Explore The Desert &The Sea on a Horse Riding Cruise in Hurghada

Hurghada’s desert and Red Sea shoreline give this horseback outing its real appeal. In about three hours, you ride in two very different settings: across dry desert ground and into the sea. That change of scene makes this more than a standard riding lesson.

I like the low price of $19.50, especially since hotel pickup, drop-off, a helmet, and both riding sections are included. I also like the small maximum group of 10, which should make it easier to get help from the trainers. The main caution is that extra transfer fees and a government fee may apply, and pregnant women cannot ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Two riding settings: Ride through the desert and then take a horse into the sea.
• Guide support: Pre-ride coaching and assistance during the outing are included. Guide Saif is specifically associated with friendly, helpful service.
• Small group size: The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people.
• Useful inclusions: Air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a riding helmet are provided.
• Extra charges: Transfers from some resort areas cost an additional €5 or €10 per person, plus a €5 government fee.
• Safety limits: The activity is child appropriate, but pregnant women cannot ride. Every rider must sign a disclaimer.

Desert riding first, then the Red Sea

The heart of the outing is the contrast between the two riding areas. You begin with the desert, where the open, dry setting gives you room to settle into the saddle and get used to your horse. Later, the ride moves into the sea, creating the unusual photo and riding opportunity that makes this activity different from an ordinary stable visit.

The exact order may depend on the local schedule, but the advertised format includes both a desert ride and a sea ride. You should plan on roughly three hours from pickup through return, rather than treating the stated time as three full hours in the saddle.

That distinction matters. Horse riding can be tiring if you are new to it, and the combination of transport, preparation, coaching, and two riding areas makes the half-day format easier to handle than a long single ride. You still get variety without giving up most of your day in Hurghada.

The sea portion is the most unusual part. Riding a horse into the water is not an everyday activity for most people, and it gives the outing a memorable sense of place. At the same time, you should not book this expecting a long swimming session or a full beach day. The information provided confirms a horse ride at the sea, but it does not promise a particular water depth, swimming time, or beach stop.

What the trainers add to the ride

You do not need to be an expert rider to take part. Trainers provide pre-ride coaching and remain available to assist during the outing. That is important for families and first-time riders, since the quality of the introduction can shape the whole experience.

The horses are described as well bred, and you can choose a horse for both the desert and sea riding sections. The practical value of that choice depends on the horses available and the staff’s advice on the day. If you are inexperienced, ask the trainer to help match you with a calm horse rather than choosing only by appearance.

Guide Saif has received specific praise for his professional and helpful service. I would keep his name in mind when you arrive, particularly if you want clear guidance before mounting or need extra help during the ride. The staff’s role is not just to lead the horses. It is also to help you feel secure and understand how to handle the ride.

Still, horse riding is an active experience, not a passive sightseeing trip. You will need to listen to the trainer, follow instructions, and stay comfortable with the movement of the horse. The activity is child appropriate, but the provided information does not state a minimum age, so families should confirm suitability for a particular child before booking.

The desert section: a gentle start to the outing

The desert ride gives you a chance to become familiar with the horse before the more unusual sea portion. Dry ground is a sensible place to begin, since you can focus on posture, reins, pace, and the feel of the saddle without also dealing with water.

I would treat this as a guided riding outing rather than a fast gallop. The description promises trainers and assistance, but it does not promise a particular speed, riding style, or time spent at a canter. If you are an experienced rider hoping for a demanding ride, ask about the pace and route before you set off.

The desert also provides the clearest link to Egypt’s long horse tradition. The setting is simple and open, with the contrast between sand and horse creating a strong Hurghada memory even before you reach the coast. It is not an archaeological tour, and no ancient site is included, so you should book it for the riding itself rather than for historic monuments.

The desert section should suit couples, families, and beginners who want something different from a day on the beach. It can also work well for someone who wants a first taste of riding without committing to a full-day program.

Entering the sea on horseback

The sea ride is the feature that sets this activity apart. You get to experience the Red Sea from the back of a horse, rather than from a boat, beach chair, or snorkeling platform. That makes the outing especially appealing if you want a distinctive photograph and a physical activity in the same package.

Your comfort level matters here. Some riders will find the sea ride exciting; others may feel less at ease once the horse enters the water. The trainers are there to assist, and a helmet is provided, but you should still tell the staff if you are nervous or have little riding experience.

