Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The desert changes after sunset. This Hurghada outing combines a one-hour horseback ride through mountain-framed valleys, a BBQ dinner at a desert oasis, and a guided look at the night sky. I especially like the careful start, with a welcome drink, safety briefing, riding gear, and guides who help first-time riders. I also like the strong value at $41 per person, since hotel transfers, the ride, dinner, drinks, and stargazing are all included.

The main thing to consider is the long and sometimes rough transport. The jeep ride covers about 17 kilometers each way, and one account describes the return drive as very fast, with passengers sitting in the back without seatbelts. Stargazing can also feel crowded if many people share only two telescopes.

Key points before you book

• One hour on horseback: Ride through desert valleys, pause for photographs, and reach a high point for sunset.
• A real off-road transfer: The journey from the meeting point to the oasis is part of the adventure, but it may feel intense.
• Desert dinner included: Expect Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Clear-night astronomy: A guide explains star groups and uses telescopes to view objects available that night.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides provide equipment, explain the rules, and adjust the riding pace to your comfort.
• Plan for heat and dust: Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and suitable clothing are not optional extras here.

From Hurghada hotels to a desert oasis

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The exact collection time depends on where your hotel is located, so you should keep your afternoon fairly open. Pickup and return transfers are included, which is useful because the desert meeting point is not somewhere you would want to reach by trial and error.

At the first meeting point, you join the off-road drive toward the oasis. The route covers about 17 kilometers through the desert, and the jeep ride is not simply a quiet transfer. It can be rough, quick, and exciting, with the open desert providing much of the scenery.

I would treat the drive as a proper part of the excursion, not a minor detail. Some people enjoy the bouncing tracks and speed. Others may find the ride uncomfortable or frightening, especially in the back of the vehicle. One account describes speeds of more than 100 kilometers per hour and no seatbelts in the rear, so you should ask about seating and safety before setting off if this worries you.

The location is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards. Still, the off-road ride deserves a realistic warning: desert safari vehicles can be lively, and this one may be more vigorous than the word transfer suggests.

Arabian tea, coffee, and the safety briefing

At the oasis, the program begins with a welcome drink, either Arabian tea or coffee. It is a small touch, but it gives you time to settle after the drive and look around before mounting the horses.

The guide explains how the activity works and goes through the safety rules. You receive riding gear, and the pace depends on your skill and comfort. That last point matters. This is not presented as a race or a free-for-all ride through the desert.

First-time riders have received close help from the horse guides, including instruction on controlling the animal. Some riders have had an individual guide for their small family group, which can make a big difference if you are nervous or have never ridden before.

You should still tell the guide clearly about your experience level. If you are comfortable only at a walking pace, say so. The tour information specifically states that the riding style and speed are adjusted to the ability and confidence of the participants.

One hour on horseback through desert valleys

The horseback ride lasts about one hour and takes you between valleys in the desert. The setting is the main reason to choose this experience. You are not riding around a small fenced compound. You move through open, mountain-framed desert with changing light as the sun drops.

The route includes stops for photographs and rest. That makes the outing more manageable for beginners and gives you time to enjoy the setting without trying to take pictures while controlling a horse. The guides also help with photographs, according to the experience of past riders.

The sunset is a highlight. The horses take you toward a hill or high point, where you can watch the last light spread across the desert. The warm evening colors, bare valleys, and distant mountains give the ride a strong sense of place.

Sun and heat remain real concerns, even late in the day. One rider noted that the desert felt hotter than the resort area. Wear sunscreen before pickup, bring a hat and sunglasses, and choose clothing that protects your skin without restricting movement.

The horses are described as happy and healthy, and riders have appreciated seeing them treated well. That will matter to anyone who thinks carefully about animal welfare before booking a riding excursion. As always, pay attention to how the animals look and how the guides handle them on the day.

Sunset at the oasis and a filling BBQ dinner

After the ride, you return to the oasis for dinner. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. It is a broad, filling spread rather than a small snack after the ride.

The food has received strong praise, though expectations should remain sensible. One account described the dinner as basic but acceptable, while others found it delicious and considered it a major part of the value. I would describe it as a generous desert meal, not a fine-dining event.

Soft drinks are included. If you want something else, you may find additional drinks available for purchase, but you should not assume every drink will be chilled or suit your stomach. One person reported feeling unwell after buying a smoothie, so I would stick to the included food and drinks if you have a sensitive stomach.

The oasis creates a pleasant break between the ride and the astronomy session. You can eat, cool down a little, and shift from sunset activity to night-time viewing. This pause also helps the schedule feel like more than a quick horseback ride with a meal attached.

