Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horseback Riding, Stargazing, Dinner, Show

The best part of this Hurghada experience is the change of setting. You ride on horseback around Makadi Bay, where the Red Sea resort coast gives way to sandy desert. Choose the riding-only option, or make it an evening out with sunset stargazing, dinner, and a cultural show.

I like the gentle horses and patient guides, especially for families and first-time riders. I also like the flexible format: you can keep the outing simple or add a full night of food, stars, and entertainment. One point to consider is that the program may not feel private or intimate, since groups can reach 100 people.

Key points

• Horseback riding for different skill levels: Beginners can ride with support, while more confident riders may be offered a short trot.
• Makadi Bay setting: The route brings together Red Sea resort views, sandy shore, and desert scenery.
• Optional sunset evening: Add stargazing, dinner, and a show after the ride.
• Well-behaved horses: The horses are described as gentle, calm, and comfortable for family groups.
• Useful family tip: Helmets were available when requested, so ask for one before mounting.
• Simple value: At about $41.34 per person, transport, water, and a horse are included, with extras depending on the option you choose.

Riding Between the Red Sea and the Desert

This tour gives you a different way to see the Hurghada area. Instead of spending the whole outing on the water or inside a resort, you sit in the saddle and move through the sandy surroundings of Makadi Bay.

Makadi Bay is a resort town on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera. Hotels and spas line the coast, while the beaches are known for water activities and views toward the open sea. From horseback, you get a slower view of the area than you would from a vehicle.

The route is described as riding around Makadi Bay rather than following a highly detailed point-to-point itinerary. That means you should book this for the overall experience, not for a long-distance horseback expedition. The setting, the horses, and the chance to ride near the coast are the main attractions.

I like this style of outing because the horse does part of the work for you. You are not rushing from one sight to another. You have time to notice the sand, the open sky, and the contrast between the built-up resort strip and the quieter desert around it.

What the Horse Ride Feels Like

Each person receives a horse, and the animals are described as well-trained and gentle. That matters here. Horseback riding can be a poor fit for a complete beginner if the animals are nervous or the staff rushes the basic instructions. The available feedback suggests the guides keep an eye on safety while still giving riders some freedom.

Beginners can expect a steady pace and support from the guides. Riders with a little experience may be allowed to trot for a short time, depending on their comfort and the guide’s judgment. One beginner-friendly detail is that a guide taught some riders to trot even though they had only ridden a few times before.

You should not assume that every rider will spend much time trotting. The exact pace will depend on the group, the horses, and the guide. The safest approach is to tell the staff about your experience before the ride begins.

A helmet is worth requesting. One family had to ask for riding helmets, and the request was handled without a problem. Since helmets were not listed among the included items, I would make this one of your first questions on arrival rather than waiting until the ride is underway.

The horse ride works well for families, couples, and solo visitors. Children aged 7 and 11 took part with their family, which gives parents a useful reference point. Still, the supplied information does not state a minimum age, weight limit, or detailed child policy, so you should confirm those points before booking if they matter to your group.

Makadi Bay from the Saddle

Makadi Bay offers more than a generic desert backdrop. It is a Red Sea resort area with sandy beaches, hotels, spas, and access to marine activities. The riding route lets you see the coastal side and the dry interior in one short outing.

The scenery will likely appeal most to anyone who wants a break from standard resort activities. You may see the broad Red Sea coast from the riding area, then turn toward sand and open desert. The tour information does not promise a swim with the horses or a long beach ride, so do not book it expecting a water-based horse experience.

That distinction is important. The tour combines sea and desert in its setting, but the confirmed activity is horseback riding around Makadi Bay. If you want snorkeling, scuba trips, or a boat excursion, those are separate activities in the area.

I also like the pace for a short holiday schedule. At about three hours, this is long enough to feel like a real outing without taking an entire day. You can fit it around other Hurghada plans, though the sunset option may shape the timing more tightly.

Choosing the Sunset, Stars, Dinner, and Show Option

The basic choice is horseback riding only, or a longer evening format that adds sunset stargazing, dinner, and a show. The sunset version is the more memorable choice if you want a complete night rather than a single activity.

Stargazing begins after the sun drops and the sky becomes the focus. An expert guide explains the night sky and the objects you can see. This is a good match for families because it adds a learning element without requiring specialist equipment or prior knowledge.

The desert setting should help make the stars feel more visible than they do in a brightly lit city center, but the information does not promise a specific telescope, named constellations, or a particular astronomical program. Think of this as guided sky watching, not a formal observatory visit.

Dinner follows the riding and stargazing portion. The meal includes local and international dishes, which gives you a safer choice if your group has mixed tastes. The exact menu is not provided, so anyone with strict dietary needs should ask the operator before booking.

The evening ends with a show focused on Egyptian culture. This adds a sense of place to what could otherwise be a standard dinner stop. Keep your expectations realistic: the show is part of a group tour program, not a private performance or a specialist cultural event.

The combined option makes most sense for couples and families who want one organized evening. Solo visitors can enjoy it too, especially if they prefer a planned night with transport rather than arranging dinner and entertainment on their own.

