Horse Riding 3 Hours Beach, Desert, & Swimming By Horse in red sea – Hurghada

The sea turns a horse ride into something stranger. This Hurghada excursion combines desert riding with a beach ride and a rare chance to enter the Red Sea on horseback. I like the three-part route, and I like that hotel pickup, helmets, water, and riding assistance are included. The main concern is animal welfare: most feedback praises healthy, well-treated horses, but several serious complaints describe thin horses, saddle injuries, and inconsistent safety equipment.

The guides also earn strong praise, especially Karim, Eslam, Abdul, Mohammed, and Abd El Rahim. They help first-time riders, adjust the pace, and take plenty of photos. Still, three hours in the saddle is a long stretch for a beginner, and the actual standard can vary, so I would inspect the horse and confirm the helmet before mounting.

Quick points to know before booking

• Three distinct riding settings: Expect about one hour in the desert, one hour along the beach, and one hour in the Red Sea.
• The sea ride is the unusual part: You ride bareback in the water, with an old upside-down boat used by some riders to help mount.
• Guides are a major strength: Karim, Eslam, Abdul, Mohammed, and Abd El Rahim are praised for patience, humor, coaching, and photography.
• The advertised price is not the full cost for everyone: The base price is $22 per person, with a €10 cash tax and possible €10 transfer fee from outlying resort areas.
• Safety needs checking on arrival: Helmets are included in the tour details, but one account says a rider was asked to gallop without one.
• Animal care deserves your attention: Positive accounts describe strong, cared-for horses, while several one-star accounts raise serious welfare concerns.

What this Hurghada horse ride is really like

This is not a short pony ride beside a hotel. The main ride lasts three hours, split across desert, beach, and sea, while the full experience takes about four hours with hotel transfers and preparation.

That structure gives you three very different views of Hurghada. The desert section offers open sand and a traditional Egyptian riding setting. The beach section brings in the Red Sea, usually with more opportunities for photos. The final water portion is the visual centerpiece: you ride into the sea and, for part of the session, leave the saddle for bareback swimming with the horse.

I would think of this as an adventure experience first and a formal riding lesson second. Trainers provide pre-ride coaching and stay with you during the activity, but the information does not promise advanced instruction or a riding-school program. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide clearly. Several guides are praised for making the ride comfortable for beginners and for helping people mount.

The group can reach a maximum of 15 people. That is small enough to keep the activity manageable, but your experience may depend on the group’s ability and confidence. Some riders received a private or nearly private ride, while others joined a family group. Ask about the group arrangement if having a quieter outing matters to you.

Hotel pickup makes the morning easier

Two-way transportation from your Hurghada hotel is included in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Hurghada, where moving between resort districts and activity sites can add hassle to an otherwise simple morning.

The pickup area has an important exception. If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, an extra €10 per person is charged for the transfer, payable in cash on the spot. There is also a stated €10 per-person charge for governmental taxes and value added taxes, also paid in cash.

So the appealing $22 headline price may not be your final amount. For a Hurghada hotel, the base rate can still be good value for four hours of transport and riding. For the outlying resort areas, calculate the extra €20 per person before booking.

The tour normally confirms at booking, and mobile tickets are supported. You should keep the booking details available on your phone, especially if your pickup time or hotel entrance needs clarification.

One hour across the desert

The first riding section is listed as one hour in the desert. It gives you time to settle into the saddle before the beach and sea sections, though one hour is not a full riding lesson.

Expect the guide to provide basic coaching before you start. The horses are described as trained and well behaved, and many accounts praise their calm nature. That is helpful if you are a first-time rider, but you still need to be honest about your experience, balance, and comfort level.

The desert is also where you may get more active riding. One account describes a mix of walking, trotting, and galloping, with the pace adjusted to the rider’s wishes. Do not assume galloping is automatic or appropriate for everyone. Ask for a slower pace if you feel unsteady, and confirm that a helmet is available before any faster riding.

