Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the horse swim in the Red Sea, a rare chance to sit with your horse in warm seawater rather than simply ride beside it. The tour also crosses open desert and beach, giving you three very different settings in one outing.

I like the patient instruction for first-time riders, and I like that guides including Karim, Keo, Ameen, and Sasa are repeatedly singled out for keeping nervous riders calm. The horses are described as healthy, gentle, and well cared for. The main consideration is physical comfort: you may be in the saddle for 40 to 60 minutes at each station, and inexperienced riders can find the pace tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• The Red Sea swim is the special extra: Choose the swimming option if you want roughly an hour in the water with your horse.
• Desert and beach rides are included: The standard outing provides about one hour in the desert and one hour along the beach.
• Beginners receive help: A safety briefing, helmet, chaps, and hands-on guidance make this more approachable for new riders.
• Pickup is easiest from Hurghada: Hotels in other resort areas may require an additional €10 per person.
• The price is unusually low: At $20 per person, the package includes transport, riding, guide service, refreshments, and basic riding equipment.
• Bring the right clothes: Flexible, breathable long trousers and swimwear will make the ride and water stop far more comfortable.

Three hours from Hurghada to desert, beach, and sea

This is not a short photo stop beside the coast. The full experience lasts about three hours, with time divided between the desert, the beach, and, if selected, the sea.

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. The exact time depends on your location, and a delay of up to 10 minutes is possible. Confirm the pickup time the day before, and send your room number to the operator by email or WhatsApp if requested.

You then travel to the stable, meet the guide, and get introduced to your horse. The short orientation matters, especially if you have never ridden before. You will learn basic handling and safety points before setting out, rather than being placed on a horse and sent away without preparation.

The ride is divided into stations of roughly 40 to 60 minutes. That makes the outing easier to manage than one long stretch in the saddle, though the total time is still demanding for your legs and back.

Meeting the horses and learning the basics

The stable introduction is one of the most important parts of the day. Guides explain how to sit, hold the reins, and control your horse. Helmets and chaps are provided, and the safety briefing is intended to protect both rider and horse.

You do not need to be an experienced equestrian to book. Several guides are praised for helping people who were riding for the first time, including children and nervous adults. Karim is often noted for constant reassurance, while Keo, Ameen, and Sasa are described as friendly, attentive, and good at making families feel relaxed.

That said, this is still horseback riding, not a passive sightseeing trip. You need enough balance and mobility to mount, sit upright, follow instructions, and cope with movement for long periods. The operator sets a maximum rider weight of 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety.

The pace can vary by group and ability. More confident riders may have a chance to trot or canter, while beginners can expect support and a gentler introduction. Do not assume you will gallop freely across the desert. The guide controls the group and adjusts the activity to keep riders and horses safe.

The desert ride across Hurghada’s dry interior

The first riding section takes you away from the developed coast and into the desert. The contrast is the point: the Red Sea is close, but the dry interior feels open, quiet, and stark.

You will see the region’s natural plants and wildlife where present, along with wide stretches of sand and rock. The desert is not a museum display or a carefully staged village visit. Its appeal comes from space, light, and the simple rhythm of riding across a dry setting.

This section also lets you settle into the horse before reaching the water. A first-time rider can concentrate on posture and reins without dealing immediately with waves, wet clothing, or the excitement of the swim.

The desert ride may be the best part for riders who enjoy movement and scenery more than swimming. A few people describe riding for around two hours across desert and beside the Red Sea as especially beautiful, while others focus on the water. I would treat the desert section as a proper part of the experience, not merely a route to the beach.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The route then reaches the coast, where the mood changes quickly. You trade dry sand and open desert for sea air, waves, and views across the Red Sea.

Riding along the beach gives you a slower, more scenic stretch. The guides may stop for pictures, and several riders appreciated having photos and videos taken on their own phones. Some guides also use professional cameras, though the supplied information does not specify if those images cost extra, so ask before accepting a paid photo package.

The beach section is suitable for people who want the setting without committing to the swim option. You still get close to the water and ride along the coast, but you can keep your clothing dry if you prefer.

Beach riding can feel easier than desert riding because the scenery changes more often. It can also be more exposed to sun and wind. Wear sun protection and clothing that will not flap, catch, or rub while you ride.

Swimming with your horse in the Red Sea

The swim option is the feature that makes this outing different from a standard beach ride. For around one hour, you enter the Red Sea with your horse. This is not simply walking the horse through shallow water for a quick picture. The information describes it as a genuine swimming stop.

Bring swimwear if you select this option. You will want clothing that can get thoroughly wet, and you should expect salt water, wet tack, and a very different feeling from riding on land.

The swim also requires confidence. Even people who were nervous at the start describe guides staying close, offering reassurance, and helping riders feel secure. If you are uneasy around horses or water, tell the guide before entering the sea so the pace and support can be adjusted.

You should also remember that swimming with a horse is physical for both of you. Follow the guide’s directions, avoid sudden movements, and give the animal room to move naturally. The experience works best when you treat it as a shared activity with a living animal, not as a floating photo prop.

For many people, this will be the emotional high point of the day. The unusual setting, the movement of the water, and the bond between rider and horse create something far more memorable than a standard mounted beach walk.

Guides who make the difference

The human side of this outing matters. Names that come up repeatedly include Karim, Keo, Ameen, Sasa, Abdul, Mohamed, Yusef, Ali, Yaseen, and Abdi.

