Horseback Riding with Pickup and Drop-off from Sharm El Sheikh

The striking part of this Sharm el Sheikh outing is the choice between a desert ride and a beach ride that can include time beside or in the sea. You get a very different view of the Red Sea region from the saddle, with open sand, wide coastal views, and the chance to ride a calm Arabian horse.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, since you do not need to arrange a taxi to an unfamiliar stable. I also like the careful matching of horses to riders, especially beginners. Guides such as Islam, Abdun, and Ahamed are praised for explaining the basics and setting a pace that feels manageable.

The main consideration is the short overall duration. The activity lasts about two hours, but that includes transport and preparation, so your actual riding time depends on the one-hour or two-hour option you choose. A separate five-euro fee per person, paid in cash, is also required.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose one or two hours of riding: You can select the length that suits your budget, comfort, and schedule.
• Pick the setting: Ride through the desert or along the beach, with sea riding possible when conditions and the program allow.
• Beginners receive instruction: A guide explains the basic riding and safety steps before you set off.
• Guides stay with the group: Islam, Abdun, and Ahamed are among the named guides praised for friendly help and clear instruction.
• Hotel transfers are included: An air-conditioned vehicle collects you from a Sharm el Sheikh hotel and brings you back.
• Allow for the extra cash fee: Five euros per person for fees and taxes is not included in the advertised price.

A horseback view of Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is best known for its Red Sea water, but this ride gives you a quieter way to see the area. From horseback, the focus shifts from boats and snorkeling to sand, sky, and the steady movement of the horse beneath you.

The setting is simple rather than theatrical. You may ride across the desert or along the beach, depending on your choice. The beach option is the more unusual one, since some rides include taking the horses into the sea. That moment can be especially memorable, but you should think of it as part of a guided riding session, not a long swim or a free-form gallop.

I like that the experience gives you a choice rather than forcing every rider into the same route. If you want open desert views, select the desert option. If the coast is the main reason you are in Sharm el Sheikh, the beach ride offers a more distinctive setting.

Pickup from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from Sharm el Sheikh hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in this part of Egypt, where heat, unfamiliar roads, and the distance between resort areas can make a short activity less convenient than it first appears.

The transfer is also useful for families and first-time riders. You can leave the navigation to the driver, arrive at the riding location, and return to your hotel after the session without arranging a separate ride. Reports of private, punctual transfers make this sound like one of the better-organized parts of the experience, though you should still keep your phone available for pickup updates.

The exact pickup time is arranged after booking. Since the activity is only about two hours, a delay at the start would cut into valuable riding time, so confirm the collection details and be ready at your hotel pickup point.

Meeting the horses and getting ready

Before riding, you receive a safety briefing from the professional trainers or tour leader. This is important even if you have ridden before. Horses differ in pace and temperament, and the guide needs to explain how the group will move together.

A safety helmet is included. The available information does not specify other equipment, so wear practical clothing and closed shoes suitable for riding. Long trousers are a sensible choice. You should also protect yourself from the sun, since both the desert and beach routes offer little shade.

The horses are described as calm, well behaved, and well cared for. That is one of the strongest themes in the feedback, and it matters more than decorative tack or a fancy stable. A calm horse gives a beginner time to learn the reins, balance, and basic signals without feeling rushed.

The guide assigns horses with the rider’s experience in mind. One first-time rider was given a gentle horse, while another beginner was helped through the basic steps before setting off. This does not mean every rider will have the same horse or pace, but it suggests that the staff pay attention to comfort rather than simply handing out horses at random.

What the first hour feels like

The first part of the ride is about getting comfortable. You learn how to sit, hold the reins, and follow the guide’s instructions. Beginners should expect the early pace to be controlled, with the guide keeping the group together.

This is where guides such as Islam and Ahamed seem to make a practical difference. Islam is praised for being friendly, while Ahamed is singled out for teaching riders what they needed to know and improving the experience through his guiding. Abdun is also named as one of the guides accompanying riders.

The group size can reach 15 people. That is not a private ride, and a group of that size may feel less personal than a one-to-one lesson. On the other hand, the guide-led format gives beginners a clear structure and keeps the outing social.

The pace can be adjusted to suit the riders. Some people describe riding at a comfortable speed, while more confident riders may be allowed to move faster when the guide considers it suitable. A child was reported to progress quickly, even reaching a gallop, but you should not assume that galloping is guaranteed. It depends on your ability, the horse, the route, and the guide’s judgment.

Desert or beach: choosing your route

The desert route gives you the broadest sense of the area. Sand and open views create a spare, quiet setting that feels far removed from the hotel district. The attraction is not a long list of sights. It is the simple rhythm of riding across open ground with the desert around you.

The beach route is more visually varied. You have the shoreline, the sea, and the horses moving through a setting that feels unusual for a riding excursion. Several accounts describe time in the sea with the horses, including one birthday outing that combined desert riding with riding through the water.

