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

Try horseback riding in the Red Sea. This Hurghada excursion gives you two very different settings in one outing: open desert and the shoreline, with the unusual chance to take a horse into the sea. I also like the hotel pickup, air-conditioned transfer, helmets, and on-site instruction, especially if you are new to riding. The main caution is that the advertised riding time and the actual time in the water may vary, and some riders have raised concerns about horse condition.

At $14 per person, this is one of Hurghada’s cheaper active excursions. The guides are often praised for being patient and helpful, with Ahmed and Mohammad receiving especially warm comments. Still, you should expect a simple, budget stable rather than a polished equestrian center, and you should confirm the extra cash charges before setting out.

Key points before you book

• Two settings in one ride: The planned experience includes one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert.
• A rare sea ride: Taking an Egyptian horse into the water is the unusual feature, though the time in the sea may be brief.
• Helpful riding support: A professional instructor joins the outing and can assist beginners.
• Low headline price: The $14 fare includes transport and equipment, but a €10 tax is listed separately.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 15 people, though private departures may sometimes be arranged.
• Mixed horse-care reports: Many riders describe gentle, well-behaved horses, while others report thin horses or visible sores. This deserves attention before booking.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

The experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The ride is included, which makes the low price more useful than it first appears. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a stable or find your way through unfamiliar streets.

The total excursion lasts about three hours, but that includes transfers, preparation, and time around the horses. Actual riding time can be shorter. One private outing, including hotel transport, took about two hours and provided roughly one hour and 15 minutes on horseback.

That difference matters. The advertised plan is two hours of riding, split between the desert and beach. Some accounts describe about an hour in the desert but only 15 to 20 minutes in the sea. Another describes the sea portion as mainly a photo stop. I would book this for the chance to ride in two settings, not with the expectation of two perfectly timed one-hour sessions.

Pickup details also deserve a little care. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh carry a listed €10 per person charge, payable in cash on the spot. A separate €10 per-person government tax and value-added tax charge is also listed. At the advertised rate, those additions can change the final cost considerably, so ask for the full amount before departure.

Getting comfortable before the horses move

At the stable, you receive a helmet and basic instruction. A trainer stays with the group and helps you mount, manage the horse, and adjust to the pace. This is important because the experience is marketed as suitable for beginners, but riding a horse is still a physical activity with real risks.

First-time riders have described feeling nervous, then gaining confidence with help from the guide. One rider who had not been on a horse for 30 years found the instructor stayed close until confidence improved. That sort of personal attention can make the difference between an enjoyable outing and an uncomfortable one.

Ahmed is praised specifically for handling nervous riders and adjusting to their ability. Mohammad is also singled out for explaining things clearly and helping when needed. The quality of the experience appears to depend heavily on which guide leads your group and how closely the group stays together.

You should tell the instructor plainly if you are a complete beginner, uneasy around horses, or unwilling to ride faster. Some riders enjoyed a faster hopa hopa pace, while others found running a little dangerous. Do not let group excitement push you beyond your comfort level.

The supplied information says helmets are provided for every rider. It also requires you to sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury before the ride. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate.

One hour across Hurghada’s desert

The desert section gives the ride its broadest sense of space. Away from the paved roads, the horse becomes a practical way to cover ground without walking through the heat and loose sand. The setting is simple and open, with the appeal coming from the change of pace and the unusual way you are seeing Hurghada.

The planned schedule allows one hour in the desert. In practice, the amount of time may vary, especially when a group includes first-time riders or children. A slower group may spend more time walking, while a confident group may be offered a quicker pace.

Many riders enjoy the gentle horses and the chance to move faster after a short introduction. Some say the horses followed the guide well but could still be turned and stopped by the rider. That is useful for beginners, though you should not mistake a calm horse for complete control.

A desert ride can also be physically tiring. Several first-time riders enjoyed the outing but complained of a sore backside afterward. You may want to wear comfortable trousers and practical shoes, though the supplied details do not specify a required dress code. Expect dust, heat, and ordinary riding discomfort rather than a luxury stable visit.

One important complaint describes a long walk along sidewalks and across busy roads before reaching the more scenic parts. That may not happen on every departure, but it is a reason to keep expectations realistic. This is a local excursion through the Hurghada area, not a remote desert safari.

Riding into the Red Sea

The beach portion is the experience’s big draw. Riding an Egyptian horse into the sea makes for memorable photographs and a story far more unusual than an ordinary trail ride. The combination of sand, shore, horse, and water is exactly why many people choose this excursion.

The horse may enter shallow water near the beach, with the guide nearby. You should listen carefully to instructions and avoid treating the sea section as a free-for-all. Horses can behave differently in water, and a rider who has never mounted before may feel less secure once the animal begins moving through the surf.

This is also where the largest expectation gap appears. The description promises one hour of riding by the beach, but the accounts supplied describe much less actual time in the water. One family spent only 15 to 20 minutes at sea, while another described the sea segment as a photo opportunity.

That does not make the beach ride worthless. Even a short water session may be the most memorable part of the outing. It simply means you should ask the guide how much time will be spent riding along the beach, how much will be spent in the water, and how much is reserved for photographs.

The beach experience may suit adventurous beginners, but it is not necessarily ideal as a first-ever riding lesson. One first-time rider enjoyed it but felt some prior experience would have helped. If you are nervous, ask to remain at a walking pace and stay close to the instructor.

Guides, pace, and group size

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough for an instructor to keep an eye on the ride, but the experience will feel different with two riders than with a full group. A private outing can allow you to set a gentler pace and spend more time with the guide.

