Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

Salt water, sand, and horses make an unusual mix. This three-hour Hurghada outing takes you from golden desert ground to the Red Sea, with the rare chance to guide your horse into the water. I like the contrast between open desert riding and the coastline, and I also like that a trainer stays with you, even if you have never ridden before. The main point to consider is that riding time may vary, often lasting one to two hours within the wider tour.

The $29 price is strong for a private experience that includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned transfer, a guide, a drink, and the horseback ride. Still, riders staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh should add $10 per person for the transfer. If swimming with horses is the part you care about most, confirm the exact riding plan before you go.

Four things to know before booking

• Desert and sea in one ride: You may cross sandy desert ground, follow the Red Sea coast, and ride along the beach during the same outing.

• Swimming with the horses: The most unusual part is guiding your horse into the Red Sea, a memorable option that goes well beyond a standard beach ride.

• Beginner-friendly support: An expert trainer provides help throughout the ride, and helmets are supplied for every rider.

• Private group setting: Only your own group takes part, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a large riding line.

• A very low starting price: At $29 per person, the tour includes transport, a guide, bottled water or a soft drink, and the ride itself.

From your Hurghada hotel to the desert

The tour begins with pickup and drop-off at your hotel. Your transfer is in an air-conditioned vehicle, a welcome detail in Hurghada, where the heat can make even a short drive feel long.

The included transfer makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying only for time on a horse. You are also getting the ride to the stable area, return transport, a guide, and a drink. For a three-hour outing, $29 is a good value if you want an active excursion without committing to a full-day trip.

The standard package covers hotels in Hurghada. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay costs an additional $10 per person. The same $10 charge applies to transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh. Check your hotel area before booking, since that extra fee changes the final cost.

The experience is listed as a private activity, so only your group participates. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends and want to stay together. It can also make instructions easier to hear than they would be in a large mixed group.

Meeting the Egyptian horses

At the riding area, you will be introduced to an Egyptian horse and given basic guidance before setting off. The horses are described as well cared for, which is important on any riding tour. A horse that looks healthy and calm can make the whole outing more comfortable, especially for a first-time rider.

Helmets are provided for everyone. You should use yours, even if you have ridden before. Horseback riding has natural risks, and a helmet is a simple piece of protection that costs you nothing here.

The tour suits both beginners and experienced riders. An expert trainer remains available to guide and assist you, so you do not need advanced riding skills to take part. At the same time, the ride can offer more than a slow walk, since the most enthusiastic account of the outing included galloping on the beach.

That does not mean every rider should expect to gallop. Your pace depends on your ability, the horses, and the trainer’s instructions. If you are an experienced rider, tell the guide what you can comfortably handle. If you are new to horses, say so at the start and follow the trainer’s lead.

A guide named Karim has been singled out for excellent support on this experience. If he is leading your group, you may find that his calm assistance adds to the day. Even if another guide is assigned, the tour’s main safety feature remains the same: you are not left to manage the ride alone.

Riding across the golden desert

The desert section gives you wide views, open space, and a change from Hurghada’s hotels and busy resort areas. Sand under the horse’s hooves creates a very different rhythm from a paved road or ordinary city outing.

This part of the ride is not about checking off a long list of sights. It is about the simple feel of moving through open ground on horseback. I like that the setting connects you with two defining features of the Hurghada area: dry desert and the Red Sea coast.

The desert can also be the gentler part of the ride for a beginner. You have room to focus on posture, reins, and the horse’s movement before reaching the water. Listen closely to the trainer, and resist the urge to copy a more confident rider if you are still finding your balance.

The advertised tour lasts about three hours, but the horseback portion may vary. Many rides in Hurghada last one to two hours, while the rest of the time can include transfers, preparation, instruction, and pauses. If you want the maximum time in the saddle, ask how much riding is planned for your departure.

Following the Red Sea coastline

After the desert, the scenery changes as you approach the coast. The sea sits on one side and the desert on the other, giving the ride its most distinctive setting.

Beach riding is a strong part of the experience. You may ride along sandy shores, with the water beside you and the open desert behind you. The setting should appeal to anyone who wants more than a standard stable ride, especially if your Hurghada trip already includes swimming, snorkeling, or boat outings and you want to experience the coast in a different way.

The pace may change on the beach. Depending on conditions and the guide’s instructions, you may walk, trot, or possibly gallop. The tour description does not promise a gallop for every group, so treat that as a possible highlight rather than a guarantee.

This is also the point where practical clothing matters. Wear something comfortable that you can move in, since you will be riding rather than simply sitting on a horse for photographs. You should also expect sand and water to be part of the day. The provided helmet covers head protection, but the rest of your clothing should be chosen with an active ride in mind.

Taking the horses into the Red Sea

Swimming with the horses is the feature that sets this outing apart. Instead of stopping at the shoreline, the ride may continue into the crystal waters of the Red Sea, giving you the chance to guide your horse through the water.

This is not the same as a normal beach ride. You will need to follow the trainer’s instructions carefully, since the horse’s movement changes once it enters the sea. Stay attentive, keep control of your reins as instructed, and do not assume that a horse behaves in water exactly as it does on sand.

The experience can be especially memorable for families with older children and teenagers. One account describes two teenage daughters choosing this as their favorite activity among many excursions, with beach galloping and swimming with the horses providing the strongest memories.

Still, swimming should be understood as part of the planned experience, not a completely independent activity. The guide controls the pace and gives directions. If you are nervous around horses or water, tell the trainer before entering the sea. The beginner-friendly format helps, but it does not remove the need to listen and stay calm.

The tour materials describe a combination of desert, beach, and sea riding. Exact order and time in each setting can vary. That is normal for an activity shaped by the horses, the guide, and the day’s conditions.

What the three-hour format really gives you

Three hours is a useful middle ground. You get enough time for transportation, preparation, a proper ride, and the change from desert to sea, without giving up an entire day in Hurghada.

The tour is also easier to fit around other plans. You could pair it with a relaxed afternoon at your hotel or another short activity. Just remember that the listed duration is approximate, so leave some space around it rather than scheduling another appointment too tightly.

The riding time itself may be one to two hours. That range is worth noting because a three-hour booking does not necessarily mean three full hours on horseback. Some of the time is likely used for pickup, transfer, preparation, instruction, and returning to your hotel.

I see this as a good choice for someone who wants a memorable activity but does not want a long desert safari or a full-day boat trip. You get several settings in one outing, and the swimming section gives it a clear point of difference.

Safety, comfort, and the role of the trainer

The safety plan is straightforward. Helmets are included, and an experienced trainer guides and assists riders throughout the activity.

That support is valuable for first-time riders. You can ask for help with mounting, handling the horse, and adjusting your pace. The trainer also gives the group instructions for the beach and sea sections, where attention matters most.

Experienced riders should not assume they can set their own route or speed. The guide’s directions are there to protect both people and horses. Follow the pace set for your group, particularly when riding near the water.

The private format may also improve comfort. You are riding with only your own group, rather than being placed in a large line with strangers of very different ability. That does not guarantee a custom route, but it should make the outing feel more personal.

Most people can participate, according to the tour information. No special riding level is required. If you have a concern about your ability to ride, tell the provider when booking and ask what support will be available.

The $29 price and where the value lies

At $29 per person, this is one of the more affordable active excursions in Hurghada. The price includes hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned vehicle, the horse ride, a guide, and bottled water or a soft drink.

The value is strongest if you use the included hotel transfer. You avoid arranging a separate taxi to the riding site, and the guide is part of the package rather than an extra cost.

The price is less simple for people staying outside Hurghada. Add $10 per person from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. Even with that supplement, the outing may still be good value, but compare the final price with other activities near your hotel.

Group discounts are available, which may help families or friends traveling together. Since the activity is private, the discount is especially useful for a small group that wants to ride together.

There are a few extra costs to keep in mind. Personal expenses and tips are not included. You should also ask about any optional services before setting out, since the advertised price covers the stated package rather than every possible add-on.

Who should book this Hurghada horse ride?

I would point this tour toward several types of visitors:

• Families with teenagers who want an active outing with a strong story to tell afterward.
• Couples looking for a beach experience that is different from a standard swim.
• First-time riders who want a trainer nearby and safety equipment included.
• Experienced riders who enjoy changing scenery, from desert sand to beach and sea.
• Anyone with only half a day available for an excursion.
• Small groups that prefer a private activity instead of a large shared tour.

It may not suit you if you dislike horses, feel uneasy in open water, or want a long, advanced riding session. The tour is designed to be accessible to beginners, but it is still a real horseback activity. You should be comfortable sitting on a moving animal and following instructions.

It is also not the right pick if your main goal is a quiet sightseeing tour. This is hands-on, sandy, and likely to leave you wet during the sea portion.

Booking, cancellation, and final practical advice

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the activity is often booked about 29 days ahead. That advance pattern suggests you should reserve early if your Hurghada dates are fixed, particularly if you need a certain pickup area or want to use a group discount.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. Keep the local time rule in mind if you are arranging the activity from another country.

Before paying, check three things: your hotel’s transfer zone, the expected time on horseback, and whether swimming is planned for your specific departure. Those details will tell you more about the tour’s value than the headline price alone.

Should you book the Red Sea horse ride?

Yes, if you want a short, unusual Hurghada excursion that combines desert, beach, and sea. The $29 rate is appealing, transport is included, and the trainer and helmets make it approachable for beginners.

The strongest reason to book is the water ride. Beach galloping and horse swimming create a memorable experience that a normal stable visit cannot match. The private-group format is another plus for families and friends.

Go in with realistic expectations. Your riding time may be one to two hours within the three-hour outing, and the exact balance between desert, beach, and sea can vary. If that suits you, this is a lively and fairly priced addition to a Hurghada holiday.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada horse riding tour?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours. The horseback riding portion on similar Hurghada tours may range from one to two hours, with the remaining time used for transfers, preparation, and guidance.

What is included in the price?

The $29 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, the horseback ride, a guide, and bottled water or a soft drink. Helmets are also provided for riders.

Can beginners join the horse riding tour?

Yes. The experience is designed for beginners as well as experienced riders, and an expert trainer provides guidance and assistance throughout the activity.

Is swimming with the horses included?

The experience includes the chance to guide your horse into the Red Sea. The exact timing and amount of sea riding can vary, so confirm the plan for your departure when booking.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is hotel transfer available from areas outside Hurghada?

Yes. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh are available for an additional $10 per person.