Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The real draw here is the horse swim in the Red Sea. After riding through the desert and along the beach, you can take your horse into the water for around an hour. It is an unusual way to see Hurghada, and the setting gives the outing more character than a standard stable ride.

I like the gentle start, with a safety briefing and time to meet your horse, and I like the mix of open desert, beach, and sea rather than repeating one short trail. Guides such as Karim, Keo, Ameen, and Abdul are frequently praised for helping nervous beginners and taking photos on your phone.

The main consideration is that horseback riding is physical. You may spend 40 to 60 minutes in the saddle at each station, and beginners can feel sore or unsteady. The pickup timing can also vary by hotel, so confirm it the day before and expect a possible ten-minute delay.

Key points to know before booking

• The Red Sea swim is the special feature: Choose the swimming option if you want to ride into the water and spend about an hour with your horse.
• Two riding settings are included: The standard outing combines about one hour in the desert with about one hour along the beach.
• Beginners receive help: Guides provide an orientation, helmets, chaps, and riding instruction, with several guides praised for supporting first-time riders.
• Hotel transfers are included in Hurghada: Hotels in El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, Soma Bay, and Al Ahyaa require an extra €10 per person.
• The price is unusually low: At $20 per person, the basic tour offers strong value, though the swim option and transfer surcharges should be checked when booking.
• Wear practical clothes: Flexible, breathable long trousers help prevent rubbing, and you should bring swimwear if you choose the water portion.

Why the Red Sea swim changes the whole outing

A desert horse ride can be pleasant, but the water section is what makes this experience memorable. You ride from the sandy shore into the Red Sea with your horse, then spend around an hour swimming if you select that option. You need to be comfortable getting wet and following the guide’s instructions, but you do not need to be an experienced rider to choose it.

The swim also breaks up the time in the saddle. Instead of riding for several hours without a change of pace, you get a cool, active pause in the sea before returning to the stable. The exact water routine can depend on the horses, guides, and conditions, so think of it as a guided horse swim rather than a free-form beach activity.

Several people praised this part above everything else, and I can see why. It gives you a direct connection with the horse and the sea, not just a view from the beach. If the swim is the reason you are booking, make sure you select the correct option rather than assuming it comes with the basic ride.

Starting at the stable with a calm introduction

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada and a short drive to the stable. The provider contacts you with the exact pickup information, and you should send your room number by email or WhatsApp if possible. Pickup depends on where your hotel sits, so confirm the time one day before. A delay of up to ten minutes is possible.

At the stable, you meet the guide and your horse. The introductory session covers basic riding and safety, giving you a chance to get comfortable before heading out. Helmets, saddles, and chaps are supplied.

This first stage matters most if you are nervous. Several guides, including Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa, are specifically praised for steady reassurance and close help with first-time riders. One especially nervous rider had someone hold the horse throughout the ride, while another first-time rider said the staff helped build confidence quickly.

That does not mean the outing is risk-free or effortless. You are still sitting on a moving animal, and the activity can be difficult if you have little riding experience. Listen closely, keep your hands relaxed, and tell the guide at once if you feel uncomfortable.

One hour through the Hurghada desert

The first major riding section takes you into the desert for about an hour. Expect broad, dry scenery, sandy ground, and the quiet that comes with being away from the resort streets. The desert gives the ride a clear sense of place, with views of the region’s natural plants and wildlife mentioned as part of the route.

The pace can suit different abilities. Beginners are taught the basics, while more confident riders may have a chance to trot or run when the guide considers it safe. That decision belongs to the guide and depends on the group, the horses, and the conditions.

I would not book this expecting a private, high-speed gallop across empty sand. The experience is designed for mixed ability levels, and the guides focus on keeping everyone together and comfortable. That is a plus for families and beginners, but experienced riders wanting serious schooling or long stretches of fast riding may find it fairly gentle.

The horses are a central part of the experience. The supplied information does not provide a formal welfare policy, but the practical details from the outing are encouraging: many people described the horses as calm, healthy, well trained, and friendly. One rider noted that the horses appeared well cared for and had comfortable stables, while another said the animals were easy to ride even for beginners.

You should still treat the horse as an animal, not a ride-on attraction. Follow the stable’s instructions, avoid sudden movements, and give the horse space when mounting, dismounting, and entering the water.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The beach section lasts about another hour. Here, the desert gives way to sand, sea air, and long views along the Red Sea coast. You hear the waves and feel the breeze while riding beside the water, then approach the sea if you have selected the swimming option.

This part is likely to be the prettiest section for photographs. Guides are known to take pictures and videos, often using your own phone, and some also use professional cameras. Keep your phone protected if you hand it over near the water, and ask the guide where it will be stored during the swim.

