Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the chance to ride a horse into the Red Sea and swim beside it, not simply pose for a beach photo. I especially like the mix of desert, beach, and water, plus the patient help from guides such as Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa. It gives beginners a fair shot at enjoying the ride.

The $20 price is hard to ignore when hotel pickup, equipment, two riding sections, and refreshments are included. The main caution is that riding takes real leg and balance work, and transport timing can slip by about 10 minutes. If you want the horse-swimming session, select that option when booking.

Key points at a glance

• Horse swimming in the Red Sea: Choose the water option for about one hour swimming with your horse.
• Two very different settings: Ride for about an hour through the desert and another hour along the beach.
• Good beginner support: Guides give a safety briefing and help nervous riders, with several guests praising Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa.
• Practical equipment included: You get a helmet, chaps, saddle, guide support, coffee or tea, and water.
• Strong value at $20: Hotel pickup in Hurghada and drop-off are included, though outer resort areas cost extra.
• A physical half-day: Expect 40 to 60 minutes in the saddle at each station, so wear flexible trousers and prepare for soreness.

Why the Red Sea swim is the main attraction

Most horse rides give you a beach path, a few photographs, and a short trot. This one can go much further. If you select the swimming option, you enter the Red Sea with your horse for around an hour. That changes the outing from a standard riding lesson into something far less common.

The water section also gives you time to slow down. You are not just crossing a beach or stopping for a quick splash. The horse is part of the activity, and the guides stay nearby to help you manage the unusual feeling of riding in water.

Bring swimwear and a way to protect anything you do not want wet. The practical point is simple: choose the swimming option when you book. The standard ride does not automatically include it.

I would not choose this outing solely for a fast gallop. The swimming section is the special reason to book, while the desert and beach rides provide the setting and help you get comfortable on the horse first.

Starting at the stable after hotel pickup

The day begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel. The provider contacts you with the exact arrangements, and you should confirm the pickup time one day before the trip. The pickup window depends on your hotel location, and a delay of up to 10 minutes can occur.

Hotels in Hurghada are covered by the included transfer. Pickup from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, and Soma Bay is available for an extra €10 per person. That additional cost matters if you are staying outside central Hurghada, since it reduces the headline value a little.

At the stable, you meet your guide and horse. The orientation covers basic handling and riding safety before you set out. Helmets, saddles, and chaps are supplied, which means you do not need to arrive with specialist riding gear.

The guides are a major part of how this works for beginners. Karim is often singled out for calm reassurance, while Ameen, Keo, Sasa, Abdul, and other guides are praised for keeping groups cheerful and helping riders who feel unsure. You should still tell the guide at the start if you are nervous or have never ridden before.

The first hour through the desert

The desert section gives you the broadest views of the outing. You ride across open sand and dry ground, with the Red Sea area on one side and the spare desert setting around you. The attraction is not a long list of sights. It is the change from hotel streets and resort pools to a quieter, more open place.

The horses let you experience the area at a slower pace than a vehicle tour. You can notice the dry plants and small signs of local wildlife mentioned as part of the route, though this is not a dedicated wildlife trip. Keep your expectations realistic: you are here for the horse ride and the scenery, not for guaranteed animal sightings.

For new riders, this section is useful because it gives you time to learn the horse’s movement. Several people with little or no riding experience were helped by guides who stayed close, explained how to ride safely, and offered encouragement before faster movement. Some groups had a chance to trot or canter, but that depends on ability, confidence, and the guide’s judgment.

Do not assume that a beginner will immediately feel relaxed. Even a calm horse can make your legs work hard, especially in the first hour. Sit steadily, follow instructions, and avoid trying to copy a more experienced rider.

From sand to the Red Sea beach

The beach section brings a sharp change in mood. Instead of dry silence, you get sea air, waves, and open views across the Red Sea. Riding beside the water gives you the most scenic part of the standard tour, even if you do not choose the swim.

The horses enter the shallows during the water portion, and the guides help the group manage the transition. This is where the tour feels different from a normal stable ride. You have the beach beneath you, the water around the horse, and a guide nearby to keep the group together.

The beach is also the best place for photographs. Guides often take pictures and videos using your own phone, and some guests also mention photos made with the staff’s cameras. Confirm what is included before you rely on professional images, but do bring your phone if you want the guides to capture informal memories.

A useful clothing tip: wear breathable, flexible long trousers. They reduce rubbing against the saddle and help protect your legs. If you choose the swim, wear your swimwear underneath or bring it with you. Comfortable clothing matters more than looking polished for photographs.

What the horse-swimming option is really like

The swim option is not a quick photo stop. It is described as around one hour with the horse in the Red Sea, making it the longest and most unusual part of the day. You should be comfortable with getting wet and with the horse’s movement changing once you enter the water.

This is also where the guide’s role matters most. Ameen, Karim, Keo, Sasa, and others are praised for staying attentive and helping people who begin the activity scared. One nervous rider had someone hold the horse throughout the ride, while other first-time riders gained confidence with steady instruction.

That does not mean the activity is effortless or suitable for every person. Horse riding can be difficult if you lack experience, and the provider sets a maximum rider weight of 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. You should be honest about your ability and any concerns before mounting.

The swimming section is best for people who want a memorable, hands-on activity rather than a quiet sightseeing trip. It is less suitable if you dislike water, animals, or physical exertion. Ask for the standard beach and desert ride instead if you want the riding without the longer water session.