A practical point: three hours is physically demanding. The saddle, sun, heat, and repeated mounting can tire you well before the final swim. I would avoid treating this as a casual photo stop. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, and the tour itself gives that as a requirement.

The beach section is best for photos

The second hour takes place along the beach. This is where the experience shifts from desert adventure to postcard material, with horses, sand, and the Red Sea in the same frame.

Photography is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Guides such as Mohammed and Abd El Rahim are praised for taking photos and videos from different angles, suggesting poses, and helping riders who want more than a quick snapshot. One guide, Abd El Rahim, is described as funny and creative with the camera, which can make the photo session feel less stiff.

You should still manage expectations. The material says guides take photos, but it does not specify the number of images, delivery method, or whether a separate photo fee applies. Ask those questions before the ride if the pictures matter to you.

The beach is also a good place to judge how the horse is handling the day. Look at the animal’s general condition, movement, and behavior. If you see a clear injury, extreme thinness, bleeding, or signs of distress, speak up immediately. You are not required to continue simply because the activity has begun.

Riding into the Red Sea

The final hour is the part that makes this tour different from a standard beach ride. You enter the Red Sea on horseback, then ride bareback in the water.

This is not necessarily easy. One account specifically notes that riding and swimming with the horse takes practice. Mounting may be harder without a saddle, particularly for anyone with limited hip or leg strength. An old upside-down boat has been used as a step for riders getting onto the horse, and staff may help lift or position you.

The water can also provide welcome relief after the hot desert and beach portions. One rider found the sea especially valuable because three hours of riding can become very hot without it. I would agree with that practical logic: the swimming section is not just a dramatic finale, it is also a break from the heat.

You should listen closely to the guide in the water. Keep your movements calm, follow instructions, and tell the guide if you are uncomfortable. The tour is described as family-friendly and child-appropriate, but that does not mean every child will enjoy a long ride or bareback sea entry. A child must be able to follow directions and cope with the physical demands.

Guides who shape the experience

The horse and setting matter, but the guide can determine whether the day feels relaxed or rushed.

Karim is praised for excellent guidance and for giving one rider a good mix of desert, beach, and water riding. Eslam is described as friendly and strong in English, although one account connected with him also criticized the condition of the horses and the treatment at the stable. Abdul is praised for tailoring the pace and plan to the riders, while Abd El Rahim receives repeated praise for humor and photography.

That combination of coaching and personal attention is valuable. A rider who is nervous about mounting may need physical help. Someone who wants to trot or gallop needs clear direction. A rider focused on photographs benefits from a guide who knows how to position the horse and camera.

Guides are not all-powerful, however. Staff quality and horse condition may not be consistent every day. I would treat the guide’s friendliness as a plus, not as a substitute for checking equipment and animals yourself.

Horse welfare is the serious question

This is the part I would not skip.

Many positive accounts describe beautiful, healthy, strong, calm, and well-cared-for horses. One family reported that the horses behaved well and showed no obvious signs of unhappiness. Another rider said the animals appeared to be treated with care, even while acknowledging that some looked thin and had skin damage from saddles.

At the same time, several one-star accounts describe horses as severely underweight, with visible spines, sunken backs, and protruding bones. One complaint says an adult was given a horse that was too small. Another describes a guide’s horse as bleeding. These are serious claims, not minor complaints about service.

The description promises well-trained and well-looked-after Egyptian horses, but the conflicting accounts mean you should verify the condition on the day. Check that the horse is an appropriate size for you, that the saddle fits correctly, and that you can see no open wounds or bleeding. Ask to change horses if something looks wrong.

You can also ask how long the horses work, how often they rest, and what treatment is provided for saddle sores. The information available does not answer those questions, so do not assume a reassuring answer. If the horse appears unfit, you can refuse to ride and ask for help contacting the provider or booking platform.

This concern affects the value of the experience. A low price is not a bargain if the animals are suffering. For me, the ethical check at the stable is as important as the desert views and sea photographs.

Safety, helmets, and physical demands

A helmet is listed as included for each rider, and the tour requires a disclaimer form covering damage and personal injury. Those details tell you that riding carries normal risk and that you should take the safety briefing seriously.

