Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada

The unusual part is simple to picture: you sit on an Egyptian horse and ride from Hurghada’s desert to the beach, with a chance to take the horse into the shallow sea. It is a rare holiday photo and a fun way to reach open ground that would be tiring to cover on foot.

I like two things here. First, the package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a helmet, an instructor, water, and tea. Second, the ride works for beginners, with guides such as Ahmed and Mohammad praised for staying close to nervous riders and adjusting their help to each person’s ability.

The main caution is that the advertised two hours on horseback may not feel evenly split between desert and sea. Some rides include only 15 to 20 minutes in the water, while others spend more time in the desert or include walking through town and along roads. I would book this for the setting and novelty, not for a guaranteed hour of sea riding.

Key points before you book

• Ride two very different settings: The planned route includes one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert.
• Beginner help is built in: A professional instructor provides coaching and stays with riders who need extra support.
• The sea section can be short: Water riding is a highlight, but the actual time in the sea may vary.
• Pickup makes the day easy: Hotel transport is included from Hurghada, though outlying resorts cost extra.
• The price is unusually low: The headline rate is $14 per person, but add the required €10 tax and any remote-area transfer fee.
• Horse welfare deserves attention: Some riders describe gentle, well-behaved horses, while others raise serious concerns about thin horses and poor care.

Why riding into the Red Sea is the draw

Most horseback rides give you a trail, a field, or a forest path. This one offers something much less ordinary: a horse standing or walking in the sea while you sit in the saddle. Even if the water portion lasts only a short time, the setting gives the ride a distinct Hurghada character.

The beach section is also the part most likely to produce memorable photographs. Guides may help with pictures, and several riders appreciated that personal touch. If you want a dramatic holiday image without booking a full-day excursion, this is the central appeal.

Keep your expectations practical. Riding in seawater is not the same as galloping freely along a deserted beach. The horses may walk slowly, pause, or stay in shallow water for photographs. The beach can also involve a mixture of riding, waiting, and positioning the horses.

I would treat the sea portion as a special moment within the ride rather than a full aquatic trail. That distinction matters because the description presents one hour by the beach, while actual time in the water can be much shorter.

The desert ride gives the tour its space

The desert section is likely to feel more like a conventional riding route, with open sandy ground and room for the horses to move. For many first-time riders, this is the easier place to learn how the horse responds before attempting the beach and water.

The open desert also gives the tour a change of pace from Hurghada’s resort streets. You are not simply taking a short pony ride in a fenced area. You are heading out to a broad, dry setting where the horse becomes a practical way to cover ground.

Some riders describe a full hour in the desert, while others say the experience leaned heavily toward desert riding. That may be good news if you want more time in the saddle, but less satisfying if the sea is your main reason for booking.

You may also encounter a faster section. One account describes the guides offering a quicker run, sometimes called hopa hopa, while keeping an eye on safety. Do not assume you will gallop. The pace depends on your ability, the horse, the guide, and the conditions that day.

What the two-hour riding plan really means

The stated riding program is:

• One hour by the beach
• One hour in the desert
• Hotel pickup and return
• Safety equipment
• Professional instructor
• Water and tea

The full activity is listed at about three hours, including transport and preparation. In practice, some private outings have taken closer to two hours from hotel pickup to return, with around one hour and 15 minutes actually spent on horseback.

That variation is worth keeping in mind. The headline duration is approximate, and the riding time may include mounting, pauses, photo stops, moving between areas, and instructions. If you are comparing this with a longer riding program, ask for a clear estimate of saddle time and sea time before departure.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough to remain manageable, but it does not guarantee a private ride. A private outing may let you move at a more comfortable pace, especially if one rider is experienced and another is anxious.

Beginner riders receive useful support

You do not need advanced riding skills for this activity. Helmets are provided, and an instructor gives pre-ride coaching before you set off. The strongest practical advantage is having a guide nearby during the ride rather than being left to manage the horse alone.

Ahmed is specifically praised for noticing when a rider was nervous and staying close until confidence improved. Mohammad is also described as explaining things clearly and helping whenever needed. Those details matter more than the general promise of a professional instructor, especially if you have not ridden for years.

At the same time, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. A horse can feel high and powerful when you are new to riding, and a first ride in the sea can be intimidating. One first-time rider found the guide helpful but still felt that some prior experience would have made the outing easier.

You should tell the instructor honestly if you are nervous, have never ridden, or do not want to go faster. Several people enjoyed a quicker pace, but others found running uncomfortable or slightly dangerous. The ride should match your ability, not someone else’s idea of excitement.

The horses are part of the decision

The horses are described as Egyptian horses, and many riders found them gentle, friendly, and well behaved. Some people who had not ridden for decades regained confidence because the horses responded calmly and the guide handled them well.

That positive picture is not complete. Several accounts raise concerns about horses appearing thin, underweight, or tired. Two especially serious complaints describe visible bones, sores, and horses being left in the sun without water. These are allegations tied to individual outings, not a confirmed description of every horse or every day, but they should not be ignored.

If you book, look at the horses before mounting. Check that each animal has access to water and appears fit enough for the ride. If a horse looks unwell, has open sores, or seems exhausted, speak up and ask for a different arrangement or a refund discussion before the tour begins.

