfer and guide support make the outing straightforward, and one solo rider specifically felt safe during the experience.

You may want a different activity if you need a long beach stay, a guaranteed swim, or advanced riding instruction. The sea section can change with restrictions, and the schedule may divide time between the desert, beach, photographs, and the stable.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada schedule is still moving around.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a short, unusual Hurghada activity with a friendly stable, direct hotel transport, and an honest chance to ride into the Red Sea. The strongest reasons are the patient instructors, horses matched to ability, and the mix of desert scenery and coastal water.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup area, the available departure time, and whether sea access is currently permitted. If the water portion is confirmed, $50 is good value. If access is uncertain, book only if you would still enjoy a desert ride and a visit to a caring local stable on their own.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The riding may be divided between the Hurghada desert and the Red Sea, with the exact balance depending on the day’s plan and sea access.

What is included in the price?

The $50 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, two hours of horseback riding, a helmet, water, and coffee or tea.

Is hotel pickup included from every Hurghada-area resort?

Standard pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Soma Bay costs an extra $15 per person. Pickup from Safaga costs an extra $20 per person.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The guide gives a safety and riding briefing before departure, and the horses are matched to each rider’s ability. Beginners may receive a slower pace and closer help.

Can experienced riders trot or canter?

Experienced riders may be allowed to trot or canter when the guide considers it suitable. The pace depends on your ability, your horse, and the guide’s judgment.

Will I definitely ride the horse into the Red Sea?

Sea access can vary because of local restrictions. Some outings reach the water and include riding or swimming with the horses, while others have had a shorter beach visit or could not reach the beach.

Are photographs included?

Guides commonly take photographs and videos using your phone during the ride. The activity information does not list a separate photo charge.

What languages are spoken by the instructor?

The instructor service is offered in Arabic and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately.