Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Sharm El Sheikh horse ride is the change of scene: you leave the stables, cross the open ground around the city, and reach a quiet Red Sea beach where your horse can splash into the water. At sunrise or sunset, the colors over the Sinai hills make the ride feel far more special than a simple stable loop.

I like the careful matching of horses to riders and the patient help from guides such as Mohamed, Mahmood, and Kamal. I also like the small groups, limited to five people, which gives beginners more individual attention. The main drawback is that the word desert may suggest sand dunes. In practice, much of the route crosses open ground between buildings, and the ride to the beach can take a large share of the two hours.

Key points to know before you book

• Horse and rider matching: Your horse is chosen according to your riding level, and nervous beginners can have a guide lead or walk beside them.
• Water ride at the Red Sea: You can take the horse into the sea and get wet, so bring suitable clothing and waterproof shoes.
• Sunrise is especially rewarding: Early rides offer cooler air, softer light, and striking views across the beach toward the Sinai mountains.
• Two hours means real saddle time: The return route is part of the ride, and several people found their legs and inner muscles tired afterward.
• Photography costs extra: A photographer can take beach and riding photos, but agree on the price and currency before the session.
• Small-group format: Groups are capped at five, though the actual pace still depends on the mix of beginner and experienced riders.

From Edelweiss Center to the open ground around Sharm

Your outing begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, either after hotel pickup or with your own arrival at the center. If you select transport, an air-conditioned bus or coach collects you and returns you after the ride. Give the local partner your WhatsApp number so the pickup time can be confirmed.

At the stable, you meet the team, choose a helmet, and explain your riding experience. This conversation matters. A first-time rider may be paired with a calm horse and guided on a lead, while a confident rider may receive more freedom to trot or canter where the guide considers it safe.

The horses are one of the strongest parts of the experience. The center is described as clean, with horses in good condition and cared for by staff who clearly know their individual temperaments. Several riders singled out horses such as Candy, who was described as spirited but reliable and especially happy near the sea.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. One account raised a concern that the horses may be worked hard, even though most of the available feedback describes them as healthy and well handled. Pay attention to your horse and follow the guide’s instructions. This is an active ride, not a quiet photo stop with a horse standing still.

Once everyone is mounted, the group heads into the open area around Sharm El Sheikh. This is where the title needs a little translation. You are not riding through a vast field of untouched dunes. Much of the route is a broad, dry area with buildings visible on the horizon.

That setting is still enjoyable. You get away from hotel pools and busy roads, and the open ground gives riders room to settle into the saddle. Beginners can work on steering and balance, while experienced riders may get the chance to increase the pace.

The route to the beach also shapes the whole outing. It can take close to an hour each way, depending on the group and the pace. That means the beach is not necessarily a long, private session. If your main aim is swimming with a horse, ask the guide how much water time is likely on the day.

Learning to ride, from a lead rope to a canter

This activity works unusually well for mixed-ability groups. A complete beginner can start slowly, with a guide leading the horse or walking close by. Riders who gain confidence may later steer independently and try a trot.

Some first-time riders reached a canter along the beach, but that is not a promise for every booking. Your speed depends on your comfort, the horse, the guide, and the conditions. A good guide will not push you simply to create a more exciting story.

Mohamed receives repeated praise for being patient, calm, and good at matching the pace to each person. Other guides, including Kamal and Mahmood, are also associated with friendly, careful assistance. Communication can vary, since not every guide speaks fluent English, but the riding instructions and horse handling are generally clear enough for basic guidance.

A helmet is included, and some riders appreciated the safety strap on the saddle. Wear long trousers rather than shorts or a dress. The saddle can rub your inner legs, and two hours in the saddle is enough to make poor clothing choices memorable for the wrong reason.

You should also expect normal riding fatigue. Beginners may feel it in the glutes and inner thighs afterward. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it is useful to know before planning another demanding activity immediately afterward.

Reaching the Red Sea beach

The beach is the emotional high point of the ride. You leave the dry, open ground behind and follow the shore, with the water and Sinai hills providing a much stronger setting than the city-side route.

At the beach, the horses can walk into the Red Sea. Water splashes over your legs and clothes as the horses move through the shallows. If your horse enjoys the water, this can be the most memorable part of the outing.

Bring clothes that can get wet. Waterproof shoes are listed among the recommended items, and comfortable shoes are essential for mounting, walking around the stable, and dealing with wet sand. Do not wear anything you need to keep dry for the rest of the day.

The ride is not presented as a full swimming lesson for horse and rider. It is a short, playful water section within a longer horseback route. The depth, speed, and amount of time in the sea depend on the guide and the horses. Follow instructions closely, especially if you are a beginner.

The beach also serves as the main photo location. The center may have a photographer who takes posed shots, action images, and pictures of you riding through the water. The quality is often described as strong, and the photos can be a useful way to keep the moment, especially at sunrise or sunset.

But photography is an extra purchase, not part of the $98 price. Confirm the cost before you begin, including the currency. One person reported being quoted £30 for photos and another reported an unexpected additional charge in Egyptian pounds. That does not erase the value of the ride, but it is a good reason to settle every extra cost in advance.

