Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Tour, Stargazing, Dinner & Show

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scenery: you leave the resort roads, cross open desert, and reach the Red Sea on horseback. Riding beside the water feels far more memorable than another afternoon at the hotel pool. I also like the careful matching of riders and horses, with guides such as Yusuf, Didi, Hassan, and Mahmoud helping beginners while giving confident riders a chance to canter.

I like the choice of formats, especially the 5:00 AM sunrise ride with breakfast and the four-hour VIP option with a horse swim stop. The main thing to watch is the fine print: dinner, the show, breakfast, transfers, and swimming belong to specific options, not every booking. Stargazing can also suffer from clouds and the glow from Hurghada.

Key points before you book

• Ride from sandy desert to the Red Sea: The two-hour route combines open desert trails, seaside views, and photo stops.
• Guides adjust the pace: Beginners receive close help, while experienced riders may be offered a canter or gallop when conditions allow.
• Sunrise breakfast is time-specific: Oriental breakfast comes with the 5:00 AM departure only.
• Horse swimming is a VIP extra: The four-hour private option is the one that includes swimming with your horse.
• Sunset adds a full evening: The evening package combines riding, Oriental dinner, a dance show, and telescope stargazing.
• Pickup saves time: Shared transfers cover the main resort areas, while private transport costs extra.

From resort lobby to desert stable

Your day usually begins with a hotel pickup, unless you choose the entry-only ticket and make your own way to the base. Pickup can come 0 to 1 hour before the selected start time, and the exact time is sent the day before. Wait in the lobby about 10 minutes early, and keep WhatsApp active because that is the main way the team sends updates.

Travel time depends on your hotel. Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh are about 25 to 30 minutes away. Hurghada takes roughly 40 to 45 minutes, while El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, and Safaga can take up to an hour. That range matters when you are choosing a sunrise or evening departure. A private transfer is available for an added fee if you prefer not to share a vehicle.

The vehicle is air-conditioned when transport is included. Bring only what you need. Large bags, jewelry, and loose valuables are not suitable for the ride, and the instructions specifically ask you not to smoke in the vehicle or bring alcohol and drugs.

At the base, allow about 15 minutes to rest and get ready. You receive a safety briefing, meet your horse, and take part in a short driving test before setting out. Helmets and safety equipment are provided, and helmets must be worn during the ride. The team groups riders by ability, which makes a real difference when one person is a first-timer and another already rides regularly.

The two-hour ride across desert and coast

The standard ride lasts two hours. It is not a race, and that is good news if you want time to look around, settle into the saddle, and take photos. The route may cross sandy valleys and quiet open plains before reaching the coast.

The desert section gives you the strongest sense of space. You hear less traffic, see broad stretches of sand, and get a clear view of the horses moving together. On windy days, sand can blow across the trail, so long clothing is useful. Sunglasses protect your eyes, while a hat helps during daylight rides.

The coastal part is the emotional high point for many people. Riding along the Red Sea gives you a different view of Hurghada, far removed from hotel balconies and boat excursions. Guides often stop to take pictures and videos on your phone, and several guides are praised for steady filming during a canter or gallop.

Do not expect every group to gallop. The guides first assess the riders and horses, then set a pace that suits the group. Beginners may walk beside the guide while learning how to handle the reins. Confident riders can sometimes canter or gallop along suitable sections of the beach or desert.

This approach works well for families and mixed groups. A nine-year-old first-timer has been supported alongside experienced adults, while nervous riders have been encouraged without being pushed too far. If you are anxious, say so at the start. The guides have shown they can change a horse when one seems too lively or choose a calmer mount for a child.

Sunrise at 5:00 AM and the Oriental breakfast

The sunrise option is worth considering if you can manage the early start. The air is cooler, the light is softer, and the desert feels quieter before the heat and activity of the day. You may begin with a warm fire and herbal tea, then ride as the sky brightens.

The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM departure. It is not automatically part of every morning ride, so select the correct time when booking. After the ride, you can expect traditional breakfast food rather than a hotel-style buffet.

This option suits people who want a calm half-day outing and do not need dinner or a stage show. It also makes practical sense in warmer months, when an early ride is more comfortable. The tradeoff is the pickup time. Depending on your resort, you may be leaving well before dawn.

The VIP four-hour horse swim

The four-hour VIP program adds a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea. This is the most unusual option and the one to choose if horse swimming is the main reason you are interested.

The longer format allows more time for the ride, the coastline, photos, and the water stop. You should bring swimwear and a change of clothing, though the supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so it is sensible to ask the operator about that before departure.

The swim requires more than a standard beach ride. You need to be comfortable around a horse in shallow water, and the guide will decide how the group enters the sea. Some riders may prefer to go only partway into the water, which has been accommodated during past outings.

Check the option name carefully. A regular two-hour horse ride does not include the swim stop. The four-hour VIP option is specifically identified as the program with swimming. This is also a private program, making it a better fit for couples or families who want a more personal pace.

Quad biking and horse riding in one morning

The double-adventure option gives you one hour on a quad bike followed by one hour on horseback. It runs only in the cooler early morning hours, so it is not a flexible afternoon substitute.

