Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of pace: one moment you are bumping across the desert by jeep, and the next you are riding a horse through quiet valleys toward a sunset framed by mountains. The evening finishes under a clear sky, with a telescope aimed at the moon and other visible targets.

I like the one-hour horse ride, especially for first-timers, because guides fit you with riding gear and adjust the pace to your comfort. I also like the simple desert rhythm: tea at the oasis, a filling BBQ meal, then a star talk far from resort lights. The main caution is the jeep transfer, which can feel rough and fast, and the stargazing may involve a wait if the group is large.

Key points at a glance

• A sunset horseback ride through desert valleys: The route includes photo and rest stops, with riding speed based on your ability.
• A 17 km off-road jeep transfer: The drive adds adventure, but it can be bumpy and intense.
• A practical first-timer setup: Safety instructions, riding equipment, and guides accompany you on the horses.
• Dinner at a desert oasis: Expect Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Telescope stargazing after dark: A guide explains star groups and points out targets visible that night.
• Good value at $41: Transfers, activities, dinner, drinks, and guiding are bundled into one evening.

Riding into the Red Sea desert at sunset

This is not just a short horse ride beside a resort. After pickup, you travel to a meeting point and continue by jeep for about 17 kilometers through the desert. The destination is an oasis used as the base for the evening’s activities.

The setting matters. You are not riding on a flat track with traffic and hotel buildings in view. The route passes between valleys, with mountains and open desert around you. The changing light gives the ride its character, especially as the sun drops and the rock begins to glow.

The horse ride lasts about an hour. You stop along the way for photographs and a rest, then continue toward a high point for sunset before returning to the oasis. You should expect a guided ride rather than a free-for-all gallop. The speed and riding style depend on your comfort and experience.

That makes this a reasonable choice if you have never ridden before. The guides explain how the activity works, cover the safety rules, and help you use the equipment. Sam, who was riding for the first time, described the staff as attentive throughout. That matches the practical shape of the excursion: you are not simply handed a horse and sent off.

Still, you should be honest about your limits. You will be in direct desert sun, and it can feel hotter away from the coast than it did at your hotel. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and clothing suited to the weather. The horses were described as happy and healthy, and the guides take care with beginners, but horseback riding can still be tiring if you are unused to it.

The jeep ride is part of the adventure

The off-road drive is more than a transfer. It is the first proper thrill of the evening, taking you from the meeting point into the desert and later back again. Some people will love the jolts, speed, and open space. Others will find the ride uncomfortable.

This is the part I would explain carefully before booking. One account described the jeep as traveling at more than 100 kilometers per hour, with passengers sitting in the back without seatbelts. That may not describe every vehicle or every departure, but it gives you a useful warning: the drive can feel extreme rather than gentle.

If you have back problems, dislike fast off-road driving, or need a calm evening, ask the operator for more detail before you pay. The tour location is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards, but that does not change the basic nature of a desert safari. Hold on, listen to the driver, and expect dust and bouncing.

The ride may also make the outing longer than you expect. One schedule ran from about 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., including pickup, transfers, activities, dinner, and the return to your hotel. Your exact time depends on hotel location and the season, but keep most of the afternoon and evening free.

Tea, an oasis, and a useful safety briefing

At the oasis, you receive Arabian tea or coffee before the main activities begin. This short welcome gives you time to settle in after the drive and meet the guide.

The guide then explains the plan and the safety rules. This is not filler. It is where you learn how the ride will work, what to expect from the horse, and how the guide will control the group. If you are nervous, use this moment to say so. The stated riding policy allows the pace to be adjusted to the ability and comfort of the people taking part.

The outing is offered with English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish language support. Specific guide assignments can vary, but Adam received especially warm praise for his work during the star session, while Nasser, nicknamed Marshmallow, was remembered for making the astronomy talk funny and easy to follow.

The atmosphere is social. One departure included around 45 people, with English and German groups sharing the evening. That number may vary, but it is worth keeping in mind. You are joining a group outing, not booking a private horse trek.

Dinner at the desert camp

After the ride, you return to the oasis for dinner. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. It is a broad buffet-style spread rather than a fine-dining event, and it gives you a proper meal after time in the sun and saddle.

The food received some of the strongest praise of the evening. Several people found it delicious, while another described it as basic but acceptable. That difference is fair. You should expect a satisfying outdoor dinner, not a polished restaurant menu.

