Hurghada: Desert and Sea Horseback Riding Tour with Transfer

Riding an Egyptian horse from Hurghada’s desert into the Red Sea is the main event here. You begin at a working stable, learn the basics, cross open desert with the sea and mountains in view, then enter the water with your horse. It is a striking change from the usual boat-and-beach day.

I like the patient instruction for beginners and the way horses are matched to riding ability. I also like the hotel-to-stable transfers, which remove the hassle of finding a remote stable. The main caution is that the sea portion can be short, partly focused on photos, or affected by beach restrictions, so do not book this expecting a long swim.

Key points at a glance

• Ride from desert to sea: The route combines open desert riding with a rare chance to take your horse into the Red Sea.
• Good for first-time riders: Instructors explain steering, stopping, and basic control before you set off, then stay close during the ride.
• Experienced riders get more freedom: Some guides allow suitable riders to trot or canter when conditions and ability permit.
• Friendly, photo-minded guides: Ahmed, Mohamed, Saeed, Mustafa, and others are praised for taking photos and videos during the outing.
• Transfers are included from Hurghada: Pickup and drop-off use an air-conditioned vehicle, with surcharges from several resort areas.
• Strong value at $50: Two hours of riding, equipment, instruction, refreshments, and transfers make this a fairly priced short excursion.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

The outing begins with pickup at your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer is part of the appeal. The stable is not necessarily obvious from the main road, so having a driver take you there saves time and removes the uncertainty of local transport.

Pickup times are selectable when you book, subject to availability. That matters in Hurghada, where you may want to fit this ride around a beach morning, a snorkelling trip, or an evening meal. The stated duration is two hours, though the exact riding time can vary. One account describes roughly one to one and a half hours in the saddle, with the rest used for preparation, stops, photos, and time at the stable.

The transfer service has earned praise for punctuality and friendly drivers. Hamsa, Hanni, and Ahmed are among the drivers named by visitors, and some drivers have stopped for drinks or let riders choose music during the trip. Those are small touches, but they make a short excursion feel more personal.

Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels. If you stay in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Soma Bay, add $15 per person. Safaga pickup costs an extra $20 per person. Check your hotel area carefully before booking, since that extra charge changes the final value.

Meeting the horses at the stable

At the stable, you meet your horse and the riding team. This is more than a quick mount-and-go operation. You may see other horses, foals, and additional animals on the property before or after the ride. Several guides take pride in caring for the horses, and the horses are repeatedly described as calm, well-trained, and in good condition.

That matters because the quality of the horse can make or break a first riding experience. A nervous beginner needs a steady animal and a guide who pays attention. An experienced rider needs a horse that can respond to clearer direction. The team makes an effort to pair riders with horses suited to their ability, including mixed groups where one person rides regularly and another has never been on a horse.

The stable is also where you receive a helmet and begin the safety briefing. Water, coffee, and tea are included. Some guides also offer drinks during the outing, though I would still bring your own bottle, especially in the hot months. One useful detail from the experience is that bottled water is not always automatically offered at the stable, even though water is listed as included.

The safety briefing and first steps in the saddle

Before leaving, your instructor explains how to sit, hold the reins, steer, slow down, and stop. You also learn how to direct the horse safely and effectively. This is not a formal riding course, but it gives a complete beginner enough basic information to start with confidence.

The instructors are especially attentive to nervous riders. Mustafa, Saeed, Ahmed Elsayaad, Ahmed, Mohamed, and other guides are praised for calm support and patient explanations. The language of instruction is Arabic or English, so English-speaking riders should be able to follow the essentials.

I would tell you to be honest about your ability at the start. Say clearly if you have never ridden, feel nervous, or want to move faster. The horses are described as easy to ride, but the ride is still more enjoyable when the guide knows what you need.

Families can also consider this activity. A seven-year-old rider was made to feel safe on their own horse, while a more experienced adult was able to ride at a different pace with a guide. That does not guarantee every child will be accepted or every group will be handled in the same way, so confirm age and riding arrangements before booking.

Across the Hurghada desert

Once you leave the stable, the ride passes through open desert with mountain scenery and the Red Sea in the distance. This is the quieter half of the outing. You get the sound of hooves, the dry air, and a broad view rather than a developed resort setting.

The desert section is best for riders who want movement and scenery rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. Guides may stop for pictures, and many use your phone to capture photos and short videos. You should clarify at the beginning if you want plenty of pictures or prefer to keep riding.

Experienced riders may be allowed to trot or canter. Several accounts describe guides encouraging suitable riders to go faster, while beginners were kept at a slower pace. Do not assume that a fast ride is guaranteed. The pace depends on your ability, the horse, the group, and the guide’s judgment.

Mixed ability groups can work well here, but they can also affect the rhythm. A beginner may walk behind with an instructor while an experienced rider moves ahead. That arrangement lets everyone enjoy the outing, though it may mean you spend some time apart from your companion.

The desert can be harsh in the middle of the day. You will want closed shoes, long trousers, sunscreen, sunglasses, and clothing you do not mind getting dusty. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, but practical riding clothes are a sensible choice.

