Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Tour, Stargazing, Dinner & Show

Riding from the quiet desert to the Red Sea is the heart of this Hurghada outing. You get wide sandy trails, shoreline views, and the unusual chance to take your horse into the water on the four-hour VIP program. Sunrise rides add breakfast, while sunset departures finish with dinner, entertainment, and telescopes.

I like the careful matching of riders to horses and ability levels. I also like the guides’ practical help, especially the way Yusuf, Didi, Mahmoud, and Hassan have helped nervous beginners, children, and confident riders share the same outing. The main catch is that dinner, stargazing, and horse swimming belong to different options, so you need to select the right package.

Quick takeaways

• Ride beside the Red Sea: The two-hour route combines desert tracks with seaside riding and photo stops.
• Beginner-friendly pace: Guides provide a safety briefing, a short riding test, helmets, and extra help where needed.
• Sunrise has the special breakfast: The Oriental breakfast is included only on the 5:00 AM departure.
• Sunset adds a full evening: Choose dinner, a dance show, and stargazing after the ride.
• Horse swimming costs more: The four-hour VIP option is the one that includes swimming with your horse.
• Good value at $20: The basic ride is inexpensive, but transfers and add-ons depend on the package you book.

The real attraction: desert riding with the sea ahead

Hurghada is best known for boats, reefs, and resort pools. This outing gives you a different view of the Red Sea Governorate. You leave the hotel strip, ride across open sand, and eventually reach the coast on horseback. The contrast is the fun part: quiet desert under your boots, then blue water and salt air beside you.

The standard ride lasts two hours. Routes can pass through sandy valleys, open plains, and the shoreline, with stops for photographs. You are not signing up for a race. The pace is guided and controlled, though confident riders may get chances to canter or gallop when the group and conditions allow it.

That last point matters. This is a guided ride for mixed abilities, not a private riding lesson or an advanced equestrian excursion. The guides keep beginners comfortable while giving experienced riders more freedom when appropriate. Several guides have also taken steady videos and photographs on participants’ phones, which is useful when your hands are busy with reins.

The horses receive much of the praise in the experience. They are described as calm, clean, healthy, and well cared for. That does not remove the normal risks of riding, but it can make a first ride less intimidating.

Choosing between the five main versions

The $20 starting price is attractive, but it covers a particular version of the experience. Read the option names carefully before paying, since the duration, meals, transfers, and water activities vary.

Two-hour ride with shared transfer

This is the easiest choice if you want hotel pickup and drop-off without arranging transport yourself. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you from major resort areas, then returns you after the activity. The ride itself lasts about two hours and does not include a swim stop.

Pickup can begin up to an hour before the selected start time. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, allow roughly 25 to 30 minutes of driving. From central Hurghada, the journey is about 40 to 45 minutes. El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Soma Bay, and Safaga can take up to an hour, depending on the hotel and shared route.

Entry ticket without transfer

Independent visitors can choose the entry-only ticket and make their own way to the base. This can make sense if you have a rental car or are already nearby. It is also the clearest option if you want to avoid a long shared pickup route.

At the entrance, the guide waits and greets you by name. Keep your phone connected to WhatsApp, since the exact meeting and pickup details are sent before the activity.

Sunrise ride with Oriental breakfast

The 5:00 AM departure is the most atmospheric option. The desert is cooler, the morning light is softer, and the ride reaches the coast as the day begins. An Oriental breakfast is included with this early departure, not automatically with every morning ride.

One useful detail from the experience is the warm welcome before the ride. A fire and herbal tea have helped early riders get comfortable before heading out. Bring a layer, especially in cooler months or on a windy morning.

This option suits you if you care more about calm light and breakfast than sleeping late. The early start is the price you pay for the best sunrise conditions.

Quad biking and horseback riding combo

The double-adventure program combines one hour on a quad bike with one hour on horseback. It runs in the cooler early morning, which makes sense in the desert. It gives you more variety, but the horse portion is shorter than the standard ride.

Choose it if you want motorized desert fun as well as riding. Skip it if your main goal is a long, relaxed ride beside the sea.

Sunset ride with dinner, show, and stargazing

This package starts with a sunset ride and continues with an Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and telescope viewing. The meal is generally described as a traditional or barbecue-style dinner, and drinks are available to buy. Mineral water is provided.

The show can include dancing, a horse performance, and fire-related entertainment. It is a pleasant cultural add-on, though the quality of the performance is more variable than the riding. Some people find the show entertaining, while others see it as average.

Stargazing depends heavily on the sky. Cloud can block the stars, and Hurghada’s distant lights reduce the darkness. The telescopes may still offer a look at the moon or a planet such as Jupiter, but do not book this as a serious astronomy night.

Getting ready at the stable

After arrival, you have about 15 minutes to rest before the ride. Staff introduce the horses and explain the basics. A short safety briefing and driving test help place riders at a suitable level.

Helmets and safety equipment are available and helmets must be worn during the ride. Wear comfortable shoes, long trousers or leggings, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Long clothing is especially useful on windy days, when sand can blow across the open routes.

Leave jewelry, large bags, and valuables at the hotel. Swimwear is useful only if you choose a package with water access. Pets, alcohol, drugs, and smoking in the vehicle are not allowed.

The weight limit is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms, according to the activity information. One earlier booking record gives a lower figure, so I would confirm the current limit before paying if your weight is close to the stated maximum. The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

How the ride works for beginners and experienced riders

The guides group people by riding ability, then begin at a measured pace. Beginners can expect help with mounting, steering, and controlling the horse. Guides may walk alongside or hold a lead when someone needs extra support.

