From Hurghada: Red Sea Sunrise and Desert Horseback Riding

The most striking part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scenery beneath you: golden desert sand gives way to the Red Sea shore, where you can watch the waves from horseback. A two-hour ride gives you enough time to settle into the saddle, cross open desert, and reach the coast without turning the day into a full expedition.

I like the thoughtful horse matching and the split by riding level. Beginners get patient instruction, while experienced riders may have a chance to gallop. I also like the choice of moods, from cool sunrise light and breakfast to a sunset ride followed by dinner and stargazing. The catch is that this is a guided ride, not a free-for-all racing session, and the ordinary two-hour options do not include swimming with the horses.

Key points at a glance

• Ride from desert to sea: Follow sandy tracks, open plains, valleys, and the Red Sea shore on the same outing.
• Choose your timing: The 5:00 AM ride includes an Oriental breakfast, while sunset brings dinner, entertainment, and stargazing.
• Suitable for several riding levels: Horses are matched to your ability, with a safety briefing and short driving test before departure.
• Swimming is a separate upgrade: Only the VIP four-hour option includes a swim stop with your horse.
• Transfers cover Hurghada resorts: Pickup time depends on your hotel, with drives ranging from about 25 minutes to nearly one hour.
• Strong value at $29: The standard price is appealing for two hours of riding, though extras and transfer choices depend on the option you select.

Why this Red Sea ride is different

Hurghada has no shortage of boat trips, quad tours, and beach outings. This one gives you a slower, more unusual way to see the area. From the saddle, you notice the quiet of the desert first, then the glitter of the water and the line of mountains beyond it.

The setting does much of the work. Desert riding can feel spacious and calm, while the seaside section supplies the memorable photographs. You are not simply circling a paddock. The route may pass across sandy plains, through valleys, and along the water’s edge, with stops for photographs.

I would not book this expecting a private horse trek through untouched wilderness. It is a guided activity with a planned route and group arrangements. That is useful for safety and for first-time riders, but it also means the pace and riding style are controlled by the guide.

Sunrise at Sahl Hasheesh: the best time for cool air

The early start is the clearest choice for comfort. The 5:00 AM option begins before the heat builds, and the first light turns the sand and mountains warm gold. You also receive the Oriental breakfast with this sunrise departure, which makes it the most complete version of the morning program.

The itinerary places the riding around Sahl Hasheesh, followed by time for sunrise and breakfast. You can expect roughly two hours on horseback, then about an hour for the sunrise and meal portion, although the full outing lasts longer once pickup and return are included.

There is a practical tradeoff: you will need to leave your hotel very early. Pickup may be scheduled 0 to 1 hour before the selected activity time, and the exact time is sent the day before. If you value sleep more than soft morning light, choose another departure.

Bring a light layer if the morning is cool or windy. Long clothing can help keep sand off your skin, and sunglasses become useful once the sun rises.

What happens before you mount

After arrival, you have a short break of about 15 minutes to rest and get ready. The team then introduces you to the horses, supplies safety instructions, and organizes riders by experience.

This is one of the most important parts of the outing. You are not expected to arrive as an expert. The guides explain how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to the horse before you set off. A short driving test is also conducted before the ride begins.

The horses are described as well-trained and suitable for different abilities. Horse matching is based on your comfort and skill, which matters more than the breed or appearance of the animal. A calm, responsive horse can make a first ride feel manageable, while a more experienced rider may want a horse that responds readily to direction.

Helmets are provided and must be worn throughout the ride. The safety equipment is available on request, but the helmet requirement is clear, so I would treat it as part of the standard kit rather than an optional extra.

Two hours from sand to Red Sea shore

The standard two-hour ride is the heart of the experience. You may travel across the desert before reaching the sea, then follow the shore while the waves break nearby. The exact balance between desert, valley, and coast can vary, but the point is the contrast between the dry interior and the water.

If you are new to riding, expect the first part to be about finding your balance and learning the horse’s rhythm. The guide stays with the group and adjusts the pace to the riders. Once you are comfortable, there may be opportunities to trot or gallop, but the outing is not designed as a race.

That distinction matters. Some people book horse riding because they want speed and freedom. Here, the guide’s job is to keep the group together and protect both people and horses. If a controlled ride with scenic stops sounds good, this setup works well. If you want a long, fast ride with little supervision, choose another activity.

The sea section is the highlight for many people. Riding beside the Red Sea gives you a photo that a standard beach visit cannot provide. The coast is also a good place to slow down, take in the water, and let the guide position the group for pictures.

Several guides have been praised for taking photos and videos, including Didi, Hassan, and Hussain. Do not assume a particular guide will lead your group, but you can expect photo help to be part of the friendly, hands-on style described for the tour.

Four ways to book the ride

The basic entry-only ticket is aimed at people who can reach the site independently. It includes the two-hour ride but not hotel transportation. This can be the simplest and best-value choice if you already have a car or a separate driver.

