Horse Riding & Swimming Experience in the Sea & Desert – Hurghada

The unusual part comes first in your imagination: you ride a horse from Hurghada’s beach into the desert, then take the horse into the Red Sea for a swim. I like the sharp change of scenery, from turquoise water and sea air to open sand and rugged ground. I also like that hotel transport, a helmet, water, and hot drinks are included. The main caution is simple: your clothes and shoes can get wet, and long riding can rub your legs, so dress for both water and saddle time.

For about $22 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you want more than a standard beach break. Extra charges matter, though: a €10 government and value-added tax is paid in cash, and pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs another €10 per person.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours in the saddle: The core activity combines beach riding, desert riding, and swimming in the Red Sea.
• A rare horse-swimming stop: You can enter the sea with the horse, so expect wet clothing rather than a dry photo stop.
• Ali may handle the photos: If Ali is your guide, he has been noted for taking plenty of photos and videos during the ride.
• Dress for chafing and water: Pants can help protect your legs, and everything you wear should be able to get wet.
• Pickup is included in Hurghada: Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, with extra fees for several nearby resort areas.
• Small enough to stay manageable: The maximum group size is 15 people, not a private ride but smaller than a large coach-style activity.

From Hurghada hotel pickup to the riding yard

Your outing begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Egypt, where even a short transfer can feel much better with shade and cooling air, especially before several hours outside.

The full booking lasts about four hours, while the horse activity itself runs for up to three hours. The extra time allows for transport and the practical business of getting ready, though exact transfer timing is not provided.

The pickup area is important to your budget. Standard Hurghada hotel pickup is included, but transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost €10 per person in cash. Add the separate €10 government and value-added tax, also payable in cash, when working out the real price.

The advertised rate is $22 per person. Even with those added charges, it can remain a reasonable half-day price for an outing that includes transportation, a helmet, up to three hours with the horses, swimming, water, tea, and coffee. Still, you should not treat $22 as the final door-to-door cost until you know your pickup area and account for the cash tax.

The group can reach 15 people. That gives the activity a social feel, but it also means the pace may not be tailored to one rider. The available information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It does not give a detailed riding-level breakdown, so tell the operator about your experience and any concerns when booking.

Starting along the Red Sea shore

The first riding section follows Hurghada’s coast. Here, the pleasure is less about speed and more about the combination of horse, sand, water, and breeze. You get views of turquoise sea and a different angle on the coast than you would from a hotel beach chair.

Beach riding also gives the outing its calmest section. The sound of the water and the open view make a pleasant start, while the horse provides a steady way to see the shoreline. If you are new to riding, this part may help you get used to the animal before the route changes to desert ground.

You should keep your expectations realistic. The description promises beach riding and coastal views, but it does not specify a particular beach, riding speed, or how much time is spent at the shore. This is not presented as a technical riding lesson or a fast gallop. Think of it as a scenic ride with a change of setting.

Comfort is worth planning here. A rider’s legs can rub against the saddle or the horse, and one person specifically advised wearing pants to reduce chafing. Loose, practical clothing is a better choice than a swimsuit alone, especially since the ride also includes the desert.

Crossing into Hurghada’s golden desert

After the coast, the route heads into the desert. The scenery changes quickly: water and sea air give way to golden sand, open space, and rougher ground. This contrast is the heart of the experience. You are not simply riding beside the same view for three hours.

Desert riding can feel more adventurous because the surroundings are wide and spare. The horse becomes your transport through a setting that would be tiring to cross on foot, while the slow pace gives you time to look around. You may find this section more memorable than the beach if you like open views and a stronger sense of getting away from the resort strip.

The provided details do not promise dune riding, a particular desert camp, or a sunset departure. I would not book this expecting a long off-road expedition. The safe expectation is a guided horse ride through desert terrain as part of a mixed beach-and-sea route.

A helmet is included, which is a useful practical detail rather than a decorative extra. Wear it as directed. Since the group can include up to 15 people, follow the guide’s instructions and keep enough room between horses, particularly when the terrain changes.

The Red Sea swim with your horse

The swimming stop is the feature that separates this outing from an ordinary horseback ride. You can enter the Red Sea with the horse, turning the final part of the ride into a wet, unusual experience.

You need to prepare properly. The clothing advice is blunt and important: everything you wear should be able to get wet. That includes footwear and anything carried in pockets. Protect your phone and other valuables, and do not bring items that cannot handle water unless the operator gives you a safe place for them.

This is also where the activity may feel less polished than a simple beach ride. Wet fabric, salt water, and saddle contact can be uncomfortable, especially if you have already been riding for a while. Pants can help with rubbing, but you still need clothing that works in the sea.

The available details do not state how deep the water is, how long the swim lasts, or if riders can choose to stay on shore. Ask those questions before departure if you are unsure about swimming with horses. The experience is designed around the water, so you should be comfortable with getting wet and taking part in that section.

The Red Sea setting adds a strong visual payoff. A horse in the water, with the coast behind you, is the sort of moment that can make this short excursion feel very different from a normal riding lesson. If Ali is your guide, he may take photos and videos during the tour, which is useful because wet hands and moving horses make self-photography awkward.

What the guide and group size mean

The provider is Adventures Travels. One named guide, Ali, has been praised for taking many photos and videos and for making the outing feel well documented. Guide assignments can vary, so do not assume Ali will lead every departure. If photos matter to you, ask whether he is scheduled and how the images will be delivered.

A maximum of 15 riders keeps the group from becoming huge, but it is not a private excursion. You may need to share time at the beach, desert route, and swimming area. The pace may also reflect the least experienced rider in the group.

This arrangement suits you if you want a guided activity without paying for a private horse and guide. It is less ideal if you want a fast ride, a private photo session, or a highly tailored route. The details provided do not promise advanced riding, racing, jumping, or instruction, so experienced riders should see it as a scenic outing rather than a serious equestrian workout.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. That is helpful, but it does not answer every safety question. If you have a medical condition, limited mobility, or no riding experience, ask the operator for specific guidance before booking.

What is included, and what you still need

The package covers several basics that can quietly add to the cost of an activity:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle
• Up to three hours of horse riding and Red Sea swimming
• Riding on the beach
• Riding in the desert
• Helmet use
• Water, coffee, and tea

That list gives you a fairly complete half-day outing. You do not need to arrange separate transport within the standard Hurghada pickup area, and you do not need to rent a helmet. Water and hot drinks are modest additions, but useful after time outside.

Bring clothing that can get wet, with pants recommended to help limit rubbing. The listing does not specify towels, changing rooms, lockers, meals, or waterproof storage, so do not assume those are included. The safest plan is to carry only what you need and protect anything electronic.

You should also carry cash for the €10 per-person tax. If you stay outside the included Hurghada pickup area, bring the additional €10 per-person transfer fee as well. These costs are easy to overlook when comparing the headline prices of tours.

Is $22 good value for this Hurghada outing?

At $22 per person, the price is attractive for a combined beach, desert, and sea activity. You are getting transport, equipment in the form of a helmet, up to three hours of horse time, swimming, and refreshments. Many short excursions charge separately for transfers or transport, so the included Hurghada pickup improves the value.

The extra charges make the comparison less simple. Add €10 per person for government and value-added taxes, then another €10 per person if your hotel is in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. Currency differences also mean you should check the final amount and payment method before departure.

I would judge the value by the mix rather than by the raw riding time. You get several settings in one outing, and the horse swim is unusual. If you only want a long, technical ride, the three-hour figure may not mean three uninterrupted hours in the saddle, since the time includes different parts of the activity and the practical pauses that go with them.

The perfect comparison is not a standard beach excursion. It is a short adventure combining riding and water, with the desert added for variety. At the listed rate, that is a fair deal if you are comfortable with the extra cash charges and wet clothing.

Who should book this horse-riding experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a memorable Hurghada activity that mixes scenery and action without taking a full day. It suits beginners and casual riders who like the idea of a guided outing, photos, and a swim more than a demanding equestrian challenge.

It is also a good choice for couples, friends, and families with participants who can handle the ride. The group discount option may help larger parties, though the exact discount is not given. A group of up to 15 can share the experience while still keeping the activity smaller than a large sightseeing departure.

You should think twice if you dislike getting wet, have sensitive skin that chafes easily, or want to keep your clothes dry for the rest of the day. You may also prefer another activity if your main goal is advanced riding, a private guide, or a guaranteed named guide.

The sea swim deserves special attention. You should be comfortable around horses and in the water, and you should ask about the swimming arrangements if you have any doubts. The available details confirm that swimming in the Red Sea is part of the package, but they do not spell out the depth, duration, or alternative for people who choose not to enter.

Booking, cancellation, and timing advice

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or make changes during that period, and you will not receive a refund.

That rule is fairly clear, but it makes your pickup details important. Check the hotel location, the extra transfer fee, the cash tax, and the start time before the 24-hour deadline passes. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, confirm the added transport cost rather than relying on the headline rate.

The activity lasts about four hours overall, with up to three hours of riding and swimming. Since pickup and drop-off are included in the standard Hurghada service, it is practical to fit this into a morning or afternoon plan, but leave room around it until the exact pickup time is confirmed.

Should you book it?

Book this horse ride if you want three distinct settings in one short outing: Hurghada’s coast, the desert, and the Red Sea itself. The $22 starting price is appealing, hotel pickup is included in Hurghada, and the horse swim gives the experience a real point of difference.

Before paying, budget for the €10 per-person tax and any €10 per-person transfer charge, then prepare clothes that can get wet. Wear pants to reduce chafing, and ask whether Ali will be your guide if photographs and videos are a priority.

Skip it if you want a dry, private, advanced riding session. For a casual, photo-friendly adventure with a small-to-medium group and a striking change from beach to desert to sea, it is a sensible Hurghada pick.

FAQ

How long does the horse-riding experience last?

The full experience lasts about four hours, with up to three hours of horse riding and swimming.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are included for the standard Hurghada service.

Is swimming with the horse included?

Yes. Swimming in the Red Sea with the horse is included, along with beach and desert riding.

What should I wear?

Wear clothing that can get wet. Pants are recommended because they can help reduce chafing during the ride.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet is included.

Are there extra charges?

Yes. A €10 government and value-added tax per person is paid in cash on the spot. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional €10 per person in cash.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.