Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

Horses meet the Red Sea. This two-hour ride takes you from Edelweiss Equestrian Center through the open desert around Sharm El Sheikh and down to a beach where you can ride into the water. I especially like the careful horse matching for beginners and experienced riders, plus the choice of a dramatic sunrise or sunset departure. Mohammed and Mahmood receive repeated praise for calm instruction and friendly care. The main drawback is that the route to the beach can take much of the outing, leaving less time in the water than you may expect.

I also like the small-group setup, limited to five people, since it gives the instructor room to help nervous riders. Hotel pickup and drop-off make the morning easy, though you need to confirm the transport option when booking. Bring long trousers and proper shoes: several riders found that shorts and thin clothing can rub against the saddle.

Key details before you saddle up

• The route links desert and sea: Ride through the open area around Sharm El Sheikh before reaching the beach and Red Sea shallows.
• Horse matching is part of the experience: You are asked about your ability, then assigned a horse suited to your level.
• Beginners get close support: An instructor can lead your horse or walk beside you while you gain confidence.
• Sunrise is the special time: Early departures bring cooler air, soft light, and views of the sun rising over the Sinai mountains.
• The group is small: No more than five participants are included, although the guide may adjust the pace for different abilities.
• Photos cost extra: A photographer can take beach and riding pictures, but agree on the price before the session begins.

Arriving at Edelweiss Equestrian Center

If you choose hotel transport, your outing starts with pickup in an air-conditioned bus or coach. The operator asks for your WhatsApp number so the local team can confirm your pickup time. This is useful in Sharm El Sheikh, where hotel locations can make meeting points and timing less obvious than they first appear.

You can also make your own way to Edelweiss Equestrian Center. That option may suit you if you are staying nearby or prefer to control your arrival time, but it means arranging your own taxi or transport.

At the center, you select a helmet and talk through your riding experience. The staff then choose a horse to match your ability. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Beginners have been paired with gentle horses and given a lead at first, while more confident riders may be allowed to ride independently and move faster when the guide feels it is safe.

The stables are described as clean, with horses in good condition. Names such as Candy appear often in rider accounts, with Candy praised as both spirited and reliable for more advanced riders. The horses have different personalities, so matching matters. You are not simply handed the nearest animal and sent off.

Learning the basics before leaving

You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider. The instructor explains how to handle the horse and can begin with a lead rope while you get comfortable. Some beginners were later able to trot, and one first-time rider managed to canter along the beach with help from the guide.

That said, a two-hour ride is still a real physical activity. If you have never ridden, your inner thighs and glute muscles may feel the effort afterward. The saddle can also rub, especially if you wear shorts, a dress, or light fabric.

I would wear long trousers, comfortable clothing, closed shoes, and, if possible, waterproof shoes for the water section. Gloves are also a sensible choice, particularly if you expect to hold reins for a long stretch. The official guidance lists comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and waterproof shoes, while riders strongly advise avoiding bare legs.

The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. Pregnant women and people with back problems should not take this outing. You also need to bring your passport, though a copy is accepted.

Riding through the Sharm El Sheikh desert

Once everyone is mounted, the group leaves the center and rides into the open area around the city. The description calls this the desert, but you should picture broad riding ground with buildings visible on the horizon rather than a remote sweep of sand dunes.

That distinction matters. If you are hoping for a silent, far-from-civilization desert expedition, this may feel more urban than expected. If you want an easy-to-reach ride that combines open ground with a Red Sea beach, the setting works well.

The pace depends on the group and your ability. A nervous beginner might walk with a guide nearby, while an experienced rider may be offered more freedom. The staff have been praised for keeping riders together and adjusting their help without making first-timers feel embarrassed.

The route to the beach can take around an hour in each direction, depending on the group and conditions. One rider found the trip lasted closer to an hour and a half overall, while another said the full two-hour riding period was honored. Treat two hours as the planned activity length, not a guarantee of two full hours at the shoreline.

This part of the ride is also where the outing feels most like ordinary horsemanship rather than a quick photo stop. You get time to settle into the saddle, learn how your horse responds, and watch the light change if you choose sunrise or sunset.

Reaching the beach and Red Sea water

The beach is the payoff. Once you reach the shore, you can ride along the sand and, when conditions and the guide allow, take your horse into the clear Red Sea water.

Expect splashing, wet clothes, and a good deal of laughter. The horses enter the shallows with the guide’s direction, and some clearly enjoy the water. The setting is especially striking at sunrise, when the beach can be quiet and the sky brightens behind the Sinai mountains.

You may be able to trot or canter along the beach if your riding ability is suitable and the guide trusts your control. This is not an automatic promise for every participant. A first-time rider may remain at a walk or trot, while an experienced rider could get a faster run.

The water section is fun but can be shorter than the promotional image suggests. Since the route from the center and back takes much of the two hours, you should not expect a long swimming session with your horse. Think of it as a memorable beach segment within a longer ride.

The beach also has a practical downside for mixed groups. If several people want posed photographs, the focus can shift from riding to standing in the water and repeating scenes for the camera. That may be perfect for you if pictures are the main goal, but less appealing if you want uninterrupted riding.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

You can choose among sunrise, morning, and sunset departures. Each gives the outing a different feel.

Sunrise is my first choice. You may need a very early pickup, sometimes around 4 a.m. for the first light, but the reward is cooler air, a nearly empty beach, and soft colors over the Sinai mountains. Several riders considered the early wake-up worth it.