The contradictory helmet account is troubling. One rider said there was no helmet despite being asked to gallop. I would not gallop without a properly fitted helmet. If the stable cannot provide one, stay at a walk or choose not to ride.

You should also expect:

• A moderate fitness requirement
• Mounting and dismounting several times
• Three hours in a saddle, with the sea section possibly bareback
• Heat and sun exposure
• The need to follow the guide’s instructions around horses and water

The tour is child-appropriate, but no minimum age, weight limit, or maximum rider weight is provided. If you are tall, heavy, very young, pregnant, or physically limited, contact the provider before paying. The information does not give enough detail to confirm suitability.

Service animals are allowed. The activity itself is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the mounting process may be difficult for anyone with mobility limitations.

Drinks, photos, and what to bring

Coffee or tea and water are included, along with light refreshments according to the highlights. Yet one rider said nothing was offered. I would carry a refillable bottle anyway, especially for a three-hour activity in the Egyptian sun.

Wear clothing that allows movement and can get wet. Bring sun protection, but keep loose items secure around horses. A change of clothes is sensible after the sea ride. The provided information does not specify lockers, changing rooms, towels, or waterproof storage, so do not rely on those services unless the provider confirms them.

Your phone may be useful for personal photos, but the guide may also take the main pictures. Protect your device from water and sand. Confirm how the guide’s photos will reach you, because the tour details do not explain whether they are sent digitally or sold separately.

Is $22 good value?

At $22 per person, the package looks inexpensive for a four-hour activity with hotel transport and three hours of riding. You receive three separate settings rather than one short circuit, plus coaching, a helmet, water, hot drinks, and assistance.

The value becomes less clear once you add the €10 tax charge. If you stay outside Hurghada in one of the named resort areas, add another €10 for the transfer. Group discounts may improve the price for families or larger parties, but the available information does not state the discount amount.

The biggest value question is quality control. A smooth driver, friendly guide, calm horse, and good photography can make this an excellent holiday memory. A poorly fitted horse, missing helmet, or rushed session can turn the same advertised activity into a bad choice.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. That gives you room to adjust plans, but it does not protect you from problems discovered after arrival.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to confident beginners, casual riders, families with older children who can follow instructions, and horse lovers who want a memorable Red Sea activity rather than a formal lesson.

It suits you especially well if:

• You want desert, beach, and sea in one outing
• You care about memorable photographs
• You are comfortable spending three hours on horseback
• You want hotel transfers included
• You are prepared to speak up about safety and horse welfare

I would be more cautious if you have never sat on a horse, dislike heat, have limited mobility, or expect a polished equestrian center. The tour can be easy for beginners, but it is still a long physical activity. The bareback sea ride adds excitement, not simplicity.

Should you book the Hurghada horse swim?

I would book this only after confirming three things: a helmet for every rider, a suitable and healthy horse, and the full price including cash charges.

The strongest reasons to go are the unusual Red Sea swim, the three-part route, hotel pickup, and guides who are often praised for kindness, flexibility, and excellent photos. The strongest reason to hesitate is the repeated concern about horse condition and inconsistent safety details.

If the horses look healthy, the equipment is ready, and the guide takes your ability seriously, $22 plus applicable fees can buy a memorable half-day. If anything looks unsafe or cruel at the stable, leave. No photograph is worth ignoring a distressed animal or riding without basic protection.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding last?

The riding lasts three hours: one hour in the desert, one hour on the beach, and one hour swimming with the horse in the Red Sea. The full experience takes about four hours including preparation and transfers.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is a helmet provided?

The tour information says a helmet is provided to each rider. Because one account reported not receiving a helmet, confirm its availability before riding or galloping.

Are drinks included?

Coffee or tea and water are included, and light refreshments are listed among the highlights. Since service may not always be offered automatically, carrying extra water is sensible.

Can children take part?

The activity is described as child-appropriate and family-friendly. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the available information does not provide a minimum age or rider weight limit.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.