Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada

The unusual part comes quickly into focus: you get to ride an Egyptian horse across Hurghada’s desert and into the Red Sea shallows. I like the combination of desert riding and beach riding, and I like that instructors such as Ahmed and Mohammad are praised for staying close to nervous beginners. The $14 starting price also makes this an easy activity to fit into a Red Sea holiday.

The main caution is that the advertised two hours on horseback may not always feel evenly divided. Some outings spend much longer in the desert, while the sea portion can be little more than a short ride and a photo stop. You should also budget for extra cash charges and inspect the horses before setting off.

Key Points Before You Book

• Ride in two very different settings: The outing includes one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert, though the actual balance can vary.
• Beginner help is built in: A professional instructor provides coaching before the ride and assistance along the route.
• The sea entry is the star moment: Riding into the shallow water creates memorable photographs and a distinctly Hurghada experience.
• Hotel transport is included: Pickup and drop-off use an air-conditioned vehicle, though journeys from distant resort areas cost extra.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The maximum group size is 15 people, and private outings may be possible depending on the booking.
• Check horse condition carefully: Some accounts praise gentle, well-cared-for horses, while others raise serious concerns about thin horses and sores.

What the Hurghada Horse Ride Actually Includes

This is a roughly three-hour excursion from hotel pickup to return, with about two hours planned for riding. The included package covers an air-conditioned transfer, one hour on horseback near the beach, one hour in the desert, safety equipment, an instructor, water, and tea.

The phrase horse riding in the sea deserves a little explanation. You are not taking a long swim with the horse. You ride toward the shoreline and into shallow water, usually for photographs and a brief water experience. Some people describe a satisfying sea ride, while others report only 15 to 30 minutes in the water, or simply a photo stop.

That difference matters. If your main reason for booking is a long seaside ride, ask for a clear explanation of the current sea portion before you pay. If you see it as a desert ride with a memorable water photo, the trip is easier to judge fairly.

The horses are described as Egyptian horses, and the excursion presents riding as part of Egypt’s long horse culture. You do not need to be an experienced rider to join, but you do need to be comfortable sitting on a horse for an extended period and following instructions.

Meeting the Instructor and Choosing Your Horse

Before you set off, an instructor provides basic coaching and helps riders mount and handle the horses. This is important for a first ride, since the biggest challenge is often not the horse itself but learning how to sit, steer, stop, and keep your balance.

Ahmed receives especially warm praise for helping nervous riders gain confidence. Mohammad is also described as clear, friendly, and ready to assist. The guide may stay close to a beginner while more experienced riders move ahead, although the exact arrangement depends on the group.

You should tell the instructor plainly if you have never ridden, feel nervous, or do not want the horse to move quickly. Some outings include a faster hopa hopa section, while others proceed mainly at a walk. Several riders enjoyed the quicker pace, but at least one person found running a little dangerous.

A helmet is provided for every rider. You also sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury before the activity begins. That form does not remove the need for sensible judgment. If the horse looks unwell, underweight, or has visible sores, speak up before mounting and ask the instructor about another horse.

This is the most important point to balance carefully. Many people describe the horses as gentle, friendly, and well behaved. A few accounts, however, report horses that appeared thin, worn out, or poorly cared for. Those conflicting descriptions mean you should not treat the low price as a reason to ignore animal welfare.

The Desert Hour: Open Space and a Faster Pace

The desert portion gives you room away from the resort streets and beach crowds. From horseback, you can cover ground quickly and see more of Hurghada’s dry interior than you would on foot. The setting is simple and stark: sand, open distance, and the steady movement of the horse beneath you.

This section is likely to be the main riding portion of the outing. Some people report around an hour and a half in the desert, especially when the water section is short. That can be good news if you want more saddle time, but it is less satisfying if you booked specifically for an equal desert and sea split.

The pace can also vary. A calm walking ride suits families and first timers, while a controlled faster section gives experienced riders more excitement. Do not assume that every outing includes galloping. One person enjoyed galloping along the beach, while another found that the horses did not want to run.

Your comfort will change as the hour goes on. A first-time rider praised the experience but also mentioned a sore bottom, a common result of spending time in a saddle without much practice. Wear practical clothing, expect dust, and do not schedule an important activity immediately afterward if you think you may need a rest.

The desert is not presented as a historical site or a wildlife safari with guaranteed animal sightings. Its appeal is the simple pleasure of moving through open country on horseback. If you want ruins, dramatic geological formations, or a guided cultural explanation, this is not that kind of excursion.

The Beach and Red Sea Water Stop

The beach section supplies the tour’s most memorable image: horse, rider, and Red Sea water in the same frame. Guides may help take photographs, and several people appreciated being offered photos during the ride. This is a useful service because taking a phone out while mounted is not sensible, especially in water.

The water itself can be shallow and brief. Some families enjoyed taking their horses into the sea, while another account describes only a short water stop for pictures. The time depends on conditions, the group, the horses, and how the guide organizes the outing.

Treat this part as a special photo opportunity rather than a full hour-long swim. That expectation will protect you from disappointment. If you want to spend most of your time in the water, a swimming or snorkeling excursion would be a better choice.

The beach setting also creates a practical concern. One unhappy account describes walking through a commercial district, using sidewalks, and crossing busy roads before reaching the riding area. This may not happen on every departure, but it is worth asking how much of the route is on open beach or desert and how much involves streets.

That question is especially useful for families. A child may enjoy the horse but become tired or uneasy during a long walk beside traffic. The activity is described as child appropriate, yet each parent should consider the child’s age, confidence, and ability to follow instructions around horses and roads.