Guides, Safety, and Riding Confidence

The guides are one of the strongest parts of the experience. They are described as both friendly and cautious, a useful balance for a riding activity. You want enough supervision to feel safe, but not so much that every rider is treated as if they have never seen a horse.

The guide team watched the riders’ safety while allowing them to ride at a pace that suited them. That approach is especially helpful when one group includes both beginners and people who have ridden before.

You should still speak up about your comfort level. Tell the guides if you are nervous, inexperienced, or keen to trot. A short ride can feel very different depending on whether you are relaxed in the saddle, and the staff can only adjust the experience if you explain what you need.

The horses themselves received especially strong praise. They were described as well behaved and happy to go out. That is a meaningful detail, since calm horses make a greater difference to a beginner than fancy scenery does.

The available information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility guidance. If you need help mounting, have limited mobility, or require a specially adapted saddle, contact Egypt Excursions Online before paying.

Transport, Timing, and Group Size

Pickup is offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included. In Hurghada’s heat, air conditioning is more than a minor comfort. It makes the transfer easier, especially if you have spent the day outdoors.

One driver arrived late for a family, but the full tour time was still provided. That suggests a delay may not always shorten the activity, though you should not treat late pickup as guaranteed or acceptable. Keep your phone available and allow some flexibility around the stated pickup time.

The activity lasts about three hours. The precise balance between riding, stargazing, dinner, and the show will depend on the option you select and the evening schedule. If you choose the sunset program, confirm the pickup time and the expected return time before departure.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is a sizeable possible group, so the atmosphere may be lively rather than quiet. Large groups can also mean more waiting when mounting, moving between activities, or serving dinner.

If you want a private ride or a small group, this is not clearly the right product. No private arrangement is promised in the available details. For most people, the trade-off is a lower price and a simple package rather than personal attention at every step.

Is $41.34 Good Value?

At approximately $41.34 per person, the value depends on which version you choose. For riding alone, you are paying for the horse, transport, bottled water, and the guided activity. That is a fair setup if you want an easy way to ride around Makadi Bay without arranging local transport yourself.

The price becomes more attractive when it includes the sunset program with stargazing, dinner, and a show. You are combining several evening activities in one booking, and the air-conditioned pickup removes the need to organize transfers separately.

Check exactly which option is selected before booking. The description allows you to choose horseback riding only or add the sunset package, so the headline price may not represent every possible version of the outing.

Tips and unlisted extras are not included. Bring a little money if you plan to tip the guides or driver, but do not assume that any additional activity, food item, or service is covered unless it is stated in your confirmation.

The rating is currently 4.7 out of 5, with 94 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong overall signal, while the individual comments point most clearly to the horseback ride, calm horses, and helpful guides as the best reasons to book.

Who Should Book This Hurghada Experience?

I would recommend it to a family looking for an activity that works across several ages. The combination of a gentle ride and an evening dinner gives parents more variety than a short riding lesson alone. The experience also suits couples who want a sunset outing with something organized after the ride.

It is a good pick for a first-time rider who wants support. The guides have shown that they can teach basic skills and offer a small amount of extra challenge when appropriate. Ask for a helmet and explain your riding experience clearly.

Experienced equestrians should adjust their expectations. This is not presented as a long, technical ride or an advanced training session. You may enjoy the setting and the relaxed pace, but the main goal is an accessible group outing.

The evening option suits you if you want stargazing, food, and entertainment without planning several separate bookings. If you prefer quiet astronomy, a private meal, or a small cultural performance, the possible group size of 100 may be a drawback.

The tour also works well when your Hurghada schedule is tight. Three hours is manageable, and pickup is included. Just leave room for a possible transport delay and confirm the details of your selected option.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The experience needs good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so check the local start time carefully.

Since the ride takes place outdoors, weather can affect both comfort and the schedule. The operator’s weather rule protects you if conditions force a cancellation, but it does not mean the program can be adjusted freely at the last minute.

Should You Book It?

Book this experience if you want a short, easy-to-arrange horseback ride with the option of a complete desert evening. The strongest reasons are the gentle horses, attentive guides, flexible pace, and the chance to add stargazing, dinner, and a cultural show.

I would choose the sunset package for a first visit to Hurghada, particularly for a family or couple. I would choose riding only if the horse experience is your main goal and you already have evening plans.

Skip it if you want a private ride, advanced equestrian work, or a small and quiet astronomy session. For everyone else, the combination of accessible riding, Makadi Bay scenery, and a structured evening gives this tour solid value at about $41.34, as long as you confirm the option, request a helmet, and accept the possibility of a large group.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada horseback riding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place around Makadi Bay, a Red Sea resort town near Hurghada.

Can I book horseback riding without dinner and the show?

Yes. You can choose the horseback riding option only, or select the sunset version with stargazing, dinner, and a show.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is intended for beginners and experienced riders, and the horses are described as well trained and gentle.

Are transport and water included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and one horse per person are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.