Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the shift from sunlit desert to a dark, star-filled sky. You ride horseback through valleys framed by mountains, pause on high ground for sunset, then return to an oasis for dinner and telescope viewing. The sunset ride and the clear night sky give the evening a real sense of place.

I like the careful start, with a welcome drink, riding gear, and a safety briefing before you mount up. I also like the friendly guides, especially Adam, who helped make the stargazing engaging, and Nasser, also called Marshmallow, who brings plenty of humor to the astronomy talk. The main caution is the rough jeep transfer: some rides are fast, and one account describes speeds above 100 kilometers per hour without seatbelts in the back.

Key points to know before you book

• One hour on horseback: Ride through desert valleys with guides adjusting speed to your comfort and skill.
• Sunset from a hill: Stop for photos and rest while the last light spreads across the mountains.
• Desert oasis dinner: Return to a furnished oasis for grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Telescope viewing: The guide explains star groups and uses professional telescopes to show available targets, including the moon or planets when conditions and the calendar allow.
• Adventure jeep transfer: The 17-kilometer off-road drive adds excitement, but it can feel rough and too fast for some people.
• Good value at $41: Hotel transport, equipment, riding, dinner, drinks, and stargazing are bundled into one evening.

From Hurghada hotels to a desert oasis

Your evening begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel. The exact collection time depends on where you are staying, and the full outing can take much of the afternoon and evening. One reported schedule ran from about 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., including transfers.

The first leg takes you to a meeting point, followed by about 17 kilometers of jeep travel over desert tracks. This is not a quiet shuttle ride. The off-road section is part of the entertainment, with jolts, open desert views, and a fast pace in some vehicles.

Here is the practical point: the jeep ride may be the most intense part of the day. One person found it exciting, while a companion found it frightening. A report also raised concerns about passengers sitting in the back without seatbelts. If you have back problems, dislike speed, or simply want a calm evening, ask about the vehicle and seating before setting off.

At the oasis, you receive Arabian tea or coffee before the riding begins. This pause matters. It gives you time to meet the guides, settle after the transfer, and listen to the safety briefing instead of being pushed straight onto a horse.

The site is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards. That does not remove the need to take care on the road or around the horses, but it is reassuring to see safety treated as part of the setup.

Horseback through valleys and desert hills

The horseback ride lasts about one hour. You travel between valleys, with mountains and open desert around you. The route is less about speed than scenery, stillness, and the unusual feeling of moving through the desert on an animal rather than in a vehicle.

Before you ride, the staff provide riding gear and explain the basic rules. Your speed and riding style depend on your ability and comfort. That makes the activity workable for first-time riders, and several people with no previous riding experience received close support from the guides.

If you are new to horses, tell the guide at once. The staff can spend more time showing you how to control your horse and keep you comfortable. One useful detail from the experience is that first-time riders were paired with attentive guides, sometimes with one guide focused on a small group or individual rider.

The ride includes stops for photographs and rest. The most memorable stop is on or near a hill, where you can watch the sunset over the valleys. Bring your camera, but do not spend the whole pause looking through it. The changing colors, quiet air, and mountain outlines are the reason to come.

You should also prepare for heat. The desert can feel hotter than your Hurghada resort, especially before sunset. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, use sunscreen, and bring sunglasses and a hat. Long trousers may be more comfortable than shorts during an hour in the saddle, though the supplied information does not require a particular dress code.

Horse welfare matters to many people considering this type of outing. The available information describes the horses as happy and healthy, and the riding team as attentive. You still have every right to ask questions and to tell the guide if you feel uneasy. A good ride should feel controlled, not like a race.

Sunset photos before the return ride

The sunset stop is the emotional center of the horse excursion. You have enough time to rest, take pictures, and look out across the desert before riding back toward the oasis.

The return ride is shorter in the described program. That is sensible after the heat and effort of the first hour, although riders hoping for a long horse trek should keep expectations in check. This is an evening combining several activities, not a full-day equestrian expedition.

The desert changes quickly after sunset. The harsh light fades, the air cools, and the group moves from outdoor riding to dinner. If you want the best photos, clean your phone lens before leaving the hotel and keep it protected from dust during the jeep transfer.

BBQ dinner at the oasis

Back at the oasis, dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. The meal is served as a substantial group dinner rather than a fine-dining event. For $41, that is a useful part of the package, especially since you are spending the whole evening away from your hotel.

The food has received strong praise, though one account described the dinner as basic. Both points can be true. You should expect a filling buffet-style meal with familiar choices, not a carefully staged restaurant meal.

Soft drinks are included. If you want another drink, check the price and temperature before buying it. One person reported an unpleasant stomach problem after purchasing an extra smoothie, though a single experience cannot establish a general pattern. I would stick with the included drinks unless you are confident about an extra purchase.

