Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

A horse ride that ends with your mount splashing into the Red Sea is the main event here. You ride from the Edelweiss Equestrian Center through Sharm El Sheikh’s open city desert, then reach the beach for shoreline riding and time in the water. It is a more unusual way to see South Sinai than another jeep trip.

I like the careful horse matching and the patient instruction, especially for first-time riders. I also like the choice of sunrise or sunset, when the light is softer and the air is cooler. The main caution is that the advertised two hours includes the ride out and back, so the beach portion may feel shorter than expected.

Key points to know before you book

• The Red Sea ride is the highlight: You can take your horse into the clear shallows and expect wet clothes.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides can lead your horse, walk beside you, or give you more freedom as your confidence grows.
• Sunrise is worth the early alarm: The ride can begin around 4 or 5 a.m. for first light over the beach and Sinai mountains.
• The group is small: No more than five participants are listed, which allows closer attention from the guide.
• Photos cost extra: A photographer may capture beach and riding shots, but settle the price and currency before you ride.
• Dress for the saddle: Wear long trousers, comfortable shoes, and waterproof footwear. The saddle can rub bare legs.

Riding from the Edelweiss stables into the open desert

Your visit begins at Edelweiss Equestrian Center, either after a hotel pickup or with your own transport to the center. The stable team asks about your riding experience before assigning a horse. That first conversation matters more than it may sound. A nervous beginner needs a calm, steady horse, while an experienced rider may want a horse with more energy.

The center provides a helmet and an instructor. Guides speak Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian, so basic communication is available for a mixed international group. Mohammed is repeatedly identified as a particularly patient instructor, while Mahmood is involved in running the center and coordinating the rides.

If you have never ridden, expect simple instruction before setting off. You may begin with a lead rope or a guide walking beside you. As you settle into the saddle, the guide can show you how to walk, trot, and, if your ability and the group allow it, canter.

That flexibility is one of the strongest features of the ride. A first-time rider can remain at the back and walk with help, while a confident rider may be allowed to move faster. This is not a private lesson for every booking, but the small group size gives the staff room to adjust the pace.

The first stretch runs through what the tour calls the city desert of Sharm El Sheikh. Keep your expectations sensible here. This is not a remote sweep of Saharan dunes. The open riding area is near the city, with buildings visible on the horizon in places. Still, the space gives you room to ride, and it provides a sharp change from hotel pools and paved resort streets.

The route may feel long to riders who are mainly booking for the sea. One way to view it is as part of the experience: you get time to settle with the horse before reaching the coast. If your priority is beach photography rather than riding itself, ask how much time is normally spent at the water before you commit.

What the horses and guides add to the experience

The horses are central to the value of this outing, and the available information gives a reassuring picture of clean stables and horses in good condition. Several horses have distinctive personalities, including Candy, who is described as suitable for experienced riders and comfortable near the sea.

The staff match horses to ability and confidence rather than simply handing out mounts at random. That is especially useful for families. A nine-year-old beginner has been able to progress to trotting, while an older first-time rider was assigned a gentle horse and given close support.

You should still be honest about your ability. Tell the guide if you have never ridden, if you are nervous, or if you are comfortable cantering. The staff can tailor the ride, but they need clear information before leaving the center.

A saddle strap is available to hold for extra security. The guides also check on riders during the route and explain how to handle the horse. That does not remove the normal risks of riding. You will feel the work in your inner thighs and glutes, especially if you are new to a saddle.

The ride can be physically tiring, even though two hours sounds modest. If you are unused to horseback riding, walking and gentle riding may be enough for you. Experienced riders may have chances to trot or canter, but the guide controls the pace and decides what is safe for the group.

Reaching the Red Sea beach on horseback

The payoff comes when the route reaches the beach. Here, the experience shifts from an inland riding outing to something you will not find at most riding centers. You can ride along the shore and take the horse into the shallow Red Sea water.

Expect to get wet. The description specifically tells you to expect splashing, and riders have taken horses into the sea while wearing their riding clothes. Waterproof footwear is useful, though it may be awkward in the stirrups. Comfortable shoes that can handle water are a practical choice.

The water portion is not a long independent swim in the usual sense. Think of it as riding into the shallows while the horse walks or moves through the water under the guide’s supervision. The horse may splash, and the guide may position you for pictures. This is a playful, memorable part of the trip, but you should follow instructions closely.

The beach itself can be beautiful and relatively quiet, especially at sunrise. At that hour, the changing light over the water and Sinai mountains gives the ride a special setting. Sunset offers a similar appeal without the pre-dawn alarm, though the exact feel depends on the season and the chosen time.

One practical point is worth keeping in mind: the beach stop may become a photo session. If several people in your group want posed shots, the riding time may pause while the photographer works. That is helpful if pictures are your main aim, but less appealing if you mainly want uninterrupted time in the saddle.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset: choosing the right departure

The sunrise ride is the most atmospheric option, but it demands an early start. Some sunrise bookings have involved hotel pickup around 4 a.m. or arrival at the center at 5 a.m. You will need to decide if the dawn light is worth losing sleep.

I would choose sunrise in warmer months, when early hours are more comfortable for both riders and horses. The morning air can be cooler, the beach quieter, and the light excellent for photographs. In cooler weather, ask what clothing is suitable because you can still be exposed to wind before the sun rises.

