Horse Riding on the Beach And Desert 3 hours From Hurghada

The unusual part comes quickly: you ride from the Hurghada desert to the Red Sea, then enter the water with your horse. It is a simple but memorable way to see Egypt, with golden sand underhoof and sea water around you.

I like the low $23 price and the patient help for first-time riders. I also like that hotel pickup, a helmet, a guide, and swimming with the horses are included. The main thing to consider is the heat, since three hours in the sun can feel long, and the actual riding time has been shorter for some bookings.

Key points to know before booking

• Desert and sea in one ride: Follow sandy paths and dunes before reaching the Red Sea shore.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides can lead or hold the horses at the start, with Yasser specifically praised for helping nervous beginners.
• Swimming is included: Bring a swimsuit if you want to enter the water with your horse.
• About four hours overall: The riding portion is three hours, with transport and time at the stable making the full outing about four hours.
• Excellent price from Hurghada: At $23 per person, the package offers strong value, though nearby resorts have transfer surcharges.
• Photos need clarification: Basic photos may be taken during the ride, but professional photos or image delivery may cost extra.

From Hurghada hotel to desert stable

Your day begins with pickup from a Hurghada hotel. One ride started exactly on time and took about 25 minutes to reach the stable area toward El Gouna. That gives you a useful sense of the transfer: this is not a downtown activity, but it is close enough to fit comfortably into a half-day.

At the stable, you may wait in a covered shelter before meeting the horses and guides. The total outing lasts about four hours, but the advertised horseback portion is three hours. Allow extra time for pickup, preparation, mounting, and the return drive.

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. If you are staying at Soma Bay, El Gouna, or Safaga, the added transfer charge is €10 per person. Hotels in Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh carry a €5 per-person charge. Check your hotel area before booking, since the low headline price applies most directly to Hurghada properties.

The group can include up to 30 people. That is a fairly large maximum, so the pace and amount of individual attention may depend on the day. First-time riders should tell the guide clearly that they need help before leaving the stable.

Meeting the Egyptian horses

The horses are presented as well-bred Egyptian desert horses, valued for their grace and strong stance. The practical question is not their pedigree, but how comfortable they are for you to ride. The strongest pattern in the feedback is that the horses were gentle and easy to guide, including for beginners and children.

That matters because a beach ride is not the place to discover that you cannot control your horse. One family found that a daughter and father were able to gain confidence as the ride continued. Another first-time rider appreciated having the horse held and guided at the beginning.

Yasser is named as one of the people who helped new riders. He initially held the horses for a group that had never ridden before, then allowed them to manage the horses more independently by the time they reached the water. That gradual approach is exactly what you want from a riding excursion.

You receive a helmet, and a professional guide accompanies the outing. Trainers are also available for pre-ride instruction and help during the ride. Still, this is not described as a formal riding lesson, so you should expect basic guidance rather than a full course in posture, reins, or horse care.

The three-hour route through desert and dunes

The first part takes you through the desert outside Hurghada. You follow sandy routes, dunes, and old pathways, with the Red Sea coast as the larger setting. The appeal is the change of pace. Instead of viewing the desert through a vehicle window, you feel the horse’s movement and hear the quiet around you.

The ride is aimed at a relaxed pace rather than a technical horseback adventure. The horses are guided by experienced staff, and beginners can receive close support. If you are hoping for long stretches of fast galloping, ask about the pace before setting out. The available details emphasize calm riding, walking, and support rather than speed.

The desert can be striking, but it can also be hot and exposed. One person felt that two hours would have been enough in the heat, even while recommending the experience. That is worth taking seriously if you do not spend much time in strong sun or if you are booking during a very hot part of the year.

Wear comfortable clothing that can handle dust and sand. Closed shoes make more sense than loose sandals for mounting and riding. Bring water, sun protection, and a swimsuit if you plan to enter the sea. The supplied details do not promise refreshments, so do not assume that drinks or food are included.

Reaching the Red Sea on horseback

The ride becomes more unusual when the dunes give way to the beach. You see the open Red Sea while still on horseback, and the change from dry sand to shallow water gives the outing its main character.

Swimming with the horses is listed as included. This is the part that produces the most memorable photographs, but it is also the part that needs the clearest preparation. Wear your swimsuit under your riding clothes or bring one with you. One person could not swim because they had not brought a costume, a small oversight that changed the day’s main water activity.

The water section is not simply a beach stop while the horses wait nearby. You are offered the chance to enter the sea with the horse. That makes the experience different from a standard desert ride, but you should follow the guide’s instructions closely and be honest about your swimming comfort and riding ability.

The sea can also be the easiest point to relax. By then, first-time riders may have learned how to steer and stop, and the horse’s steady movement can make the water crossing feel calm rather than demanding. A parent riding with a child may find this section especially rewarding, although the group size means the guide’s attention may be shared.

Photos, filming, and an important extra-cost question

Photos are part of the experience, but the arrangements deserve attention. Basic photos and short videos may be taken during the ride, sometimes by staff walking beside the horses. One positive account described two boys helping with limited free photos and videos.

