Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horseback Riding, Stargazing, Dinner, Show

Saddle up for a very different Hurghada evening. This experience pairs horseback riding around Makadi Bay with optional stargazing, dinner, and an Egyptian show, giving you a choice between a simple riding outing and a fuller sunset program. I like the mix of sea views, open desert, and night-sky viewing. I also like that the horses are described as gentle and well trained, making the ride approachable for beginners, families, couples, and solo riders.

The main point to consider is that the experience can vary depending on which version you choose. A riding-only outing is much simpler, while the sunset option adds dinner, astronomy, and entertainment. Pickup can also run late, although the scheduled tour time is still honored.

The tour costs about $41.34 per person, which is a fair price if your package includes the complete evening program. The horseback ride is the strongest part of the experience, so I would choose this mainly for the riding and treat the dinner and show as added extras rather than the sole reason to book.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Makadi Bay riding: You ride around Makadi Bay, a Red Sea resort area known for sandy beaches, hotels, spas, coral reefs, and marine life.
• Several tour styles: Choose horseback riding alone or select the sunset option with stargazing, dinner, and a show.
• Good for mixed riding abilities: Beginners can participate, while riders with some experience may be allowed to trot under guide supervision.
• Family-friendly option: Children aged 7 and 11 have taken part successfully, according to the available tour details.
• Helmets may need requesting: Helmets were provided when requested, so ask for one before mounting.
• Small timing issue: A driver was late on one occasion, but the full tour duration was maintained.

Riding Beside Makadi Bay

The central activity is a horseback ride around Makadi Bay, south of Hurghada. Makadi Bay is built around resort hotels and sandy beaches, but it also opens onto broad desert surroundings. That contrast is what gives the ride its appeal: one moment you are near the Red Sea holiday strip, and the next you are looking across dry, open ground.

You do not need to be an experienced equestrian. The activity is designed for all levels, and each person receives a horse. The horses are described as calm and well behaved, which matters more than fancy riding terms or a fast pace. For a first-time rider, a steady horse and attentive guide make the outing far less intimidating.

The guides take responsibility for safety while still allowing some freedom. One guide taught beginners to trot a little, while another let more confident riders enjoy the horse at their own pace. That balance is useful. You get instruction when needed, but the ride does not have to feel like a slow parade for the whole group.

Still, be honest about your riding ability. A short trot can be fun, but you should tell the guide if you feel unsure. Since the ride is offered to beginners, the best experience comes from speaking up early about your comfort level rather than trying to keep pace with more experienced riders.

Why the Horse Ride Gets the Highest Praise

The riding receives the clearest approval in the available feedback. The guides are described as both fun and cautious, a strong combination for an activity involving children and first-time riders. The horses also appeared well cared for and eager to go out, which adds to the sense that the ride is more than a quick photo opportunity.

For families, that matters. A child can enjoy the novelty of riding a horse without the outing becoming overly demanding. The example of children aged 7 and 11 taking part suggests that school-age children may manage the experience, although you should still consider your own child’s confidence around horses.

I would also give the ride priority if you have limited energy or only want one part of the program. The horse outing is the most distinctive element. Dinner and a show can be pleasant, but horseback riding beside the Red Sea and desert gives the experience its real character.

Ask for a riding helmet before setting off. Helmets were supplied when requested, but they may not be offered automatically. That is a small but important safety tip, especially for children or anyone new to horseback riding.

Sunset, Stars, and the Desert Sky

The sunset option changes the mood of the experience. As daylight fades over the Red Sea, the ride gives way to stargazing with an expert guide. The guide explains the night sky and the objects visible above you, adding a quiet educational element to what could otherwise be just another evening entertainment program.

Stargazing works particularly well in this setting because the desert provides a wide, open horizon. You are away from the close walls and bright signs of the hotel area, so the sky becomes the focus. The tour information does not promise specific planets, constellations, or telescopes, so you should think of this as guided sky watching rather than a formal astronomy session with guaranteed sightings.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for horseback riding and stargazing, since both depend on outdoor conditions. If the sky is cloudy, the stargazing portion will naturally lose some of its appeal.

The sunset option is best for couples and families wanting a full evening rather than a short ride. It also suits anyone who likes a slower rhythm: ride while there is still light, pause for the sky, then settle in for food and entertainment.

Dinner and an Egyptian Show After Dark

After the ride and stargazing, the evening continues with dinner and a show. The meal includes local and international dishes, which makes it a practical choice for groups with different tastes. You may want to sample local food, while someone else in your group may prefer familiar international choices.

The show celebrates Egyptian culture. It gives the outing a festive ending and helps turn a riding trip into a complete evening program. At the same time, you should set your expectations carefully. The supplied details do not name the performers, list the exact menu, or describe the style and length of the show, so these parts are best viewed as enjoyable additions rather than highly specialized cultural performances.

This is also where the value depends on your selected package. The experience description presents riding-only and expanded options. Check exactly what is included in the version you select, especially if dinner and the show are important to you. The listed inclusions cover an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a horse for each person, but they do not separately list every optional activity.

