Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

Your horse carries you from the open spaces behind Sharm El Sheikh to the Red Sea, where you can ride into the water and splash alongside the beach. It is the unusual part of this outing, and the sunrise and sunset departures make the two-hour route especially memorable.

I like the careful horse matching and the patient instruction from guides including Mohammed and Mahmood. I also like the small groups, limited to five riders, and the choice between hotel pickup or making your own way to Edelweiss Equestrian Center. The main drawback is that the so-called desert is not a field of rolling dunes. It is open ground between buildings, and some of the ride is spent getting to the beach.

Key points at a glance

• Red Sea water ride: Take your horse into the shallow sea and expect to get wet.
• Beginner-friendly guidance: A lead can be used at first, while confident riders may trot or canter with more freedom.
• Sunrise is special: Early departures bring cooler air, softer light, and a striking view over the Sinai mountains.
• Small groups: No more than five participants keeps instruction personal.
• Professional photos available: The photographer can capture beach and riding shots, but photos cost extra, so agree on the price first.
• Dress for the saddle: Wear long trousers, trainers or waterproof shoes, and clothes you do not mind soaking.

From Edelweiss Center to the open ground

Your ride begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, where the staff ask about your riding ability and help select a suitable horse. This matching matters. A complete beginner needs a calm mount and close support, while an experienced rider may prefer a horse with more energy.

You receive a helmet before mounting. The saddle has a strap to hold for extra security, a useful feature if you are nervous or still learning how to balance. The guides explain the basics, including how to handle the horse and how to set a comfortable pace.

The group size is capped at five, though some departures may be smaller. That gives the instructor room to keep an eye on different ability levels. Beginners may start with a guide walking beside them or with a lead rope, then ride more independently once they feel ready.

This is not a formal riding lesson lasting the full two hours. It is a guided outing with instruction along the way. If you have never ridden before, you can learn to walk and, if you gain confidence, trot. Some first-time riders have even managed a canter on the beach, but you should not expect that to be automatic or guaranteed.

What the word desert means here

The route heads through what the operator calls the city desert of Sharm El Sheikh. Set your expectations correctly. This is open ground on the edge of the city, with buildings visible on the horizon, rather than a remote Sahara scene filled with large dunes.

That does not make the ride dull. The open space gives riders room to spread out, settle into the rhythm of the horse, and, when the guide allows it, move at a faster pace. You get a different view of Sharm El Sheikh than you do from a resort pool or a snorkeling boat.

The ride toward the shore can take a good part of the outing. One practical point matters here: the advertised duration is two hours, but the actual time can vary. One rider reported roughly an hour through the open ground and another hour back, with less time at the beach than expected. Plan for a full riding session, but do not assume that all two hours will be spent splashing in the Red Sea.

Reaching the Red Sea beach

The beach is the heart of the outing. After walking or trotting along the approach, you reach the shore and ride beside the water. The beach is described as quiet and open, which helps the setting feel more special than a standard riding-school exercise.

Here, your guide may allow a faster pace if your ability and the horse make it safe. Experienced riders can enjoy a canter along the sand, while beginners can stay at a walk or continue with close help. The guides are used to adjusting the ride to the person in the saddle, rather than forcing everyone into one pace.

The shore is also where the photographer usually works. Expect posed pictures with the horse, action shots, and beach images, often with the sea and mountains behind you. The photo service is optional and is not included in the $98 price. Several riders considered the pictures worth buying, but one important warning is needed: confirm the currency and total price before the session. A complaint involved a price quoted in British pounds rather than Egyptian pounds, plus an extra charge paid locally.

If you want photos, ask clearly what you will receive and what it will cost. If you would rather ride without stopping for pictures, say so at the start. On some departures, the photography can take enough attention away from the riding that the group feels more like a photo session.

Riding your horse into the sea

The unusual promise of this trip is genuine: you can take the horse into the Red Sea. The water ride is not just a view from the shoreline. Your horse splashes through the clear water, and your clothes may get wet.

This is why waterproof footwear and sensible clothing matter. Wear long trousers instead of shorts or a dress, since the saddle can rub your legs. One rider put it bluntly: the wrong clothes can leave your skin sore. Trainers are recommended, and waterproof shoes are even better if you have them.

You should also expect some physical effort. Two hours on horseback can leave your glutes and inner thighs tired, especially if this is your first ride. That is normal for the activity, but it is worth considering before booking. The ride is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, and the maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

The horse and sea combination is best approached calmly. Follow the guide’s instructions and do not assume that a horse will behave exactly like one you have ridden elsewhere. The guides are there to control the pace, manage the group, and help if a horse becomes stubborn or nervous.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

You can choose among sunrise, morning, and sunset departures. Each has a different feel.

Sunrise is the strongest choice for atmosphere. It means a very early start, with some departures requiring a hotel pickup around 4 a.m. The reward is cooler air, softer light, and the changing sky over the Sinai mountains. The beach may be nearly empty at that hour, which gives the ride a quiet, private mood.

Sunrise also makes sense in the warmer months. You will spend less time riding under the strongest heat of the day, though you should still bring water and dress for changing temperatures.