Karim is particularly associated with calm reassurance, useful for nervous riders. Keo and Sasa are praised for helping families, keeping conversation lively, and making beginners feel safe. Ameen is described as friendly and professional, while Abdul is often credited with adding humor to the day.

Guide quality can change the experience from uncomfortable to enjoyable. The best approach is to tell the guide your real riding level at the start. If you have never ridden, say so plainly. If you are experienced but want a faster pace, ask what is possible with the group and the horses that day.

The guides also help with photos. They may take pictures on your phone during the ride, which is useful because taking your own phone out while mounted or in the sea is risky. Keep your device secure and ask about any professional photography charges before the session.

Horses, equipment, and comfort

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, well trained, strong, and in good condition. They are also described as friendly and suitable for people with little experience. The stable is presented as having horses that are ridden morning and evening, with care given to their condition and housing.

You receive a helmet and chaps. The saddle and basic riding setup are included, so you do not need to bring equipment. You should still wear long, breathable trousers. Flexible fabric helps prevent rubbing, and long trousers offer more comfort against the saddle and horse.

The weight limit of 100 kilograms is not a minor booking detail. It is set for the horses’ safety, so respect it. If you are close to the limit or unsure how it applies, confirm before paying.

The activity may be difficult if you lack riding experience, despite the strong beginner support. A helpful guide can teach you the basics, but no briefing removes the normal strain of riding. Plan a quieter evening afterward if your muscles are not used to the saddle.

Food, drinks, and the return to the stable

After approximately three hours of riding and water time, you return to the stable. The package includes coffee or tea and water, along with a freshly cooked meal served after the ride.

Music accompanies the meal, giving the end of the outing a relaxed social feel. This is a useful finish after the physical effort, though you should not book the activity expecting a long restaurant meal or a formal cultural performance. The focus remains the horses and the outdoor ride.

Hotel drop-off is included for Hurghada properties. The ride back gives you a chance to dry off, rest, and sort through the photos taken during the day.

Is $20 good value?

At $20 per person, this is a strong-value activity if the schedule runs as described. You receive hotel transport within Hurghada, a guide, about one hour in the desert, about one hour on the beach, riding equipment, drinks, and a cooked meal.

The swim option adds the most unusual element. Check the exact price for your selected option before booking, since the basic price and optional swim package may not be identical.

The value is less clear if you are comparing it with a private riding lesson or a small-group equestrian program. The supplied details do not give a group size, so you should expect the experience to depend partly on who else is riding that day.

Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay is available for an extra €10 per person. Hotels in Hurghada are the simplest choice if you want to avoid that surcharge.

Special offers are advertised on certain days, but the supplied information gives conflicting details, listing both Sundays and Tuesdays with Fridays. Confirm the current offer directly before choosing your date.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to families, couples, first-time riders, and anyone looking for a memorable Red Sea activity that is more unusual than a boat trip.

It suits children who can follow instructions and remain comfortable on a horse, though an adult should judge a child’s confidence and stamina. Guides have helped children as young as seven and eight in the supplied accounts, but the exact age rules are not provided, so confirm them before booking for younger riders.

Nervous riders are not automatically excluded. The repeated praise for hands-on help suggests the guides are used to supporting people who are worried about falling or controlling a horse. Still, tell the stable in advance if you are particularly anxious.

You may want to skip it if you dislike physical activity, cannot comfortably sit on a horse, or want a quiet sightseeing trip with no exertion. The sea swim is exciting, but it is not a substitute for a relaxed swim from a beach.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear long, flexible trousers for the land sections and bring swimwear for the water option. Use secure footwear, protect yourself from the sun, and bring water even though water is included.

Confirm your pickup time one day ahead. Hotel locations affect the schedule, and a delay of up to 10 minutes is possible.

If you are staying outside Hurghada, check the transfer surcharge before booking. The added €10 per person applies to several resort areas, including El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, and Soma Bay.

The operator offers service in English, German, and Arabic. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those policies are useful if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the horse swim, enjoy outdoor activity, and are happy with a friendly group outing rather than a private riding lesson. The combination of desert, beach, and sea gives you a lot for the price, and the guides appear especially strong with beginners and nervous riders.

Skip the swim option if you do not want to get wet, but keep the desert and beach ride if you like horses and scenery. Before booking, confirm the special-offer day, pickup point, total price for the swim package, and your ability to ride for several hours. For $20, this is one of Hurghada’s more distinctive low-cost excursions, provided you arrive prepared for real time in the saddle.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada horse riding tour cost?

The listed price is $20 per person. Confirm the final price for your chosen option, especially if you want to swim with the horses.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How long does the activity last?

The complete outing takes approximately three hours. You spend about 40 to 60 minutes at each riding station.

How much time do I ride in the desert?

The included itinerary provides a one-hour horse ride through the desert.

How much time do I ride on the beach?

The included itinerary provides a one-hour horse ride along the beach and Red Sea coast.

Can I swim with my horse?

Yes, swimming is available if you select the swimming option. The water session lasts around one hour, and you should bring swimwear.

Do I need riding experience?

No. The tour includes an introduction, safety briefing, and help from the guides. Horseback riding is physical, however, and may be difficult if you have no riding experience.

Is there a rider weight limit?

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

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable long trousers to reduce rubbing while riding. Bring swimwear if you select the horse swimming option.