Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The best part of this Hurghada excursion is the change of pace: you leave the resort behind, cross the desert by jeep, then ride a horse through valleys as the sun drops behind the mountains. After dark, the open sky becomes the main event. The sunset ride and the quiet stargazing give this outing more character than a simple desert drive.

I like the careful start, with a welcome drink, a safety talk, riding gear, and guides who help first-time riders. I also like the useful mix of activities: horse riding, BBQ dinner, and telescope viewing all fit into one evening. The main drawback is the rough jeep transfer. One account describes very fast driving without seatbelts in the rear, so this may not suit anyone uneasy with off-road travel.

• One-hour horse ride: Follow desert valleys and hills, with stops for photographs and rest.
• Sunset from the high ground: The ride is timed to make the most of the changing light.
• Desert oasis dinner: Eat grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Guided stargazing: Learn about star groups and view selected objects through professional telescopes.
• A lively guide team: Adam received special praise for the sky talk, while Nasser, also called Marshmallow, brings humor to the astronomy session.
• Strong value at $41: Transfers, equipment, dinner, drinks, guides, riding, and stargazing are included.

From Hurghada to the Desert Oasis

Your evening begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The exact collection time depends on where you are staying, so keep a little flexibility around the stated schedule. The group first travels to a meeting point, then switches to a jeep for about 17 kilometers of off-road driving.

That jeep ride is not just a quiet transfer. It is part of the outing, and the route can be rough and energetic. One report describes very fast driving, rear passengers without seatbelts, and a ride that felt exciting for one person but frightening for another. I would treat this as a serious practical point, not a minor footnote. If you dislike sudden movement, ask about the vehicle and seating before departure.

The transfer can also make the full outing longer than expected. One family left the hotel around 1:30 p.m. and returned at about 9 p.m. The precise timing will vary with hotel location and pickup arrangements, but this is not a quick two-hour activity. Plan on giving the excursion most of an afternoon and evening.

On arrival, you reach an oasis set inside the desert. It is the base for the horse ride, dinner, and astronomy session. You are offered Arabian tea or coffee, then the guide explains the order of events and the safety rules. This pause matters. You can ask questions, adjust to the setting, and get comfortable before mounting.

Getting Ready for the One-Hour Horse Ride

The organizers provide riding gear and explain how to handle the horse. That is helpful if, like several people on this outing, you are new to horseback riding. The guides do not simply point you toward a horse and send you off. They help fit the equipment and stay involved during the ride.

The pace and riding style depend on your ability and comfort. This is important because the group may include experienced riders and complete beginners. You should not expect a full-speed desert gallop as a standard part of the program. The guides adjust the activity to the people present.

The horses were described as happy and healthy, and the guides received praise for treating the animals well. That will matter to anyone who wants an enjoyable ride without feeling uneasy about animal care. You can also expect stops to rest and take photographs, rather than one continuous hour in the saddle.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and clothing suited to the weather. The desert sun can feel stronger than it does at your hotel, even if you have spent the day beside the Red Sea. Closed, comfortable shoes are a sensible choice, although the supplied information does not specify a footwear rule.

Riding Through Mountain-Framed Valleys

The riding route passes through desert valleys framed by mountains. This gives the outing a stronger sense of place than riding around a small fenced area near town. You see open sand and rock, changing light, and the broad silence of the desert.

The route also includes a climb toward higher ground for sunset. One account describes reaching the top of a hill to watch the sun go down, then taking a shorter route back. That arrangement makes practical sense: you get the best view at the right time, then return before the dark becomes too deep.

Photography is built into the ride. The group stops for pictures and rest, so you do not have to choose between enjoying the moment and keeping your camera ready. Keep your phone secure during the moving sections, and avoid carrying anything loose that could fall into the sand.

For first-time riders, the horse ride is likely the emotional center of the evening. You have enough time to learn the basics, settle into the saddle, and see the desert at ground level. For experienced riders, the pace may feel gentle, since safety and comfort control the speed. The value here is the setting and the sunset, not technical riding.

BBQ Dinner at the Oasis

After the ride, you return to the oasis for dinner. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. Arabian tea or coffee is served at the start, while soft drinks are included with the meal.

The food received some of the warmest praise in the feedback. Several people found it delicious, and one person called the dinner a highlight of the evening. Another described it as basic but acceptable, which is probably the fairest expectation. This is a desert BBQ included in a $41 excursion, not a restaurant tasting menu.

The setting adds much of the appeal. Eating after a ride, with the desert around you and darkness arriving, makes the meal feel more memorable than the same dishes served in a hotel dining room. It is also a useful break before the astronomy session.

One note of caution concerns extra drinks. A participant bought a smoothie and later felt unwell, though the supplied details do not establish the cause. Stick to the included food and drinks if you have a sensitive stomach, and be cautious with optional purchases.

