Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The desert comes alive after sunset. This Hurghada excursion combines a one-hour horseback ride through mountain-framed valleys, a desert BBQ dinner, and guided stargazing at an oasis reached by jeep. I like the sunset ride, especially the stops for photos and rest, and I like how the evening brings together several very different experiences for $41 per person. The main point to consider is the rough jeep transfer, which one passenger described as extremely fast and frightening.

You are picked up from your Hurghada hotel, driven to a meeting point, and then taken about 17 kilometers off-road to the desert oasis. The evening usually runs from around 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., depending on your hotel and pickup time. You get gear, a safety briefing, a guide, dinner with soft drinks, and telescope viewing, but the ride and driving style depend on your comfort and experience.

The desert evening at a glance

• One hour on horseback: Ride between desert valleys with mountain views and a guide who can help first-time riders.
• Sunset from the hills: Stop during the ride for photographs, a rest, and broad desert views as the light fades.
• 17 kilometers of off-road driving: The jeep journey is part of the adventure, but the ride can be rough and intense.
• Dinner at a desert oasis: Expect Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Telescope and star talk: A guide explains star groups, with telescope targets depending on the night’s calendar.
• Multilingual support: The activity is offered in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.

Getting from Hurghada to the desert oasis

The day begins with hotel pickup. The exact time depends on where you are staying in Hurghada, and the vehicle first goes to a meeting point before the off-road section begins. Communication by WhatsApp has been described as prompt and organized, which matters when hotel access and pickup times vary.

From the meeting point, you travel roughly 17 kilometers by jeep through the desert. This is not a quiet transfer on a smooth road. It is intended as an off-road adventure, and the ride can include sharp movements and high speeds. One passenger reported speeds above 100 kilometers per hour and sitting in the back without seatbelts, describing the experience as exciting for him but frightening for his wife.

That warning deserves your attention. If you enjoy a rough safari ride, the jeep trip may become one of the evening’s highlights. If you dislike fast driving, have back or neck problems, or simply want a calm transfer, this part may affect your enjoyment. Ask about the driving conditions before departure, and sit where you feel most secure.

The trip can also take longer than the activity description first suggests. One schedule ran from about 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., including pickup, transfers, riding, dinner, and stargazing. Plan this as a full afternoon and evening rather than a quick two-hour outing.

Welcome tea, equipment, and the first safety briefing

At the oasis, you receive Arabian tea or coffee before the main activities begin. This is a useful pause after the drive and gives you time to look around and settle into the desert setting.

The guide explains the schedule and safety rules before you approach the horses. Riding gear is included, and the staff fit participants with the necessary equipment. The horses are described by one rider as happy and healthy, while another specifically appreciated seeing that the animals were treated well.

That point matters if you care about animal welfare. The available feedback gives a positive impression of the horses, but you should still watch how the animals are handled when you arrive. A good guide should explain how to approach, mount, steer, and stop. First-time riders received close help, including individual support for family members in one group.

The tour does not promise one fixed speed or riding style. Your pace depends on your ability and comfort. That is good news for beginners, but it also means you should speak up if you feel nervous. A guide can keep the ride gentle, and experienced riders should not expect a fast gallop simply because the setting looks open.

One hour on horseback between desert valleys

The horseback portion is the heart of the outing. You ride for about an hour through valleys in the desert, with mountains framing parts of the route. The appeal is not technical riding. It is the combination of open ground, warm light, and the unusual feeling of crossing the desert on an animal rather than in a vehicle.

The route includes a stop for photographs and a rest. You may have time to pose with the horses and take pictures while the sun drops lower. Several participants found the sunset from a hill particularly memorable, and the guides appear willing to help with photographs.

First-time riders should find the format manageable if they are comfortable following instructions. Guides take time to show beginners how to control the horse, and some riders were accompanied closely during the route. Still, horseback riding uses muscles you may not often use, and the desert sun can feel stronger than it does beside your hotel pool. Wear practical clothing and protect your face, neck, and arms.

The ride is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year old. Children and adults who have never ridden should tell the guide at the start, rather than trying to appear more confident than they feel.

The supplied information briefly refers to a camel ride in the description, but the main activity is clearly a horseback ride. Do not book this expecting a separate camel excursion unless the operator confirms one directly.

Sunset from a desert hill

The timing places the ride around sunset, giving you a changing view rather than one fixed scene. The desert shifts from bright and hot to long shadows and cooler evening tones. You stop to take pictures and rest, often near a higher point with views over the valleys.

This is one reason the experience feels different from a standard daytime desert drive. The animals move at a slower pace, and you have time to notice the silence and the mountain shapes. I like that the sunset is built into the riding route rather than treated as a quick photo stop from a vehicle.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. The afternoon can be hot, while the desert after dark may feel cooler. Comfortable trousers and closed shoes make more sense than resort clothing, especially if this is your first time riding.

BBQ dinner at the oasis

After the ride, you return to the oasis for dinner. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. It is a generous mix for a desert excursion, and several people found the food tasty or better than expected.

The meal is best understood as a practical group dinner, not a formal restaurant experience. One person called it basic but acceptable, while others praised the flavor and considered the meal a strong part of the evening. Your experience may depend on how busy the oasis is and how long the food has been waiting.

Soft drinks are included. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. One person bought an additional smoothie and later had stomach trouble, but that was an individual complaint about an extra drink, not a general finding about the included meal. I would stick with the provided food and drinks if you have a sensitive stomach, and avoid buying extras unless you are confident they have been kept properly chilled.