Transport From Hurghada and Tour Timing

Pickup is offered, and transportation is by air-conditioned vehicle. That is welcome in Hurghada, where the heat can make even a short transfer tiring. Bottled water is included, another useful touch for an outdoor activity in a dry climate.

The total experience lasts about three hours. That makes it easy to fit into a Hurghada holiday without giving up a full day at the beach or a longer Red Sea excursion. If you choose riding only, the schedule may feel comfortably focused. If you add stargazing, dinner, and the show, the three-hour estimate becomes more compact, so expect the program to move from one part to the next without long pauses.

One driver was late, but the planned tour time was preserved. I would allow a little flexibility around pickup and avoid booking a tightly timed restaurant reservation or airport transfer immediately afterward. A delayed hotel pickup is annoying, but it is less serious when the activity operator makes up the lost time during the outing.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is a large possible capacity, and the experience may feel less personal if the full number is reached. On horseback, the group will likely be managed in smaller riding lines or sections, but the supplied details do not guarantee a small group. If personal attention is crucial to you, ask the provider about the expected group size before booking.

Is $41.34 a Fair Price?

At about $41.34 per person, the price is reasonable for a Hurghada activity that includes transportation, water, and a horse. The value is strongest when you want a short, convenient outing and do not want to arrange transport to Makadi Bay yourself.

The riding alone gives you the main experience. If the price applies to the expanded sunset program you choose, the dinner, stargazing, and show make the evening more substantial. If those activities cost extra, compare the final total before deciding. The description makes clear that optional additions are available, but the exact package structure should be confirmed during booking.

I would not choose this as a substitute for a specialist equestrian excursion. The ride is designed for a wide range of abilities, which is excellent for accessibility but means the pace and challenge are likely moderate. Experienced riders may enjoy the chance to trot, but the activity is not presented as a long-distance or advanced riding trip.

For a family, the price can make sense because several interests are covered in one outing. Children get the horse ride, adults get the desert and sunset setting, and everyone can share dinner and a show afterward. For a solo visitor, the value depends more on how much you enjoy group activities and organized evening entertainment.

Safety, Comfort, and What to Bring

The horses are described as gentle and well trained, and the guides pay attention to safety. That is encouraging, but normal riding precautions still apply. Wear long trousers and closed shoes if possible, and ask for a helmet before the ride begins.

You should also bring water, even though bottled water is supplied. A hat and sun protection are sensible during the daylight portion, while a light layer may help after sunset. These are practical choices for a setting that can feel hot during the day and cooler once the sun disappears.

The activity is suitable for most people, and most participants can take part. The available information does not give a detailed list of restrictions for weight, pregnancy, back problems, or mobility, so contact Egypt Excursions Online if any of those issues affect you or someone in your group.

Tipping is not included. Keep a small amount available if you feel the guides or driver provided good service, but remember that it is an extra rather than a required part of the stated price.

Who Should Choose the Sunset Version?

I would choose the sunset package if you want an evening with several different elements and prefer not to organize each part yourself. The combination of riding, stars, food, and a show gives you a clear progression from afternoon activity to nighttime entertainment.

Families should find the format appealing, especially if children are old enough to feel comfortable around horses. Couples may like the quieter stargazing portion, while solo visitors can enjoy having transport and a planned schedule handled for them.

The riding-only version is better if you want a straightforward activity and do not care much about dinner or the show. It should also suit you if you already have evening plans in Hurghada or prefer a shorter, less structured outing.

The program is less suitable for someone seeking a private, advanced riding lesson or a highly specialized astronomy experience. The group capacity can reach 100, and the description does not promise private guiding, technical riding instruction, or detailed astronomy equipment.

Booking, Cancellation, and Planning Advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

Because the tour depends on good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. That is useful protection for an outdoor activity, particularly when stargazing is part of your plan.

The experience is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of 27 days. You do not necessarily need to reserve that early for every date, but it is sensible to book ahead if you are visiting during a busy holiday period or need a particular evening.

Should You Book This Makadi Bay Horse Ride?

Book it if you want a convenient, family-friendly horseback ride with the option to turn it into a full desert evening. The calm horses, safety-minded guides, and chance for beginners to try a gentle trot are the strongest reasons to go.

I would select the sunset version only after confirming what the final price includes. The horse ride is the surest part of the value, while the dinner and show add atmosphere rather than a guaranteed high-end meal or major cultural performance.

For most visitors staying in Hurghada, this is a good short excursion, especially when you want something different from a beach day. Request a helmet, allow extra time for pickup, and choose the package that matches your priorities.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place around Makadi Bay, a resort area on the Red Sea Riviera near Hurghada.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is horseback riding suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is designed for beginners and experienced riders. The horses are described as gentle and well trained.

Are dinner and the show included?

The sunset version includes stargazing, dinner, and a show. The experience also offers a horseback-riding-only choice, so confirm the exact package and inclusions when booking.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Are helmets provided?

Helmets were provided when requested. Ask for one before you begin riding.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Cancellations made by you at least 24 hours before the start time also qualify for a full refund.