Horses, safety, and the feel of the stable

The condition and behavior of the horses matter more here than fancy facilities. The information provided for this outing describes the horses as calm, trained, friendly, and cared for. Some guests specifically noticed healthy horses, clean stables, and animals that were easy for beginners to handle.

You receive a helmet and chaps, and the guide gives a safety briefing before the ride. Chaps help protect your lower legs from rubbing, while the helmet is basic but important protection. You should follow the guide’s instructions about speed, spacing, and handling, especially near the water.

The horses are not decorative props. You are expected to sit, steer, and respond to instructions. That makes the activity more rewarding, but it also means you need to treat the horse with care and avoid sudden movements.

Families can take part, and several groups with children received extra help. The reviews include children as young as seven and eight being supported by the guides, but no formal minimum age is given in the supplied details. If you are booking for a child, confirm the age requirement and horse arrangements directly with the provider.

How the two-hour ride fits into your day

The included riding time is listed as one hour in the desert and one hour on the beach. At each station, you can expect to be on the horse for roughly 40 to 60 minutes. With the optional swimming session, the full outing can run to about three hours, not counting hotel transfers.

That makes this a manageable addition to a Hurghada stay. It is long enough to feel worthwhile, but not so long that you lose an entire day. You return to the stable after the ride, then take transport back to your hotel.

After riding, you can have coffee, tea, and water, with a meal freshly cooked according to the tour description. Music is also part of the post-ride atmosphere. This gives you a chance to settle down before the return drive, which is welcome after time in the saddle.

The overall pace depends on the group. A mix of beginners and experienced riders can work well, but it may also mean stops while people receive help. If you want a fast, athletic ride from start to finish, this may feel gentle. If you want time to learn and take photographs, the slower pace is useful.

What the $20 price includes

At $20 per person, the value is strong. You are getting hotel pickup and drop-off within Hurghada, a guide, two riding sections, a helmet, chaps, water, and coffee or tea. The swimming option adds the most distinctive part of the activity, but check the exact price difference when selecting your option.

The low price does not mean you should ignore the extra costs. Transfers from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, and Soma Bay cost €10 per person. Depending on your hotel, transport can therefore become a noticeable part of the final bill.

The ride also includes more than a basic walk around a paddock. You get desert scenery, a Red Sea beach, guide instruction, and the chance to trot or canter when appropriate. For someone who wants a simple horse encounter at low cost, it is a good deal.

Still, value depends on your expectations. You should not book this expecting a private lesson, a long wilderness expedition, or a guaranteed fast ride. It is a shared recreational outing with different ability levels and a strong focus on the beach and swimming experience.

Who should book this Hurghada horse ride?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want close help and a gentle introduction
• Families with older children, after confirming age requirements
• Couples looking for an unusual Red Sea activity
• Experienced riders who are happy with a guided group outing
• Anyone who wants photographs and a memorable water activity
• Visitors staying in Hurghada who want good value without using a full day

You may want to skip it if you have a back, hip, or leg problem that makes riding difficult. The provider specifically notes that horseback riding is physical, and you spend substantial time in the saddle.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike uncertain pickup timing or group activities. The driver can be delayed by about 10 minutes, and the pace will reflect the least confident riders in the group.

Practical advice before you go

Wear long, flexible trousers and comfortable clothes that can handle dust and water. Closed shoes are sensible for handling the horse and walking around the stable, though the supplied details do not set a specific footwear rule.

Bring swimwear if you select the horse-swimming option. You should also consider sun protection, since the desert and beach portions provide little shade in the information supplied.

Send your room number to the provider by email or WhatsApp if possible. That can help the driver find you, especially at a large hotel. Confirm the pickup time one day ahead rather than relying on a general departure time.

The activity is offered in English, German, and Arabic. Special offers are advertised for Tuesdays and Fridays, although one part of the tour information also mentions Sundays. Confirm the current offer and day before paying, since the promotion details are not consistent.

You can reserve and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans may change. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want the horse-swimming session, beginner-friendly help, and a low-cost way to see both desert and Red Sea shore. The strongest points are the unusual water experience, the friendly guide support, and the number of inclusions for $20.

I would choose the standard ride only if you enjoy horses and want a relaxed beach and desert outing. For everyone else, the swimming option is the part that makes this activity worth arranging. Confirm the pickup time, check the extra transfer charge if you are outside Hurghada, and wear clothes you can get wet.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, and Soma Bay are available for an extra €10 per person.

How long do I ride for?

The standard activity includes about one hour of riding in the desert and one hour on the beach. You are on the horse for roughly 40 to 60 minutes at each station.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming is included only if you select the swimming option. The water session lasts around one hour.

Do I need riding experience?

No. The guides provide an introductory safety briefing and basic riding instruction. The activity is physical, though, and can be difficult if you have never ridden before.

What is the maximum rider weight?

For the horses’ safety, riders should not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

What should I wear?

Breathable, flexible long trousers are recommended to help prevent chafing. If you select the swimming option, bring or wear swimwear.

What equipment is supplied?

A helmet and chaps are included. The tour also provides a saddle, guide support, water, and coffee or tea.

What languages are spoken?

The guides can provide the activity in English, German, and Arabic.