The description also uses the phrase farm-to-table lunch, but the scheduled meal described in detail is an evening BBQ dinner. Plan for dinner, not lunch.

Stargazing with a guide and two telescopes

After dinner, the focus shifts from desert scenery to the sky. A guide explains star groups and points out objects visible on the night of your visit. A professional telescope is used to view targets selected according to the calendar, which may include the moon, planets, or particular stars.

This can be a wonderful finish on a clear night. Away from Hurghada’s resort lights, the sky feels much darker, and the stars become the main show. One guide named Nasser, also called Marshmallow, was praised for his humor and entertaining explanations. Another guide named Adam was singled out for making the stargazing memorable.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a group astronomy session, not private telescope time. One account described a group of more than 45 people sharing two telescopes, one set up for the moon and one for a particular star. You may need to wait for your turn, and the view through the telescope will still be limited to the target selected by the guide.

The lecture can also feel long if you are not interested in astronomy or if the group is split between languages. English and German groups were mentioned, and the activity is offered in six other languages. Ask at the start which language your guide will use and how the group will be organized.

Even with those limits, the night sky is the part you cannot reproduce easily at your hotel. The telescope gives you a close view of selected objects, but the wider pleasure comes from simply looking up in a dark desert setting.

Safety, guides, and group comfort

The activity says the site is monitored by cameras and follows international health and safety standards. The ride includes a formal safety explanation and riding gear, and guides are present throughout the horseback portion.

The staff receive consistently positive praise for being friendly, attentive, and entertaining. First-time riders were helped with the horses, and guides adjusted support for different confidence levels. Some groups had separate guides for individual riders or family members, which helped people feel secure.

The main safety concern is not the horses. It is the jeep transfer. The supplied feedback includes a clear warning about speed and the lack of seatbelts in the rear of one vehicle. Conditions may vary, but you should treat this as a real consideration rather than a minor complaint.

For the best experience, tell the organizers in advance if you are nervous about off-road driving or horseback riding. Also tell the horse guide immediately if the saddle, pace, or route feels uncomfortable. The stated policy allows the speed and riding style to change according to participant skill and comfort.

Is $41 good value?

At $41 per person, this excursion covers a lot: hotel pickup and return, the off-road transfer, riding gear, a one-hour horse ride, a welcome drink, dinner, soft drinks, a guide, and stargazing. Paying separately for each part would likely cost more, and the tour avoids the hassle of arranging transport into the desert.

I see the strongest value in the combination of activities. The horse ride gives you a direct way to experience the terrain. Dinner provides a relaxed break. Stargazing changes the mood again. You are not paying only for a meal or only for a short ride.

The value drops if you dislike rough transport or expect private attention. A large stargazing group can mean waiting for the telescope, and the dinner is a group BBQ rather than a carefully prepared dining event. The tour works best when you see it as an active desert evening with several shared activities.

A rating of 4.8 from 203 ratings suggests that the overall package satisfies most people, and the strongest praise focuses on organization, guides, horses, sunset, and the unusual combination of activities. The lower scores point to the practical limits: a long day, intense jeep driving, basic dinner, and crowded telescope viewing.

Who should book this Hurghada excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full evening away from the resort and like trying several activities in one outing. It is especially suitable for first-time riders, couples looking for a different sunset experience, and families whose children are old enough to follow riding instructions.

You should also enjoy informal group activities. The jeep ride, dinner, and telescope session are shared, and the stargazing may involve a sizable group. You will get more from the evening if you are happy to wait your turn and listen to a guide explain the sky.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have a baby under one year old, or strongly dislike fast off-road driving. The tour is also a poor match if you want a quiet, private desert dinner or unlimited access to a telescope.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suitable for the weather. Wear clothes that allow you to sit comfortably on a horse and shoes that feel secure while walking around the oasis.

You may want a phone or camera for the sunset stop, but keep it protected from dust during the jeep transfer. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, which are not allowed.

Most importantly, be honest about your riding experience. The guide can adjust the pace, but only if you explain what you need. If the jeep journey worries you, raise that concern before leaving the meeting point.

FAQ

Where does the horseback and stargazing tour take place?

The experience takes place in the Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, in a desert oasis reached by jeep from a meeting point near Hurghada.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation to hotels in Hurghada are included. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel location.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour. The riding style and speed depend on your skill and comfort level.

Is the activity suitable for first-time horse riders?

Yes. A safety briefing, riding gear, and guide support are included. First-time riders are shown how to control the horse and are supported during the ride.

What food is served at dinner?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. Arabian tea or coffee is served as a welcome drink.

Does the tour include a camel ride?

The detailed schedule describes a horseback ride. It does not clearly confirm a separate camel ride, so ask the provider if that is important to you.

How does the stargazing session work?

A guide explains star groups and uses professional telescopes to view targets available according to the calendar. The exact objects depend on the night.

What languages are available?

The experience is offered in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.

Who should not book this experience?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want good value and variety more than privacy or luxury. The sunset horseback ride, well-liked guides, desert dinner, and clear-sky viewing make a memorable combination for the price.

Before you commit, make sure you are comfortable with a rough jeep transfer and a group telescope session. If you accept those limits, this is a lively, well-organized way to trade a resort evening for horses, mountains, sunset, grilled food, and a sky full of stars.