The beach option may be the better pick if photographs and coastal scenery matter most to you. The desert option may suit you if you prefer wide open space and a more traditional sand-based ride. Ask at the time of booking how the route is being handled that day, since the description allows a choice but does not give a fixed map or named beach.

Wind can affect the feel of the ride. One outing had windy weather, though the horses handled it well. You may enjoy the cooler air, but wind can make the water or desert feel less comfortable, especially if you are not used to riding outdoors.

The horses are a major part of the value

At a price of $10 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to add a guided activity to a Sharm el Sheikh stay. The five-euro cash fee per person needs to be added, so the real cost is higher than the headline price. Even so, the package includes transport, riding, a helmet, and guide assistance.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. You are not paying for a full-day equestrian course or a private lesson. You are paying for a short, guided ride with a choice of scenery and hotel transport.

The horses are central to that value. Several are praised by name or described as beautiful, calm, and easy to ride. Kola is singled out as a particularly enjoyable horse. The repeated comments about the horses being well treated are reassuring, though the supplied details do not explain the stable’s care routine or inspection standards.

If animal welfare is important to you, look at the horses when you arrive. Notice their general condition, water, tack, and behavior, and ask the guide questions if something concerns you. The available information points to positive care, but a responsible rider should still make their own observation.

A good choice for beginners and families

This ride is aimed at a broad range of abilities. The instructions say most people can participate, and beginners receive help before and during the ride. That makes it a practical option if you want to try horseback riding without committing to a long lesson.

Families can also find it appealing. A child reportedly had a particularly good time and soon felt confident on the horse. Staff were also patient with a person who had a small baby along, although that should not be read as a promise that babies can ride or that childcare is provided. The details about age limits, weight limits, and riding arrangements for very young children are not supplied, so ask before booking for a child.

You should be honest about your riding experience when you arrive. If you are nervous, say so. The staff can then place you on a suitable horse and keep the pace gentle. If you want a faster ride, explain that too, but follow the guide’s decision about what is safe.

Photography and the small personal touches

The excursion is not advertised as a photography tour, but guides may help take photos on your phone. That is useful because riding photos are difficult to arrange while holding the reins, and the beach and desert provide natural backdrops.

Bring a charged phone and protect it from sand and water. If you choose the beach option, use a case or leave the phone with someone who can keep it dry. Do not expect a professional photography package, since none is included.

The guides also appear to add a friendly, personal touch. Youstina is noted for arranging the excursion and keeping a rider informed about pickup times. That kind of communication is useful when you are fitting a short activity between meals, pool time, and other tours.

Timing, group size, and what is not included

The stated duration is about two hours. You can choose one or two hours of horseback riding, but the full outing also involves hotel pickup, the drive, arrival, safety instructions, mounting, and the return transfer. If you select the one-hour ride, do not expect two full hours in the saddle.

The maximum group size is 15. That gives you a useful upper limit, though the actual group may be smaller. A larger group can mean more waiting when riders mount or stop for instructions. It can also make the ride feel less private, especially if you are an experienced rider hoping for a fast, independent session.

The listed inclusions are straightforward:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Sharm el Sheikh hotels
• One or two hours of horseback riding
• A desert or beach setting
• Safety helmet
• Guide assistance

Fees and taxes of five euros per person are not included and must be paid in cash. Food, drinks, and any other extras are not listed, so do not assume they form part of the package.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this experience if you want a low-cost outdoor activity with simple arrangements and a strong chance to see Sharm el Sheikh from a different angle. It suits first-time riders, casual riders, families with appropriate arrangements, and anyone attracted to the unusual idea of riding beside or into the sea.

It is less suitable if you want a long trail ride, a private instructor, formal dressage training, or a guaranteed gallop. The experience is short, guided, and group-based. Its strength is the combination of horses, desert or beach scenery, and convenient transfers, not advanced riding instruction.

I would also ask a few questions before committing: Which route is available on your date? Is the sea section included in the beach option? How much time will be spent riding after transfers and preparation? What arrangements are available for children? Those answers will help you decide if the low price matches what you want.

Should you book Horseback Riding with Pickup and Drop-off from Sharm el Sheikh?

Book it if you want an affordable, easy-to-arrange ride and like the idea of choosing between desert sand and the Red Sea shore. The gentle horses, safety briefing, friendly guides, and hotel transfers make it particularly appealing for beginners.

Skip it if you need a private ride, a full day in the saddle, or detailed information about the route before paying. For most people seeking a short, memorable Sharm el Sheikh activity, the $10 price plus the five-euro cash fee offers good value, especially when the beach and sea option is available.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The activity lasts about two hours in total. You can choose one or two hours of horseback riding, so the amount of time in the saddle depends on your selection.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Sharm el Sheikh hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Can I choose between a desert ride and a beach ride?

Yes. The experience allows you to choose horseback riding in the desert or on the beach. Beach rides may include time in the sea.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. A professional trainer or tour leader gives a safety briefing and explains the basics. Guides assist beginners throughout the ride.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A safety helmet is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. Fees and taxes of five euros per person must be paid in cash. This amount is not included in the advertised price.