A couple who had a private ride appreciated being able to go at their own speed. The guide also helped with photographs, which is useful because you will not want to handle a phone while managing a horse. Photo assistance is mentioned in the experiences shared, but professional photography is not listed as an included service.

The strongest pattern is the praise for the guides. Ahmed is described as kind, attentive, and good with nervous riders. Mohammad is praised for his explanations and willingness to help. Other accounts call the instructors friendly, entertaining, and careful about safety.

Language may not always be perfect. One first-time rider felt that the guide did not fully understand their concerns. If you have an injury, serious fear, or special riding need, explain it before mounting and confirm that the instructor understands.

The pace can range from a calm walk to a faster run. Some riders loved galloping along the beach, while others felt running was dangerous. The right approach is simple: agree on your preferred pace before the ride begins, and speak up if it changes.

Horse welfare is the key question

This is the part I would take most seriously. Positive accounts describe friendly, gentle, well-behaved horses that responded well to the guides. Several riders called the horses lovely, and one said the animals were well cared for.

At the same time, some accounts raise serious concerns. Riders described horses as underweight, with visible bones, sores, or a generally worn appearance. Another account called the horses old and unwilling to run. These reports conflict with the praise, but they cannot be brushed aside.

The operator’s responses to some complaints say the customer could not be matched to the booking and asked for hotel and trip details for investigation. That does not resolve the welfare question for you at the stable. Before you ride, take a moment to look at the horses’ general condition, water access, saddles, and behavior.

If a horse appears injured, extremely thin, distressed, or poorly equipped, you should raise the issue before mounting. A low price is not a reason to accept visibly poor treatment. You can also ask whether a different horse is available or decline the ride if conditions do not seem safe.

This is the main reason I would avoid presenting the tour as an unquestioned bargain. The price is attractive, the scenery is unusual, and many rides go well. But horse welfare should be part of your decision, not an afterthought.

What the $14 price really buys

The starting price is excellent for an excursion that includes hotel pickup, return transport, two riding environments, safety equipment, an instructor, water, and tea. If you are already staying in central Hurghada, the package can be a convenient way to add an active half-day without paying for a large safari program.

The value becomes less clear once the extra charges are added. The listed €10 per-person tax is paid in cash, and pickups from several resort areas cost another €10 per person. A couple from Soma Bay, for example, could face €20 per person in additional charges beyond the advertised price.

You should also judge value by actual riding time. If you receive close to the planned two hours on horseback, the cost is very low. If the outing includes lengthy transfer time, walking through town, preparation, and only a short sea session, it becomes a modest photo experience rather than a full riding tour.

For families, the price can still work well. Children are allowed, and one family with two young children enjoyed the outing. But parents should ask about the children’s riding ability and keep expectations gentle. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide minimum or maximum age requirements.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to an adventurous beginner, a family seeking a short activity, or anyone who wants a different Hurghada photograph. You do not need to be an experienced rider to participate, and the instructor support is a real advantage.

It also suits riders who care more about variety than polished facilities. You get desert, beach, horses, transport, and a chance to set a faster pace if the guide considers it suitable. The experience can feel personal when the group is small.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced rider expecting long, independent canters. The ride follows a guide, and the route may include paved areas or roadside walking. It is not presented as an advanced equestrian trail.

I would also think twice if horse welfare is a deciding factor and you cannot inspect the stable first. The conflicting reports about thin horses and sores are too serious to ignore. Ask questions, check the animals, and be prepared to walk away if something looks wrong.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. A helmet is provided, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. You must sign a personal injury and damage disclaimer before riding.

Booking, cancellation, and useful planning tips

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refundable.

Bring cash for the listed €10 tax and any resort-area transfer fee. Confirm both charges before pickup, since one complaint focused on discovering an additional payment only upon arrival.

Wear clothes that can handle dust, sand, and possible splashing. Comfortable trousers will make the saddle easier on your legs, and closed shoes are a sensible choice. Drink water before the ride, use the supplied water and tea, and protect your phone if you plan to take photographs near the sea.

Most importantly, tell the instructor your experience level at the start. Ask for a calm horse, a walking pace, and help with mounting if needed. You will enjoy the ride more if the guide knows exactly what you need.

Should you book the Hurghada sea and desert horse ride?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, unusual outing and understand that the sea portion may be short. The best parts are the setting, the chance to ride an Egyptian horse into the water, included transfers, and guides such as Ahmed and Mohammad who are often praised for patience and care.

Do not book it expecting a luxury stable, guaranteed two full hours in the saddle, or a long gallop through untouched desert. Confirm the extra charges, inspect the horses, and ask how the time will be divided that day.

At $14, it can be very good value when the horses are in good condition and the guide matches the pace to the group. The experience is worth considering, but the horse welfare concerns mean you should make the final call at the stable, not only from the price or photographs.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours, including hotel transfers, preparation, and riding.

How much riding is included?

The planned schedule includes one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert. Actual riding time and the length of the sea portion may vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. A professional instructor provides coaching before the ride and assistance during the activity. Some first-time riders have found the guides helpful when they felt nervous.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A helmet is provided to each rider, along with other safety equipment.

Can children participate?

Yes. The activity is described as child appropriate and family friendly. Specific age limits are not provided.

Can pregnant women join the ride?

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

Are there additional charges?

Yes. A listed €10 per-person government tax and value-added tax charge must be paid in cash. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh also have a listed €10 per-person cash charge.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.