Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The real draw here is simple: you ride from Egypt’s desert into the Red Sea, then can take your horse into the water for a swim. That is a rare holiday experience, and the horses are described as calm, healthy, and well cared for. Guides including Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa get repeated praise for helping nervous first-time riders.

I like the mix of two very different settings, desert sand followed by beach and sea, and I like that the staff use your phone to take photos and videos during the ride. The main caution is physical: you stay on the horse for several 40-to-60-minute sections, and the advertised timing and special-offer days should be confirmed before booking.

At a Glance: What Makes This Ride Worth Considering

• Horse swimming in the Red Sea: Choose the swimming option for roughly an hour in the water with your horse.
• Two distinct riding settings: The route includes about one hour in the desert and one hour along the beach.
• Strong beginner support: Guides offer a safety briefing, riding instruction, and hands-on help for nervous riders.
• Well-equipped stable visit: Helmets, saddles, chaps, hotel transfers, water, and tea or coffee are included.
• Good value at $20: The price covers a substantial outing, though rides from resort areas outside Hurghada cost extra.
• Flexible booking terms: You can reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Desert Sand, Salt Water, and a Horse That Knows the Way

This Hurghada outing is less about formal riding instruction and more about seeing the Red Sea coast from the back of a horse. You begin at a stable, meet your horse, and receive a short safety briefing before setting out with a guide.

The route combines a desert ride and a beach ride, with each riding section lasting around 40 to 60 minutes. The exact total can vary, but the full outing is described as roughly three hours, including the transfer to and from your hotel.

The most unusual choice is the horse-swimming option. After riding on land and along the coast, you can take your horse into the Red Sea for around an hour. It is the part I would choose if you are comfortable in water and want something more memorable than a standard beach ride.

You do not need to be an experienced rider. Several guides, including Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa, are praised for calming beginners, walking alongside horses, and helping riders gain confidence. Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. Horseback riding uses your legs and balance, and you may feel stiff afterward.

Hotel Pickup and the First Meeting at the Stable

The day begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel. Pickup time depends on where you are staying, and a delay of up to 10 minutes is possible. Confirm the exact time one day before the trip, and send your room number to the operator by email or WhatsApp if requested.

Transfers from hotels in Hurghada are included. If you are staying in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Safaga, or Soma Bay, an extra charge applies. The stated add-on is €10 per person, so check the final cost before you commit.

One practical weakness is that the vehicle comfort and pickup timing may not be perfect. This is a budget-priced activity, and the ride to the stable is part of the day rather than a polished private transfer. If you are traveling with children or are prone to motion sickness, pack water and keep the timing in mind.

At the stable, you meet your guide and horse. The introduction matters more than it may sound. A calm first meeting helps you learn how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to the horse before you reach the open desert.

The guides speak English, German, and Arabic. Their role is not just to lead the route. They help riders adjust, give basic instructions, and keep an eye on anyone who feels unsure. Several first-time riders describe being nervous at first but feeling safe after the staff offered steady reassurance.

Riding Through Hurghada’s Open Desert

The desert section gives you space and quiet after the hotel transfer. You ride across sandy ground with the wide, dry setting around you, seeing the sparse plants and natural features of the area.

For experienced riders, this may be the easiest part of the outing. For beginners, it is where you learn the rhythm of the horse without the distractions of a crowded street or busy resort. The guides may also teach you how to trot, and some riders have had the chance to canter, depending on ability and group conditions.

Do not assume that every rider will gallop or canter. The pace must suit the group, the horses, and the guide’s judgment. The supplied details promise basic instruction and riding time, not a private lesson or a high-speed training session.

The desert also gives you some of the best photo settings. Guides are known to take pictures and videos with your own phone during the ride, and some use cameras as well. This is useful because handling a phone while on a horse is not a smart idea, especially if you are still learning to balance.

Wear comfortable, breathable trousers with enough flexibility to move. Long pants are the sensible choice because they reduce rubbing against the saddle and your legs. Closed shoes are also a practical choice, though the supplied information specifically emphasizes flexible long trousers.

The Beach Ride Along the Red Sea

The second major section takes you toward the beach. Here, the mood changes from dry desert quiet to sea air, waves, and open coastal views.

Riding beside the Red Sea is likely to feel calmer than the desert section. You hear the water, feel the breeze, and get a different view of the coastline than you would from a hotel beach chair. The beach ride is also the lead-in to the swimming option, so it helps you get used to the water before your horse goes farther in.

The horses are repeatedly described as well trained, calm, and easy to ride. That matters at the shoreline, where unfamiliar sounds and water can make a horse tense. Even so, animals are not machines. Follow the guide’s instructions, keep your hands steady, and do not push your horse beyond what you are told.

Families can consider this outing, but the physical demands and the water section mean parents should be realistic about the children in their group. Children as young as seven and eight have been assisted during rides, and guides have helped younger riders who were nervous. The information does not state a minimum age, so confirm age rules before booking.

Choosing the Horse-Swimming Option

The swimming section is the main reason to choose this activity over an ordinary desert ride. You enter the Red Sea with your horse and spend about an hour in the water, creating a close and unusual connection with the animal.

Bring swimwear if you select this option. One useful detail from the experience is that the swim stop is a proper swim stop, not just a quick photo near the edge. You should expect to get wet, so bring a change of clothes and protect anything that should not be splashed.