The supplied details do not specify the water temperature, depth, duration in the sea, or whether changing facilities are available. For that reason, bring practical beach clothing and ask about changing arrangements before the ride. Do not assume that towels, lockers, or swimwear are included, since they are not listed among the inclusions.

The sea section is also weather dependent. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in Hurghada, where conditions can affect an outdoor ride and especially the water portion.

What the $19.50 price really covers

At $19.50 per person, this is an inexpensive way to add an active outing to a Hurghada stay. The value comes from the combination of two riding environments, transport, a helmet, and trainer support. Paying separately for a desert ride and a sea ride could easily make a similar day more costly, although the actual value depends on how much riding time you receive in each setting.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service area. That saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi and makes the tour easier to fit into a resort holiday. An air-conditioned vehicle is also provided, which is a welcome detail after time outside in the heat.

Watch the final price carefully if you are staying outside the main pickup area. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or Al Ahiaa cost an additional €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay cost €10 per person. There is also a €5 government fee per person.

Those charges do not make the tour poor value, but they do change the headline price. For example, someone staying in El Gouna or Soma Bay pays the base price plus the listed transfer and government fees. Check the total before you confirm so the low advertised rate does not surprise you later.

A small group with practical advantages

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a large riding procession, especially when several riders need instruction at the same time.

A small group does not guarantee a private ride or a personal trainer. It does, however, give the staff a better chance to notice if a rider is struggling with the reins, balance, or pace. It may also reduce waiting when the group moves between the desert and the sea.

The outing is near public transportation, though hotel pickup and drop-off are already included for the standard service area. Most people can participate, but horse riding still requires basic physical comfort with mounting, sitting in a saddle, and following instructions.

You must sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury before the tour. That is a normal condition for an activity involving animals, but read it carefully. A helmet is supplied to each rider, and pregnant women are not permitted to ride.

Who should book this Hurghada ride?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want trainer support and a short format
• Families looking for a child-appropriate activity
• Couples seeking a memorable desert and sea outing
• Horse lovers who want to ride in an unusual setting
• Visitors who value hotel transfers and a modest price
• People with only part of a day available

You may want to choose another activity if you are pregnant, uncomfortable around horses, or looking for a long, fast, technically demanding ride. It may also disappoint you if you want a full beach day, extensive swimming, or a detailed history tour, since none of those are promised.

For confident riders, the key question is pace. The available information focuses on coaching, assistance, and access to two settings, not on speed or advanced riding. Ask the operator what type of riding is planned if you want more than a calm guided outing.

Booking, weather, and simple preparation

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Keep the booking details easy to access on your phone, particularly if you are being collected from a large resort.

Wear clothing that allows you to sit comfortably in a saddle. For the sea section, bring whatever you need for getting wet, but remember that towels and changing facilities are not listed as included. A helmet is supplied, so you do not need to arrange one yourself.

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

That cutoff is worth noting if you are planning around a flight, cruise, or changing hotel schedule. The times are based on local time in Hurghada.

Should you book the desert and sea ride?

Book this experience if you want an affordable, compact horse ride with a clear point of difference. The desert and sea combination is the reason to choose it, while the included transport, helmet, coaching, and small group keep the outing practical. Guide Saif’s friendly assistance is another useful sign for anyone who wants extra support.

I would approach it with realistic expectations. You are paying for a guided three-hour activity, not a private riding lesson or an all-day equestrian expedition. Extra transfer and government fees may apply, and the sea ride’s exact details are not specified.

For a first ride, a family outing, or a memorable break from Hurghada’s usual beach routine, it is a strong value. If you are comfortable with the safety conditions and confirm the final pickup cost, this is an easy activity to add to your schedule.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including the organized tour time.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride includes both a desert section and a sea section in Hurghada, Egypt.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are there extra transfer charges?

Yes. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or Al Ahiaa cost an additional €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay cost €10 per person.

Is there another required fee?

A government fee of €5 per person is listed separately from the tour price.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet is provided to each rider.

Can children take part?

The activity is described as child appropriate. A specific minimum age is not provided, so confirm the age requirement before booking for a child.

Can pregnant women ride?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to ride a horse on this experience.

Do I need to sign a disclaimer?

Yes. You must sign a disclaimer relating to damage and personal injury before the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You may also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.