Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Sharm El Sheikh horse ride is the change of scene: you leave the Edelweiss stables, cross open ground near the city, then reach the Red Sea beach where your horse can splash through the water. Sunrise and sunset make the ride especially memorable, with the Sinai mountains catching the changing light.

I like two things here. First, the guides take beginners seriously, assigning calm horses and offering a lead or close help when needed. Second, the horses are described as clean, healthy, and well cared for, while experienced riders may get a chance to trot or canter. The main caution is that the ride to the beach can take much of the two hours, and extra photo costs need to be settled clearly before you start.

Key points at a glance

• Ride from stable to sea: Follow a route through the open ground around Sharm El Sheikh before reaching the beach.
• Water time with your horse: Splash through the Red Sea and expect to get your clothes wet.
• Good for mixed ability groups: Beginners can be led or closely supported, while confident riders may trot or canter.
• Three useful departure choices: Sunrise, morning, and sunset rides suit different temperatures and photo conditions.
• Small groups: Numbers are limited to five participants, which allows more attention from the guides.
• Plan for the extras: Hotel transfers are offered when selected, while food, drinks, and professional photos cost extra.

From Edelweiss stables to the Red Sea

Your ride begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, the home base for this outing. If you choose hotel transport, you are collected in an air-conditioned bus or coach and returned after the ride. If you arrange your own way, you go directly to the center.

At the stable, the team asks about your riding background and selects a horse to suit your level. That matching matters. A first-time rider needs a steady horse and simple instructions, while an experienced rider may prefer a more spirited mount. Several riders have singled out horses such as Candy, praised for being lively but responsive, though the exact horse you receive depends on the day and your ability.

You pick up a helmet, meet your horse, and receive basic instruction before setting off. First-time riders have been taught how to hold the reins, sit correctly, and move from walking to trotting. Some beginners are led by a guide at first, then allowed to ride more independently once they feel secure.

Mohamed is one of the instructors regularly praised for his calm teaching and careful handling of nervous riders. Mahmood is also involved in managing the center, while Kamal has guided morning rides. The language options listed for the activity are Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian, though the level of English can vary among individual guides.

The early part of the route is not a classic desert of towering dunes. It is better understood as open, sandy ground around the city, with buildings visible in the distance. That may disappoint you if you expect a remote Sahara scene, but it gives the ride a local Sharm character and creates room for faster riding in suitable conditions.

What the two-hour route feels like

The stated riding time is two hours, but the pace is not fast throughout. You spend part of the outing walking, settling into the saddle, and making your way toward the coast. The route back to the center also takes time, so beach time may feel shorter than you expect.

That is not necessarily a flaw. A steady walk gives new riders time to learn without pressure, and it lets you enjoy the dry Sinai air and views toward the mountains. It also means you should not book this expecting two straight hours of galloping.

Once the group is comfortable, the guide may allow trotting or cantering. This is handled according to ability, not as a promise for every participant. A first-time rider may remain at a walk or trot with a guide nearby, while a confident rider might get a faster run along the beach.

This flexibility is one of the strongest features of the outing. Families and couples with different levels can often ride together without forcing the nervous person to match the pace of the experienced rider. Guides have also walked alongside riders who were too anxious to continue alone.

The small-group limit of five helps here. You are less likely to be lost in a long line of horses, and the instructor has a better chance of noticing if your saddle, pace, or confidence needs attention. A private ride may offer even more personal support, but this small-group format already provides a useful middle ground.

The beach ride and Red Sea swim

The beach is the payoff. Here, the horses can move along the shore and enter the clear water. You may get splashed as the horse walks or runs through the shallows, so this is not a dry horseback photo stop.

The water section is the part that makes this ride different from a standard desert outing. Sitting on a horse in the Red Sea, with the beach and Sinai hills around you, gives the excursion its strongest sense of place. It is also the best moment for photographs.

Do not assume that the whole group will spend a long time swimming. The ride from the center and the return route take up much of the schedule, and the exact amount of water time depends on the group’s pace and riding ability. One practical criticism is that the journey to the beach can feel long when you are hoping for more time by the sea.

The beach itself may be quiet and open, especially at sunrise. At sunset, the light is softer and the ride can feel more relaxed, but the timing means you finish later. Sunrise requires an early pickup, sometimes around 4 a.m. according to the departure time, yet it offers cooler conditions and a striking view as the sky brightens.

If you want to canter, listen carefully to the guide. The sand, shoreline, other riders, and horse behavior all affect what is safe. One horse may love the water and move quickly, while another is calmer and less eager. The guide decides when faster movement makes sense.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

The best time depends on what you value most.

Sunrise is the strongest choice for atmosphere and cooler temperatures. The beach can be nearly empty, and the changing light over the Sinai mountains gives you excellent photo conditions. The cost is an early start, with some pickups taking place before dawn.

Morning offers a practical compromise. You avoid the hottest part of the day without committing to the very early alarm. It can also suit families who want the rest of the day free, though the light may be less dramatic than at sunrise.

Sunset is attractive if you want warm colors and a slower end to the day. The beach and horses photograph well in the evening light. Keep in mind that summer heat can still matter before sunset, and the ride may finish after dark depending on the season.

Several riders found the early hours more comfortable, particularly in warmer months. The choice is not just about photographs. Temperature affects both you and the horse, so an early or late departure can make the ride easier on everyone.