Safety, Comfort, and the Horse Welfare Question

The safety measures are straightforward. Helmets are supplied, a professional instructor accompanies the ride, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and pregnant women are not permitted to ride.

The instructor’s presence is the strongest safety feature. Several accounts describe guides who stayed near worried riders, explained what to do, and adjusted the experience to the rider’s ability. That support can make the difference between a pleasant first ride and an uncomfortable one.

Still, horse riding has real physical risk. A horse may start moving faster than you expect, and sitting correctly takes practice. Ask the guide to demonstrate how to stop and steer before you leave. If running is offered, accept it only if you feel ready.

Horse condition is the harder issue. Positive accounts describe horses that were gentle, friendly, and cared for. Negative accounts describe visible bones, sores, sun exposure, and a lack of water. I would look at the horse’s body condition, coat, tack, and access to water before mounting. If something seems wrong, ask for an explanation or another horse.

This is not a minor detail. The charm of riding through the sea disappears if you are uncomfortable with how the animals are treated. A low-cost excursion is worthwhile only when the basic care standard is acceptable to you.

Transfers From Hurghada Hotels and Resort Areas

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard Hurghada area. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in Egypt’s heat and makes the transfer easier after time in the saddle.

Pickup times and the total day length can vary. One private outing from Soma Bay involved about 30 minutes of transfer each way, and the full experience lasted close to two hours rather than three. That is not necessarily a problem, but it shows why you should separate the advertised approximate duration from actual time on horseback.

An extra transfer fee of €10 per person applies to pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh. This is paid in cash on the spot. A further €10 per person for governmental taxes and value added taxes is also listed as payable in cash.

That changes the value calculation. At the headline price of $14, the tour looks exceptionally cheap. Once the possible tax and transfer charges are added, the final cost is higher, particularly for two people coming from a distant resort. Confirm the total amount and currency before departure so there are no surprises.

Some riders praise the pickup and drop-off as pleasant and smooth. One person felt less relaxed because the driver was frequently texting and calling while driving. You should use your own judgment in the vehicle and raise any safety concern immediately.

Family Suitability and Group Size

The activity is described as family friendly and child appropriate. Families with two young children have taken part, and the guides were reported to be friendly and helpful. That said, a child must be able to listen carefully, sit securely, and remain calm around a large animal.

The maximum group size is 15 people. A group of that size may mean different riding abilities and different comfort levels, so the pace could be conservative. Private departures can feel better for couples or families because the guide may be able to spend more time with a nervous rider and take the group at its own pace.

A private outing is not guaranteed by the standard description, so confirm this when booking if it matters to you. The benefit is control: you can tell the guide that you prefer walking, want more time in the desert, or hope for a proper beach ride.

The experience suits adventurous beginners, casual horse lovers, families with older children, and anyone wanting a break from hotel pools and boat trips. It is less suitable for pregnant women, people with serious fear of horses, or anyone expecting polished equestrian sport.

Is $14 Good Value for This Hurghada Excursion?

At $14 per person, the package includes transport, equipment, an instructor, water, tea, and up to two hours of planned riding. Even with the extra charges, it can be good value compared with many organized Red Sea excursions.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you want an unusual photograph, a first taste of Egyptian horseback riding, and time in both desert and sea settings, the price is attractive. If you demand a precise two-hour ride split equally between beach and desert, the value becomes less certain.

I would also factor in the condition of the horses and the amount of street walking. A cheap activity that feels rushed, uncomfortable, or ethically troubling is not a bargain. Ask direct questions before you commit, especially about the sea time, horse care, total price, and transfer route.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refundable, and the cut-off follows local time.

Practical Tips for a Better Ride

• Wear long trousers and secure shoes rather than loose sandals.
• Bring only what you can safely carry. The guide may take photographs, but you should protect your phone from sand and water.
• Tell Ahmed, Mohammad, or whichever instructor is assigned about your riding experience before mounting.
• Ask how long the beach and sea portion is expected to last that day.
• Check the horse’s condition and water access before you ride.
• Expect dust, sun, and a sore bottom if you are new to riding.
• Bring water if you need more than the supplied drink.
• Carry cash for the €10 tax charge and any €10 per-person distant-area transfer charge.
• If you do not want a faster pace, say so clearly.
• If you are booking for children, confirm their ages and riding ability with the provider.

Should You Book the Horse Riding Tour?

I would book this tour if you want an inexpensive, unusual Hurghada activity and you are happy with a flexible interpretation of two hours on horseback. The strongest reasons are the chance to ride into the Red Sea, the desert setting, hotel transport, and instructors who appear able to encourage nervous beginners.

I would not book it without first confirming the final price, the expected sea time, and current horse conditions. Those details can shape the whole experience. For a confident rider who wants a long gallop, the result may feel too slow or short. For a first timer who wants patient help and memorable photographs, it could be a fine choice.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The total excursion lasts approximately three hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off. The planned riding time is two hours, with one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert, although the actual balance can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included for the standard service area.

Is there an extra transfer fee from nearby resort areas?

Yes. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional €10 per person, paid in cash on the spot.

Are taxes included in the advertised price?

No. Governmental taxes and value added taxes are listed as an additional €10 per person, payable in cash.

Can beginners and children join?

Yes. The activity is described as child appropriate, and most people can participate. An instructor provides coaching before and during the ride, including help for nervous beginners.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. A helmet and other safety equipment are included, and a professional instructor accompanies the ride. You must sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury before participating.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to ride a horse on this activity.