A morning ride is a practical middle option. You avoid the very early alarm while still missing the hottest part of the day. The light remains good for photographs, and you have the rest of the day free.

Sunset offers the most dramatic colors. It is a good choice if you dislike early starts and want beach photos with warm evening light. The route and horse care remain the same, but visibility and temperature change as the sun drops.

Hotel pickup, timing, and the $98 price

The listed price is $98 per person. That is not a bargain-basement stable ride, but it can be fair value if you use the full two hours, receive personal instruction, and take advantage of the beach and sea section.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome detail after a warm ride. You need to provide a WhatsApp number so the local team can confirm the pickup time. Communication before departure has been a strong part of the service, with pickup details often sent in advance.

Transfer is not automatic in every booking choice. If you do not select it, you must reach the Edelweiss Equestrian Center yourself. One rider specifically felt let down by the lack of transportation, so check your option carefully before paying.

The two-hour duration refers to the activity, not necessarily the total time from hotel to hotel. Pickup, the drive to the center, horse selection, and changing can add time. If you have a flight, meal reservation, or another tour afterward, leave a sensible gap.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water, especially for morning or sunset departures in warm weather. You also need your passport for security purposes, although a copy is accepted.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available if you want to keep your plans open.

How the ride works for different ability levels

You do not need to be an experienced rider to book this. The strongest part of the setup is the way the guides adjust the ride.

If you are nervous, say so immediately. The guide can keep you at the back, walk beside you, use a lead, and set a slower pace. One particularly nervous beginner chose to return by car after the beach photos, which shows that staff can adapt if someone decides they have had enough riding.

If you are new but willing to learn, you may progress from walking to trotting during the session. The instruction is practical rather than classroom-based, so you learn while moving with the group.

If you already ride, tell the team honestly what you can do. The guides may give you more independence and allow a canter where conditions and confidence permit. Do not expect a long, open gallop for everyone, though. The group includes different skill levels, and safety comes first.

Children can take part, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age. The experience has worked for young riders, including a nine-year-old beginner and children aged eight and twelve, but you should confirm suitability for your own child before booking.

Horse care and the stable

The condition of the horses is one of the strongest reasons to consider this operator. The stable is described as clean, and the horses as calm, healthy, beautiful, and well looked after. The facility itself has been praised for its care, and the staff explain the horses before setting out.

That does not mean every horse has the same personality. Some are gentle and steady. Others can be spirited or stubborn, which may be enjoyable for a confident rider but unsettling for a beginner. The team’s horse matching is therefore more important than choosing a particular-looking animal.

One caution deserves attention: a rider felt that the horses seemed slightly overworked. This is a single concern among otherwise positive impressions, but it is fair to keep in mind. Watch how the horses are handled, and tell the guide if your mount seems too fast or you feel unsafe.

The guides are often praised for patience and kindness, especially Mohammed. Names can vary by departure, but the team includes Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian speakers. English communication is generally available, though not every guide speaks it fluently.

What to wear and bring

Wear long trousers. This is the simplest piece of advice, especially for a two-hour ride with a saddle and water section.

Pack:

• Comfortable clothes that can get wet
• Trainers or waterproof shoes
• A passport or copy
• Water
• Sunscreen and a hat for before or after the ride
• A change of clothes if you plan to enter the sea

Helmets are included. Food and drinks are not. You do not need to bring riding equipment beyond suitable clothing and shoes.

Do not wear anything precious or difficult to dry. The point of the beach section is to let the horse enter the water, so wet trousers and shoes are part of the deal, not a rare mishap.

Should you book the Edelweiss horse ride?

Book it if you want a memorable Red Sea activity that combines horses, open ground, and water rather than another standard resort excursion. It suits beginners who want close support, families with suitable children, confident riders seeking a beach canter, and anyone keen on sunrise or sunset photographs.

I would choose sunrise for the cooler conditions and mountain light, or sunset if the early alarm sounds painful. I would also select hotel transfer unless you already know how you will reach the center.

Think twice if you want a true dune ride, a private beach session, or two uninterrupted hours of fast riding. The route includes city-edge open ground, the beach time may feel shorter than expected, and optional photos can add a sizeable cost. For most people who accept those limits, the combination of a well-matched horse, patient instruction, and riding into the Red Sea makes the $98 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding experience?

The advertised riding time is two hours. Allow extra time for hotel pickup, travel to the center, choosing a horse, and returning to your accommodation.

Where does the ride begin?

The activity begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center in Sharm El Sheikh.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The guides teach basic riding skills, match horses to ability, and may use a lead or walk beside nervous riders. Beginners may progress from walking to trotting if they become comfortable.

Can I ride the horse into the sea?

Yes. The route reaches a Red Sea beach where you can take the horse into the water and may get your clothes wet.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. If you do not select it, you must make your own way to Edelweiss Equestrian Center.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

Is the activity suitable for children?

Children have taken part, including a nine-year-old beginner, but the supplied information does not state a minimum age. Confirm suitability for your child before booking.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

Are photos, food, and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included. Professional photography is optional and costs extra, so confirm the currency and price before agreeing to the photo session.