Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The unusual part comes first: you can ride from Hurghada’s desert to the Red Sea and, with the right option, swim beside your horse for about an hour. I like the contrast between dry desert sand and cool seawater, and I like that guides such as Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa work closely with first-time riders.

The price is another strong point at $20 per person, especially with hotel pickup, riding gear, and refreshments included. The main thing to consider is physical effort. You remain on horseback at each station for roughly 40 to 60 minutes, and riders over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, cannot join for the horses’ safety.

Quick reasons to consider this ride

• Desert, beach, and sea in one outing: The route changes from open desert to Red Sea shore, giving you three very different settings.
• Swimming is a real part of the ride: Choose the swim option if you want to enter the water with your horse for around one hour.
• Good support for beginners: The guides provide a safety briefing, explain basic riding, and often stay close to nervous riders.
• Well-equipped horses and riders: Helmets, saddles, and chaps are supplied, while the horses are described as calm, healthy, and well cared for.
• Simple all-in pricing: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, tea or coffee, water, and guide service are included at a low price.
• A useful family option: Children and first-time riders have received close help, but riding is still active work and requires comfort around horses.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel in Hurghada. The provider arranges the exact time according to your location, so confirm it one day before departure. A delay of up to 10 minutes can occur, which is worth allowing for if you have another appointment later.

Pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. If you are staying in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Safaga, or Soma Bay, transport is available for an extra €10 per person. Send your room number by email or WhatsApp if possible, since that helps the driver find you.

The ride to the stable is part of the practical convenience here. You do not need to arrange a taxi or find the meeting point yourself. One less small problem is useful in Hurghada, especially if you are booking this as a half-day activity around beach time or a hotel meal.

The exact total duration can vary because each riding section lasts about 40 to 60 minutes. The supplied schedule describes about three hours of riding and activity before your return to the hotel, but pickup, preparation, and transfers add to the day.

Meeting your horse and learning the basics

At the stable, you meet the guide and are introduced to your horse. Before setting out, the guide gives a short safety briefing and helps you get comfortable with the saddle and controls.

This part matters more than it may sound. If you have never ridden, you need simple instructions and a calm start, not a rushed climb into the saddle. The guides are used to helping people with different levels of confidence. Several named guides, including Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa, are repeatedly praised for reassurance and hands-on help.

The activity includes a helmet and chaps. Comfortable saddles are also part of the setup, according to the tour details. Wear breathable, flexible long trousers to reduce chafing, and bring swimwear if you have selected the sea swim. You will be sitting and balancing for a long stretch, so practical clothing matters more than looking stylish.

The horses are a key part of the appeal. Specific horses named in the feedback include Shakira and Boyka, while other riders singled out Keo, Kio, and different horses for being calm and easy to handle. The available information describes the animals as healthy, trained, friendly, and well cared for. That does not remove all risk, but it should help you feel more settled before the ride begins.

One hour across the Hurghada desert

The first main section heads into the desert. You ride across open sand and see the spare plant life and natural features of the area. This is not a sightseeing route packed with monuments. Its attraction is the quiet, wide setting and the feeling of moving through open country on horseback.

The desert section gives you time to get used to the horse. The guide can help you with posture, steering, and pace, and some riders are taught to trot or run when the group and conditions allow. Do not assume you will gallop freely. The pace depends on your ability, the horse, the guide’s judgment, and the safety of the whole group.

That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. Experienced riders can enjoy a livelier pace, while beginners can remain at a slower one. The guides have helped nervous riders and first-timers feel secure, sometimes walking close or holding the horse when extra support is needed.

I would not book this expecting a long, independent riding lesson. The orientation is brief, and the route is the main event. If you have never been on a horse, expect to spend part of the first section learning balance and basic control. That is normal, but it can make the time feel more demanding than a simple beach stroll.

The desert is also where you may notice the physical side of horseback riding. Your legs, back, and balance are working even when the horse is walking. Stay aware of how you feel and tell the guide if you need help. One family member who became unwell during a ride was offered assistance and an alternative way to return, which shows why speaking up early is sensible.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The route then reaches the beach, where the experience changes pace. You ride beside the Red Sea with the breeze and waves close by. The open shore provides the strongest visual contrast of the day: golden or pale sand under the horse’s hooves, bright water beside you, and the desert behind.

This section is especially good for photographs. Guides have taken pictures and videos on participants’ own phones, and some have also used professional cameras. Ask what is available on the day, but you should still protect your phone from water and sand if you plan to carry it.

The riding time at the beach is not simply a photo stop. You remain on the horse for roughly 40 to 60 minutes at each station, so you get a proper stretch along the shore rather than a quick mounted picture. The exact time and pace can vary, and the guide will manage the group.

The beach ride is suitable for beginners when the guide provides close help, but it is not weightless or effortless. A horse’s movement can feel different on sand, and the sea adds another element to manage. Follow the instructions about entering the water, keep your balance, and do not pressure yourself to do more than feels comfortable.

Choosing the one-hour swim with your horse

The swim is the tour’s most distinctive feature, but it is an option, not something every booking automatically includes. If this is the main reason you are interested, select the one-hour swim option when booking and check the details before paying.

You ride into the Red Sea with your horse and spend around an hour in the water. The moment is less about speed and more about the unusual connection between rider, animal, and sea. The horse’s movement changes in the water, and you have to listen carefully to the guide’s instructions.

