Horse Riding Beach or Desert with transfer from Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is best seen from the back of a horse, where sandy tracks, open desert, and the Red Sea come into view at a slower, more natural pace. The coastal option may take you into shallow water, while the desert route offers open ground and photo stops.

I like the patient horse matching, especially for first-time riders, and the included hotel pickup makes this an easy half-day addition to a beach holiday. I also like the chance to trot or ride faster when your guide decides it is safe.

The main caution is that this is not always a remote desert adventure. Quad bikes, roads, and other activity can be nearby, and horse condition and transport service may vary. Ask exactly where you are going before setting out.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose sea or desert riding: The coastal route may include shallow-water wading, while the desert route uses sandy paths and open ground.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides can walk beside a nervous rider or stay close while you learn the horse.
• Hotel pickup is included: Collection and return are offered from Sharm El Sheikh hotels.
• The group can reach 15 people: This is small enough for guide attention, but not a private ride.
• Bring your own drink and camera: Several riders found both useful, and photography may be offered at an extra charge.
• Budget for the extra fee: The advertised price is $7 per person, plus a government fee of €5 per person.

Riding beside the Red Sea or into the desert

This experience gives you two very different ways to ride around Sharm El Sheikh. The sea option takes you toward a coastal area, with the possibility of letting the horses wade through low water. The desert option uses sandy tracks and open ground, though you should not expect a remote mountain expedition.

The setting can be appealing because it combines horse riding with the dry, open scenery around the resort. You are not shut inside an arena for the full session. You may pass sandy routes, broad plains, and viewpoints with the sea or desert around you.

The coastal ride is the more memorable choice for most people. A horse stepping into shallow Red Sea water makes a fine holiday photograph, and one account describes the water as low rather than reaching waist height. Do not assume deep-water riding is part of the standard outing. The experience can depend on the route, conditions, and what the guide considers safe.

The desert route may suit you better if you want firm ground and fewer wet clothes. At the same time, the area can have quad bikes operating nearby and may run alongside a road. The word desert is accurate in a broad sense, but the setting may feel more like an activity area than untouched wilderness.

What happens at the equestrian center

Pickup takes you from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to the riding site. The transfer is included, which matters at this price because arranging a separate taxi could take away much of the value. Allow some flexibility around the collection time, since one poor experience involved a late vehicle and a badly shortened outing.

At the center, the horses are ready for the ride. You are paired with an animal according to your ability, and the guide provides a helmet and basic safety equipment. There does not appear to be a traditional stable complex at every riding point. In at least one account, the horses were waiting at a simple mounting area rather than in a formal stable.

Mounting benches are available, which is useful for larger riders, nervous beginners, or anyone with stiff knees. The stated maximum weight is 150 kilograms. If you are close to that limit, confirm the arrangement before booking rather than leaving it to the last minute.

The horse names Galaxy and Madonna have been singled out as calm, gentle choices for less confident riders. That does not mean you can request a particular horse with certainty, but you can tell the staff about your experience and concerns before mounting.

A sensible start for first-time riders

The guides do not simply put you on a horse and send you off. A nervous rider may be accompanied on foot or supported by a guide while the horse walks. One beginner was kept at a slow pace while a more experienced companion was allowed to trot.

That difference is important. Horse riding is not the same as sitting on a sightseeing vehicle, and your comfort depends on how well the guide matches the pace to your ability. If you have never ridden before, say so clearly. You can also explain if you have ridden regularly and would like to trot, since the pace is not necessarily the same for every person in the group.

Muhammed is mentioned as a particularly helpful guide, while Mustafa is praised for hosting the ride and creating good photo moments by the sea. Staff patience is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing, especially for a family with mixed abilities.

The group limit is 15 people. That keeps the experience from becoming a huge procession, but you should not expect a private lesson. The guide may need to balance a confident rider who wants more speed with a beginner who needs a calm walk.

The two-hour route and its pace

The advertised duration is about two hours. The riding itself may not always fill that entire period, so confirm the expected saddle time when you arrive. One outing lasted about an hour, and another account described a ride that was cut short after an issue with the transfer and site arrangements.

A normal session should begin at a controlled walking pace. This gives you time to settle into the saddle, understand the horse’s response, and follow the guide’s instructions. The route then continues along sandy paths or toward the shore.

Experienced riders may be permitted to trot, and some have been allowed to go faster under close guide supervision. That is a welcome feature if you already ride, but it is not a promise of a long gallop. The guide decides what is suitable for the horse, the ground, and the group.

The pace can also change when the horses reach the water. Coastal riding is usually about the setting and the unusual chance to wade, not about speed. Keep your expectations realistic and treat the water section as a scenic part of the ride.

What the sea ride is really like

The sea route is the stronger pick if you want something distinctive for your holiday photographs. The horses may enter low water, and you can choose to take part if the guide allows it. One rider said the horses waded but did not go as high as the waist.

Do not count on a clean, postcard-perfect beach. A complaint described litter on the shore, so the coastal setting may be less polished than resort photography suggests. The presence of other activities can also reduce the sense of solitude.

You should bring a drink, and take your own photographs if you want a simple record of the outing. A photographer may take pictures during the ride and offer them for an extra charge. This can be worthwhile if the images are delivered properly, but keep the price clear before agreeing. One person paid £30 for photographs and never received them.

The safest approach is to ask three questions before the ride begins: Are photographs included? What is the exact price? How and when will the images be delivered? If you do not want photographs, say so politely at the start. One rider found the repeated sales pressure uncomfortable.

The desert ride and its limits

The desert option offers a different mood. You ride over sandy ground and open plains, with the dry surroundings providing a strong contrast to Sharm El Sheikh’s hotel districts and swimming pools. It is a simple way to spend time outdoors without committing to a full-day excursion.

Still, the word desert can create the wrong picture. Parts of the route may be barriered, close to a road, and shared with quad-bike operators. If you are looking for silence, distant mountains, or a long ride far from development, this may disappoint.

I would choose the desert ride for convenience and a short taste of open-country riding, not for wilderness. It can work well as a first ride, a family activity, or a two-hour break from the resort. For a dramatic desert experience, you should compare it with a longer dedicated desert trip.

Horses, safety, and animal welfare

Many of the positive experiences begin with the horses. Several riders describe them as beautiful, calm, friendly, and well looked after. That matters because a quiet, well-handled horse can make a first ride far less stressful.

There is also a serious point to consider. Some accounts describe horses as hot, tired, or worn out, with one rider concerned that a horse took every opportunity to stop. These reports do not prove that every horse is treated poorly, but they are enough reason to pay attention before you ride.

Look at the horse assigned to you. Check that it appears alert, has suitable tack, and is not struggling in the heat. Tell the guide immediately if the animal seems exhausted or if the saddle feels wrong. A good guide should take the concern seriously and make an adjustment if possible.

The included helmet and safety equipment are useful, but equipment alone does not make a ride safe. Follow the guide’s instructions, keep your distance from other horses, and do not push for speed if you feel uncertain. The one very poor safety account involved a rider who felt alone and frightened, which is a reminder to confirm that you will be accompanied.

Clothing, comfort, and useful packing

Wear long trousers and closed shoes. Jeans and trainers have worked for this type of ride, and they offer more protection from rubbing than shorts and sandals.

Bring a bottle of water. The ride takes place in exposed coastal or desert surroundings, and one rider specifically recommended carrying a drink. Insect repellent is also worth packing, particularly if you choose a coastal route.

A phone or small camera is useful, but protect it from sand and water. If you plan to photograph the horse in the sea, use a secure strap or leave the device with someone on dry ground. Do not assume the photographer’s pictures will arrive later unless you have clear arrangements.

The supplied helmet should be worn. Loose bags, dangling straps, and large accessories are best left at the hotel, where they will not interfere with mounting or riding.

Pickup, timing, and group size

Hotel pickup and return are included from Sharm El Sheikh hotels. This makes the experience simple to add to a holiday schedule, particularly if you do not have a rental car.

Transport quality has not been perfectly consistent. One ride involved a late pickup and a major reduction in the activity, so keep the day flexible rather than scheduling a flight, spa appointment, or formal dinner immediately afterward.

The maximum group size is 15. Ask at pickup how many people are riding and if the group includes beginners. A mixed group may mean slower riding for everyone, while a smaller group may allow more individual attention.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The experience offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, you should expect no refund, and changes are not accepted.

Is $7 a good value?

The starting price of $7 per person is unusually low for a two-hour activity with hotel pickup, a horse, a guide, a helmet, and safety equipment. Even after adding the government fee of €5 per person, the basic cost remains attractive.

That low price also explains why you should read the inclusions carefully. Photography is not included, and any extra charge should be agreed before pictures are taken. The ride is a group activity, not a private lesson, and the exact route may be either coastal or desert.

Value depends on your expectations. If you want a friendly introduction to riding, a chance to take sea-side photographs, and an inexpensive break from the resort, this is a strong deal. If you expect spotless beaches, private guiding, perfect transport, or carefully managed horses on every outing, the low price may come with too many compromises.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 56 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That is encouraging, but the small number of serious complaints deserves attention. Your best protection is to confirm the route, ride duration, photograph price, and group arrangement before mounting.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it to first-time riders, families with older children who can follow instructions, couples wanting coastal photographs, and experienced riders who are happy with a short guided outing. It is also useful if you have only a few hours free and want pickup included.

Beginners should tell the guide their exact experience. Ask for a calm horse and a walking pace if that is what you need. The staff have shown patience with nervous riders, and horses such as Galaxy and Madonna have been described as gentle.

Experienced riders may enjoy the chance to trot or move faster, but should not book this expecting a long independent ride. You remain under guide control, and the group’s pace may be set by the least experienced rider.

I would be more cautious if animal welfare is your top concern, if you dislike sales pitches for photos, or if you need a precisely timed two-hour activity. In those cases, ask detailed questions before paying and be ready to walk away if the horse or arrangements do not look right.

Should you book it?

Book this horse ride if you want a low-cost, easy-to-arrange experience with a real chance to ride beside the sea or across sandy ground. The patient guides, beginner-friendly approach, included transfer, and occasional shallow-water section give it genuine appeal.

Go in with sensible expectations. The desert may be close to roads and quad bikes, the beach may have litter, the full duration is not guaranteed in every case, and photographs cost extra. Confirm the route and timing, inspect the horse, carry water, and speak up if anything feels unsafe.

For $7 plus the government fee, it can be excellent value when the pickup runs on time and the horses are fit. I would book it as a relaxed holiday activity, not as a major riding expedition.

FAQ

How long does the horse ride last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. The actual riding time can vary, so confirm the expected saddle time when you arrive.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return service are offered from hotels in Sharm El Sheikh.

Can I choose a sea ride or a desert ride?

The experience offers horse riding by the sea or in the desert. Confirm your preferred route before the ride begins, since the available setting may depend on the arrangement for that day.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Most people can participate, and guides can match you with a horse suited to your ability. Beginners may be walked or assisted by a guide while they gain confidence.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum stated weight is 150 kilograms.

Are photographs included in the price?

No. Photographs are an extra cost. Ask for the exact price and delivery details before agreeing to have pictures taken.