Soma Bay: Horse Riding Beach and Desert Tour With Transfer

The best part of this Soma Bay outing is the change of scenery: one minute you are crossing golden desert sand, and the next you are riding beside the Red Sea with turquoise water in view. I like the two-hour route, which gives you time to settle into the saddle without turning the day into a full expedition. I also like that the staff match horses and pace to your riding ability, including first-time riders.

The main thing to check before booking is your pickup location. Hotel transfer is included only when you select that option, and pickups from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna cost an additional 10 euros per person. The ride itself is a strong value at $20 per person, but the final price depends on your hotel and transfer choice.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours between desert and sea: The route combines open sandy trails with a ride parallel to the Red Sea.
• Suitable for first-time riders: Staff adjust the horse and pace to your skill level, and one booking specifically asked for a gentle first ride.
• A guide stays with the group: Professional guides focus on safety, comfort, and keeping the ride suited to your pace.
• Photos may be part of the experience: Several riders praised the guide for taking many pictures, including attractive shots by the water.
• Water and tea are included: You receive a bottle of water and tea during the outing.
• Transfer costs depend on your resort: Selected hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but four resort areas carry a 10 euro per person supplement.

From Soma Bay hotel to the riding center

If you choose the transfer option, your day begins with pickup from your hotel and a ride to the equestrian center. This is useful in the Red Sea resort area, where getting between hotels, desert sites, and beaches can be awkward without arranged transport. You do not need to solve the taxi question before breakfast.

The experience provider is S B T Travel. At the riding center, professional staff introduce you to the horses and help choose a mount suited to your riding level. That matters more than it may sound. A confident rider may want a more spirited pace, while a beginner usually needs a calm horse and clear instructions.

The information provided does not give a precise pickup time, group size, or exact equestrian center address. Check those details when you reserve. If you are staying in Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna, ask for the added transfer charge before paying. The supplement is 10 euros per person.

The staff speak Arabic, English, German, and Russian. That broad language range can make the safety briefing and riding instructions easier to follow, especially when you are handling a horse for the first time.

Getting comfortable with your horse

Once you arrive, the staff help you prepare for the ride. The key service here is matching you with a trained horse and adjusting the outing to your ability. The experience is not presented as a fast, technical riding lesson. It is a scenic outing, with the guide keeping an eye on safety and comfort.

If you have never ridden before, tell the staff plainly. One booking specifically noted that the team adapted the ride for first-time riders. That suggests the best approach is to be honest about your experience rather than trying to appear more confident than you are. Your horse, speed, and route can then be handled more sensibly.

Wear comfortable clothes suitable for riding. Long, practical clothing is the safer choice than loose beachwear, although the supplied information does not specify a required dress code. Bring a hat, since you will be outside in open desert and coastal sun. Comfortable shoes are also sensible, but the tour details do not state whether riding boots are supplied, so ask the equestrian center if footwear is a concern.

You should expect basic riding guidance before setting off. The exact length of the briefing is not specified, so allow time for fitting in and meeting the horse. The ride is two hours, but the full hotel-to-hotel outing will take longer once transfers and preparation are included.

Crossing golden desert trails

The first riding section takes you through the desert. This is not a sightseeing trip through urban streets or a short photo stop beside a stable. You spend part of the two hours on sandy trails, with wide views and the spare, open feel of the Red Sea desert.

The desert portion gives the ride room to breathe. You can focus on the horse, the changing ground, and the silence away from resort traffic. If you are new to riding, this section may also help you settle into the rhythm of the horse before reaching the shoreline.

The description allows for a gentle ride or a more spirited pace through open terrain, depending on your preferences and ability. Do not read that as a promise of galloping. The guide controls what is suitable, and your comfort comes first. Tell the staff at the start if you want a quiet ride or hope for something livelier.

The desert can also feel exposed. There is little shade mentioned, so your hat and comfortable clothing are practical rather than decorative. Bring sunscreen if you normally use it, although sunscreen is not listed among the required items. Water is provided, which is welcome in a hot, open setting.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The coastal section is the visual payoff. The route runs parallel to clear Red Sea water, with views of turquoise waves on one side and desert sand on the other. You get a different angle on the coast than you would from a hotel pool, a beach chair, or a boat.

The gentle sea breeze can make the shoreline feel cooler than the desert, but this remains an outdoor ride in a sunny climate. Keep your hat secure and wear clothing that allows you to move comfortably in the saddle. The ride is designed around the scenery, so take time to look up rather than spending the whole route watching the horse’s head.

The supplied details suggest you might see local wildlife, but this is only a possibility, not a promised part of the outing. The reliable features are the sea views, desert setting, and open route away from crowds.

You may stop for photos, and the guide may take pictures during the ride. Several riders particularly valued the photographs, describing them as beautiful and noting that the guide took many shots. That is a useful detail for anyone who wants more than a quick phone snapshot. Still, ask how and when photos are delivered, since the tour information does not explain the format or whether every rider receives the same number.