Bring swimwear, even if you plan to remain mostly on the horse. You will get wet. A towel and a change of dry clothes are sensible choices, although they are not listed as included items.

The swim is also the point where confidence matters most. Several first-time riders were nervous at the start, then entered the water with close support from guides. Ameen, Karim, Keo, and Sasa are among the guides praised for staying attentive and making people feel safe. If you are afraid of water, horses, or both, tell the guide before you enter.

Do not confuse the swim option with an ordinary seaside ride where the horses only walk into shallow water for a photograph. The description specifies about one hour swimming with the horses, and the available feedback describes it as a genuine swim stop. That makes the upgrade or option worth considering if you want the tour’s signature moment.

Food, music, and the return to the hotel

After the riding, you return to the stable. Refreshments include coffee or tea and water, and the tour information describes a freshly cooked meal with music after the ride.

This ending gives you time to come down from the physical activity instead of rushing straight into a vehicle. You can relax, talk with the guides, and enjoy the stable atmosphere. The meal is a welcome practical touch, since riding for several hours in desert sun and sea air can leave you hungry and thirsty.

The tour then provides transport back to your Hurghada hotel. Keep in mind that this is a stable-based outing, not a luxury resort day. The vehicle comfort and pickup timing may not be perfect for everyone, so leave some flexibility in your schedule.

How safe and beginner-friendly is it?

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is guide support. First-time riders, nervous adults, and children received help with mounting, steering, and staying calm. One nervous rider had someone hold the horse throughout, while children were assisted when they became unsure around the water.

That is encouraging, but you should still approach the activity honestly. Horse riding can be difficult if you lack experience. You need enough balance and strength to sit securely, follow directions, and remain calm around a large animal.

The helmet and chaps add useful protection, but no riding activity is risk-free. Listen to the briefing, do not force a faster pace, and tell the guide if you feel pain, dizziness, or fear. The 100-kilogram weight limit is set for the horses’ safety and is not flexible.

The tour can work for families, couples, mixed-ability groups, and beginners. Children have taken part with close help, though the supplied information does not give a minimum age. Ask the provider directly if you are booking for a young child.

Is $20 good value for this Hurghada outing?

At $20 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for an outing that includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Hurghada, a guide, riding gear, desert and beach riding, refreshments, and a meal. The value becomes especially strong if you want an active experience rather than another standard boat trip or hotel excursion.

Check the booking option carefully, since swimming with the horse is listed separately as an option. Also add the €10 per-person transport fee if your hotel is outside Hurghada.

The low price may mean the vehicle and operation are practical rather than polished. One participant specifically felt pickup timing and vehicle comfort could be better. I would not choose this for high-end transport or a private, tailor-made ride.

I would choose it for the unusual route and the amount of activity packed into the day. The desert ride, beach ride, and possible sea swim offer far more variety than a short horseback photo stop.

Who will enjoy it most

This tour suits you if you want to try horseback riding in a memorable setting and do not mind getting sandy or wet. It is a good match for couples, families with older children, first-time riders, and people who want a break from Hurghada’s usual water activities.

It also works for experienced riders who are happy with a guided group ride and a set route. You may not get independent galloping or advanced instruction, but you can sometimes trot or run when the guide allows it.

I would think twice if you dislike physical activity, have trouble sitting on a horse for long periods, or want a quiet, private ride. I would also confirm suitability in advance if you are close to the 100-kilogram limit, have mobility concerns, or are booking for a young child.

Small details that will improve your day

Wear long, flexible trousers and bring swimwear if you select the water portion. Closed, comfortable footwear is sensible for the stable, though the supplied information does not specify a required shoe type.

Confirm your pickup time the day before and allow for a delay of up to 10 minutes. Give the provider your room number and a working WhatsApp contact if possible.

Bring sunscreen, water-friendly protection for your phone, and dry clothes for after the swim. Tea, coffee, and water are included, but personal items are your responsibility.

The activity is offered in English, German, and Arabic. Special offers are advertised on Tuesdays and Fridays in the supplied details, while another line mentions Sundays and Fridays. Since the days conflict, ask the provider which promotion applies to your date.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada schedule may change.

Should you book the Red Sea horse ride?

I would book this if swimming with a horse sounds exciting and you want a low-cost outing with real variety. The desert and beach sections provide a solid ride on their own, while the sea swim turns it into something far less ordinary.

I would skip it if you want a polished luxury excursion, guaranteed private riding, or a fully relaxed day with little physical effort. For everyone else, the combination of helpful guides, calm horses, hotel transfers, and a $20 starting price makes this one of Hurghada’s more distinctive active outings.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Hurghada. Hotels in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and Soma Bay can use the service for an extra €10 per person.

How long do I ride for?

The full activity includes about one hour of desert riding and one hour of beach riding. You remain on the horse at each station for roughly 40 to 60 minutes, and the full outing is described as lasting about three hours before returning to your hotel.

Is swimming with the horse included?

Swimming is included only if you select the swimming option. That portion lasts around one hour in the Red Sea.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No specific experience is required, and the guide gives a safety briefing and basic riding instruction. Riding is still physical, so it may be difficult if you are not comfortable balancing on a horse.

Is there a rider weight limit?

Yes. Riders must not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and flexible long trousers to help prevent chafing. Bring swimwear if you select the swimming option.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets and chaps are included, along with saddles and guide support.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in English, German, and Arabic.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-and-pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately.