Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

Horses, desert, and sea in one morning. This Hurghada excursion gives you a rare way to see the Red Sea coast, first from the saddle and then, if you choose the swimming option, from the water beside your horse. I like the patient instruction for beginners, and I like that the horses are repeatedly described as calm, healthy, and well cared for. The main point to consider is that riding for several hours can be tiring, especially if you are new to horses.

At $20 per person, the experience offers a lot for the money: hotel transport in Hurghada, a guide, desert and beach riding, safety equipment, and drinks. The horse swim costs extra if it is not part of your selected option, and the extra pickup charge for resorts outside Hurghada can change the final price.

Key points to know before you book

• The sea swim is the special moment: Choose the swimming option for around an hour in the Red Sea with your horse.
• Beginners receive active help: Guides introduce you to the horse, explain riding basics, and may stay close to nervous riders.
• The route changes scenery: You ride through open desert, along the beach, and toward the water.
• The horses are a major strength: Reports describe them as calm, friendly, healthy, and well trained.
• Expect several hours in the saddle: Each riding station lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, with roughly three hours at the stable and on the route.
• Pickup needs checking: Hurghada hotel transfers are included, but resorts in El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga require an added fee.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. The provider gives the exact pickup time based on your hotel location, so confirm it the day before. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is worth allowing for if you have another appointment later.

Pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. If you are staying in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, or Safaga, transport is available for an extra €10 per person. That fee can still be fair for the convenience, but check the total before booking so the low headline price does not surprise you later.

The transport details are one of the few less polished parts of the experience. One family found the pickup timing and vehicle comfort could be better, although they still rated the day highly. I would treat the transfer as practical transport, not part of the sightseeing.

At the stable, you meet your guide and are introduced to your horse. The staff speak English, German, and Arabic. Several guides are praised by name, including Karim, Keo, Ameen, Sasa, Abdul, Mohamed, and Yusef. The exact guide depends on the day, but the repeated praise is useful: the staff are not simply leading a line of horses. They explain what to do, help with nerves, and keep an eye on the group.

The safety briefing makes a real difference

Before you set off, the guide gives you a basic orientation. You learn how to sit, hold the reins, and control the horse. Helmets and chaps are provided, along with comfortable saddles.

That introduction matters most if you have little or no riding experience. Several first-time riders describe feeling nervous at the start, then gaining confidence because the guides stayed close and offered clear help. One nervous rider had someone hold the horse throughout the ride, while another guide helped a young rider return on a donkey when she was struggling.

This is not a private riding lesson, so you should not expect a long one-to-one training session. The ride includes people with different levels of skill, and the guides work to keep everyone comfortable. More experienced riders may get the chance to trot or run, but the pace depends on the group and the guide’s judgment.

The horses are a strong part of the appeal. Descriptions of calm behavior, healthy coats, friendly manners, and tidy stables come up again and again. I also like the reports that the animals are easy for beginners to handle. Still, remember that a horse is a living animal, not a motorbike. Listen to the guide, keep a steady seat, and do not force speed if you are uncomfortable.

Riding through the Hurghada desert

The first major section takes you into the desert. The open setting gives you a sharp contrast to Hurghada’s hotels and busy resort roads. From horseback, you get a broad view of the dry ground, scattered plant life, and the empty space around the stable.

The desert ride is not a sightseeing tour with a long list of historic stops. Its value is the simple change of pace. You hear the horse’s movement, feel the saddle beneath you, and watch the scenery open out. For many people, that quiet time is more memorable than another organized bus trip.

The ride through the desert lasts about an hour according to the advertised arrangement, although each station is generally between 40 and 60 minutes. The full day at the stable and on the route is around three hours. Because the timing can vary, do not plan an immediate activity after the excursion.

The guides also take photographs and videos during the ride. Some use your own phone, and several people appreciated getting plenty of images without handing over their device or buying a separate package. Professional cameras may also be used. Ask how the pictures will be delivered if that matters to you, as the available details do not explain the process.

The main drawback here is physical effort. Horse riding uses muscles you may not normally notice, especially in your legs and lower back. If you are a first-time rider, the desert section can feel longer than it sounds. Wear flexible, breathable long trousers to reduce rubbing, and bring water even though water, tea, and coffee are provided.

Along the beach and into the Red Sea

The route then reaches the beach. This is where the scenery changes from dry desert to open sea, with sand under the horses’ feet and the Red Sea breeze around you. Riding beside the shore gives you a peaceful stretch of coast without the usual noise of a boat trip or a busy beach club.

You may ride into the shallow water during the beach section, depending on the option and the guide’s plan. The combination of sand, sea, and horses is the reason this trip feels different from a standard riding lesson. You are not only circling an arena. You are moving between two very different parts of Hurghada’s natural setting.

The beach ride is advertised as about one hour, with each station lasting roughly 40 to 60 minutes. That does not mean every rider will spend the same amount of time at exactly the same pace. The guide may slow the group to help beginners or adjust the plan for comfort and safety.

This section also makes a good case for bringing swimwear. If you select the horse-swimming option, you will need clothing suitable for getting fully wet. A towel and a change of clothes are practical additions, even though they are not listed among the included items.

Swimming with your horse

The optional swim is the clear centerpiece. For around one hour, you can enter the Red Sea with your horse. This is not just riding along the edge of the water. The experience is intended as a real swim, and one rider specifically advised bringing a swimsuit for that reason.

The moment works because it changes your relationship with the horse. On land, you are learning to sit, steer, and match the animal’s movement. In the water, the pace becomes calmer and the focus shifts to staying balanced and close to the horse. The sea gives the activity a playful, unusual feel that is hard to copy elsewhere.