This care is one of the strongest reasons to choose the trip. A nervous first-time rider was helped to feel safe before trying faster movement. A child as young as seven was given a horse better suited to her ability, while experienced riders in the same group were allowed more chances to canter.

That does not mean every beginner should expect to gallop. The guide decides what is safe for the horse, the rider, and the route. The activity information is clear that this is an adventure with supervision, not a race.

You should also tell the staff if a horse feels too lively or unsuitable. One rider was moved to another horse after the first seemed overstimulated. That kind of quick adjustment can make a big difference to the day.

Desert tracks, shoreline views, and photo stops

The desert section gives you space and silence. You pass through sandy valleys and open ground, with the Red Sea appearing as the route approaches the coast. The scenery is simple rather than packed with sights, but that is exactly why the ride works.

At the seaside, the mood changes. You may ride along the shore, stop for photographs, or enter the water if you have selected the VIP program. Several guides take pictures and videos on your phone, including riding shots and beach scenes. Bring a phone with enough storage and a secure case, especially if you plan to get wet.

Experienced riders may be offered a faster stretch across the sand. For beginners, the best part may simply be sitting calmly on a well-behaved horse and taking in the view. The small-group setup helps the guide divide attention between both types of rider.

The four-hour VIP swim option

The swim stop is not part of the ordinary two-hour tour. You need the four-hour VIP program, described as a private deluxe ride. It includes the rare chance to swim with your horse in the Red Sea.

This is the most memorable choice if horse swimming is on your wish list. It also requires more time, more confidence in the water, and suitable swimwear. Guides can adapt the water experience for someone who is less comfortable, keeping the horse in shallower water rather than pushing too far.

The experience is not simply a photo stop. You will be dealing with a horse, saddle, water, and slippery conditions, so listen closely to the guides. Long trousers or leggings can help prevent rubbing during the riding portion, though you will want swimwear underneath for the sea.

Dinner, dancing, and telescopes after sunset

The evening version turns the ride into a longer outing. After returning to the base, you sit down to an Oriental meal, then watch a live show. The food has been described as traditional, tasty, and barbecue-based, though the exact spread can vary.

Drinks cost extra, so carry some money if you want something beyond the included food and water. The dinner is a useful part of the package because it lets you stay at the stable after dark instead of arranging another evening activity.

The entertainment is good fun if you approach it as a light cultural show rather than a major theater production. Dancing, a horse performance, and fire entertainment may be included. The quality is not perfectly consistent, and the horse performance may not suit everyone.

Stargazing comes last. You may share two telescopes and wait your turn. On a clear night, the moon and planets can be impressive. Clouds and nearby light pollution can reduce the effect, so treat this as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book.

Is the $20 price good value?

For the basic two-hour ride, $20 is strong value if you want a guided outing with equipment, a horse, desert and seaside routes, and optional shared transfers. The price becomes more compelling if you are new to riding and want staff to handle the horse selection, safety briefing, and route.

Do not compare every package with the $20 starting figure. The sunrise breakfast, quad combo, sunset dinner, private transfer, and four-hour swim program have different prices and inclusions. Private guides and private transfers also cost extra.

The experience earns good value from the personal help. Guides such as Yusuf, Didi, Mahmoud, Saber, Hassan, and Abdul have been singled out for patience, humor, photos, and support. Still, tipping is worth considering if a guide spends much of the ride taking videos or helping you one to one.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now-pay-later booking make it easier to fit into a changing holiday plan. The exact pickup time arrives the day before, and you should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before that time.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose it for a first horseback outing, a couple wanting a different Red Sea activity, families with older children who can ride safely, and experienced riders who want a scenic rather than technical route.

The sunrise option fits early risers and photographers. The sunset package suits anyone wanting dinner and entertainment in the same outing. The VIP version is for people who specifically want to swim with horses and are comfortable spending four hours on the program.

I would be cautious if you have back trouble, limited mobility, are pregnant, exceed the weight limit, or dislike organized shows. I would also avoid assuming that every package includes a swim, breakfast, dinner, or stargazing. Those extras depend on the departure and option you select.

Final verdict: book the ride, choose the package carefully

The horse riding is the clear star of this Hurghada experience. The calm horses, patient guides, desert-to-sea route, and strong attention to different ability levels give the outing real appeal. The dinner, show, and stargazing are worthwhile additions, but they are secondary.

Book the standard two-hour ride if you want the best value. Choose sunrise for cool air and breakfast, sunset for the full evening, and the four-hour VIP program only if swimming with your horse is the main goal. With the right option selected, this is an easy way to trade a few hours by the hotel pool for a memorable ride across the Red Sea desert.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The main horseback ride lasts two hours. The VIP swim program lasts four hours, while total activity duration can range from two to five hours depending on the option selected.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with options that specify shared transfer. Entry-only tickets require you to make your own way to the base. Private transfers are available for an extra fee.

Which option includes breakfast?

The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. It is not included automatically with other morning departures.

Does the regular two-hour ride include swimming with the horse?

No. Swimming is included only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option with a swim stop.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The activity includes a safety briefing, horse introduction, short riding test, and grouping by ability. Guides support beginners and can offer faster riding to more experienced participants when suitable.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and swimwear if you have selected a water-based option. Long clothing is useful on windy days.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is also available.