How the pace works for beginners and experienced riders

The staff aim to tailor the horse and pace to your skill level. That makes this a sensible choice for a mixed group, provided everyone is comfortable with a ride designed for general enjoyment rather than advanced training.

For a beginner, the attraction is simple: you can try horseback riding without committing to a full-day course. The two-hour length gives you a real outing, but it is not so long that a new rider must endure an entire day in the saddle. Your first priority should be balance, calm movements, and listening to the guide.

For an experienced rider, the desert and beach setting may be more important than instruction. You can ask about a livelier pace, but the guide decides what is safe for the horse, the route, and the group. If you want technical schooling, jumping, or a private high-speed ride, this may not be the right product.

The activity also suits couples, families with suitable riding-age members, and friends who want an outdoor break from resort time. The information does not give a minimum age, maximum weight, or accessibility details, so ask before booking if any of those factors apply to you.

Water, tea, and the small comforts

A bottle of water and tea are included. These are modest extras, but they make sense after riding through warm desert air. The tour does not list a meal, so do not book it expecting lunch or a long refreshment stop.

The tea also gives the outing a small local touch without adding a large formal program. It is a simple pause after time in the saddle. Since no meal is included, eat before or after according to your schedule and hotel arrangements.

The guide is included, and the role appears to cover route support, safety, pace, and assistance with the horses. The strongest praise attached to this experience centers on the staff being helpful, attentive, and willing to adjust the ride. One guide was specifically credited with looking after the group and taking photographs, though no guide names are provided.

What the $20 price really covers

At $20 per person, this is an inexpensive way to combine horseback riding, desert scenery, and a Red Sea beach route. The price includes the horse ride, professional guide, water, and tea. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the transfer option.

That distinction matters. A low headline price can become less low if you are staying outside the main pickup area. Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna each carry an extra 10 euros per person for transfer. Ask for the total before confirming if you are based in one of those areas.

The value is strongest if you want a compact outdoor activity rather than a full-day excursion. You get two hours on horseback and a route with two clear settings, desert and coast. You do not get a meal, a named private guide, a stated private group, or a detailed riding lesson. Those omissions are not necessarily problems, but they help define what you are buying.

The flexible booking terms are useful for a resort stay. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Keep those conditions in mind when arranging several activities around your hotel schedule.

Practical preparation for a smoother ride

Bring a hat and wear clothing made for sitting in a saddle for two hours. Avoid anything that restricts movement or can catch easily while riding. The supplied advice is brief, so use ordinary outdoor common sense: dress for sun, sand, and movement.

Tell the staff your riding level before mounting. If you are nervous, say so. If you want a faster pace, say that too, but let the guide decide what fits the horse and route.

Carry only what you need. A phone can be useful for your own photos, but the guide may also take pictures. Water is supplied, and tea is included, so you do not need to plan around carrying a large drink.

Confirm your hotel, pickup option, and transfer supplement. This is the most important practical check for people staying outside Soma Bay. Also confirm the pickup time, since the exact schedule is not supplied in the tour information.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for someone who wants a short, scenic horse ride with a clear Red Sea setting. It suits first-time riders especially well because the staff can adapt the pace and horse to your ability.

It also works for an experienced rider who wants coastal and desert views without spending an entire day away from the resort. The route is more about scenery and a pleasant ride than advanced equestrian work.

I would be more cautious if you dislike direct sun, are uncomfortable around horses, or want a highly structured lesson. The outing takes place outdoors in desert and coastal conditions, and the details do not promise shade, a private guide, or technical riding instruction.

Should you book the Soma Bay horse ride?

Book it if you want an affordable two-hour outing that combines desert trails and Red Sea views, especially if you are a beginner or are traveling with riders of mixed ability. The helpful staff, flexible pace, included water and tea, and possible guide photographs add real value at $20.

Before you commit, check the transfer total and ask about pickup time, group size, horse-riding footwear, and photo delivery. If your resort is in Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna, add the 10 euro per person transfer fee to your calculation.

This is a good choice for a simple, scenic ride. It is not the right pick if you want a full equestrian lesson, a meal, or a private high-speed desert session.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The horseback ride lasts two hours.

Where does the ride take place?

The route includes desert trails and a section along the Red Sea coastline near Soma Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option.

Are there extra transfer fees?

Yes. Pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna costs an additional 10 euros per person.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. Staff match you with a trained horse and adjust the ride to your skill level. The experience can be adapted for first-time riders.

Is a professional guide included?

Yes. A professional guide is included and speaks Arabic, English, German, or Russian.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for horse riding and bring a hat.

Is water provided?

Yes. A bottle of water and tea are included.

Does the tour include photographs?

The guide may take photographs during the ride. The tour information does not specify how the photos are delivered.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.