Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The Red Sea looks different from horseback. This Hurghada outing combines a desert ride, a beach ride, and optional swimming with your horse, giving you three very different settings in one half-day trip. I especially like the low $20 price and the chance to swim with the horses, which is the clear star for many riders.

I also like the care shown by the guides. Karim, Keo, Ameen, Sasa, Abdul, and others are repeatedly praised for helping nervous beginners, taking photos, and keeping the mood light. The main drawback is that horseback riding can be tiring, especially if you have little experience, and hotel pickup times may shift by about 10 minutes.

Key points before you book

• Three riding settings: Spend roughly one hour in the desert, one hour near the beach, and, if selected, about one hour swimming with your horse.
• Swimming is an add-on choice: You must select the option that includes swimming if you want the Red Sea portion with your horse.
• Strong beginner support: Guides offer an introductory safety briefing and help riders who feel nervous or have never ridden before.
• Healthy, calm horses: The horses are described as well cared for, friendly, strong, and easy to ride.
• Good value at $20: Hotel transfers, a guide, riding time, helmet, chaps, water, and tea or coffee are included.
• Extra transfer charges apply: Pickup from El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga costs an additional €10 per person.

The basic shape of the Hurghada horse ride

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada. The activity provider sends the exact pickup details, and you should confirm the time one day before departure. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, so do not schedule a tight follow-up plan.

At the stable, you meet your guide and horse. The staff gives you a short safety briefing and explains the basics of riding. Helmets, saddles, and chaps are provided, which matters here because this is not simply a short photo stop. You remain on horseback for each section for about 40 to 60 minutes.

The full riding program takes roughly three hours, depending on the option you choose and how the stops are arranged. Afterward, you return to the stable for refreshments and a freshly cooked meal with music before transport takes you back to your hotel.

The exact running order may vary, but the central pattern is clear: desert first, then the Red Sea shore, followed by the optional horse swim. That variety is what makes this a better choice than a basic stable ride.

Meeting the horses and getting comfortable in the saddle

The introduction is important, especially if this is your first proper ride. You are paired with a horse and given basic instructions before leaving the stable. The guides teach riders how to handle the reins and ride safely, with some riders also learning to trot or run during the outing.

That does not mean every beginner will suddenly become an expert. You will still need to balance yourself, follow directions, and use muscles that may not be used to several hours in the saddle. The activity provider warns that riding can be difficult if you lack experience.

Still, the help for beginners is one of the tour’s strongest features. Nervous riders describe guides holding their horses and offering constant reassurance. One parent explained that the team helped an eight-year-old rider along the way, while another guide rode back on a donkey with a young child. Those details suggest a hands-on approach rather than a rigid, one-speed group ride.

The horses are often described as calm, well trained, and friendly. Several riders specifically noted that the animals looked healthy and well cared for. That is worth paying attention to. A horseback outing is much more enjoyable when the horses appear relaxed and the staff treats them with patience.

Crossing Hurghada’s desert by horse

The desert section gives you the broadest views of the trip. You ride across open sand and dry ground, with the Red Sea region’s spare vegetation and natural features around you. It is a quiet contrast to the hotel zones along the coast.

This part is less about famous sights and more about changing your sense of scale. From a horse, you notice the open space, the dry air, and the steady rhythm of the animal beneath you. The ride also gives you a look at the local flora and fauna, although you should not expect a wildlife safari or a long nature lecture.

The guides help set the pace. More confident riders may get a chance to trot or run, while beginners can concentrate on staying balanced and comfortable. If your group contains mixed abilities, tell the guide early how much experience you have. The staff has a record of helping riders find their footing, but clear communication makes the outing easier for everyone.

Photos are another useful part of this section. Guides often take pictures and videos using your phone, and some riders also received professional photos. Bring a phone with enough storage and battery if you want to keep those memories. Do not assume every image service is included as a separate professional package, but the guides are clearly active about capturing the experience.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The beach portion changes the mood. Instead of dry sand and open desert, you get the sea breeze, shoreline views, and the sound of the waves. Riding beside the Red Sea gives you a slower, more scenic stretch of the day.

You may ride along the beach and take your horse into the shallow water before the optional swim. This section is especially good for riders who want photographs, since the contrast between the horses, sand, and water creates the most memorable setting.

The beach ride can also be more demanding than it looks. Sand changes the horse’s footing, and you still need to maintain your balance while dealing with wind and water. Listen to the guide’s instructions rather than trying to push the horse faster for a better photograph.

I would bring breathable, flexible long trousers. Shorts may seem suitable for a hot Egyptian day, but long pants help prevent rubbing during a long period in the saddle. You should also wear comfortable clothing that can get wet if you choose the swimming option.

Swimming with the horses in the Red Sea

The horse swim is the reason many people choose this tour. If you select the swim option, you spend around one hour in the Red Sea with your horse. It is not simply riding to the water’s edge for a quick picture. The swimming section is treated as a major part of the experience.

The atmosphere is very different from riding on land. You are close to the horse, water surrounds you, and the pace becomes slower and more physical. Riders often describe this as the emotional high point of the day, particularly because it creates a rare sense of connection with the animal.

You need to bring swimwear. You should also be ready for a more strenuous activity than an ordinary beach swim. The horse is doing work too, so follow the guide’s instructions and avoid treating the animal like a floating platform.

The choice matters when booking. The basic package includes a one-hour desert ride and a one-hour beach ride, while swimming is included only if you select the appropriate option. If swimming is the main reason you are interested, check your booking carefully before paying.

