Horse Riding on the Beach And Desert 3 hours From Hurghada

Hurghada’s desert meets the Red Sea on this unusual three-hour horseback ride. You cross sandy ground, reach the beach, and can enter the water with your horse. It is a simple, memorable way to see the coast without a quad bike or crowded boat.

I like the calm pace and the patient help for beginners. I also like the chance to ride well-trained Egyptian horses, then move from dry desert to salt water. The main thing to consider is the heat. Three hours can feel long, especially in the open sun.

Key points at a glance

• Desert and beach in one ride: The route takes you across sandy desert terrain before reaching Hurghada’s Red Sea shore.
• Swimming with the horses: Water time is included, so bring a swimsuit if you want to join this part.
• Good help for beginners: Guides can lead or hold the horses at first, and Yasser has helped new riders feel secure.
• Hotel pickup from Hurghada: Transport from Hurghada hotels is included, with extra charges from several resort areas.
• Small cost, potentially large memory: At $23 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want something beyond the usual beach day.
• Photo terms need checking: Some basic photos may be taken at no charge, while professional photos cost extra. Ask before the ride begins.

Riding from Hurghada into the desert

The experience begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel. The full outing takes about four hours, although the riding itself is advertised as three hours. One pickup described a drive of about 25 minutes to stables toward El Gouna, followed by a short wait in a covered shelter.

That extra time matters. You are not being collected and placed straight onto a horse. There is usually a short arrival period, a chance to meet the staff, and time for the horses to be prepared. Wear something comfortable from the start, since you may be sitting around before the ride as well as riding.

The stables are outside the main hotel zone, near the open desert and coast. This gives the trip a less polished feel than a hotel-based activity, but that is part of the appeal. You are going to a working riding operation rather than a resort show.

The group limit is 30 people. That is a reasonable maximum for a popular outing, but it is not an intimate private ride. If you want more personal attention, ask the provider about the expected group size on your date.

Getting comfortable with an Egyptian horse

Before setting off, the staff provide riding guidance and a helmet. This is important if you have never ridden before, or if your last ride was many years ago. The horses are described as well bred and suitable for the excursion, with experienced handlers available during the route.

You should tell the guide your riding experience plainly. First-time riders have been helped by staff walking beside the horses at the start. Yasser is specifically praised for taking hold of the horses for beginners until they felt ready to manage them more independently.

That kind of support can make or break the outing. A nervous rider does not need a fast horse or complicated instruction. You need time to find your balance, understand the reins, and learn how the horse responds. The available help appears strongest during this early stage.

Parents bringing older children should also explain their child’s experience before mounting. One family found the horses gentle and easy to guide, and a child enjoyed the ride so much that he wanted to take his horse home. Still, the supplied information only says most people can participate, not that every age or ability is accepted.

Across the golden desert sand

Once the group leaves the stables, the ride heads through the desert. Expect golden sand, low dunes, rough ground, and old pathways rather than a marked sightseeing route with formal stops. The attraction is the change of setting and the steady rhythm of riding.

The desert section gives you room to notice the horse beneath you. You feel each step through the saddle, and the open setting makes the ride feel far removed from Hurghada’s hotels. The pace is intended to be accessible, not a high-speed gallop.

That can be a benefit for new riders. You have time to watch the horse, follow instructions, and settle into the movement. Experienced riders may find the pace too gentle if they are hoping for a fast, technical ride. The description emphasizes guided riding and comfort, not advanced horsemanship.

The sun is the practical challenge here. One person felt that two hours would have been enough in hot weather, even though the advertised ride lasts three hours. Bring water, protect your skin, and consider a light long-sleeved top, provided it does not restrict your movement.

You should also wear closed shoes that stay secure. The supplied information does not specify clothing rules, but sandals and loose items are poor choices around horses. If you plan to enter the sea, pack swimwear and a change of clothes.

Reaching the Red Sea shore

The most distinctive part of the route is the move from desert to beach. The horse carries you from dry sand to Hurghada’s shoreline, where the Red Sea becomes the backdrop rather than something viewed from a hotel deck.

This contrast gives the outing its character. A desert ride by itself is pleasant, but adding the coast makes the route feel varied. You get the warm, dusty color of the interior followed by the cool visual relief of the water.

The beach portion is also where the ride can feel most relaxed. You are close to the sea, the horse is moving at an easy pace, and there is time for photos. The precise beach conditions and amount of private shoreline are not specified, so do not assume you will have a completely empty beach.

The water section is included in the advertised package. It is not simply a stop to watch the horses. If you are comfortable and properly prepared, you can swim with your horse in the sea.

Swimming with the horses

Swimming with the horses is the feature that sets this trip apart from an ordinary riding lesson. You enter the Red Sea with the horse, creating a memorable photo opportunity and a very different sensation from riding over sand.

You should treat this as optional in practice, even though it is included. One person reached the beach but did not swim because they had no swimsuit. Pack suitable clothing if this is a major reason for booking.

The ride operator supplies a helmet, but the information does not list other water equipment. Ask the staff how the water portion is organized before you enter. Follow the guide’s instructions closely, stay with the group, and do not assume the horse will behave like a swimming animal in every condition.

The water can also affect your belongings. You may not want to take a phone into the sea, especially if it is not protected. The staff sometimes take photos or short videos, but the exact arrangement deserves a clear conversation before departure.

Photos, videos, and an important question to ask

Photography is part of the fun here. The water, horse, desert, and Red Sea make obvious picture settings. Some participants had limited photos or videos taken by staff at no charge, while professional photographs were offered for an extra fee.

There was also a disagreement about receiving photos after the ride. That makes the advice simple: ask exactly which photos are free, which cost extra, and when you will receive them before you set off. If you want your own pictures, use a secure waterproof case or leave your phone with someone you trust.

Do not assume that a staff member taking a photo means a full set of images is included. Confirm the price for professional pictures and whether phone images are part of the basic outing. This takes a minute and avoids an unpleasant conversation at the end.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, the price is attractive for an outing that includes hotel pickup from Hurghada, a professional guide, a helmet, three hours of riding, and swimming with the horses. You are getting more than a short stable circuit.

The value is especially good if you want one activity that combines desert scenery, a beach visit, and an unusual water experience. A separate desert trip and beach excursion would normally take more planning and more of your day.

The price does not include transfers from every nearby resort. Pickup from Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga costs an additional €10 per person. Hotels in Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh carry an extra €5 per person.

Those transfer fees do not necessarily ruin the value, but they narrow the gap between this and other paid excursions. Check your hotel area before booking. A cheap headline price can look different once transport is added for a full group.

The experience is also good value for a first-time rider who wants a memorable introduction without committing to a specialist riding holiday. If you already ride regularly, you may care more about horse welfare, pace, and riding control than about the low price. Ask how much independent riding is allowed and how the group is managed.

Who should book this ride?

I would look closely at this experience if you want a quiet outdoor activity with a strong visual payoff. Couples can share the desert and sea setting, and families with children may enjoy the gentle horses and close assistance.

It also suits a first-time rider who wants reassurance. The staff can provide pre-ride instruction, and the early part of the route may be handled with guides walking beside the horses. That support is more useful than a quick safety speech followed by an immediate departure.

You should think twice if you dislike heat, sitting in a saddle for a long period, or informal stable conditions. One low-rated account described the place as very dirty and noted that French-language assistance was not available. That is a minority experience compared with the overall 4.6 rating from 23 ratings and 91 percent recommendation rate, but it is still relevant if cleanliness or language support is important to you.

This is not the right choice if you want a private, fast-paced ride or a polished luxury excursion. The maximum group size is 30, and the outing may feel basic between the more memorable moments.

Timing, cancellation, and practical details

The advertised duration is four hours overall, with three hours on horseback. Pickup and return are included from Hurghada hotels. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part, though the supplied information does not give detailed rules for age, weight, pregnancy, or particular medical conditions.

If you need to cancel, you can receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The activity is operated by Billy Tours. Since the ride can be booked around 13 days ahead on average, it is sensible to reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially during busy periods.

Before leaving your hotel, check four things:

• Your pickup time and hotel location
• The expected riding group size
• The arrangement for swimming and changing
• The price and delivery method for photos

These questions are not fussy. They help you know what the $23 covers and what may cost extra.

Should you book Horse Riding on the Beach and Desert?

I would book it if you want an affordable, unusual Hurghada outing and you are happy with a guided group ride. The mix of desert sand, Red Sea shoreline, patient help for beginners, and optional swimming with the horses gives you several distinct experiences in one half-day.

Book with realistic expectations. The heat can make three hours tiring, the group may be fairly large, and the stable setting may feel basic. Bring swimwear, protect yourself from the sun, and settle the photo details before mounting.

For a first horseback ride, this looks like the strongest match. For an experienced rider seeking speed or technical instruction, it may feel too gentle. For most people, though, the price makes the unusual desert-to-sea route worth serious consideration.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full outing takes about four hours, including transport and the stable visit. The horseback ride itself lasts three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Hurghada. Transfers cost an additional €10 per person from Soma Bay, El Gouna, and Safaga, and €5 per person from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh hotels.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Yes. Swimming with the horses is listed as an included part of the experience. Bring suitable swimwear if you want to take part.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A helmet is included, along with a professional guide and pre-ride instruction.

Can beginners join?

Most people can participate, and guides provide instruction before the ride. Staff can also assist beginners by holding or walking beside the horses at the start.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.