This is also where the low price deserves a closer look. A very cheap ride can be excellent value for you, but low pricing can raise questions about staffing, transport, and animal care. I would not choose this activity on price alone. I would choose it only if the stable and horses look properly cared for when you arrive.

Safety, helmets, and the road sections

A helmet is provided for every rider, and a disclaimer covering possible damage and personal injury must be signed before the tour. Pregnant women are not allowed to ride. Children can participate, and the activity is described as family friendly, but children still need to follow the instructor’s directions and be comfortable around large animals.

The ride may not stay entirely in isolated desert or on the beach. One unhappy account describes walking along sidewalks, crossing busy roads, and spending more time in commercial areas than expected. That may be an unusual route or a result of where the stable is located, but it is a useful warning.

If you are expecting a quiet wilderness ride from the moment you leave the vehicle, ask where the horses are kept and how you reach the beach. Walking horses through streets can be less relaxing than riding in open sand, particularly with traffic and language differences.

The vehicle transfer is included from hotels in Hurghada and uses an air-conditioned car or van. One account also raises a concern about a driver using a phone while driving. That is an individual complaint, but it reinforces a sensible rule: pay attention during transfers and speak up if you feel unsafe.

Pickup zones and extra costs

The advertised price is $14 per person, which is remarkably low for a roughly three-hour activity with transport and two riding areas. It can be good value if you are staying in Hurghada, want a short excursion, and mainly care about trying a horse in an unusual setting.

The real price is higher. Governmental taxes and value-added taxes cost €10 per person in cash. Hotels in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh also carry a €10 per-person transfer charge, paid in cash on the spot.

That means you should calculate the total before booking. For a couple staying in an outlying resort, the extra charges add €40 before any other personal spending. At that point, a longer or more predictable riding tour may offer better value.

For a Hurghada hotel, the base price remains attractive. Just confirm the pickup time and the cash amount before leaving your hotel. The confirmation is issued at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this outing to:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Couples looking for unusual beach photographs
• Families with children who can follow instructions
• Horse lovers who want desert and sea scenery in one short trip
• Budget-conscious visitors who are staying in Hurghada
• Riders who are happy with a gentle pace and flexible timing

I would be more cautious if you want a serious equestrian ride, long open gallops, or a precisely timed hour in the sea. This is an excursion with a riding element, not a formal lesson or an endurance trail.

It may also disappoint you if animal welfare is a major concern and you cannot inspect the stable first. The praise for friendly horses and caring guides is strong, but the complaints about thin or injured horses are serious enough to make a pre-ride check essential.

A practical plan for the day

Wear clothes that can handle sand, salt water, and contact with a saddle. Long trousers are more comfortable than shorts, and closed shoes are sensible. Bring only what you can keep secure during the ride, and protect your phone if you plan to take photographs near the sea.

Use sunscreen and bring a little cash for the required fees. Water and tea are included, but the desert sun can still make you thirsty. If you are staying outside Hurghada, confirm the transfer surcharge and have the correct cash ready.

Before mounting, tell the instructor your riding experience. Ask which horse you will ride, how long the sea section is expected to last, and whether a faster pace is optional. If you do not want to run, say so clearly.

Finally, observe the horse’s condition. Friendly behavior is not enough. Look for water, sound legs, a reasonably healthy body, and a saddle that appears secure. If something concerns you, address it before the group leaves.

Final verdict: book it for the setting, not the clock

At $14 per person before the required €10 tax, this is one of Hurghada’s cheaper ways to combine desert scenery, beach riding, and hotel transport. The guides Ahmed and Mohammad receive especially warm praise for helping nervous and inexperienced riders, and many people find the horses calm and the day enjoyable.

The drawbacks are real. The sea ride may be brief, the total timing can vary, road walking may be involved, and horse-care concerns appear in the feedback. I would book if you are flexible, curious, and keen to experience the novelty of riding into the sea.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed two-hour saddle ride, professional-level riding, or firm reassurance about stable conditions before you arrive. If you do book, confirm the extra fees, explain your comfort level, and inspect the horse before setting off.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding activity last?

The full experience is listed at approximately three hours, including hotel pickup, transport, preparation, and return. The planned riding time is two hours, split between the beach and desert, though actual timing can vary.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. A professional instructor provides pre-ride coaching and assistance during the activity. Helmets are supplied, and guides such as Ahmed have helped nervous riders build confidence.

How much does the tour cost?

The advertised price is $14 per person. A governmental tax and value-added tax charge of €10 per person must also be paid in cash.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person in cash.

Is riding in the sea guaranteed for one hour?

The program describes one hour by the beach, but the actual time in the water can vary. Some outings include only a short sea section or a photo stop, with more time spent in the desert.

Can children join the activity?

Yes. The activity is described as suitable for children and families. Every rider must follow the instructor’s safety directions.

Are helmets and refreshments included?

Yes. Safety equipment, including a helmet, is included. Water and tea are also provided.

Can pregnant women participate?

No. Pregnant women are not permitted to ride a horse. A disclaimer covering possible damage and personal injury must also be signed before the tour.