If you are booking mainly for pictures, say so clearly. A photo-focused outing can feel slower for someone who came to ride. In a small group, the guide may need to balance riders who want action with those who want several posed shots.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

The timing changes the character of the experience.

A sunrise ride requires an early start, sometimes around 4 a.m. That sounds harsh on a holiday, but the payoff is cooler air, a quiet beach, and soft light spreading over the Sinai hills. Several riders considered the early wake-up worthwhile, and the first light makes the water and horses photograph especially well.

Morning is the practical choice if you want good light without such an early alarm. It may also be more comfortable than a hot afternoon ride. The activity page does not give exact temperatures or fixed start times, so check availability for the date you want.

Sunset offers a different mood. You can watch the light fade over the beach while the horses move along the shore. Families and couples often find this a memorable time, though you should remember that desert heat can still matter before the sun drops.

I would choose sunrise for cooler conditions and the clearest sense of quiet. Choose sunset if you prefer a slower holiday morning and want warm colors in your photos. The right choice depends less on riding skill than on your sleep habits and tolerance for heat.

What $98 includes, and what it does not

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sit on a horse in Sharm El Sheikh. The price makes more sense if you use the included hotel pickup and drop-off, need beginner instruction, and value the beach and water section.

You receive an instructor, helmet, and hotel transport when that option is selected. The group limit of five also adds value, since a small group makes it easier to ask for help or request a slower pace.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water, especially for a warm morning or sunset ride, though the supplied information does not specify whether refreshments are available at the center. The optional photography can also raise the final cost.

You can book directly at the Edelweiss Center if you arrange your own transport. If you do this, confirm the location and arrival details before setting off. Hotel pickup is simpler, particularly for sunrise departures.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. You must bring your passport, though a copy is accepted. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This is a good match for a first-time rider who wants patient instruction and a memorable setting. The guides can adjust the pace, and several beginners managed to trot or ride independently after starting cautiously.

It also suits an experienced rider who wants more than a fenced arena. Riders with ability may be allowed to trot or canter across the open ground and along the beach, provided the guide trusts their control.

Families can consider it, but age alone is not the deciding factor. Children as young as nine and eight were described as taking part, with the right horse and support. You should confirm the arrangements for your own child, since the supplied information gives no formal minimum age.

This is less suitable if you dislike saddle time, have back problems, or are pregnant. It is also not ideal if you want a full day at the beach or a long swim with a horse. The attraction is the combination of riding, desert-side terrain, and a short water ride.

Practical preparation for a smoother outing

Wear long trousers and trainers or other comfortable closed shoes. Add waterproof shoes if you plan to enter the sea, and take clothes that can become wet without causing trouble afterward.

Bring your passport or a copy. Carry water, and consider a small bag that can stay secure while riding. The activity does not include food or drinks, so do not assume refreshments are part of the price.

If you are nervous, say so before mounting. The guides can choose a suitable horse and decide whether you ride independently, follow a lead, or have someone walk beside you. You are not required to start at a fast pace.

If you want photographs, ask for the complete price before the photographer begins. Confirm whether the amount is in Egyptian pounds, British pounds, or another currency, and ask what number of images is included.

Finally, remember that the advertised two hours refers to the riding experience. Transfer time from your hotel is extra, and the route itself may include a long ride between the stable and beach. Plan the rest of your day with some breathing room.

Should you book the Edelweiss beach ride?

I would book this if you want an active Sharm El Sheikh outing with a strong visual payoff and you are happy to spend two hours in the saddle. The best features are the gentle horse matching, patient instruction, small groups, and the chance to ride into the Red Sea.

I would hesitate only if you expect sand dunes, a long beach swim, or a cheap add-on activity. The route can use much of the available time, the open ground is not a classic dune desert, and photo costs need careful agreement.

For the strongest version of the experience, choose sunrise or sunset, wear long trousers, ask for a calm horse if you are new to riding, and settle photography prices before the session. With those points clear, this is one of Sharm El Sheikh’s more memorable ways to combine the desert, the sea, and a little horse-riding adventure.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding activity last?

The stated riding time is two hours. Hotel transfer time is separate and is not included in that duration.

What route does the horse ride follow?

You begin at Edelweiss Equestrian Center, ride through the open area around Sharm El Sheikh, continue to a beach on the Red Sea, ride along the shore and into the water, then return to the center.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The horse is selected according to your ability, and guides can lead the horse or walk beside you while you learn the basics.

Can I trot or canter?

You may be able to trot or canter if your ability, confidence, the horse, and the guide’s judgment make it suitable. The activity does not guarantee a particular speed.

Will the horse go into the sea?

The experience includes riding the horse into the Red Sea. You should expect to get wet when the horse moves through the water.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing, long trousers, and comfortable shoes. Waterproof shoes are also recommended because the water section can soak your footwear and clothes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. If you do not select it, you can go directly to Edelweiss Equestrian Center.

How many people are in each group?

The activity is offered as a small group with a maximum of five participants.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.