Stargazing with a guide and two telescopes

After dinner, a guide explains the groups of stars visible in the sky. The desert setting helps because there is less artificial light than in Hurghada, and the open sky gives you a much better chance of seeing stars clearly.

The astronomy portion includes professional telescopes. The targets depend on the calendar, so the exact planets, stars, or other objects available for viewing can change from one date to another. You should not expect the same view every night.

The guide named Nasser, also called Marshmallow, has been praised for making the explanation funny and engaging. Adam has also been singled out for making the stargazing especially enjoyable. The personality of the guide matters here, since a clear night can still feel flat if the explanation is rushed or difficult to follow.

There is one practical limitation. If the group is large, telescope time may be limited. A group of more than 45 people with only two telescopes can mean waiting your turn, and the viewing is shared rather than private. You may see the moon or a selected star clearly through the equipment, but you should not expect to handle the telescope or spend unlimited time at the eyepiece.

For me, the best part of the astronomy session is the combination of explanation and setting. You are not simply pointed toward a telescope and sent away. The guide explains what you are seeing, which gives the dark desert sky more meaning.

The return jeep ride and total time

Once the stargazing ends, you take the jeep back to the first meeting point, then continue by vehicle to your hotel. The full outing can run from around 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., including transfers and activities. That makes it a substantial half-day and evening program.

The schedule is worth considering if you have dinner plans, a show, or an early start the next morning. Hotel pickup and drop-off reduce the planning work, but they do not shorten the drive.

The return journey may be especially lively. Some people enjoy racing across the desert tracks with other vehicles. Others may prefer a slower ride and more secure seating. If you dislike rough transport, the horse ride and stargazing may appeal more than the jeep portion.

Communication before pickup has been responsive through WhatsApp, which is useful when hotel collection points or times need confirming. The tour operates in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish, so you have a reasonable chance of receiving instructions in a language you understand.

Is $41 good value?

At $41, this is a strong-value package if you want several activities in one evening. You receive hotel transfers, the off-road journey, a guided horseback ride, riding equipment, a welcome drink, dinner with soft drinks, and stargazing with telescopes.

Booking each part separately would likely take more time and create transport problems. Here, the horse ride, sunset, dinner, and astronomy all fit into one organized program. That makes the price especially attractive for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a broad taste of the Hurghada desert.

The value drops slightly if you mainly want serious astronomy or a long, private horseback ride. The horse portion lasts one hour, and the telescope viewing may involve a wait in a large group. You are paying for a varied evening, not a specialist riding lesson or private observatory visit.

The 4.8 rating from 203 reviews suggests that the overall format works very well for many people. The most consistent praise goes to the guides, horse ride, sunset, food, and unusual combination of activities. The clearest cautions concern the rough jeep ride, heat, and possible crowds at the telescopes.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active outing with plenty of variety. It suits first-time horse riders because the guides explain the basics and adjust the pace. It also works well for couples seeking a memorable evening, especially with the sunset, dinner, and stars in one setting.

Families can enjoy it too, provided everyone is comfortable with the jeep ride and horseback activity. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old.

You should think twice if you are uneasy around horses, dislike rough driving, or need a quiet and highly controlled evening. You should also bring realistic expectations about the astronomy session. It is an entertaining guided introduction to the night sky, not an extended telescope workshop.

Wear weather-appropriate clothes and closed, comfortable footwear suitable for riding. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

I would book this tour if you want good variety for a modest price and like the idea of moving from desert adventure to sunset, dinner, and astronomy in a single outing. The horse ride is the strongest part for many people, especially beginners who appreciate the patient guides and photo stops.

I would skip it if you want a gentle transfer, a private meal, or uninterrupted telescope time. Before booking, ask about the vehicle seating and expected group size, then decide if the off-road ride suits you. For most active visitors staying in Hurghada, this is an enjoyable and unusually full evening, with enough practical cautions to make an informed choice.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

The tour takes place in the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt, with hotel pickup in Hurghada and activities at an oasis inside the desert.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $41 per person.

How long is the horseback ride?

The guided horseback ride lasts one hour.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hurghada are included.

What food is served at dinner?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. Arabian tea or coffee is served as a welcome drink.

Are riding lessons provided?

A guide explains the safety rules and helps participants learn how to control the horses. Riding style and speed depend on each participant’s skill and comfort.

Is stargazing included?

Yes. A guide explains star groups, and professional telescopes are used to view objects available in the sky according to the calendar.

Which languages are available?

The experience is offered in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suitable for the weather.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.