Horse Riding 3 Hours Beach, Desert, & Swimming By Horse in red sea – Hurghada

The sea ride is the unforgettable part. This Hurghada excursion combines three very different settings in one outing: desert tracks, a beach ride, and horseback swimming in the Red Sea. I like the hotel pickup and the friendly guides, especially names that come up often such as Karim, Mohammed, Abdul, and Abd El Rahim. The main concern is horse welfare, because although many riders praise the horses, a few reports raise serious concerns about skinny animals, saddle injuries, and inconsistent helmet use.

The price looks attractive at $22 per person, but you should add the €10 cash tax and possibly another €10 if your hotel is in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. I also like that the ride is suitable for families and first-timers, but three hours in the saddle can feel long in the Egyptian heat.

Quick points before you book

• Three riding settings in one outing: Plan on roughly one hour in the desert, one hour along the beach, and one hour in the Red Sea.
• The water ride is the big payoff: You may ride bareback into the sea, creating the striking photos this trip is known for.
• Guides often make the difference: Karim, Mohammed, Abdul, and Abd El Rahim are praised for being friendly, helpful, flexible, and good with cameras.
• Hotel transfers are included: Pickup and drop-off use an air-conditioned vehicle, which saves you from arranging a taxi to the stable.
• Budget for extra cash charges: A €10 per-person tax is paid locally, and some resort areas carry another €10 transfer charge.
• Check the horses and safety gear first: Most feedback is positive, but serious complaints about animal condition and missing helmets deserve your attention.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

The outing lasts about four hours, with three hours of actual riding. Pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle, a useful touch in a city where resort areas are spread out and traffic can make a simple transfer less pleasant than expected.

The group can reach a maximum of 15 people. That is not a private ride by default, so your pace and personal attention may depend on the day’s numbers. Some riders have found themselves in a private or very small group, while others should expect a shared excursion.

At the stable, you should receive an introduction to the horse, basic riding guidance, and help from the trainers. This matters if you are new to horses. The activity is described as family-friendly and child-appropriate, but you still need a moderate level of physical fitness. Mounting, staying balanced, and spending several hours on horseback are not effortless, even at a walk.

A disclaimer covering damage and personal injury must be signed before the ride. Read it carefully. You are not just stepping onto a sightseeing platform. A horse can move suddenly, and the desert, shoreline, and water each bring different riding conditions.

The first hour: riding across Hurghada’s desert

The desert section gives you the most traditional horseback feel. Away from the sea, the setting is open and dry, with a strong contrast between the horse beneath you and the bare Egyptian terrain around you.

This part is useful for getting comfortable before the shoreline and sea sections. Your trainer can help with posture, steering, and pace, while the guide can judge how confidently each rider handles the horse. If you are a first-timer, use this hour to ask questions and settle into the saddle rather than trying to impress anyone with speed.

Some riders describe the ride as easy for beginners. Others found three hours quite long, especially in the heat. The advertised program may include walking, trotting, or galloping according to the group and guide, but the exact pace is not guaranteed. One rider specifically praised the way the guide adjusted the ride to personal wishes, including trot, gallop, and time in the sea.

You should be honest about your ability. If you are nervous, say so before mounting. If you are experienced, ask what pace is suitable and what the guide permits. A good guide can make the ride feel relaxed, but no guide can remove the physical demands of staying on a horse for a long period.

The beach ride: open views and better photographs

The beach section changes the mood. The sound of the water, the open shoreline, and the sight of horses near the Red Sea provide the classic Hurghada photograph. This is also where the guide’s camera work becomes part of the value.

Several riders praise the guides for taking pictures and videos from different angles. Abd El Rahim is singled out for creative poses, while Mohammed is described as energetic and good with a camera. If photographs matter to you, tell the guide early. You may get better results by asking for a few planned stops instead of hoping the camera comes out at the right moment.

The beach ride is not simply a photo stop. It gives you a chance to handle the horse on a new surface and enjoy a more open route. Still, beach riding can be tiring. Sand changes how a horse moves, and heat reflects off the ground. Take the supplied water when offered, wear practical clothing, and expect dust, sweat, and saltwater to become part of the day.

The description includes coffee or tea and water, along with light refreshments. One rider who enjoyed the experience said no drinks were offered, so I would not rely on refreshments as a major part of the booking. Bring your own water if you can, or confirm the arrangement at the stable.

The Red Sea horseback swim

The final hour is the unusual part: riding into the Red Sea with the horse. This is not the same as sitting on a horse beside the water for a photograph. You enter the sea, often without a saddle, and ride while the horse swims or moves through the water.

That change from land to sea can feel awkward at first. One rider noted that riding and swimming with a horse is not easy. The sea shifts your balance, the saddle may be removed, and you need to stay calm while the horse moves differently beneath you.

Some riders were helped onto the horse from an old upside-down boat, which is useful if mounting from the water is difficult. Assistance is also available from the stable staff, according to the detailed experience of one family group. This is an important practical point for anyone who has trouble lifting a leg over a horse or getting up from the ground.

The swim also offers relief from the heat. One rider felt that three hours was a long time and said the water portion made the duration more manageable. I can see why: the sea gives the ride a welcome change of pace and makes the final section feel like an event rather than another hour in the saddle.

You should still ask how the water portion will work before you begin. Confirm if you will ride bareback, how deep the horses enter, where you mount, and what happens to personal belongings. The supplied information does not specify changing rooms, lockers, towels, or storage, so do not assume those services are included.

Guides, photography, and the human side of the ride

The strongest pattern in the feedback is guide service. Karim is praised as an excellent guide, while Abdul is described as attentive and willing to tailor the ride to what the riders wanted. Eslam receives warm comments for his English, even in a very negative account of the stable itself.