The water section may sound easy, but it requires confidence. If you are nervous around horses, deep water, or both, tell the guide before entering. The staff have helped riders who were afraid of falling, and some have stayed close or held a horse while the rider settled down.

The swimming option is not automatically right for everyone. A non-swimming ride still includes the desert and beach portions, so you can enjoy the main route without adding the water session. If you are uncomfortable in the sea or have limited mobility, ask exactly how the water entry works before paying for that option.

Guides Who Make a Difference for Beginners

The strongest part of the operation is the human support. Karim is repeatedly singled out for being reassuring, funny, and attentive. Ameen is praised for his friendly and professional manner, while Keo and Sasa are noted for helping families and nervous riders feel at ease.

Other named guides include Abdul, Yusef, Yaseen, Ali, Mohamed, Mo, and Abdi. The names matter because the experience depends heavily on the guide assigned to your group. A good guide can turn a first ride into a comfortable introduction. A rushed guide could make the same activity feel less relaxed.

The safety setup includes helmets, saddles, and chaps, along with an introductory briefing. You should still take the briefing seriously. Listen to how to stop, how to sit, and how to keep your feet positioned. A horse may be gentle, but riding remains a physical activity.

The weight limit is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horse’s safety. This is a firm planning point, not a minor detail. If your weight is near the limit, confirm the policy directly before booking.

What the $20 Price Really Includes

At $20 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a multi-part Hurghada outing. The stated price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels, a guide, one hour of desert riding, one hour of beach riding, a helmet, chaps, and water, tea, or coffee.

The horse-swimming option is included only when you select it, so compare the booking choices carefully. A cheap base price may not be the final price for the version you want.

The extra €10 transfer charge for hotels outside Hurghada is reasonable to factor in, especially if you are staying in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay. It can change the value calculation for a couple or family, so check the total for everyone before confirming.

The description also refers to a freshly cooked meal and music after the ride. However, the included items specifically list coffee, tea, and water rather than a meal. I would confirm the food arrangement directly instead of assuming lunch is included.

The price is strongest for someone who wants a memorable activity without paying for a full-day excursion. You get transport, equipment, staff support, two riding settings, and possibly the swim. It is less suited to a rider seeking a private lesson, advanced training, or a long-distance equestrian trip.

What to Wear and Bring

Keep your packing simple but practical:

• Long, flexible trousers to reduce chafing.
• Swimwear if you choose the water option.
• A change of clothes and a small towel for the swim.
• Water, even though water is provided.
• A phone with enough storage for photos and videos.
• Sun protection suited to a desert and beach outing.

The stable provides helmets and chaps, so you do not need to bring riding equipment. Comfortable clothing matters more than looking stylish. A stiff pair of jeans or loose clothing that catches on equipment can make a long ride unpleasant.

You should also expect dust, sand, and water. Do not bring valuables that you would worry about dropping, especially during the swimming section.

Who Will Enjoy This More, and Who May Not

I would recommend this activity to first-time riders, couples, families with older children, and anyone looking for a different way to see Hurghada’s coast. The guide support is a major help if you are curious about horses but have never ridden properly.

It also suits experienced casual riders who want a relaxed coastal outing rather than a technical ride. The chance to trot or canter may add fun, but the pace is shaped by the group and the horses.

You may want to skip it if you dislike physical activity, have trouble sitting comfortably for several riding sections, or do not want to enter the sea. The weight limit also rules out some riders, and the operator should be contacted if you are unsure.

The activity is available daily. Special offers are described for Tuesdays and Fridays, while another part of the supplied information refers to Sundays and Fridays. That inconsistency is worth checking before you choose your date.

Booking Flexibility and Final Practical Advice

You can reserve the activity and pay later, which helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is listed for a full refund.

Confirm your pickup time the day before. Ask which guide and ride option you have booked, especially if swimming is the main reason you are going. If you are staying outside Hurghada, confirm the transfer supplement in writing.

I would also ask two direct questions: Is the meal included on your chosen package, and exactly how long will your group spend in the water? The listed details give a useful outline, but those points are not fully consistent across the available information.

Should You Book This Hurghada Horse Ride?

Book it if you want a low-cost, unusual Red Sea activity and like the idea of riding from desert sand into seawater. The horse swim is the clear highlight, and the guides appear especially good at helping beginners and children feel secure.

Choose the swimming option, pack proper clothes, and allow for a physically active morning or afternoon. If you prefer a quiet beach day or a formal riding lesson, this is not the right fit.

For $20, the combination of transfers, equipment, desert riding, beach riding, and friendly instruction offers strong value. Just confirm the pickup, extra transfer cost, special-offer day, and meal details before you pay.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Safaga, and Soma Bay cost an additional €10 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The full outing is described as approximately three hours. You spend around 40 to 60 minutes on the horse at each station, with about one hour planned for desert riding and one hour for beach riding.

Is horse swimming included?

Swimming with the horses is included only if you select the horse-swimming option. The water session lasts around one hour.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The activity includes a basic safety briefing and riding guidance. Guides help beginners and nervous riders throughout the experience.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. Riders should not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety.

What languages do the guides speak?

The guides speak English, German, and Arabic.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable, flexible long trousers to help prevent chafing. Bring swimwear if you choose the horse-swimming option.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets, saddles, and chaps are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.