Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

Horseback over sea and desert beats the beach. I love the mix of Red Sea beach riding and a desert stretch where the scenery feels wide-open, and the guides (I’ve seen names like Karim and Keo pop up) keep things friendly while teaching you how to ride safely. One possible drawback: this is real physical activity, so if you’ve never ridden before, you’ll want to pace yourself and listen carefully during the canter/run moments.

You’ll be picked up from your Hurghada hotel and taken to the stable for helmets, a short safety briefing, and time to get comfortable with your horse. You ride for about three hours total, split into desert and beach segments (each segment runs about 40 to 60 minutes).

If you choose the swimming option, you add a truly unusual highlight: swimming with your horse in the Red Sea for around 1 hour. It’s refreshing and fun, but plan for wet time and bring swim-ready gear since you will be in the water, not just wading.

Key points before you book

• Two-part ride: desert first, then the Red Sea beach for a big change of scenery in one day
• Beginner-friendly coaching: you’ll get a quick introduction to riding basics before you move out
• Helmet + chaps included, plus a safety briefing focused on you and the horse
• Optional 1-hour Red Sea swim with your horse if you book the Swimup-style option
• Guides named Karim, Kareem, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa are often mentioned for keeping the mood upbeat and the ride controlled
• A freshly cooked meal after riding with music to help you wind down

Getting to the stables: hotel pickup in Hurghada

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. You’ll ride out to the stable, meet your guide, and get introduced to the horse you’ll be assigned.

Pickup times depend on where your hotel sits, so confirm your exact pickup time the day before. A delay of up to 10 minutes can happen, which is common for shared transfers in busy beach areas.

Once you arrive, you’re not thrown into the saddle immediately. You’ll get your helmet and chaps, then a basic orientation so you know how to hold the reins and what to do when you’re turning, stopping, or changing pace.

Desert riding for beginners: 40 to 60 minutes of control

Your first ride block is the desert—stark sand, wide skies, and that calm feeling you only get when you’re moving at horse speed. You’re on horseback for about 40 to 60 minutes during this desert station, and the guides help you build confidence as you go.

This is also where you’ll learn the practical stuff. You’ll get instruction on the rhythm of riding, how your body should move with the horse, and what to expect when the pace changes.

If you’re nervous, you’ll likely feel a big difference once you’re set and steady. Many guides are known for reassurance and humor, including Karim and Ameen in particular, which helps first-timers relax faster.

The desert segment is a good choice if you want more than just a casual walk. You can experience the power and freedom of riding across open sand, but you should still treat it like an active lesson—listen, follow, and don’t fight the motion.

Red Sea beach riding: sea breeze and calmer vibes

After the desert, you shift to the beach side of the Red Sea. This is another 40 to 60 minutes on horseback, and the mood changes again—more breeze, more wave sounds, and that cinematic feeling of riding along the waterline.

The beach segment is also a great spot to settle into your seat. If your legs were sore after the desert, you’ll often find the beach pace feels smoother, and the guides usually keep an eye on rider comfort.

This part of the ride gives you the views most people come for. You get a break from sand and heat-haze and trade it for fresh ocean air, with the horse’s movement turning into a steady, relaxing rhythm.

If you’re someone who loves photos, this is the moment to pay attention. With the Red Sea behind you, the guide’s quick photo stops (including professional photos and photos taken on your phone) can really capture the day.

Swimming with your horse in the Red Sea: the 1-hour Swimup option

Choose the swimming add-on if you want the day’s signature wow moment. The option is designed for about 1 hour of swimming with your horse in the Red Sea.

This is not a quick splash. You’re actually in the water for a meaningful stretch, and you’ll bond with your horse differently than you do on land.

Before you go, double-check how you feel about being in water while staying balanced on a moving animal. The guides do provide support, and safety gear like helmets are part of the overall setup, but it still takes a calm mindset to enjoy it.

Bring swimmers. That one line matters because once you’re in the Red Sea, you’ll want to be ready without improvising. If you have time, pack something dry for afterward, since you’ll return to land wet.

If you’re traveling with kids or a nervous rider, this swimming option can still work with the right guidance. I’ve seen many accounts of guides helping riders step in confidently, even when someone starts out afraid of the water.

Safety and tack: helmets, chaps, and how the guides set the pace

Safety starts before you even mount up. You’ll get a helmet, plus chaps, and you’ll hear an introductory safety briefing that explains how to ride safely alongside the rest of the group.

Comfort comes from the basics too. You’ll be riding with comfortable saddles, and the guide’s job is to keep you positioned and moving correctly.

There’s also a clear weight limit for the horses’ safety: riders should not weigh more than 220 lbs (100 kg). If you’re close to that limit, it’s worth checking with the operator before you book.