Abd El Rahim receives especially warm praise for his humor and creative photography. A good guide can turn a standard horse ride into a more personal outing by helping with poses, checking your comfort, and adjusting the pace.

The drivers also receive positive comments. One driver even took a group to McDonald’s, though that was an extra kindness rather than a listed feature. The included transfer is valuable because it removes one layer of planning, but the quality of the day will still depend on the specific driver and guide assigned.

You should tell the guide what you want. Ask for more beach time if photographs are your priority. Ask for a calmer pace if you are new to riding. If you want a trot or gallop, ask whether it is safe and suitable for the conditions. The most positive accounts describe guides who listen, rather than pushing everyone through one fixed routine.

Horse welfare: the issue you should not brush aside

This is the most important part of the decision. Many riders describe the horses as beautiful, strong, healthy, well behaved, and cared for. One particularly positive account says the horses appeared well looked after, while another family group felt the animals showed no clear signs of distress.

But there are also several serious complaints. Two one-star accounts describe horses as extremely thin, with visible spines, sunken backs, and protruding bones. Another rider said a horse was too small for an adult. A three-star account reported concern about a horse’s weight carrying capacity, inconsistent helmet use, and a guide’s horse with a bleeding injury.

A further account was more mixed. The rider described the horses as very skinny and said some had damaged skin from saddles, while also believing the staff cared about the animals and used medication. That is not a concern you should dismiss. Saddle sores, poor body condition, and untreated injuries are welfare warning signs.

The feedback is plainly inconsistent. That may reflect different horses, different dates, or changing conditions at the stable, but you cannot know which situation you will find before arrival. I recommend a careful visual check before you mount:

• Look for visible ribs, hips, or spine.
• Check for open sores, bleeding, or severe saddle rubs.
• Notice if the tack looks properly fitted.
• Confirm that a helmet is available and fits you.
• Ask what happens if you believe the horse is not fit to ride.

The description says helmets are provided, yet one rider said no helmet was available while riders were asked to gallop. Treat that as a serious safety issue. If the stable cannot provide proper gear, or if an animal appears unfit, do not feel pressured to continue.

This concern does not erase the many positive reports, but it changes how I would book the excursion. The low price should never be the reason to overlook poor treatment of animals.

Is $22 good value?

At first glance, $22 is a very low price for hotel transfers and three hours of riding across three settings. You get the desert, beach, and Red Sea in one half-day outing, plus water, hot drinks, and photography help from some guides.

The actual cost is higher. A €10 per-person government tax and value-added tax charge is paid in cash on site. If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, there is also a €10 per-person transfer fee. Clarify the final amount before departure so the advertised price does not surprise you later.

For a first-time rider who wants one unusual Hurghada activity, the package offers a lot for the money. The included transfer alone saves time and taxi planning. The sea ride also gives it something more distinctive than a basic desert horseback outing.

Value depends on standards, though. If the horse is poorly matched to your size, the helmet is missing, or the ride is shorter than expected, the low price will not feel like a bargain. Treat the listed price as the starting figure, not the full decision.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction.
• Families seeking an activity beyond snorkeling and boat trips.
• Couples or friends who care about striking photographs.
• Riders who like a mix of desert, beach, and water rather than one fixed route.
• People staying in Hurghada who want hotel pickup and return.
• Anyone comfortable with a moderate physical activity lasting several hours.

I would be more cautious if you have back, hip, or balance problems, since the activity requires mounting and remaining on horseback for three hours. The supplied information does not give weight limits, so ask before booking if that affects your comfort or the horse’s welfare.

Very young children may need extra help, even though the activity is described as child-appropriate. Ask the provider what ages they accept and what assistance is available at mounting time.

Practical ways to prepare

Wear clothing that can handle dust, sand, and saltwater. Long trousers may reduce rubbing from the saddle, while closed shoes should give you better security than loose sandals.

Bring water, even though water is included. If you plan to swim with the horse, bring whatever dry clothing and personal items you need, but confirm how belongings are stored. The tour information does not promise towels or changing facilities.

Give yourself time at the start to check the helmet, saddle, and horse. If the guide proposes a faster pace, speak up if you are uncomfortable. The desert hour is the best time to establish expectations before the ride reaches the beach or sea.

Book at least a day ahead if your plans are fixed. The experience is often reserved well in advance, with the typical booking point around 26 days before the date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Hurghada horse swim?

This can be a memorable, fairly priced Hurghada outing, and the combination of desert riding, beach views, and a Red Sea horseback swim is genuinely unusual. The guides are frequently praised for warmth, flexibility, English skills, and photography, while the hotel transfer makes the day easy to arrange.

I would book it only with a clear welfare check at the stable. Confirm the €10 tax, ask about any resort transfer fee, make sure your helmet is provided, and inspect the horse before mounting. If the animals look thin, injured, or badly saddled, leave rather than treating the price or prepaid booking as a reason to continue.

For an easygoing first ride with memorable pictures, this is worth considering. For an experienced rider seeking polished equestrian care, strict riding standards, or guaranteed horse welfare, you should proceed carefully and ask direct questions before committing.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada horseback riding experience last?

The full outing lasts approximately four hours, including transfers and preparation. The listed riding time is three hours.

How is the three-hour riding time divided?

The program includes one hour of riding in the desert, one hour on the beach, and one hour swimming with a horse in the Red Sea.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is described as child-appropriate and family-friendly. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

Are helmets provided?

The tour information says a helmet is provided to each rider. Because one account reported that helmets were not available, confirm this at the stable before riding.

What is included besides the horse ride?

Water, coffee and/or tea, hotel transportation, trainer assistance, and three hours of riding are included.

Are there extra charges?

A €10 per-person government tax and value-added tax charge is paid in cash on site. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person in cash.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people. Smaller or private groups may sometimes occur, but they are not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.