Hurghada: Desert & Sea Horse Riding with + 360° Photos

The unusual pleasure here is the change of scene: one moment you are riding across the Egyptian desert, and later you may be walking your horse into the Red Sea. Sunset rides add soft light to the sand and water, while the calm rhythm of a well-trained horse gives the outing a slower feel than Hurghada’s usual motorized excursions.

I like the two-hour Arabian horse ride and the chance to learn simple stable work, including brushing, cleaning, and feeding. I also like that swimming with the horses is available, with guides taking photos and videos along the way. The main drawback is that riding is physical, and one part may involve walking beside the main road in Hurghada, which can feel uncomfortable with young children.

Key points to know before you book

• Desert and Red Sea riding: The route combines dry desert scenery with a beach or shallow-water section.
• Optional horse swimming: If you choose this option, wear your swimwear under your clothes because there is no changing area on the beach.
• Two hours in the saddle: Each station lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, so expect sustained riding rather than a short photo stop.
• Guides who get strong praise: Ameen and Saleh are named as particularly friendly and capable guides, though your assigned guide may differ.
• Hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle: The main service covers Hurghada, but outer resort areas may cost an extra €10 per person.
• Weight and riding limits: The information gives both a 155-pound, or 70-kilogram, horse-safety limit and a 220-pound, or 100-kilogram, suitability limit. Confirm the rule that applies to your booking before paying.

Desert riding with a Red Sea finish

This outing works because it gives you two very different settings in one modestly priced trip. The desert offers open views, dry ground, and a sense of space. The seafront section changes the mood completely, especially near sunset when the light falls across the water and the horses move at the edge of the sea.

You are not simply placed on a horse and sent off. The team greets you at the stable, and the experience includes an introduction to caring for the animal. You can expect help with brushing, cleaning, and feeding, which makes the stable visit more personal than a basic riding transfer.

The main ride lasts two hours. The exact route depends on the chosen program and conditions, but the supplied details describe riding through the desert or near the beach, with swimming available if that option is selected. Each station lasts around 40 to 60 minutes, so you should be ready to spend real time on horseback.

That matters if you are new to riding. A short trail ride can feel easy even for a first-timer, but two hours may leave your legs and seat sore. The horses are described as well behaved and well trained, and the guides are praised for handling them, but good horse behavior does not remove the physical demands of riding.

Starting at the stable

Your day begins with pickup in a modern, air-conditioned car or van. The provider drives you to the stable, where the team introduces you to the horses and prepares you for the ride.

The stable portion is one of the better details in this experience. You get a little more contact with the horse before setting off, and the basic care tasks help you understand that the animal is not just transport for a holiday photograph. Brushing and feeding can also help nervous riders settle down.

The named guides Ameen and Saleh receive especially warm praise for being capable, kind, and fun. You should not assume one of them will lead your group, but their names give you a useful sense of the service style to expect. The company lists English, German, and Arabic support.

I would use this first stage to tell the guide how much riding you have done. The supplied information warns that the activity may be difficult without riding experience. A good guide can adjust the pace and offer clearer help when they know you are a beginner.

Riding across the Egyptian desert

The desert section is likely to be the most peaceful part of the outing. Away from the hotel strip, the horse’s steady movement gives you time to notice the ground, the open horizon, and the contrast between dry sand and the nearby sea.

Do not expect a technical riding lesson or a fast equestrian trek. This is a guided excursion designed around scenery and the horse experience. The focus is on moving through the surroundings at a manageable pace, not on advanced riding skills.

You should wear comfortable shoes that stay secure. Loose sandals are a poor choice for a physical activity involving stirrups and uneven ground. Bring water if you normally need it during exercise, although the listed inclusions do not promise refreshments or lunch.

The desert can also expose the limits of a low-cost excursion. The price is $21 per person, which is good value for two hours on an Arabian horse, transfers, a guide, and photographs. It is especially attractive if you want something quieter than a quad-bike trip. Lunch is not included, and extra items outside the program will cost more.

Along the Red Sea and into the water

The sea section is the feature that makes this outing more than a standard desert ride. You may ride near the beach, and if you select the swimming option, you can take the horse into the water. The experience is described as walking or swimming with the horses rather than as a fast ride through deep water.

For many people, this will be the memorable part. You get the strange and striking combination of salt water, a horse beneath you, and the Red Sea setting. The guides also take photographs and videos during the trip, giving you something to keep after the activity.

There is one very practical clothing rule. Wear your swimwear under your regular clothes before pickup because there is no place to change on the beach. Bring a towel, and pack as lightly as possible. You do not want a phone, wallet, or loose item becoming a problem around the water.

You should also ask exactly what the selected option includes before setting out. Swimming with the horses is listed as available if chosen, but it is not part of every package. If the water portion is the main reason you are booking, confirm it clearly at the time of reservation.