This works well if you want variety and do not want a full two-hour ride. The quad section adds noise and speed, while the horse section brings back the slower feel of the desert and coast. If you have never ridden a quad bike, you can sit behind your partner, as one couple did, instead of driving alone.

The compromise is time. One hour on horseback is shorter than the main ride, so choose the standard two-hour program if the horse experience matters most. Also remember that this option is not the same as the VIP horse swim.

Sunset dinner, dance show, and telescope time

The evening program begins with a sunset ride and continues after you return to the base. The meal is an Oriental or barbecue-style dinner, with traditional dishes and drinks available to buy. Mineral water is available, but other drinks may cost extra.

The show adds music, dancing, and traditional performance. Some programs include a horse performance and fire throwing. The entertainment can be fun and participatory, though it is not the strongest part for everyone. I would book this package for the combination of riding and atmosphere, not for a polished theater production.

Stargazing follows the meal and show. Telescopes may be used to look at the moon and planets such as Jupiter. The result depends on the night. Clouds can block the sky, and Hurghada’s distant lights reduce the number of visible stars. On a clear evening, seeing the moon or Jupiter through a telescope is a pleasant extra. It is not a remote desert astronomy session with a completely black sky.

This timing suits you if you want one evening activity that combines scenery, food, culture, and a little science. It is less suitable if you want a quiet ride only, since the dinner and show extend the outing.

Horses, helmets, and guide support

The horses are described as calm, healthy, and well cared for, and the stables have received especially warm attention. That matters more here than fancy equipment. A relaxed horse makes it easier for a beginner to learn and for an experienced rider to enjoy the route.

The guide team includes names such as Yusuf, Didi, Hassan, Mahmoud, Mohamed, Abdul, Ahmed, Saber, and Sabr. The exact guide depends on the day, but the recurring strength is personal help. Guides take pictures, explain how to control the horse, walk beside nervous riders, and help children stay comfortable.

One useful detail is the willingness to change a horse when the first match is poor. That is the kind of practical response you want on a riding excursion. You should still speak up if the saddle feels uncomfortable, the horse seems too active, or you do not want to canter.

Wear long trousers or leggings. They help prevent rubbing from the saddle, especially during a longer ride or a gallop. Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and seasonal clothing are sensible. On windy days, long sleeves or a light covering protect you from blowing sand.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This tour suits first-time riders, families with older children, couples looking for a different Red Sea activity, and experienced riders who want a desert and beach setting. It is also a good choice for a mixed group because the pace can be adjusted.

You should not book if you are pregnant, have back problems, have a mobility impairment, or use a wheelchair. The stated maximum weight is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. One past rider was unable to ride after arriving because of a weight limit of 100 kilograms, so confirm the current limit directly if you are near it.

This is not a suitable choice if you want unrestricted riding from start to finish. Guides manage the route and keep the group together. The point is a supervised outing with varied scenery, not a private cross-country ride.

Is $20 good value?

At around $20 per person, the basic ride is strong value if you mainly want two hours on horseback and can use shared transport. You receive a guide, a safety briefing, a trained horse, desert and coastal routes, and photo stops. The low price becomes especially attractive for families and first-time riders who want to try horse riding without committing to a full day.

The final cost depends on the option. Entry-only is cheaper in logistics but requires you to reach the base yourself. Shared pickup adds convenience. Private transfers, private guiding, the quad combination, dinner and show, and the four-hour swim program change the price and the length of the day.

I would compare options by asking what you actually want. Choose the basic two-hour ride for scenery and riding. Choose sunrise if breakfast and cooler air matter. Choose the VIP program if swimming with a horse is the goal. Choose the evening package if you want food and entertainment after the ride.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada schedule is still changing.

My practical verdict

I would book this for the desert-to-sea ride, not because every add-on is equally strong. The horses, adaptable guides, coastal route, and personal photos give the core outing its value. Guides such as Yusuf and Didi have been especially good at helping nervous beginners while giving experienced riders more freedom.

Pick the 5:00 AM ride for cooler air and breakfast, the four-hour VIP program for the horse swim, or the sunset package for dinner, dancing, and a little telescope time. Just confirm exactly what your chosen option includes, bring long trousers and sunscreen, and keep your expectations realistic about the show and stargazing.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding experience last?

The main horse ride lasts two hours. The VIP horse swimming program lasts four hours, while the full activity can take between two and five hours depending on the selected option.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you choose an option with shared transfer. Entry-only tickets do not include transport. Private transfers are available for an extra fee.

How long is the transfer from Hurghada?

The transfer from Hurghada usually takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh are about 25 to 30 minutes away, while some locations can take up to an hour.

Can beginners join the horse ride?

Yes. The guides provide instructions, a safety briefing, and a short driving test. Riders are grouped by ability, and the pace can be adjusted for beginners and experienced riders.

Is horse swimming included in the two-hour ride?

No. Swimming with your horse is included only in the four-hour VIP option with a swim stop.

Is breakfast included with every morning ride?

No. The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride.

Does the evening program include dinner and a show?

The evening option includes a sunset ride followed by Oriental dinner, a live show, and stargazing. Drinks other than mineral water may cost extra.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and German.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and comfortable seasonal clothing. Long trousers or leggings are useful for reducing saddle rubbing, and long clothing can help protect you from sand on windy days.