The supplied material mentions a farm-to-table lunch in the highlights, but the detailed schedule describes an evening BBQ dinner. Plan around the dinner, not lunch. If a midday meal matters to you, confirm it before booking.

Stargazing with Adam, Nasser, and the night sky

After dinner, the guide explains star groups visible in the sky. The desert setting helps because there is less artificial light than in Hurghada, and the open horizon gives the sky room to show itself.

Nasser, known as Marshmallow, is described as a funny and memorable astronomy guide. Adam also received special praise for making the session enjoyable. Their style matters here because stargazing can become a long lecture if the guide does not keep the group involved.

The telescope portion depends on the night and the astronomical calendar. Available targets may include the moon, stars, or planets. The program uses professional telescopes, but you should not expect a private observatory session. One account described a group of more than 45 people sharing two telescopes, with one used for the moon and another aimed at a specific star or other target.

That can mean waiting your turn. You may get only a short look, and you cannot handle the telescope yourself. The moon can still be striking through the lens, but the experience is group viewing rather than free access to several instruments.

I would treat the telescope as an extra, not the entire reason to book. The larger pleasure is lying back or looking up at a dark sky while someone points out star groups and explains what you are seeing. If you want serious astronomy, this may feel limited. If you want a fun introduction after dinner, it fits the evening well.

Cloud cover, moon phase, and the calendar affect what you can see. The tour promises stargazing, but it cannot promise a particular planet or star. That is simply part of outdoor astronomy.

How much value do you get for $41?

At $41 per person, the package covers a lot: hotel pickup and drop-off, the jeep transfer, a guide, riding equipment, one hour on horseback, tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You are not paying for one short activity and then returning to town. The outing combines transport, animals, desert scenery, food, sunset, and an astronomy session in one evening.

It is also a useful choice for couples or families with mixed interests. One person can enjoy the horses, another the jeep ride, and everyone can share dinner and the night sky. Families should consider the age limits carefully: the activity is not suitable for babies under one year, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.

The cost is less attractive if you dislike group activities or want control over the pace. The jeep may carry a sizeable group, and telescope access can involve a wait. The riding pace is set by the guides and the group’s abilities, not by each individual rider.

The operator, scorpionsafari, offers communication in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. That helps mixed-language groups, though the astronomy session may still be divided into language groups. One account described English and German groups sharing the evening, which made the stargazing feel longer.

What to pack and how to prepare

Keep your packing simple:

• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Sunscreen
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Comfortable clothes for riding
• A phone or camera with a secure place to store it

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, and babies under one year should not book this activity.

Wear shoes that stay secure while riding and bring a light layer if the evening is cool. The information does not state that helmets are required, so ask about the supplied riding gear if that is important to you.

Most of all, be honest about your comfort level. Tell the riding guide if you are a beginner, and tell the jeep driver or organizer if the driving feels too aggressive. The stated policy is to adjust riding style and speed to participant skill and comfort.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a lively desert outing with several different parts. First-time riders are well served by the briefing and guide support. Couples get a sunset setting and dinner, while families can treat the horses and stargazing as two separate highlights.

It also suits people who want an easy package from Hurghada. Hotel transport means you do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote desert meeting point.

I would be more cautious if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have a very young baby, or dislike rough transport. It is also not ideal if your main aim is a long, advanced horse ride or detailed astronomy. The experience is best understood as a social adventure evening, with horseback riding as the main activity and stargazing as the final act.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Book it if the idea of riding through desert valleys at sunset sounds better than spending another evening at the resort. The combination is well judged: horses while there is still light, dinner when you return, then stars after dark.

The strongest reasons to go are the one-hour ride, the mountain-framed sunset, the attentive staff, and the chance to see the moon or other sky targets from a remote oasis. The main reasons to pause are the rough jeep transfer, the group size, and the limited telescope access.

At $41, I think it is good value for an active evening, provided you accept those limits. Ask about jeep seating, mention your riding experience, and arrive prepared for desert heat. If you do, this can become one of the more memorable ways to leave Hurghada for a few hours.

FAQ

How much does the horse ride, dinner, and stargazing tour cost?

The price is $41 per person.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hurghada are included. Pickup time depends on your hotel location.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour and travels through desert valleys. The pace depends on participant skill and comfort.

Is the activity suitable for first-time riders?

Yes. The program includes riding gear, a safety briefing, and guide support. Tell the guide if you have never ridden before.

What food and drinks are included?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. You also receive Arabian tea or coffee at the oasis, and soft drinks with dinner.

What happens during the stargazing session?

A guide explains visible star groups, and professional telescopes are used to view targets available according to the astronomical calendar. The exact objects depend on the conditions and date.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.