Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Sharm El Sheikh outing is the change of scene: you leave the stable, cross the open desert, then reach the Red Sea on horseback. At the beach, your horse enters the clear water while you ride through the splashes. I like the careful horse matching and the way guides such as Mohamed adjust the pace for nervous beginners and confident riders.

I also like the sunrise and sunset choices, which give the dry Sinai setting some real drama. The main caution is that the advertised two hours includes a long ride to and from the beach, so you may spend less time at the shoreline than expected. Wear long trousers and proper shoes, and confirm all photo prices before agreeing to a shoot.

Key points to know before booking

• Desert-to-sea route: Ride from Edelweiss Equestrian Center through the open area around Sharm El Sheikh to a Red Sea beach.
• Water riding: Your horse can enter the sea, so expect wet clothes and bring waterproof shoes if you have them.
• Good beginner support: Horses are matched to your riding level, with patient instruction and help for nervous riders.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is five participants, which allows the guide to keep a close eye on the ride.
• Best light: Sunrise and sunset offer the most attractive setting, while early morning can be more comfortable in hot weather.
• Photo costs need checking: A photographer may offer professional beach pictures for an extra charge, so agree on the currency and price first.

From Edelweiss Center to the Red Sea

This is not a short loop around a riding school. The route begins at Edelweiss Equestrian Center, then heads out across what the operator calls the city desert of Sharm El Sheikh. That means open ground on the edge of the built-up area, with buildings visible in parts of the route, rather than a remote sea of sand dunes.

That distinction matters. If you picture a camel-style ride through huge, empty dunes, this may feel more urban than expected. If you want a practical horseback route that links the town to the coast, it works well. The open ground gives more room for trotting and, for riders judged ready by the guide, cantering or galloping.

At the stable, you choose a horse according to your experience. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A first-time rider may be placed on a calm horse and led at the start, while a more practiced rider may be allowed to ride independently and move faster. Some beginners have progressed from walking to trotting during the session.

You receive a helmet and meet the instructor before setting off. Mohamed is the guide most often named by visitors, while Mahmood is also involved in managing the experience. The riding team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian, though the amount of English can vary from guide to guide. Basic riding instructions and horse handling remain the focus.

How the ride works for beginners

You do not need to arrive as an experienced equestrian. The guides first ask about your riding background and comfort level, then set the pace around the group. A nervous rider can stay behind a lead guide, ride at a walk, or receive close support while a more confident companion trots or canters ahead when suitable.

This flexible approach makes the outing useful for families and mixed groups. One family rode with an experienced 12-year-old and a nervous 8-year-old, while another first-time rider in their 60s was given a gentle horse. A child’s ability to join still depends on the provider’s judgment and the group setup, so ask ahead if age is a concern.

The horses are not treated as interchangeable props. The staff match temperament and ability, and repeated comments describe them as calm, clean, and in good condition. That does not remove every risk. A horse is still a powerful animal, and riding for two hours can leave your thighs, inner legs, and gluteal muscles sore, especially if you are new to the saddle.

Listen closely to the instructor. Keep your hands steady, follow instructions on speed, and do not push for a gallop simply because another rider is moving faster. The guide decides what is safe for you, the horse, and the surface.

The desert section and the ride to the beach

The trip toward the beach is a gradual change rather than a single dramatic moment. You begin around the stable, get comfortable in the saddle, and then ride across the open desert area. The route can include roads and spaces between buildings, so you should expect a working edge-of-town setting, not a wilderness expedition.

For riders who enjoy the movement of a horse, this section is valuable. You have time to learn the feel of the horse and settle into a rhythm before reaching the water. Beginners can practice walking and trotting, while experienced riders may get a chance to move more freely if the guide trusts their control.

The ride to the sea can take about an hour in some group arrangements, leaving a similar amount of time for the return. Since the stated duration is two hours, transport from your hotel does not count toward the riding time. This is useful to know when planning your day, especially if you have a dinner booking, airport transfer, or another excursion afterward.

The route is not always equally exciting. If your main goal is beach time, the long approach may feel like it takes too much of the session. If you enjoy a proper trail ride, the journey gives the outing a better sense of purpose than simply unloading horses beside the water.

Riding along the Red Sea shore

The beach is the payoff. Once you reach the coast, you ride along the shore and, when conditions and the guide allow, take the horse into the sea. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the setting combines open beach, warm light, and the Sinai mountains in the distance during some sunrise and sunset rides.

Expect splashes. The point is not to keep your clothes dry. Your horse may wade or move through the shallows, and the ride can become wet as the animal steps through the water. Waterproof shoes are listed among the recommended items, though comfortable closed shoes and long trousers are also important for the saddle.

More experienced riders may be allowed to canter along the beach. That is a memorable part of the outing, but it is not an automatic promise for every participant. Your guide may keep you at a walk or trot if you are new, nervous, tired, or riding in a mixed group.

The beach can also turn into a photo stop. A photographer may capture you beside the water, in the saddle, or moving along the shore. The pictures can be a good record of an activity that is hard to photograph while you are riding, but the photo service is not included in the tour price. Ask exactly how many pictures you receive, whether the price is in British pounds or Egyptian pounds, and when payment is due.

One useful lesson here is to separate the photo decision from the riding decision. If you want a relaxed ride, tell the guide. If you want a planned photo session, ask how much beach time it will take. In a small group, the balance is easier to manage, but a group focused on pictures can still slow the riding portion.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

Sunrise is the most atmospheric choice. You may need a very early pickup, sometimes around 4 a.m. depending on the season and hotel location, but the reward is softer light, a cooler start, and a quiet beach. Sunrise rides have also been praised for the view over the sea and Sinai mountains.