Professional photos are also available for an extra payment. That is normal for a photo add-on, but you should ask exactly what is included before agreeing. There was also a dispute about photos taken on a staff member’s phone and whether they would be sent without an additional payment.

To avoid an awkward conversation later, ask these questions before leaving the stable:

• Are basic photos included?
• Are the files sent to you afterward?
• What is the price for professional photos?
• Will staff film during the sea portion?
• Do you need to pay before receiving the images?

Keep your own phone protected from water and sand. If you do not want filming, say so before the ride begins. The beach and water sections are ideal for pictures, but the photography policy should be clear.

What the $23 price really gives you

At $23 per person, this is one of the stronger-value excursions around Hurghada. You get hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels, three hours of horseback riding, a professional guide, a helmet, and the chance to swim with the horses.

The value comes from combining two activities that are often sold separately: a desert horse ride and a Red Sea beach experience. You do not need to arrange your own transport to a stable, and the horse, guide, and helmet are part of the package.

The low price also means you should keep your expectations practical. This is a group excursion with a maximum of 30 people, not a private riding lesson. You may spend time waiting at the stable, and the exact riding time may not feel like a full three hours if preparation and transport are counted in the schedule.

The transfer surcharges can change the calculation. Add €10 per person from Soma Bay, El Gouna, or Safaga, or €5 per person from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh. Even then, the price may remain attractive, but compare the full amount rather than judging the base rate alone.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would choose this for a first-time rider who wants a memorable activity without paying for a full-day tour. The combination of desert and water gives you more variety than a short stable ride, while the guides can help you build confidence gradually.

It also suits families with older children who are comfortable around horses. One child was so taken with the horse that they wanted to take it home, which says something about the approachable nature of the animals. Parents should still confirm the arrangements directly if they have concerns about a child’s riding experience.

Couples and friends looking for unusual photos will find plenty to work with, especially at the shoreline. The sea section gives you images that a standard desert excursion cannot provide.

I would be more cautious if you dislike heat, have little patience for group timing, or expect a fast and highly technical ride. The experience is built around a gentle outing, not advanced horsemanship. If you are uncomfortable in the water, you can still enjoy the desert and beach ride, but swimming is one of the main reasons to book.

Timing, language, and comfort details

The experience is confirmed at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility policy. If you have mobility needs, ask the provider before paying so you know what mounting, riding, and beach access involve.

English support is indicated through the professional guide and trainers. One French-speaking participant specifically disliked the lack of a French accompanier, so do not assume that French-language guiding is available. Ask about your preferred language when booking.

The outing can be booked by mobile ticket, and group discounts are available. Since it is commonly booked around 13 days ahead, booking early makes sense if your holiday dates are fixed, especially during busy periods.

How this compares with an ordinary desert excursion

A vehicle trip into the desert gives you speed and distance. This ride gives you contact with the setting. You notice the animal’s movement, the soft sand, and the gradual approach to the shore.

A regular beach horse ride, on the other hand, may not include the desert section. Here, the route has two distinct moods: dry, open sand first, then the calm Red Sea. That change makes the three-hour schedule feel more varied.

The ride also gives you a personal connection with the horse. Staff support is important, especially at the beginning. The best use of the tour is to tell the guide what you need, rather than pretending you are more confident than you are.

The main strengths and weaknesses

The strongest points are clear:

• The desert-to-sea route is unusual and visually appealing.
• The $23 starting price is very reasonable.
• First-time riders can receive hands-on help.
• Swimming with the horses is included.
• Hotel pickup from Hurghada makes the day easy to arrange.
• The horses are repeatedly described as calm and easy to guide.

The weaknesses are just as practical:

• The heat may make three hours feel long.
• The full group may reach 30 people.
• Actual ride time may be shorter than expected on some departures.
• Professional photos cost extra, and the delivery arrangement should be confirmed.
• Language support may not cover French.
• The stable experience may not suit anyone expecting polished, luxury facilities.

The score of 4.6 from 23 ratings and a 91 percent recommendation rate fit that picture: very good value with a few details to clarify before departure.

Should you book Horse Riding on the Beach and Desert?

Book it if you want a low-cost, unusual Hurghada activity and like the idea of riding from desert sand into the Red Sea. It is particularly well suited to beginners, families, and anyone who wants memorable water photos without committing to a full-day outing.

Before you pay, confirm your hotel transfer fee, the start time, the expected riding duration, the photo rules, and the language of the guide. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, water, and suitable shoes. If you are comfortable with a warm group ride rather than a private lesson, this offers a lot for $23.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts about four hours, including transport and time at the stable. The advertised horseback riding portion lasts three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Transfers cost an additional €10 per person from Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga, and €5 per person from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Yes. Swimming with the horses is listed as part of the experience. Bring a swimsuit if you want to take part in the water activity.

Is the tour suitable for first-time riders?

Most people can participate, and trainers provide pre-ride instruction and help during the ride. Guides can hold or lead the horses at the start. Yasser is specifically named as helping first-time riders gain confidence.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.