The guides make the difference

The tour’s human side earns as much praise as the setting. Karim is often singled out for being reassuring, funny, and attentive. Keo and Sasa are praised for supporting nervous families, while Ameen is repeatedly described as friendly, polite, and professional. Other riders mention Abdul, Yusef, Mohamed, Mo, Ali, Yaseen, and Abdi.

The names matter because they show the service is personal rather than anonymous. Guides help riders mount and manage the horses, explain how to ride, offer encouragement, and keep the group entertained. For a first-time rider, that support can be the difference between enjoying the day and spending it tense and uncomfortable.

The tone also seems relaxed. Several riders describe the guides as funny and chatty, while still keeping safety in view. That is a good balance for a recreational outing. You want clear instructions, but you do not want three hours of stiff silence.

There are limits. A large or mixed-ability group may mean that some riders spend time waiting while others receive help. The supplied information does not give a fixed group size, so you should not expect a private ride unless that is specifically arranged.

Horses, equipment, and comfort

The tour supplies helmets and chaps, along with saddles. These are practical inclusions, not luxury extras. A helmet is essential for a beginner-focused ride, while chaps can help protect your legs from dust, brush, and rubbing.

The horses receive unusually positive attention. Riders describe them as calm, strong, friendly, and easy to ride. Some also note that the stables were pleasant and that the horses appeared well looked after. One rider said the animals were ridden morning and evening and had good stable conditions, though that specific routine may not apply to every horse on every day.

You should remember the weight limit: riders must not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. This is a firm practical issue, so check before booking rather than arriving and hoping for an exception.

Riding for several hours can leave you sore. Flexible long pants, a secure swimsuit, sunscreen, and water are sensible choices. Water, tea, and coffee are included, but you should still prepare for heat and sun during the outdoor portions.

Food, refreshments, and the return ride

After about three hours of riding, you return to the stable. The experience includes a freshly cooked meal, refreshments, and music. The meal adds a social finish to the day and gives you a chance to sit down after the physical work.

The food is not presented as a gourmet meal, so I would judge it as a useful part of the outing rather than the main reason to book. The real value comes from having a meal and drinks included after an active morning or afternoon.

Hotel drop-off is included for hotels in Hurghada. If you are staying in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, or Safaga, pickup and return transport can be arranged for an extra €10 per person. Confirm your hotel location and room number with the provider, ideally by email or WhatsApp, so the driver can find you.

The vehicle comfort has not been perfect for everyone. One rider specifically felt the pickup timing and vehicle could be better. That is a fair warning, especially if you are staying outside central Hurghada and paying for the added transfer.

Is $20 good value?

At $20 per person, this is unusually good value if the day runs as described. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a guide, desert riding, beach riding, safety equipment, refreshments, and the stable meal. Even without the swim, you are getting several hours of activity rather than a brief horse photo opportunity.

The swim option improves the value further for anyone who wants a memorable, unusual experience. It is the part most likely to make this outing feel special instead of interchangeable with other riding tours.

The low price does mean you should set realistic expectations. This is an active group excursion, not a private equestrian lesson or luxury beach experience. Transport may be basic, the schedule may have small delays, and the riding pace will depend on the group.

Special offers are advertised on certain days, but the supplied details conflict slightly. One section says Sundays and Fridays, while another says Tuesdays and Fridays. Ask FTS Travels which days currently qualify before you book. The standard price is already low, so the offer is a bonus rather than the only reason to go.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to couples, families with children who can manage a horse, first-time riders, and anyone who wants a break from Hurghada’s water activities. The mix of desert, beach, and sea gives you a fuller outing than a single-location ride.

It is also a good fit for nervous riders, provided you tell the guide how you feel. The staff has repeatedly helped people who were afraid of falling or lacked confidence. Children have also received close support, although the supplied information does not state a minimum age, so confirm that before booking for a young child.

Experienced riders should keep expectations in check. You may get a chance to trot or run, but this is not described as a fast, technical riding lesson. The group’s safety and ability levels will shape the pace.

I would think twice if you dislike physical activity, have difficulty sitting on a horse for long periods, or are close to the 100-kilogram limit. The day is not ideal for someone seeking a passive sightseeing trip.

Booking is flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity. Languages offered are English, German, and Arabic.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Yes, if you want an affordable, active outing with real variety. The desert and beach rides are pleasant on their own, but the optional Red Sea swim is what turns this into a memorable Hurghada experience.

Choose the swim option, wear long flexible trousers and bring swimwear, confirm your pickup time, and tell the guide if you are nervous or inexperienced. If you stay outside Hurghada, add the €10 transfer charge to your budget.

I would book this tour for the horses, the helpful guides, and the rare chance to ride into the sea. I would not book it expecting perfect transport, a private lesson, or a carefully timed luxury excursion. At $20, the balance is strongly in its favor.

FAQ

Is the horse riding tour available every day?

Yes. The tour operates daily. Special offers are advertised on Tuesdays and Fridays in one part of the information, and on Sundays and Fridays in another, so confirm the current offer with FTS Travels.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

How long do you ride the horses?

The full riding experience takes approximately three hours. You spend about 40 to 60 minutes on horseback at each station, with the desert and beach portions each listed as one hour.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming is included only when you select the option that includes it. The swim lasts around one hour in the Red Sea.

Do I need horse riding experience?

No specific experience is required, and guides teach basic riding and safety skills. However, horseback riding is physical and may be difficult if you have never ridden before.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

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

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a helmet, saddle, and chaps. A guide and an introductory safety briefing are also included.

What should I wear?

Comfortable, breathable clothing is recommended. Flexible long pants are best for reducing rubbing while riding. Bring swimwear if you select the horse swimming option.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Coffee, tea, and water are included, along with a freshly cooked meal after the ride and music at the stable.

What languages do the guides speak?

The activity is available in English, German, and Arabic.