Sunset is the easier choice for many holiday schedules. The light can be beautiful, and riding back as the sky changes gives the trip a strong finish. The downside is heat, particularly in summer, when the horses and guides are working during the warmest part of the day.

Morning offers a middle ground. You avoid the very early start while still riding before the full heat of the day. Ask the local partner for the best time during your visit, since the comfort of each option depends on the month and the exact start time.

I would choose sunrise for photographs and cooler conditions, sunset for atmosphere without the brutal wake-up, and morning for the simplest balance. All three options remain subject to availability.

What the $98 price really covers

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach. Its value depends on what you want from the outing. You are paying for a two-hour horse ride, an instructor, a helmet, the stable experience, and the unusual chance to take a horse into the Red Sea. If hotel pickup and drop-off are selected, that adds a useful layer of convenience.

The small group limit of five improves the value. A guide can pay closer attention to a beginner, adjust the pace, and keep the horses together without managing a large line. Private-style attention is not guaranteed, but the group cap is more reassuring than a crowded stable ride.

Check the transfer option carefully when booking. Pickup is available when selected, and you should provide a WhatsApp number so the local partner can confirm your time. If you do not choose transport, go directly to Edelweiss Equestrian Center and arrange your own way there and back.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring what you need for the morning, and ask about water arrangements if you are riding in hot weather. The price also does not include the optional photographer, and one person reported an unexpected extra charge at the stable. That is a reason to confirm every add-on before the ride begins, not a reason to dismiss the horseback experience itself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the final booking terms and the transfer selection before paying.

Clothes, shoes, and physical limits

Dress for the saddle, not the hotel pool. Long trousers protect your legs from rubbing, and several riders specifically warned against shorts and dresses. One person joked that the saddle can rub skin raw, which is a useful warning rather than a minor fashion tip.

Wear comfortable shoes with a secure fit. Waterproof shoes are recommended because your feet and lower legs may get wet in the sea. Gloves are also a sensible extra for riders who want more grip, though they are not listed as included equipment.

Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted by the provider, for security purposes. You do not need to bring food or drinks as part of the booking, since those are not included.

This activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. If you have another medical concern, limited mobility, or uncertainty about riding for two hours, contact the provider before booking rather than relying on the stable to decide on arrival.

Horse care and the stable itself

The condition of the horses is a major part of the value here. The stable is described as clean, and the horses are repeatedly noted as healthy, attractive, calm, and well handled. Some descriptions also point to pleasant grounds with bougainvillea, giving the arrival area a more cared-for feel than a basic roadside corral.

You should still look at the horse you are assigned and tell the guide if something feels wrong. A well-kept stable is encouraging, but your comfort depends on the individual animal, saddle, pace, and guide. The staff’s willingness to change the horse or adjust the arrangement is important, especially for first-time riders.

The experience is also physically demanding for the animals. One assessment raised concern that the horses may be worked hard, even while describing the ride as enjoyable and the stable as well maintained. I would treat that as a reminder to ride responsibly: follow the guide’s speed limits, avoid forcing the horse, and allow it to move at a sensible pace.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction and a gentle introduction.
• Experienced riders who want a chance to canter along a beach.
• Couples looking for a memorable shared activity.
• Families with children who already meet the provider’s requirements.
• People who care about photographs and are willing to pay extra for them.
• Anyone who likes combining a stable visit, an open-air ride, and the Red Sea in one outing.

It is less suitable if you want a long swim, a remote desert ride, or a guaranteed gallop. It is also a poor fit if you dislike getting wet, have back trouble, are pregnant, or expect to spend the full two hours at the beach.

The experience suits mixed ability better than many riding excursions. A beginner can stay with a guide while a more secure rider gets more freedom, though the exact balance depends on the day’s group and the instructor’s judgment.

My practical verdict

I like this activity because it gives you three distinct experiences in two hours: handling a horse at the stable, riding across the open edge of Sharm El Sheikh, and entering the Red Sea from the beach. The guides, especially Mohamed, are a strong part of the appeal, and the careful horse matching makes the outing approachable for beginners.

I would book it if you want something more active and personal than a standard beach stop. Choose sunrise if you can manage the early start, wear long trousers and secure shoes, and settle the photo price and currency before the photographer begins.

I would skip it if your idea of a perfect beach day means staying dry or sitting still. For everyone else, $98 is fair when the transfer, instruction, helmet, small group, and two-hour ride are included in your selected option. Just keep your expectations accurate: this is a city-edge desert route leading to a beautiful beach, not a remote dune safari.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding experience?

The riding activity lasts two hours. Hotel travel time is separate and does not count toward the riding duration.

Where does the ride begin?

The experience begins at Edelweiss Equestrian Center in Sharm El Sheikh. If you do not select a transfer, you go directly to the center.

Can I ride a horse into the Red Sea?

Yes. The route continues to a beach where you can ride your horse into the water and expect your clothes to get wet.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The instructor matches horses to riding ability and can lead or closely support nervous beginners. Some first-time riders learn to trot during the activity.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The available languages are Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available when the transfer option is selected. If you book pickup, provide your WhatsApp number so the local partner can confirm the time.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothes, long trousers, comfortable shoes, and waterproof shoes if possible. Bring your passport, although a copy is accepted, and consider gloves for extra grip.

Who cannot join the activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.