Sunset gives you a slower start to the day and can be easier to fit around other Sharm El Sheikh plans. It is also a good choice if you want warm colors over the beach without setting an alarm in the middle of the night.

A standard morning ride may suit you if you want to avoid both extremes. The light may be less dramatic, but the timing is simpler. Since starting times vary, check availability for your travel date rather than assuming every departure runs at the same hour.

Hotel transport and the small-group setup

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. The ride to the center is in an air-conditioned bus or coach, and the local partner uses WhatsApp to confirm the pickup time. Give a working number when you book and watch for the message.

Transport is not automatic if you choose the no-transfer option. You must reach Edelweiss Equestrian Center yourself. This can reduce the price or suit people already nearby, but it adds planning and means you need to allow time to find the center.

The listed group limit is five participants. That is small enough for the instructor to keep an eye on nervous riders and separate faster riders from slower ones when practical. It does not guarantee a private ride. Your experience may also be shaped by the mix of abilities in your group.

The total schedule may not feel exactly the same for every booking. The activity is advertised as two hours, while one account describes closer to an hour and a half. Hotel transfer time is not included in the two-hour activity duration, so allow extra time around the ride itself.

The photo service and the cost of a memory

The professional photographer is a major part of the experience for many people. Beach portraits, horses in the water, and riding shots can be difficult to capture with a phone, especially when you are trying to manage a horse at the same time.

Photo service is optional and not included in the $98 price. You may be asked before the ride if you want pictures. Prices have been quoted in pounds, and an additional on-site charge has also been reported, so ask for the full price, currency, number of images, and any extra fee before agreeing.

That conversation is not impolite. It protects you from a surprise at the end and lets you decide if the images fit your budget. Some people have found the pictures worth paying for, while others have felt the quality or price did not match expectations.

If you do not want the photo package, say so clearly before setting off. You can still enjoy the beach ride without buying photographs. If photos are your main reason for booking, ask how the group will be handled so you know how much time will be spent posing.

Is $98 good value for two hours?

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Sharm El Sheikh. The price makes more sense when you count the instructor, helmet, horse assignment, small group, and optional hotel transfer. You are paying for a specialist experience, not simply access to a beach.

The value is strongest for someone who wants three things in one outing: guided horse riding, a Red Sea setting, and the chance to take a horse into the water. If you only want a short beach photo stop, the long ride from the center may feel less worthwhile.

Transfers improve the value if your hotel is not close to the stable. They remove the need to arrange a taxi and make the early sunrise departure easier. If you can reach the center easily, booking without transport may be more convenient, but confirm exactly what is included in your chosen option.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the reserve-now-pay-later option add useful flexibility. They do not change the ride itself, but they help if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still moving around.

What to wear and what to leave behind

Wear long trousers. Several riders found that shorts, dresses, or bare legs rubbed against the saddle. Trousers also offer some protection from dust and sun.

Choose comfortable shoes that can get wet. Waterproof shoes are specifically recommended, but make sure they are secure and suitable for riding. Avoid anything loose that could slip off when the horse enters the water.

Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted for security purposes. Take water with you if permitted, since food and drinks are not included. You will probably want a change of clothes or a way to protect your belongings if you plan to get soaked.

Pregnant people and anyone with back problems should not book this activity. A rider weighing more than 120 kilograms is also outside the stated limit. If you are uncertain about fitness or a physical condition, ask the operator before booking.

Who will enjoy this horse ride most?

I would recommend it to first-time riders who want patient supervision and to experienced riders who want the freedom to trot or canter when the guide approves. It also suits families with children, provided each child meets the operator’s safety requirements and can follow instructions.

It works well for couples and small groups looking for a memorable activity beyond snorkeling and resort time. The sunrise option is especially good for photographers and anyone who likes a quiet start with dramatic light.

I would be more cautious if you dislike getting wet, have back trouble, or want a remote desert adventure with dunes far from buildings. This is a city-edge riding route leading to the coast, not a full wilderness expedition.

Should you book the Edelweiss beach ride?

Book it if you want the unusual combination of horseback riding and Red Sea water, and if you are happy to spend much of the two hours riding between the center and the beach. The calm horses, patient guides, and flexible support make it approachable for beginners.

Choose sunrise for the best light and cooler conditions, or sunset if you prefer an easier schedule. Before you go, confirm your pickup time, wear long trousers, and settle any photo cost in advance.

I would skip it only if you want a short, purely beach-based session or if riding is physically unsuitable for you. For everyone else, $98 is a fair price for a small-group outing with trained support, provided you treat the photography and transfer choices as separate budget decisions.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding activity?

The listed activity duration is two hours. Hotel transfer time is separate, and the exact time spent on the beach can vary.

What times can I choose?

You can choose a sunrise, morning, or sunset ride, subject to availability for your date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. If you do not select it, you must reach Edelweiss Equestrian Center yourself.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The instructor teaches basic riding, and beginners may be led by a rope or accompanied closely until they feel more confident.

Can I ride the horse in the Red Sea?

Yes. The route reaches a beach where you can ride the horse into the water and expect to get wet.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The activity is offered with instruction in Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, long trousers, comfortable shoes, and waterproof shoes. Bring your passport or an accepted copy.

Are photos included in the price?

No. Professional photography is optional and costs extra. Confirm the price, currency, and package details before the ride.