Entering the Red Sea on horseback

The sea crossing is the unusual part of the experience. After riding through the desert, you reach a designated beach area and take the horse into the water. For many riders, this is the moment that justifies the excursion. The contrast is memorable: desert underfoot, then cool seawater around the horse’s legs.

Some outings allow you to swim with the horse. That experience can be spectacular, but you should treat it as an opportunity rather than a firm promise. Sea access has sometimes been restricted, and one ride did not reach the beach because of local limits. The owner offered a different experience with a camel and other animals instead, but that is not the same as the advertised sea ride.

The length of the beach stop can also vary. Some people find it long enough for a swim and a generous set of photos. Others find the sea section brief or mainly arranged as a photo stop. The schedule may split the desert and sea portions rather than combining them into one continuous ride, so ask your guide how the day will run.

If you do enter the water, follow the instructor’s directions. Horses may be calm, but you still need to stay balanced and avoid sudden movements. The guide will be close by, helping with positioning and photos. Bring a change of clothes if you plan to get wet, and protect your phone unless the guide is taking pictures with it.

The water itself is the visual reward. The Red Sea’s clear blue tones, the horses, and the desert behind you create the kind of scene that is difficult to reproduce on an ordinary beach visit. Just keep your expectations realistic: this is a guided ride with a short water section, not an extended horse-swimming expedition.

The guide makes the difference

The horses matter, but the guide shapes the whole outing. The strongest staff members do three jobs at once: they teach riding, manage the horses, and keep the group relaxed.

Ahmed Elsayaad is particularly suited to riders who want to learn. He explains riding and horse care, stays patient with beginners, and brings a clear enthusiasm for the animals. Saeed and Mustafa are also noted for helping first-time riders settle in. Mohamed is praised for his humour, assistance in the water, and willingness to take photos.

Communication can be informal and may involve simple English, gestures, and demonstrations. That has not stopped the guides from helping mixed groups enjoy the ride, but you should not expect a long technical lesson in equestrian terms.

The photography is a real bonus. Guides commonly use your phone to take pictures and videos in the desert and at the sea, and several people report receiving them without a separate photo charge. It is still polite to offer a tip if someone spends much of the ride photographing you. More important, check that your phone is secure before handing it over.

What the $50 price includes

At $50 per person, this is good value if you want a short activity with several elements built in. The price covers:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle from Hurghada
• Two hours of horseback riding in the desert and sea
• A helmet
• English or Arabic instruction
• Water, coffee, and tea

You are paying not only for saddle time but also for the transfer, horse selection, safety briefing, guide, and access to the stable. Compared with arranging transport and a riding session separately, the package is simple and fairly priced.

The value drops slightly if your hotel requires the $15 or $20 transfer supplement, especially if the sea portion is restricted or short. Still, even riders who did not reach the beach found alternative stable activities and personal attention. The key is to book for a desert ride with a possible sea entry, not to treat the sea swim as a guaranteed fixed-length part of the package.

The free cancellation period is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Hurghada plans are still shifting, though you should confirm the precise pickup time and hotel surcharge before finalizing.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want close instruction and a calm horse
• Couples looking for unusual photos and a shared activity
• Families with children who meet the provider’s age requirements
• Riders of mixed ability who want guides to manage different paces
• Experienced riders who would like the possibility of trotting or cantering
• Anyone who wants a desert excursion without committing to a full-day trip

I would be more cautious if you want a long, athletic ride, a guaranteed swim, or a strictly continuous route. The pace is guided, the sea stop may be brief, and local restrictions can change the plan.

The activity is also less suitable for someone uncomfortable around horses or unable to sit securely in a saddle. The available details do not set out a full medical or mobility policy, so ask the operator directly if that affects your decision.

Final verdict: a strong short excursion with one important caveat

Book this tour if you want the chance to ride a well-cared-for Egyptian horse through desert scenery and into the Red Sea, with friendly instruction and transport handled for you. The patient guides, calm horses, useful photos, and strong beginner support give the experience real value at $50.

Just confirm the sea arrangements on the day. The water ride may be the highlight, but it can be short or restricted. If you are happy with that uncertainty, this is one of Hurghada’s more memorable two-hour outings. If a guaranteed swim is your main goal, ask specific questions before paying.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The exact time in the saddle can vary, and some outings include preparation, stops, photos, and time at the stable.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is provided from your Hurghada hotel, followed by transport to the stable.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is pickup available from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Soma Bay?

Yes, but these areas require an additional $15 per person.

Is pickup available from Safaga?

Yes. Safaga pickup requires an additional $20 per person.

Can a complete beginner join?

Yes. The instructor provides a safety briefing and explains basic riding and horse control before the group leaves. Guides stay with riders during the outing.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A helmet is included.

Can experienced riders trot or canter?

Some experienced riders have been allowed to trot or canter. The pace depends on your ability, the horse, the group, and the instructor’s judgment.

Will I definitely swim with the horse?

No. The tour offers the chance to ride into the Red Sea, and some outings include swimming, but beach restrictions or scheduling can affect the sea portion.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak Arabic and English.

Are drinks included?

Water, coffee, and tea are included. You may also receive drinks during the outing, but bringing your own bottle is sensible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.