Drinks are included, but bring a little extra caution with anything you buy separately. One person reported stomach trouble after purchasing a smoothie that was not cold enough. That single account does not establish a general problem with the included meal, but it is sensible to stick with the supplied drinks if you have a sensitive stomach.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. This is an evening built around riding, food, and astronomy, so plan accordingly.

Stargazing under a clear desert sky

Once dinner is over, the guide explains star groups and points out objects visible on the night’s calendar. You then use professional telescopes to look at selected targets. The clearest skies are one of the real rewards of leaving Hurghada’s resort strip.

The moon can be a memorable sight through the telescope. Depending on the date, the equipment may also be used for planets or other targets. The exact selection changes with the calendar, so nobody can promise a particular planet or star before the evening.

The guide-led part is useful because the sky can look like a mass of bright dots when you first arrive. A good explanation gives you a way to read it. Nasser’s humor was singled out as a strong point, and that matters during a talk that can otherwise feel long after a full day outside.

The telescope setup has limits. One large departure had two telescopes, one focused on the moon and one on a specific star or other target. With around 45 people, you may need to wait for a turn. You will not have unlimited use of the telescope or be able to handle it yourself.

That is the key tradeoff. If your main goal is serious astronomy, this may feel too organized and too brief. If you want a memorable look at the night sky with an explanation of what you are seeing, it works better. The desert darkness and the guide’s presentation are as important as the equipment.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, the price is strong for an evening that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the jeep transfer, riding gear, a guided horse ride, tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing.

You are also paying for several different settings in one trip: the road out of town, the oasis, the horse route, the sunset viewpoint, the dinner area, and the dark-sky stop. Booking each piece separately would be inconvenient, even if the group format means you give up some privacy.

The value is best if you plan to use the full evening. A short ride alone might not justify the price for every visitor, but the combination of sunset, dinner, and astronomy gives the outing more weight. Pickup and drop-off also remove the need to arrange desert transport yourself.

The price does not mean every part will be equally polished. The jeep can be rough, the meal is simple, and the telescopes may be busy. You are buying a varied, guided adventure rather than luxury service.

Who should book this Hurghada excursion?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and families with older children who want several desert activities in one evening. It suits first-time riders particularly well because the guides explain the basics and stay with you during the route.

It also fits people who want a memorable final night in Hurghada. Horseback riding at sunset, a meal outdoors, and stars away from the hotel lights create a clear sense of occasion without the price of a private tour.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a baby under one year old, since the activity is not suitable for those participants. You should also reconsider if fast off-road travel makes you anxious or if you need a quiet, private experience.

The tour is available with several language options, but group sizes and guide assignments can affect how personal the explanations feel. If the astronomy portion is your main reason for booking, ask how many people are expected on your date and how many telescopes will be available.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Wear closed, comfortable clothing suitable for riding and bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Desert sun can be stronger than it feels at the hotel, especially during the horse ride.

Keep your camera ready for the stops along the route, but protect it from dust during the jeep ride. The photo breaks are part of the design of the outing, so you do not need to rush every image from the saddle.

Tell the guide your riding experience before the group leaves. The pace is meant to match comfort and ability, and first-timers benefit most when they speak up early.

Leave room in your schedule from pickup through the evening return. The activity itself is not just the hour on horseback. Transfers, food, and astronomy can make this a six-hour outing or longer, depending on your hotel and departure.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That is useful if your Hurghada plans are still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want a good-value desert evening with several distinct parts and you are happy in a group. The horse ride and sunset are the strongest reasons to go, while dinner and stargazing give the night a satisfying finish.

Go in with realistic expectations. The jeep ride may be intense, the food is simple, and telescope time can be limited when the group is large. For most people who want adventure rather than luxury, the mix of horses, mountains, sunset, BBQ, and stars makes $41 a sensible use of an evening in Hurghada.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $41 per person.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included, with pickup time based on your hotel location.

How long is the horse ride?

The guided horseback ride lasts about one hour.

Where does the horse ride take place?

The ride takes place in the desert, traveling between valleys and mountain-framed scenery near an oasis.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide gives a safety briefing, provides riding gear, and adjusts riding style and speed to the ability and comfort of the group.

What food is included?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.

Is stargazing included?

Yes. A guide explains star groups, and telescopes are used to view targets available in the sky according to the calendar.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suitable for the weather.

Who should not join this experience?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.