Sunset light and the photo stop

The sunset setting is another strong point. Riding near the Red Sea at the end of the day gives you a more attractive backdrop than an ordinary stable loop. The desert and water catch the changing light, and the horse adds a clear sense of place to the pictures.

The team takes photos and videos throughout the ride. That is useful because you will not want to manage your phone while handling a horse, especially near the water. Still, treat the pictures as a bonus rather than a professional photography session. The information does not promise a set number of edited images, a download method, or a private photographer.

If you care about the photographs, ask the guide when and how they will be sent. Keep your expectations realistic, but do take advantage of the opportunities offered during the ride. The best shots are likely to come from the desert, beach, and water sections rather than from the stable alone.

How the $21 price holds up

At $21 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to add a horse experience to a Hurghada stay. The price covers the horse for two hours, a guide, and transport in the main Hurghada service. The possibility of horse swimming and the included photo and video coverage make the cost more appealing.

The value depends on your pickup location. Transfers from many Hurghada hotels are offered, but the information also mentions an extra €10 per person for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay. Another part of the information lists transfers from El Gouna as included, so the pickup terms are not fully consistent.

That is a point to settle before booking. Tell the provider your hotel name and ask for the total price, including any resort-area transfer fee. The company will contact you with exact pickup details, and you should send your room number by email or WhatsApp if possible.

The pickup time depends on your hotel. Confirm it one day before the trip, and allow for a delay of up to 10 minutes. The transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange your own way to the stable, but the length of the drive will vary by location.

Riding limits, comfort, and safety

The information gives two different weight limits. One says riders should not weigh more than 155 pounds, or 70 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. Another says the activity is not suitable for people over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Because the lower figure is specific and tied to horse safety, I would treat 70 kilograms as the important limit until the provider confirms otherwise. If you are close to either figure, contact FTS Travels before booking. This is better for you and for the horse.

You also need enough balance and leg strength to stay comfortable in the saddle. The activity may be difficult if you have no riding experience, and the ride lasts much longer than a quick mounted photo. Children may enjoy the horses, but the account of walking along the main road in Hurghada is worth considering if you plan to bring a young child.

The staff are described as friendly, and the horses as calm, well behaved, and well trained. That is encouraging, but you still need to follow instructions. Listen when the guide explains how to mount, steer, stop, and handle the horse near other riders and water.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you want an affordable horse outing with real variety. It suits couples, solo visitors, and families with older children who can handle a two-hour physical activity. Horse lovers will get the most from the stable care, the close contact with the animals, and the optional water section.

It is also a good choice if you have already done the main Hurghada sightseeing and want a slower half-day activity. The desert and sea combination gives you more visual variety than a ride confined to a single trail.

I would be more cautious if you have never ridden before and dislike physical exertion. You may still enjoy it, but tell the guide clearly that you are new to horses. I would also think twice if your main aim is a long, fast desert gallop. The supplied details support a guided scenic ride, not an advanced or high-speed equestrian outing.

What to bring and what to clarify

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a towel. For the swimming option, put on your swimwear before leaving your hotel, since you cannot change on the beach.

Before the day, confirm four practical points:

• Your exact pickup time and hotel meeting point
• Whether your location carries the €10 per-person transfer fee
• Whether horse swimming is included in your selected option
• Which weight limit applies to your booking

The provider allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Hurghada schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Book it if you want a gentle desert-to-sea outing, enjoy horses, and value a low price with hotel transport and photos. The strongest parts are the friendly guides, calm horses, stable care, sunset setting, and the chance to enter the Red Sea with your horse.

Skip it if you are uncomfortable riding for up to two hours, exceed the confirmed horse-safety limit, or need a private and highly structured equestrian lesson. Also check the pickup fee and swimming option first, since the published transfer details are not entirely consistent.

For the right rider, $21 buys a memorable change of pace from Hurghada’s usual beach and motor tours. Just arrive prepared for a physical activity, not a passive sightseeing stop.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding?

The Arabian horse ride lasts two hours. You will be on the horse at each station for about 40 to 60 minutes.

Can I swim with the horse?

Yes, swimming with the horses is available if you select that option. Wear swimwear under your clothes because there is no changing area on the beach.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a towel. If you select swimming, wear your swimwear before leaving your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in Hurghada by air-conditioned vehicle. The information also lists an extra €10 per person for Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay, so confirm the charge for your hotel before booking.

What weight limit applies?

The information states that riders should not weigh more than 155 pounds, or 70 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. It also says the activity is not suitable for people over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Contact the provider if you are near either limit and confirm which rule applies.

Do I need riding experience?

No specific experience requirement is given, but horseback riding is physical and may be difficult if you lack experience. Tell the guide your riding level before starting.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.