The description calls one feature a farm-to-table lunch, but the actual schedule provided is an evening BBQ dinner. You should plan for dinner, not lunch.

Stargazing With Nasser and Adam

The final main activity is a guided look at the night sky. The guide explains star groups and points out objects visible on the night of your visit. Professional telescopes are used, with the exact targets depending on the astronomical calendar.

The desert setting helps here. Away from Hurghada’s hotel lights, the sky can appear much clearer, especially on a good night. You may see the moon, planets, or selected stars through the telescope, depending on conditions and timing. The sky talk gives the activity more purpose than simply lying back and looking upward.

Adam was singled out for making the astronomy portion special. Nasser, also known as Marshmallow, was praised for his funny explanations and ability to keep people interested. The guides speak several languages: English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. Confirm your preferred language when booking if that matters to you.

Keep your expectations realistic about telescope time. One outing had more than 45 people and two telescopes, one used for the moon and one for a particular star. With a group that size, you may need to wait your turn, and you will not have unlimited time at the eyepiece. The telescope lets you see selected objects more closely, but it is not a private astronomy lesson.

That limitation does not cancel the value of the session. The clearest reward is the naked-eye sky and the chance to understand what you are seeing. Still, if telescope viewing is your main reason for booking, ask about expected group size and the number of telescopes before paying.

How the $41 Price Holds Up

At $41 per person, this is a strong package if you want several desert activities in one evening. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the off-road transfer, a guide, riding equipment, one hour on horseback, welcome tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing.

Booking each element separately would usually involve more planning and more transport. Here, the horse ride leads naturally into sunset, dinner, and the night sky. That makes the package especially useful for a short Hurghada stay, when you want variety without spending several days arranging separate trips.

The value depends on what you enjoy. You get good value if you like an active schedule and do not mind sharing the astronomy equipment. You get less value if you want a quiet private ride, a slow meal, or a serious telescope session with plenty of individual viewing time.

The 4.8 rating from 203 reviews reflects broad satisfaction, but the details matter more than the number. The most praised points are the horse ride, the sunset, the food, the friendly guides, and the dark-sky setting. The recurring concerns are the rough jeep journey, heat, the long overall schedule, and limited telescope access in a large group.

The provider also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity. That gives you some room to adjust plans, although you should still check the final pickup time and hotel details when reserving.

Who Will Enjoy This Evening Most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, and first-time riders who want a taste of several desert activities without committing to a full multi-day safari. It also suits anyone looking for a memorable final evening in Hurghada, since the sunset, meal, and stars create a natural finish to a holiday.

First-time riders receive useful support, and separate guides may be assigned to help individual participants. One family had two guides helping different members, which made the ride feel safer and more manageable.

The tour is less suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and babies under one year old. You should also think carefully about the jeep ride if you have back problems, strong motion sensitivity, or a low tolerance for fast off-road driving.

This is not a luxury outing. The dinner is straightforward, the ride may be shared, and the telescope session can involve waiting. But the program gives you a lot for the cost, and the desert setting does much of the work.

Practical Advice Before You Go

Wear light, weather-appropriate clothing, but bring a layer for the return after dark. The desert may feel hot during the ride and cooler later in the evening.

Use sunscreen before pickup, not only after arriving. Bring sunglasses and a hat, and keep both protected during the jeep ride. A small bag with water, tissues, and a charged phone will help, though the included meal provides drinks.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. The activity location is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards.

Keep your expectations flexible. The riding speed depends on the group, the sunset depends on the day, and the telescope targets depend on the sky calendar. A clear night can make the astronomy session excellent, while cloud or a bright moon can change what you see.

Should You Book This Horse Ride?

I would book it if you want an active, good-value evening with a clear sequence: jeep ride, horse ride, sunset, dinner, and stars. The strongest parts are the mountain-framed route, careful help for new riders, the oasis meal, and the dark desert sky.

I would hesitate if a fast, rough transfer would spoil the night for you, or if you expect private telescope access. Ask about seating and group size before booking, then go with sensible clothing, an open schedule, and realistic expectations. For most people who want more than a standard resort evening, this is a well-packed Hurghada excursion at a fair price.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride take place?

The activity takes place at an oasis inside the desert in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate. The route passes through valleys framed by mountains.

How long is the horse ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour. The pace and riding style depend on your experience and comfort.

Is horseback riding suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guides explain the safety rules, provide riding gear, and help participants learn how to control the horse. The speed is adjusted to the ability of the group.

What food is included?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. Arabian tea or coffee is offered as a welcome drink, and soft drinks are included with dinner.

What happens during the stargazing session?

A guide explains star groups and uses professional telescopes to view objects available in the sky. The targets depend on the astronomical calendar.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hurghada are included. The exact collection time depends on your hotel location.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. A phone or camera is useful for the sunset and horse-riding stops.

Who should not book this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.