Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer

The unusual part comes quickly: you ride from the stable across the desert and out to the Red Sea, then may take your horse into the water during the warm season. I like the careful horse matching, which lets beginners ride calm horses while experienced riders can ask for more pace. I also like the helpful guides, including Rebecca, Abdul, and Saeed, who stay close and help with photos.

The main catch is that the outing is not a fast, independent riding lesson. Pace depends on your ability and the group, and the swimming option shortens the time spent riding on land. Swimming is generally unavailable from early November because of cooler weather and animal welfare concerns.

Key points to know before booking

• Desert to Red Sea route: Ride through open desert scenery before reaching the beach and shallow coastal water.
• Beginner-friendly horse selection: Staff match horses to riding ability, with helmets and child safety vests available.
• Swimming is seasonal: Choose the two-hour ride with swimming, normally offered only through October 31.
• Strong guide support: Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, Abdulrahman, and other staff are praised for patient handling and safety.
• Good low-cost value: At about $17 per person, the ride includes the horse, guide, equipment, and optional hotel transfer from Hurghada when selected.

A horse ride with a Red Sea finish

Hurghada is best known for its reef trips, boat excursions, and long hotel beaches. This outing gives you a different view of the coast. You begin at Lucky Horses Stable, ride through dry desert terrain, and finish beside the Red Sea, where the scenery changes from dust-colored sand to open water.

The route is appealing because it combines several settings in one short activity. You are not simply circling a paddock, but you also should not expect a full-day trek into remote country. The experience lasts from 90 minutes to three hours, depending on the option you choose.

The two-hour ride is the most useful choice for many people. It gives you enough time to settle into the saddle, ride toward the beach, and enjoy a proper stretch along the shore. If you choose swimming, this is also the option required for taking the horse into the sea.

I like this format for a first riding experience in Egypt. The desert and beach provide memorable scenery, yet the stable remains close enough for staff to keep an eye on the group. That balance makes the activity more relaxed than a long, demanding horseback expedition.

Starting at Lucky Horses Stable

The stable is in a horse area with several similar-looking operations, so arriving at the right place matters. If you come by taxi or Uber, GPS may leave you beside the road near a building called Harmony. From there, look to the left. The stable sits behind the building, among the other stables.

Show your ticket to the guide when you arrive. This simple step avoids confusion, especially if several groups are gathering nearby. If you book a transfer, wait at your hotel entrance or security gate as instructed. Some hotels do not allow drivers inside.

The stable is also home to cats, dogs, horses, and other animals. That adds warmth to the arrival, but it is worth taking seriously if you are nervous around animals. Friendly dogs and curious cats may be part of the setting, and the operator specifically asks people who fear animals to consider this before booking.

The horses are described as being kept in sheltered, clean surroundings, with protection from the strong sun. Several riders also noticed that the animals seemed well fed and calm. I cannot treat a short visit as a full welfare inspection, but the repeated attention to shelter, horse selection, and gentle handling is an encouraging sign.

Choosing the right length and pace

The shorter options suit people who want a taste of riding without committing to a long saddle session. A 90-minute outing can work well for children, first-time riders, or anyone fitting the activity between other Hurghada plans.

Choose a longer ride if the horse ride itself matters to you. The two-hour option gives you more time to pass through the desert and reach the coast without feeling rushed. It is also the correct choice if you want the swimming add-on.

A useful point for mixed-ability groups is that the staff can place beginners and stronger riders in suitable groups. One family combined an experienced young rider with a novice adult, allowing both to ride together while receiving different levels of help. You might still find that the group pace limits how fast an experienced rider can go.

Some riders were able to trot or canter on the beach, while others stayed at a slower pace. Do not assume that speed is guaranteed. It depends on your ability, the horse, the guide, and the group around you. Tell the staff honestly how much riding you have done.

Matching you with a calm, suitable horse

The horse selection is one of the most important parts of the experience. Staff ask about your riding level and pair you with an animal that fits your confidence and control.

First-time riders have been placed with calm horses such as Jojo, Fatima, or other gentle animals. More experienced riders have ridden horses including Hero, a gray gelding, and have been allowed more energetic movement under supervision.

This matching makes a real difference. A beginner who is already worried about mounting does not need a lively horse. An experienced rider, on the other hand, may find a very quiet horse less satisfying. Tell the guide if you are anxious, confident, or used to riding at speed.

Guides help you become comfortable with the reins and basic control before the group heads out. Abdul is often praised for his patience with nervous beginners, while Saeed is noted for guiding riders according to their needs. Rebecca is especially valued for combining strong riding ability with careful attention to both horses and riders.

You should still remember that horseback riding is physical. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, babies under one year, people over age 95, or anyone over the 220-pound, or 100-kilogram, weight limit. Pregnant people should ask their doctor before booking.

Riding from desert sand to the beach

Once mounted, you leave the stable and ride through the desert. The scenery is spare and sun-filled, with open sand and the Red Sea coast ahead. This is not a nature walk with extensive interpretation, but the change from stable to open desert gives the outing its sense of freedom.

The guide stays with the group and adjusts the ride to ability. Beginners can concentrate on balance and steering, while experienced riders may get a chance to move faster where conditions allow.

The beach section is the highlight for many people. You ride along the Red Sea, with the water beside you and the desert behind you. Some outings include walking in the shallows, and the two-hour option can include the horse swimming into deeper water during the warm season.

I would choose a morning ride if you prefer cooler conditions and clearer energy at the start of the day. Sunset is the better choice if you want softer light and photographs with warmer colors. Exact start times vary, so check availability when selecting your date.

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing. Long trousers are the practical choice because they reduce rubbing against the saddle. Bring clothing you do not mind getting wet if you select swimming, and remember that food and drinks are not included.

The summer horse-swimming option

Swimming with the horse is the most distinctive version of this activity. You ride into the Red Sea with the guide nearby, creating a memorable combination of animal, water, and open coast.

To include swimming, book the two-hour ride with the swimming option. The water section is not available all year. Because of colder conditions and concern for the horses, regular swimming ends after October 31. From early November onward, it might be possible only by prior agreement, depending on temperature and sea conditions.

This seasonal rule is sensible, but it can cause confusion if you book based on old photographs. Confirm the swimming option before you go, especially for an early November date.

Swimming also changes the balance of the outing. You spend less time riding on land because part of the session is used in the water. One experienced rider preferred the full two-hour beach ride without swimming for exactly this reason. If you want a longer ride, skip the water. If the unusual memory matters more, swimming is the obvious choice.

You should also be comfortable around horses and water. Staff will guide you, but this is not a good pick if you are afraid of animals or uneasy in the sea.

Guides, safety, and photographs

The staff are a major part of the experience. Names that appear repeatedly in the activity include Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, Abdulrahman, Mohammed, Adil, and others. Their roles may vary between rides, but the consistent pattern is close supervision, help with nervous riders, and attention to the horses.

The guides speak English and Arabic, with Estonian, German, and Italian also available. Private and small-group arrangements can be selected, which is useful if you want more personal instruction or are arranging a family outing.

Helmets are provided, and children can receive safety jackets. Wear them even if you are an experienced rider. Desert sun, sand, and a moving horse are a poor place to rely on confidence alone.

The guide can take pictures with your phone during the ride. That is especially useful for solo visitors or couples who want photographs together. Professional photos may also be available to buy, and several riders considered the images good value.

Keep your phone secure if you bring it. The supplied information confirms that staff help with phone photographs, but it does not specify waterproof cases or storage. For the swimming option, ask how your phone and personal items will be handled before entering the water.

Is $17 good value?

At about $17 per person, this is a strong price for a 90-minute to three-hour activity, especially if you select the Hurghada transfer option included with your booking. You receive the horse ride, a guide, safety equipment, and access to a route that combines desert and beach.

The price is even more attractive for beginners who want a guided introduction rather than a private lesson. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the stable if hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your selected option.

Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay cost an additional €10 per person. If you stay outside Hurghada, compare that charge with the cost and effort of arranging your own taxi.

Food and drinks are not included. Since the activity is relatively short, this is not a major problem, but plan around meals if you book a morning or sunset departure.

The reservation allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Pickup time is sent through WhatsApp, the booking app, and email. Reconfirm one day before, and wait at the stated meeting point 10 minutes early. Traffic and hotel security can cause delays of up to 15 minutes.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to:

• First-time riders who want patient help and a gentle introduction
• Families with children who can follow safety instructions
• Couples looking for a shared activity with beach photographs
• Solo visitors who want guides to help with pictures
• Experienced riders who want a short desert and beach ride
• Animal lovers who enjoy visiting a stable with cats, dogs, and horses

It is less suitable if you want a long-distance riding expedition, a formal riding lesson, or guaranteed fast cantering. It is also not the right choice if you dislike close contact with animals or cannot manage the physical demands of mounting and riding.

The experience works best when you state your ability clearly. A nervous beginner should not feel embarrassed about asking for a quiet horse and a slower pace. An experienced rider should explain that too, while accepting that the guide has the final say on safety.

Should you book the Lucky Horses ride?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced way to combine desert scenery, Red Sea views, and a well-supported horse ride. The strongest reasons are the flexible duration, careful horse matching, helpful guides, and the unusual swimming option from spring through October.

Choose the full two-hour beach ride without swimming if riding time matters most. Choose the swimming version if you want the most unusual memory and are visiting during the warm season.

Before booking, check three things: your weight is within the 100-kilogram limit, swimming is available on your date, and your hotel transfer is included or affordable. With those points settled, this is an easy activity to fit into a Hurghada holiday, particularly for beginners and families.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding activity last?

Options range from 90 minutes to three hours. The two-hour option is required if you want to include swimming with the horses.

Where does the ride begin?

The activity starts at Lucky Horses Stable in Hurghada. If arriving by taxi or Uber, look left after getting out near the Harmony building, as the stable is behind it among several other stables.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Hurghada when you select the transfer option. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay are available for an extra €10 per person.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The activity is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced riders. Staff select horses according to riding ability and guide beginners throughout the ride.

Is swimming with the horses available all year?

No. Regular swimming is offered during the warmer season and normally ends after October 31. From early November, it may be possible only by prior agreement, depending on the temperature and sea conditions.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing, with long trousers recommended to help prevent chafing. If you choose swimming, wear or bring clothing suitable for getting wet.

Is safety equipment provided?

Helmets are provided, and children can receive safety jackets. The maximum rider weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Pregnant people should consult a doctor before booking.