Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this ride is the change of scene: you start at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, cross the open desert near Sharm El Sheikh, then reach the Red Sea and take your horse into the water. Sunrise and sunset light make the beach especially striking, while the horses give you a memorable way to see it.

I like the careful horse matching and the patient instruction. Beginners can be led beside a guide, while confident riders may trot or gallop on the beach. I also like the small group limit of five, which gives guides such as Mohamed and Mahmood room to adjust the pace.

The main thing to understand is that this is not a ride through endless sand dunes. The route crosses an open area between buildings before reaching the coast, and some of your two hours are spent getting to and from the beach. Saddle rub, heat, and extra photo costs are also worth planning for.

Key points at a glance

• Horse matching for different abilities: Beginners can ride with close help, while experienced riders may get more freedom.
• A Red Sea ride, not just a beach view: You can take the horse into the water and expect wet clothes.
• Sunrise is especially memorable: Early rides offer cooler conditions and views of the sun coming up over the Sinai area.
• Small groups keep the pace personal: The maximum group size is five participants.
• Hotel pickup can simplify the morning: Transfers are available, but you must provide a WhatsApp number for the confirmed pickup time.
• Bring long trousers and sturdy shoes: Several riders found that shorts can lead to saddle rubbing, and comfortable or waterproof shoes are useful.

From Edelweiss Center to the Red Sea

Your ride begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, where you choose a horse according to your riding level. The team provides a helmet and introduces you to the horse before setting out with the guide.

This first stage matters if you are new to riding. The guides can lead your horse while you get used to the saddle, reins, and pace. Some first-time riders move from walking to trotting during the outing, while nervous riders can remain with a guide close by.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, clean, and in good condition. That does not remove every risk of riding, but it does make a difference when you are climbing onto a horse in an unfamiliar place. Staff ask about your experience and can choose a gentle horse for a child, an older rider, or someone who feels unsure.

The ride heads through what is described as the city desert of Sharm El Sheikh. Keep your expectations sensible. This is an open riding area with buildings visible at the horizon, not a remote sweep of towering dunes. Its appeal comes from the open space, the speed of the ride, and the contrast between dry ground and the sea ahead.

What the two-hour route feels like

The advertised riding time is two hours, though one rider reported a total closer to an hour and a half. Another said the full route felt like a genuine two-hour experience, including the long return to the center. Allow some flexibility rather than planning a tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The pace depends on your group and ability. Beginners may spend much of the route walking, with some instruction and perhaps a short trot. Riders with experience may be allowed to move faster when the guide feels the conditions and horses are suitable.

This is one of the tour’s strongest points. You are not simply placed on a horse and sent along in a line. The guide can stay beside a nervous rider, use a lead when needed, or give a confident rider more independence. The group size of no more than five helps make that adjustment possible.

Still, do not assume you will gallop for two hours. The ride includes slower sections, the journey to the beach, time near the water, and the return to the center. If your main goal is fast riding, tell the provider about your experience when you book.

Reaching the beach and entering the water

The route becomes more special when the sea appears. At the beach, you can ride along the shore and take the horse into the clear Red Sea water. The horse splashes through the shallows, and you should expect your lower clothes and shoes to get wet.

This is the part that sets the experience apart from a standard stable ride. You are not just stopping for a view or posing beside the horse. You can feel the water around the horse as it moves through the sea, which creates the most memorable moment of the outing.

The beach has been described as quiet and attractive, especially at sunrise. Sunset rides offer warm evening light, while morning rides may be a sensible choice if you want to avoid the strongest heat. The provider offers sunrise, morning, and sunset departures, so choose based on the light and your tolerance for an early start.

A sunrise ride may require a very early pickup. One family reported leaving around 4 a.m. for the early outing, so check the exact collection time before booking. The reward is a cooler ride and soft light over the beach, but you need to be ready for the early start.

Guides, lessons, and rider confidence

Instruction is a major part of this activity. Mohamed is repeatedly singled out as patient, caring, and good at helping first-time riders. Mahmood is also named as a helpful manager, and the wider guiding team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

English ability may vary among individual guides. The essential riding instructions can still be communicated, but do not assume every guide will hold a long conversation in English. What matters most is that the guides know how to handle the horses and adjust the ride to the group.

If you have never ridden, say so clearly at the start. You can ask to be led until you feel ready to manage the horse yourself. Several riders who began as complete beginners were taught to trot, and some were able to canter by the beach.

If you are experienced, explain your level accurately. The guide may allow you to ride with less direct help, trot, or gallop in suitable areas. That freedom depends on the horse, the rider, the ground, and the guide’s judgment. It is not a guarantee that every participant will be permitted to gallop.

The horses are described as having different personalities. Some are gentle and steady, while others are more spirited. That can be enjoyable for experienced riders, but it is another reason to let the staff know if you are nervous or have limited riding experience.

The photo option and an important money warning

A photographer may accompany the ride and take pictures on the beach. The photos can be a strong addition, particularly if you want images of yourself riding into the water or moving along the shore. Some riders considered the professional pictures worth paying for, and guides have also taken photos and video during quieter outings.