Horse care and riding comfort

The condition of the horses is an important part of this activity. The stable is described as clean, and the horses are repeatedly noted as healthy, attractive, calm, and well handled. Staff assign horses based on ability rather than simply putting everyone on the nearest available mount.

That said, one careful observation raised concern that the horses may be worked hard. You cannot judge the full workload from a single ride, but it is fair to pay attention to how the horses look and behave when you arrive. If a horse appears tired, uncomfortable, or poorly fitted with tack, speak up before setting out.

Wear long trousers. Shorts and dresses can rub badly against the saddle, especially during a full two-hour ride. Trainers are more useful than sandals, and waterproof shoes are listed among the recommended items. Gloves are also a sensible addition for riders who are not used to holding reins for a long period.

Expect some muscle fatigue if you are new to riding. The inner thighs, seat, and lower back may feel the work afterward. This is a real two-hour riding activity, not a short photo pose beside a horse.

Helmets are provided. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms, and you should be comfortable telling the operator about any concern before mounting.

Photos, costs, and the real value of $98

The price is $98 per person. For that amount, you receive the riding session, an instructor, a helmet, and hotel pickup and drop-off when the transfer option is selected. The group is limited to five, which adds value because the guide can adjust the pace and help individuals.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring what you need for the short outing, particularly water if your pickup and stable arrangements allow it, since no refreshments are supplied as part of the activity.

A photographer may accompany the ride or take pictures at the beach. The images can be very good, with shots of horses in the water, riders along the shore, and cantering scenes. Several riders considered the photo package worth buying, especially for a first ride or a special family trip.

Treat the photography as an optional extra, not part of the $98 price. Prices mentioned by riders have varied, and one person reported confusion between British pounds and Egyptian pounds, along with an extra charge at the stable. That does not mean every booking will have the same issue, but you should ask for the exact price and currency before the photographer starts.

A simple question prevents trouble: ask how many images you receive, the total cost, and whether the price is in Egyptian pounds, British pounds, or another currency. If you do not want photos, say so clearly before the ride. The professional photographer can be a useful add-on, but you should never feel obliged to buy a package.

At $98, the tour is good value if you want transport, instruction, a small group, and the unusual chance to ride into the Red Sea. It is less compelling if you only want a short beach photo session or a long stretch of open desert riding.

Hotel pickup and small-group details

Pickup is included when selected, but the operator needs your WhatsApp number to confirm the time. Keep your phone available before the ride, since the pickup hour may change by departure slot and hotel location.

If you do not select transport, you must reach the Edelweiss Equestrian Center yourself. Confirm this point at booking. One otherwise positive account specifically found the lack of transport inconvenient, so do not assume hotel collection is automatic in every price option.

The small group limit is five people. That is useful for beginners and for families who need different levels of support. It also means your ride may feel more personal than a large stable procession.

Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted. This is requested for security purposes. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can handle sand and water, and expect your clothes to get wet during the sea section.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact start time and transfer option before committing, since those details shape the whole day.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This is a strong pick for a first-time rider who wants more than an indoor lesson. The instructors are used to nervous participants, and the pace can be adjusted. You may begin with a lead rope or a guide walking beside you, then progress if you feel ready.

It also suits experienced riders who want a beach setting. The ride is not a dedicated high-speed training session, but confident riders may be allowed to trot or canter when the guide considers it safe.

Families can do well here, provided children meet the operator’s requirements and are comfortable around horses. A nine-year-old beginner has been able to progress to a trot, while an older rider was matched with a gentle horse and supported by the guide. The activity can work for mixed ages, but every rider should be honest about confidence and ability.

You should reconsider it if you have a back problem, are pregnant, dislike getting wet, or want guaranteed solitude. You should also avoid booking it if your main goal is a remote dune ride. The setting is open desert around Sharm, with signs of the city nearby.

Should you book the Edelweiss beach ride?

Book it if you want a memorable Red Sea activity with real time in the saddle, patient instruction, and a flexible pace. The ride’s best moments are the sunrise or sunset approach to the beach, the horses entering the water, and the chance to move faster along the shore if your skills allow.

I would choose sunrise in warm weather and sunset if photographs matter most but you do not want a pre-dawn start. Wear long trousers, bring your passport, confirm hotel transport, and settle the photo price before mounting.

Skip it if you expect two hours of nonstop cantering, a remote dune wilderness, or all-inclusive pricing. For the right rider, though, $98 buys a rare combination: horses, desert, mountains, and the Red Sea in one compact outing.

FAQ

How long does the horse-riding tour last?

The stated activity duration is two hours. This includes the ride from the equestrian center through the open ground around Sharm, the beach section, and the return to the center.

Where does the ride start?

The ride starts at Edelweiss Equestrian Center. If you select hotel transport, pickup and drop-off are provided. Without that option, you go directly to the center.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The instructor chooses a horse based on your riding level and can lead or closely support beginners. You may learn to walk, trot, and handle the horse at a pace that suits your confidence.

Can I ride the horse in the Red Sea?

Yes. The route reaches a beach where you can take the horse into the water and get splashed or wet.

Are sunrise and sunset rides available?

Yes. You can choose a sunrise, morning, or sunset departure, subject to availability.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The listed instructor languages are Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, waterproof shoes, and your passport. A copy of the passport is accepted according to the activity information. Long trousers and trainers are especially practical because the saddle can rub.

Is the photography included in the price?

No. Food, drinks, and professional photography are not included. Ask for the photo package price and currency before agreeing to it, since the photographer is an optional extra.