Sunset offers the most obvious drama without the same overnight alarm. The horses, beach, and fading light make a strong combination for photographs. It can still be warm, especially in summer, and the light disappears quickly, so do not expect the same long bright period as a morning departure.

A morning ride gives you daylight without the earliest start. It may be the most practical option if you want clear views and do not care about sunrise or sunset colors. The exact start time depends on availability, so check the available departures when you book.

What the guides do well

The instructors are the key to the experience. Mohammed is repeatedly praised for patience, clear help, and the ability to keep a nervous rider calm while allowing a confident rider to progress. Mahmood, who is also associated with managing the center, is described as kind and helpful.

The language options are Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian. Communication can vary by guide, so do not assume every staff member will speak fluent English. Still, the practical horse handling and demonstrations appear to carry the instruction even when conversation is limited.

The group size is capped at five people, which is a real advantage. A guide can keep an eye on a beginner, help with a stubborn horse, or stay close to someone who is frightened. One very nervous rider was allowed to remain at the back with a lead and later return by car after the beach photographs.

That flexibility is valuable, but tell the staff clearly what you want. Say if you are nervous, want a lead, prefer a slower pace, or are an experienced rider hoping to trot or canter. The more direct you are, the easier it is for the guide to shape the outing around you.

Photos, prices, and avoiding surprises

A photographer may join the ride and take professional-style pictures on the beach. The images can be excellent, especially at sunrise or sunset, and the photographer may capture cantering, splashing, and posed shots that are difficult to take with your own phone.

The photos are not included in the $98 tour price. Agree on the cost, currency, and number of images before you begin. One account describes paying £25 for about 30 pictures, while another warns of a £30 charge in British pounds rather than Egyptian pounds. Prices can change, so confirm the amount plainly and do not assume a quoted number is in local currency.

There was also a report of an extra 600 Egyptian pound charge at the center. The supplied tour details do not explain that fee, so ask in advance if any on-site charges apply. This is a small step that can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the end.

At $98 per person, the experience is not a budget horse ride. The price includes the instructor, helmet, and hotel pickup and drop-off when that option is selected. It also buys a small group, a desert-to-beach route, and the unusual chance to enter the Red Sea on horseback.

I think the price is fair if you value the full setting and personal help, particularly as a first-time rider or a family wanting an organized outing. It is less attractive if you only want a short gallop or a quick beach photograph. The optional photo service can also push the final cost higher.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This outing suits beginners, couples, families with riding-age children, and experienced riders who want a beach ride rather than a standard stable lesson. Children have taken part successfully, including a nine-year-old who progressed to trotting, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age. Ask the operator before booking for a young child.

It also suits nervous riders because you can request close guidance and a lead. Do not feel pressured to gallop. A gentle walk through the desert and a visit to the water can still make a fine morning.

Experienced riders may enjoy it, too, though expectations matter. You may get the chance to trot or canter, but the group pace and guide’s safety judgment come first. If you want a serious training session, this is not the right product.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems, weigh over 120 kilograms, or dislike getting wet. The ride can also leave you sore, so avoid scheduling it immediately before another demanding activity.

Practical booking advice

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still moving around.

Select hotel pickup if you want the simplest arrangement, and provide a working WhatsApp number for the confirmed time. If you do not select transport, you are responsible for reaching Edelweiss Equestrian Center.

Pack only what you need. Wear long trousers, sturdy comfortable shoes, and waterproof footwear if you have it. Bring your passport or a copy, and expect your clothes to get wet at the beach.

The stated duration is two hours, but allow extra time for transport, mounting, horse selection, and return to your hotel. The riding itself may feel closer to an hour and a half on some departures, especially if the group spends time on photographs or moves at a cautious pace.

Should you book the Edelweiss beach ride?

I would book this if you want a memorable Red Sea experience with real time in the saddle, not just a quick horse photo. The horse care, patient instruction, flexible support, small group size, and sunrise or sunset choices give it more substance than a basic sightseeing stop.

Book the sunrise option if you can handle the early start. Choose sunset if photographs matter and you want a more relaxed departure. Before paying for optional images, confirm the currency and total price.

Skip it if you want a remote dune ride, a long swim, or a guaranteed fast gallop. For most suitable riders, though, the combination of desert, beach, and horse entering the Red Sea is unusual enough to justify the cost.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding experience last?

The planned activity duration is two hours. Allow additional time for hotel transport, horse selection, safety instructions, and returning to your accommodation.

Where does the ride begin?

The ride begins at Edelweiss Equestrian Center. If you do not select hotel transport, you need to go directly to the center.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when the transfer option is selected. Pickup is provided in an air-conditioned bus or coach.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The instructor teaches basic riding skills, and beginners may start with a lead or close guidance before riding more independently.

Can I choose the departure time?

You can choose a sunrise, morning, or sunset departure, subject to availability. Check the available starting times when booking.

Will the horse go into the Red Sea?

The experience includes riding at the beach and taking the horse into the water. Expect to get your clothes wet during this part of the ride.

What languages are spoken by the instructors?

The listed languages are Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian.

Is the photographer included in the price?

No. Photography is an optional extra and is not included in the $98 price. Confirm the cost and currency before agreeing to the photo session.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, waterproof shoes, and your passport. A copy of your passport is accepted. Long trousers are strongly advisable to reduce rubbing from the saddle.