Horse temperament is another big deal here. The horses used on this route are kept well trained, and guides often manage the pacing so beginners can learn while more confident riders still get an enjoyable ride.

One practical note: horseback riding is physical. If you lack riding experience, you might find it difficult at first, especially when the horse changes pace.

Meal and downtime: freshly cooked food after riding

Riding days feel long in the best way, and this tour gives you a proper cooldown afterward. After about three hours of riding, you return to the stable.

Then you’ll eat: a delicious meal freshly cooked as you listen to music. It’s a nice rhythm shift, and it also helps if you worked up an appetite walking around sandy terrain and getting in and out of the saddle.

This is the part of the day that turns the experience into more than just transport and a ride. You’re in a relaxed setting where you can recover a bit before heading back to your hotel.

Price and value: what $20 buys in Hurghada

At about $20 per person, this tour hits a sweet spot for value in Hurghada. The reason isn’t only the low price—it’s what you get bundled together.

You’re paying for hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, guided riding, helmets and chaps, two riding segments (desert + beach), plus optional swimming with your horse. On top of that, you get coffee/tea/water and a freshly cooked meal after your ride.

For many people, the swimming add-on is the big decision. If you’re the type who remembers experiences for years, the 1-hour swim is the value multiplier—because it changes what the day feels like, not just how it looks in photos.

If you’re only hoping for casual scenery and don’t want water, you can still enjoy the desert plus beach combo. But if you have any interest in the ocean and horses, the swim option tends to turn the tour into the highlight of a trip.

Who should book this tour (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A guided horse ride with real coaching for beginners
• One day that mixes desert freedom and Red Sea scenery
• A chance to swim with your horse if that sounds like your kind of fun

It’s also a good pick for families. The ride is structured, and guides are often attentive with first-timers and kids, including riders as young as 11 in some accounts.

You might think twice if:

• You’re very sensitive to physical motion. Even at a beginner-friendly pace, it’s still riding.
• You’re over the weight limit of 220 lbs (100 kg). Horses’ safety comes first.
• You’re not comfortable with water if you book the swim option.

If you’re traveling alone, it can also be a friendly social day. You’ll ride in a group and spend time with guides who keep things upbeat—often with a lot of laughter mixed into instruction.

Practical tips so your day goes smoother

Plan for clothing that works around sand and saddle time. Wear comfortable, breathable long pants if you can. They help with friction while riding.

Wear footwear that you can trust. Sand and stairs to mounting areas can be slippery, so choose something secure.

If you’re doing the swim option, assume your schedule will involve wet clothes after. At minimum, pack swim gear and something to change into afterward if you can.

Also, communicate your hotel details. The operator contacts you with exact pickup details, and it helps to share your room number if possible over email or WhatsApp.

How pickup works outside central Hurghada

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. If you’re staying in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay, pickup can be arranged for an extra charge of €10 per person.

In those cases, the activity provider will contact you with your pickup details. This matters because pickup times still depend on your exact location, and you don’t want to show up late or miss the transfer window.

Should you book this horse riding tour?

Book it if you want a single day that blends desert riding, Red Sea beach views, and (optionally) an honest-to-goodness swim with your horse. The combination of structured coaching, safety gear like helmets and chaps, and a post-ride meal makes it feel like a full activity day, not just a quick excursion.

Don’t book it if you’re looking for an easy sit-and-watch outing. This ride is hands-on, and it’s physical. If you go in with a calm attitude—follow the guide, keep your balance, and take the basics seriously—you’ll get a day that feels genuinely different from a standard beach afternoon.

FAQ

FAQ

Is the horse riding tour available every day?

Yes, the tour is available every day. Special offers run on certain weekdays, including Tuesdays and Fridays, with some promo wording also mentioning Sundays.

What is the total riding time?

You’ll be on the horse for about three hours total. Each riding station (desert and beach) typically lasts between 40 and 60 minutes.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

It includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels. Pickup from areas like El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and Soma Bay can be added for an extra charge.

Can I swim with my horse?

Yes, you can choose the option for swimming with your horse in the Red Sea for around 1 hour. Swimming with horses is included only if you select that option.

What safety gear is provided?

You’ll receive a helmet, and you’re also provided chaps. You’ll get an introductory safety briefing before you ride.

What are the guide instructions like for first-time riders?

You’ll get an orientation and learn the basics of riding with your expert horse guide. The experience is designed to help you get comfortable and safe, even if you have little riding experience.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Yes. For the horses’ safety, riders should not weigh more than 220 lbs (100 kg).

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing for breathable, flexible long pants, which help prevent chafing while riding. If you pick the swimming option, bring swimmers.

What languages are available for the tour?

The tour is offered in English, German, and Arabic.

Is reserve & pay later available?

Yes. You can book your spot and pay nothing today.