The photography is optional and costs extra. The supplied information includes different prices from different people, including a report of £25 for about 30 pictures and another report of £30. One person also reported an additional 600 Egyptian pound charge at the center.

Because the prices and currencies are not consistent, confirm the exact cost, currency, number of images, and any extra charge before the photo session begins. Do not assume the photo fee is included in the $98 tour price.

There is also a practical issue with group pace. If one part of the group mainly wants posed beach pictures and another wants to ride, the session can take time away from riding. You can ask how the photo stop will be handled before setting out.

Is $98 good value?

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Sharm El Sheikh. The value depends on what you want from it.

The price includes the instructor, helmet, and hotel pickup and drop-off when that option is selected. You get a two-hour horse-riding experience, a desert-to-beach route, and the chance to take the horse into the Red Sea. For a first-time rider wanting a single memorable outing, those elements make the cost reasonable.

The small group limit also matters. A maximum of five participants gives the guide more chance to help nervous riders and match the pace to the group. A cheaper ride with a large line of horses may not offer the same level of attention.

The value is weaker if you only want a fast gallop or a long stretch of untouched desert. The open riding area is near the city, and part of the time is spent traveling between the center and the beach. You are paying for the mix of horse riding, instruction, sea access, and the setting, not for a full day in a remote desert.

Photos are a separate expense. Include that in your budget only if you want them, and agree on the price first. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the outing, especially for a sunrise departure.

Pickup, clothing, and physical comfort

If you select the transfer option, an air-conditioned bus or coach collects you from your accommodation and returns you afterward. Provide a WhatsApp number so the local team can send the confirmed pickup time. Several riders found the communication and transport well organized, but one booking did not include transportation, so check that transfer is selected before paying.

You can also go directly to the Edelweiss Equestrian Center if you do not choose pickup. That option suits you if you have your own transport and want to avoid coordinating a collection time.

Wear comfortable clothes, long trousers, and sturdy shoes. Long trousers are especially useful because the saddle can rub bare skin. Trainers are a practical choice, and waterproof shoes are listed among the recommended items. Bring a change of clothes or a way to protect your belongings if you plan to enter the sea.

The ride uses muscles you may not often exercise. First-time riders have reported tired inner legs and glutes after two hours. That soreness is normal for many beginners, but it is worth considering if you have another demanding activity booked the same day.

The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. Pregnant women and people with back problems should not take this activity. You must bring your passport, though a copy is accepted, for security purposes.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

Sunrise: Choose this for the coolest conditions and the best chance of seeing the beach in soft early light. The tradeoff is a very early start, with some pickups taking place around 4 a.m.

Morning: This is a useful middle choice if you want daylight without the full darkness of a sunrise departure. Exact temperatures and light vary by season, so confirm the start time.

Sunset: This suits you if you prefer not to wake early and want warm light over the beach. The horses and guides still have to work in the heat during warmer months, so comfortable clothing and water matter.

The horses may enjoy the sea, but you should not treat the water section as a swim in the usual sense. You ride the horse into the water and get wet as it splashes or moves through the shallows. Follow the guide’s directions closely and keep your focus on the horse.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This is a good fit for a first-time rider who wants patient support and a strong visual setting. Families can also enjoy it, with the important condition that children and less confident riders must be matched to suitable horses and supervised by the guide.

It also works for experienced riders who want something different from an ordinary trail. You may be allowed to trot or gallop, and the beach gives you a memorable place to ride. Tell the provider your riding level so the horse and pace are suitable.

You may want to skip it if you dislike getting wet, have back problems, are pregnant, or want a silent desert ride far from buildings. You should also reconsider if a strict two-hour schedule matters, since pickup, preparation, group pace, and the return can affect the total timing.

Should you book the Edelweiss horse ride?

Book it if you want a compact, photo-friendly adventure that combines horse riding, open desert, and the Red Sea. The strongest reasons are the patient instruction, small groups, well-cared-for horses, and the chance to ride into the water rather than simply look at it.

Choose sunrise for cooler air and dramatic light, or sunset for a more relaxed start. Wear long trousers, bring a passport and sturdy shoes, and confirm the transfer and photography prices before the day.

At $98, it is best value for someone who wants a complete experience with instruction and transport, not merely a quick ride. If that sounds like your kind of morning or evening, this is one of Sharm El Sheikh’s more distinctive short excursions.

FAQ

How long does the horse-riding activity last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The actual time may vary slightly, so allow flexibility around pickup, preparation, group pace, and the return to the center.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. Guides match horses to riding ability and can lead beginners while they learn. First-time riders may progress from walking to trotting if they feel comfortable.

Can I ride the horse in the Red Sea?

Yes. The route reaches a beach where you can ride the horse into the water and get wet as the horse splashes through the sea.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when the transfer option is selected. If you do not select it, you can go directly to the Edelweiss Equestrian Center.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothes, long trousers, comfortable shoes, and waterproof shoes if possible. Bring your passport or a copy. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.