The two-hour ride with shared transfer includes pickup and drop-off from resort areas. It is more convenient, though your day includes collection from other hotels and a drive to the riding location. The stated travel times are about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada, and close to one hour from Soma Bay, El Gouna, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

A private transfer is available if you want a more direct trip. It costs more than the basic $29 starting price, but the extra comfort may be worthwhile if you are staying far from the activity site or prefer not to share a vehicle.

The quad and horse combo pairs one hour of quad biking with one hour on horseback. It runs only in the cooler morning hours, which makes sense in the open desert. This is the right pick if you want two different kinds of action, but it gives you less time in the saddle than the standard two-hour ride.

Sunset dinner and stargazing

The sunset option changes the feel of the outing. Instead of beginning the day with cool air and breakfast, you ride as the light softens, then stay for a freshly prepared Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing.

This option is best for people who want an evening program rather than a quick activity between beach time and dinner at the hotel. The desert becomes quieter after dark, and the combination of riding, food, a show, and the night sky gives you more than a basic horse excursion.

There is one key booking detail: the Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. Do not assume that a morning or sunset booking includes food. Sunset guests receive dinner, while the sunrise program includes breakfast.

The VIP four-hour swim stop

The VIP four-hour option adds the most unusual feature: swimming with your horse in the Red Sea. This is not part of the ordinary two-hour ride, so you need to select the four-hour VIP program if this is the reason you are booking.

A swim stop changes the practical demands of the day. Bring swimwear, a towel if advised by the operator, and clothing that can handle sand and water. Swimwear is listed among the recommended items, but personal expenses are not included, so do not expect every extra need to be covered.

This is the option for someone who sees the horse swim as the main event. If you simply want desert and seaside views, the standard ride should be enough and will keep the cost lower. Also remember that water activities require extra confidence around horses, even when a guide is present.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, the standard experience is priced well for a two-hour guided ride in two distinct settings. You receive the horse, guide, safety briefing, desert and seaside route, and photo stops. If you add shared transportation, you also avoid arranging your own way to the riding site.

The value depends on what you want included. The starting price does not automatically mean every departure has breakfast, dinner, a transfer, or swimming. The entry ticket is basic, the shared-transfer package is more convenient, the sunset package adds food and entertainment, and the VIP option adds the swim stop.

I would compare the total price of the exact option rather than judging the $29 figure alone. For a first-time rider wanting a memorable half-day outing, the standard ride offers plenty. For a couple seeking a special evening, dinner and stargazing may justify the higher package price.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 167 reviews, with repeated praise for the guides, calm horses, clear help for beginners, and photo service. That pattern is useful because it points to the parts you cannot judge from a brochure: the human support and the care shown during the ride.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would recommend this for a first-time rider who wants scenery and guidance rather than technical riding instruction. The separate groups, horse matching, and short test make the outing less intimidating, and beginners have received patient help from the guide team.

It also suits experienced riders who want a different view of Hurghada. The chance to trot or gallop, when the guide considers it safe, adds some energy, while the shore and mountain views keep the ride scenic.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms. It is also a poor fit if you dislike early starts, shared transfers, sand, or a controlled group pace.

Leave jewelry, large bags, and valuables at the hotel. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. On windy days, long clothing will protect you from blowing sand. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets, alcohol, and drugs are not permitted.

Booking details worth checking

Hotel pickup is included only when you select an option with transfer. Wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup, and make sure the phone number on your booking works with WhatsApp. The exact pickup time arrives the day before, which is especially important for the sunrise program.

The tour is offered with an English-speaking guide. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available, which helps if your Hurghada schedule may change.

The total outing is listed as three to five hours, depending on the chosen program. Add more time if you are staying in Soma Bay, El Gouna, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa, since the transfer can approach an hour each way.

Should you book this horse ride?

Book it if you want a memorable Red Sea view without spending a full day on a boat. The strongest reasons are the desert-to-coast route, the careful horse matching, and the supportive guide style. The sunrise ride is my pick for cooler temperatures and breakfast, while the sunset version is better for a full evening with dinner and stargazing.

Choose the VIP four-hour option only if swimming with your horse is central to your plans. Otherwise, the standard two-hour ride at the $29 starting price gives you the main experience with fewer extras and a simpler schedule.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The full activity lasts about three to five hours, depending on the option you choose. The standard horse ride includes two hours of riding, while the VIP option lasts four hours and includes a swim stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select an option with shared or private transfer. The entry-only ticket does not include transportation, and you must arrive independently.

How long is the transfer from Hurghada hotels?

The drive is about 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada. It takes around 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh and close to one hour from Soma Bay, El Gouna, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

Does the sunrise ride include breakfast?

Yes. The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. It is not included automatically with other morning times.

Can beginners join the horseback ride?

Yes. The activity includes a safety briefing, horse introduction, short driving test, and groups arranged by experience level. Horses are matched to the rider’s ability and comfort.

Is swimming with the horse included in the standard ride?

No. The swim stop is included only with the VIP four-hour horse ride option. The regular two-hour rides do not include swimming.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and comfortable clothing. Long clothing is useful on windy days because it helps protect you from sand.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms.