Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

Horseback riding through a desert framed by mountains is the main event here, and the timing makes it better. You ride through valleys, pause for photos, and aim to reach a high point as the sun drops. The later stargazing session gives the evening a second act, with a guide explaining star groups and telescopes aimed at whatever the sky offers.

I like the careful start, with a safety briefing and riding gear before you mount, and I like the simple rhythm of the evening: horses, sunset, dinner, then stars. Guides such as Adam and Nasser, nicknamed Marshmallow, have been singled out for keeping the mood lively and explaining things clearly. The main consideration is the jeep transfer. It includes about 17 kilometers of off-road driving, and one account describes a very fast, rough ride without seatbelts.

• An hour on horseback: Ride through desert valleys at a pace adjusted to your ability.
• Sunset from the hills: Stop at a scenic point for photographs and a rest.
• A remote oasis dinner: Eat grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Telescope viewing: Learn about star groups and look at selected objects, depending on the date.
• Hotel transfers included: Pickup and return are provided in Hurghada.
• Strong overall value: At $41 per person, the package combines transport, riding, food, and astronomy.

Riding Into the Desert From Hurghada

The outing begins with pickup at your Hurghada hotel, with the exact time based on its location. You then travel to a meeting point before switching to a jeep for roughly 17 kilometers of off-road driving toward an oasis.

This transfer is not just a quiet ride to the activity. It is part of the adventure, with rough desert tracks and open views. Some people will love the bouncing, fast-moving jeep ride. Others will find it too intense, especially if they are seated in the back or are uneasy with the lack of seatbelts described by one participant.

I would treat the drive as a real part of the tour when deciding if it suits you. If you want a calm evening with smooth transport, this may test your patience. If you enjoy a bit of desert action, it helps set the tone before the horses appear.

The total outing can take much of the afternoon and evening. One schedule ran from about 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., including transfers. That long window allows time for sunset and dark skies, but it also means you should not plan another fixed activity that night.

Arabian Tea, Safety Gear, and a Sensible Start

At the oasis, you receive a welcome drink, usually Arabian tea or coffee. The guide then explains how the evening will work and covers the riding rules before you set off.

That briefing matters, especially if you have never ridden before. The tour provides riding gear, and the guides help beginners learn how to control the horse. The riding style and speed depend on the group’s ability and comfort, so you should not expect a fast horseback race.

The staff have also been praised for giving first-time riders close help. Families may receive individual attention, with separate guides assisting different riders when needed. You still need to speak up if you feel nervous. A desert ride is more enjoyable when the guide knows your limits early.

The activity site is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, and babies under one year old should not book this experience. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

One Hour on Horseback Through Desert Valleys

The horse ride lasts about one hour and runs through valleys surrounded by the desert’s bare hills. The appeal is not technical riding. It is the feeling of moving through a wide, quiet setting under your own control, with the mountains giving the route a clear sense of place.

You will have time to stop, rest, and take photographs. The sunset portion is a highlight, with the horses and hills making a stronger picture than a standard viewpoint near town. Several riders particularly valued reaching a hilltop to watch the sun go down.

If this is your first time on a horse, expect guidance rather than total freedom. You can learn the basic controls and settle into the saddle, but the guide sets the pace for safety. More experienced riders should also be ready to keep things measured, since speed depends on the least confident people in the group.

The sun can feel stronger away from the resort, even when Hurghada itself seems comfortable. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and clothing suited to the weather. Long trousers and closed shoes are sensible choices for riding, though the supplied information does not specify a dress code.

One encouraging detail is that several people paid close attention to the horses and felt they looked healthy and were treated well. That will matter to anyone choosing an animal activity carefully. You should still inspect your gear, listen to the guide, and tell the staff at once if a horse or saddle feels wrong.

Sunset Photos and a Short Rest on the Hills

The route includes a stop for photographs and a break. This pause helps divide the ride into manageable sections, particularly for beginners who may not be used to sitting on a horse for an hour.

The best moment comes when the group reaches higher ground for the sunset. You get a broad view across the desert, with the horses adding a natural foreground. It is a simple scene, but one that feels far removed from the hotel strip.

Photography is easy here, but keep your phone secure while riding. The guides can help position you and the horse for pictures, and you should use the rest stop rather than trying to take photographs while moving.

After sunset, you return to the oasis for dinner. The ride back is shorter according to the schedule, leaving you time to wash the dust from your hands and settle down for the meal.

BBQ Dinner at the Desert Oasis

Dinner is served at the oasis and includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. It is a generous spread for a $41 excursion, especially since hotel transport, riding, guides, and stargazing are also included.

I would describe the food as hearty rather than refined. Some people found it delicious, while another called it basic. That is a fair way to set expectations. You are eating at a desert activity base, not a city restaurant, so the value lies in the complete evening and the setting as much as in the menu.

Soft drinks are included. If you want something else, check the cost before ordering. One person bought a smoothie that was not cold and later felt unwell, although that is one individual account rather than a general pattern. I would stick with the included food and drinks unless you are confident about an extra purchase.

The description uses the phrase farm-to-table lunch in its highlights, but the actual schedule is an evening BBQ dinner. Plan around dinner, not lunch, and do not book this expecting a daytime meal.

Learning the Night Sky With Telescopes

Once dinner is over, the astronomy session begins. A guide explains star groups and points out objects visible on that night’s calendar. Telescopes are used to view selected targets, which can include the moon, stars, or planets when available.

This is more than simply standing outside and looking up. The guide gives structure to the sky, helping you understand what you are seeing. Nasser, also called Marshmallow, has been praised for his humor and entertaining explanations. Adam has also been noted for being especially good with the group.

The desert setting helps. Away from Hurghada’s hotel lights, a clear night can reveal a much fuller sky. The moon and planets can be striking through the telescope, and even the naked-eye view feels different from what you see in town.

There are limits. The telescope time is shared, and the group may be large. One outing had more than 45 people and only two telescopes, one used for the moon and another for a particular star or target. You may need to wait your turn, and you should not expect a private astronomy lesson or unlimited telescope use.

The length of the talk can also depend on the group and the guide. One person found the stargazing session too long, while others considered it one of the best parts of the evening. If you want serious astronomy, bring modest expectations. If you want a guided look at the sky after a desert dinner, it adds a memorable finish.

What $41 Includes, and Where the Value Lies

At $41 per person, this package offers a lot for one evening. You receive pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the off-road transfer, riding gear, a guide, about an hour on horseback, tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and the astronomy session.

Booking these pieces separately would likely require more planning and transport. Here, the sunset and stargazing are timed together, so you do not need to arrange your own way back from an isolated desert site.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In a single outing, you get an animal activity, a desert drive, a sunset viewpoint, a meal, and a basic astronomy program. You may find another excursion with a more polished dinner or a more private telescope session, but it would be hard to match this many elements at the same price.

The tradeoff is comfort. The jeep ride may be rough, the dinner is practical, and the telescopes are shared. I would pay the $41 willingly if your priority is a full evening of activities rather than luxury service.

Languages, Timing, and Practical Preparation

Guiding is available in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. The exact language arrangement for your group may depend on the booking, so confirm it if clear communication is important to you.

Wear clothes suited to the weather and bring:

• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing for riding and desert conditions

The desert can be hotter than the resort, especially in the sun. After dark, conditions may feel different, so a light extra layer can be useful if the weather calls for it. This is practical preparation rather than a promise about temperature, since conditions change by season.

The tour offers reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility when building a Hurghada schedule.

The provider uses WhatsApp for communication and has been described as responsive. Pickup and drop-off have generally been handled at the requested hotel location, but you should give clear hotel details and keep your phone available on the day.

Who Should Book This Desert Evening?

I would recommend this to first-time riders, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants several activities in one affordable outing. You do not need advanced riding experience, and the guides adjust the pace to the group.

It also suits people who enjoy an active evening with a strong change of setting. The oasis, sunset, and open sky create a pleasant break from resort routines.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a baby under one year old. It is also a poor match if you dislike rough vehicle rides, fast off-road driving, or shared group activities.

If the telescope is your main reason for booking, keep expectations realistic. You will get guided viewing, not a private observatory visit. If horseback riding is your main reason, this is a better fit, since the ride receives more time and attention than the astronomy equipment.

Should You Book the Horse Ride and Stargazing Tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced desert sampler with a strong sunset ride and a fun evening atmosphere. The combination of horses, mountains, BBQ food, and stars gives you more variety than most short Hurghada excursions.

I would choose it for the horseback route and sunset first, then treat dinner and stargazing as welcome extras. Ask about the jeep conditions if you are worried about speed or seatbelts, and remember that telescope viewing may involve a wait.

At $41, the package makes sense for an active traveler who values experiences over polish. It is not the right pick for a quiet, private, luxury evening, but it can be a memorable final night in Hurghada, especially with guides such as Adam and Nasser keeping the program moving.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The exact timing depends on hotel pickup and location, but one schedule ran from about 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. The outing includes transport, horseback riding, dinner, and stargazing.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hurghada are included, with collection time based on your hotel location.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour. It takes place through desert valleys and includes stops for photographs and rest.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide gives a safety briefing, riding gear is provided, and the staff help first-time riders learn how to control the horse. Speed and riding style depend on each participant’s comfort and ability.

What food and drinks are included?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. A welcome Arabian tea or coffee is also provided.

Can I use a telescope during the stargazing session?

Telescopes are used to view targets available in the sky according to the calendar. Telescope time is shared with the group, and the number of scopes may be limited.