The guides appear to be especially important during this part. Riders who were worried about the water describe being reassured and supported until they felt ready. If you are nervous, say so before entering the sea. You should not feel pressured to do the swim simply because you booked the ride.

Do check the booking option carefully. Swimming with the horses is included only if you select it. The basic package includes a one-hour desert ride and a one-hour beach ride, while the swimming experience is an additional choice. At this price, paying more for the swim can make sense if this is the main reason you are interested in the outing.

There is also a practical point about comfort. Wet clothing, salt water, sun, and several hours of riding can leave you tired. I would schedule this on a day without strenuous activities afterward. It is best treated as the main event, not as a quick add-on between snorkeling and dinner.

Food, drinks, and the stable atmosphere

After the ride, you return to the stable. Coffee, tea, and water are included, and the experience also describes a freshly cooked meal with music after the ride.

The meal is a welcome finish because you will have spent a long period outdoors and in the saddle. It also gives you time to relax rather than rushing straight into the return vehicle. The information does not specify the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or a full restaurant-style meal.

The stable itself is part of the appeal. People describe a friendly atmosphere and horses that enjoy attention. If you like animals, allow yourself a little time to observe the horses when you are not riding. That quiet contact can be as rewarding as the more dramatic sea section.

The guides also add a social element. Karim is often praised for his humor and calm reassurance, while Keo and Sasa are noted for helping families and nervous riders. Ameen is repeatedly described as friendly and attentive. Names can vary by departure, but the overall pattern suggests a hands-on team.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, this is unusually good value if you are staying in Hurghada and choose the standard riding option. You get hotel pickup and return, a guide, a desert ride, a beach ride, a helmet, chaps, refreshments, and the use of a horse for several riding stations.

The value becomes even stronger for families or groups who want a memorable activity without paying for a full-day boat charter. The combination of desert and sea gives you more variety than a short paddock ride, and the photographs add something you can keep from the day.

The calculation changes if you need a resort transfer and want to swim with the horses. Add €10 per person for pickup from the listed outer resort areas, then check the cost of the swimming option. Even with those additions, the activity may remain reasonably priced, but compare the final total rather than judging it by the $20 base price.

There are also costs in comfort. You will need suitable clothing, and you may want a towel, a change of clothes, and personal spending money if you want anything beyond the provided drinks and meal. These are small matters, but they make the day easier.

The experience has a strong rating of 4.8 from 2,198 ratings, and the most praised points are consistent: the horses, the guides, the support for beginners, and the sea swim. The less positive detail is limited but useful, mainly concerning pickup timing and vehicle comfort. That balance suggests the activity itself is the reason to book, not the transport.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want something more unusual than a standard beach excursion. It suits couples, families, first-time riders, and people who already ride but want the novelty of entering the sea with a horse.

Families should note that children can be supported by the guides, and the experience has worked well for young riders. However, the supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the provider before booking for a child. The weight limit is clear: riders should not exceed 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety.

This is less suitable if you dislike physical activity, have trouble sitting comfortably for long periods, or want a private, highly customized lesson. You may also prefer another excursion if you do not want to get wet or spend time in the sun.

You do not need to be an expert. The guides teach basic riding and help beginners learn how to trot and control the horse. But you should be honest about your ability and nerves. The most successful day comes when you let the guide set the pace.

Practical choices that improve the day

Book the swimming option if the Red Sea is your main reason for coming. If you only want to ride along the beach and through the desert, the standard option still offers a good mix.

Wear long, flexible trousers and a top that allows easy movement. Take swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, and a phone with enough battery for photographs. The provider supplies helmets and chaps, but you should still dress for heat, dust, and salt water.

Confirm your pickup time one day before departure and send your room number by email or WhatsApp if possible. This is especially important in large resort areas where the driver may need precise directions.

The tour is available daily. Special offers are described for Tuesdays and Fridays in the main details, while another description mentions Sundays and Fridays. Because those days do not match, ask the provider which promotion applies to your date before relying on a discount.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms help if your Hurghada plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Yes, if you want the sea swim, enjoy animals, and can handle a few hours of riding. The $20 starting price is strong, the route gives you desert and beach scenery in one outing, and the guides seem particularly good at calming beginners.

I would book it with two checks: confirm your total price, including the swimming option and any resort transfer, and confirm the pickup time the day before. If you are nervous, tell the staff at the stable and let them help you choose a calm horse and a comfortable pace.

Skip it if you want a very polished transfer service, a private ride, or a relaxed activity with no physical strain. For most people seeking a memorable Hurghada day, though, swimming beside a well-trained horse in the Red Sea is a rare experience worth considering.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga are available for an extra €10 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience takes approximately three hours, including the riding sections and the return to the stable. You will be on the horse at each station for about 40 to 60 minutes.

Is swimming with the horse included?

Swimming is included only when you select the swimming option. The advertised swimming session lasts around one hour.

Do I need riding experience?

No. The guide provides an introductory safety briefing and teaches basic riding skills. The activity can still feel physically demanding if you have never ridden before.

What is the rider weight limit?

For the horses’ safety, riders should not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

What should I wear?

Comfortable, breathable, flexible long trousers are recommended to help prevent chafing. If you select the swim, bring swimwear, a towel, and dry clothing.

Is the tour available every day?

Yes, the tour is available daily. Special offers are listed for Tuesdays and Fridays, although another part of the information mentions Sundays and Fridays, so confirm the current promotion before booking.