The ride is described as a mix of abilities, and some groups have been given a chance to trot. Do not count on a particular pace, though. The guide’s job is to manage the whole group, not to create a separate advanced ride.

For families, that slower and more attentive approach can be valuable. Children and nervous adults may need extra help, and guides have assisted younger riders, including an eight-year-old and a seven-year-old. The age suitability of your particular child is not specified, so ask the provider before booking if you are traveling with very young children.

Choosing the one-hour horse swim

If you choose the swimming option, the ride continues into the Red Sea for around an hour. Bring swimwear, and wear clothing that you do not mind getting wet. The horse swim is not a minor photo stop. It is described as a substantial part of the outing and can be the highlight of the day.

You should be ready for a physical change from riding on land. Water movement, wet clothing, and holding position on the horse all require attention. If you are anxious in the saddle, tell your guide before entering the sea. The staff have helped nervous riders before, but honest communication is the best way to keep the experience comfortable.

The swim may be particularly appealing to couples, families with older children, and people who have already enjoyed ordinary trail rides. It also gives confident beginners something special to work toward. If you would rather stay dry or feel uneasy around open water, the desert and beach ride can still be enjoyed without selecting the swim.

Food, drinks, and the finish at the stable

After roughly three hours of riding and water activity, you return to the stable. Coffee, tea, and water are included, and the experience also describes a freshly cooked meal served after the ride while music plays.

That meal gives the day a social finish rather than sending you straight back to your hotel covered in sand. The exact menu is not specified, so do not book based on a particular dish. Think of it as a simple refreshment and meal stop after an active outing.

You then receive transport back to your Hurghada hotel. The full timing may be longer than the riding time because of transfers, the stable introduction, mounting, breaks, and the meal. Keep the rest of your day flexible rather than scheduling a tight afternoon activity.

Is $20 good value for this experience?

At $20 per person, the basic package is very inexpensive for hotel pickup in Hurghada, a guide, about two hours of riding, safety equipment, refreshments, and return transport. The value is especially strong if you want a short adventure without committing to a full-day excursion.

The optional horse swim is where you should check the final price carefully. The supplied details identify it as an option but do not state a separate swimming price, so confirm the total before paying. Pickup from El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, Soma Bay, and Al Ahyaa is available for an additional €10 per person.

The low price may also mean a group outing rather than an exclusive private ride. A mixed group can be good for beginners because the guides are used to helping different ability levels, but it can limit the amount of time you spend riding at your preferred pace.

Special offers are advertised on Tuesdays and Fridays in the main booking information, while another description refers to Sundays and Fridays. Because those details do not match, ask the provider which discount applies on your date. The tour runs daily.

What to wear and what to bring

Wear flexible, breathable long trousers. Shorts can leave your legs rubbing against the saddle, especially during the longer desert and beach sections. Closed, practical footwear is sensible, though the supplied details do not specify a required shoe type.

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes if you select the water option. You should also bring sun protection and water, even though water and other drinks are supplied, because the activity takes place outdoors in a hot, dry setting.

Helmets and chaps are provided. The saddles are intended for comfort, but no saddle can remove the physical demands of riding. If you have not ridden before, expect some stiffness later in the day.

The maximum rider weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. This is a firm practical limit to check before booking.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend it most to someone who wants a distinctive Hurghada activity without spending a full day away from the resort. The combination of desert, beach, and optional sea swimming gives you several different settings for a modest price.

It suits first-time riders better than many fast-paced horse excursions because the guides begin with an introduction and provide hands-on support. Names that appear repeatedly in the experience include Karim, Keo, Ameen, Abdul, Sasa, Mohamed, and Yusef. The exact guide on your date will vary, but the team is described as friendly, reassuring, and willing to help.

Families can also enjoy it, especially if children are confident enough to follow instructions. Guides have helped children and nervous riders, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age, so confirm that before reserving a place.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to a rider with limited mobility, a serious back problem, or no tolerance for physical exertion. No accessibility details are provided, and riding for several hours may be demanding.

The main weakness is organization around transport. One person found the pickup timing and vehicle comfort less impressive than the activity itself. That is worth keeping in mind if you are staying outside central Hurghada or need a precise return time.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Book it if you want the horse swim, enjoy outdoor activities, and can handle a few hours in the saddle. The swim, friendly guides, desert scenery, and very low base price create a strong package, especially for first-time riders who want plenty of help.

Choose the basic ride if you are unsure about the water. You still receive the desert and beach sections, and the guides can adjust their support to your confidence level. Just confirm the swimming supplement, pickup fee, and current special offer before you commit.

I would skip it if you want a private, advanced riding lesson, a guaranteed fast gallop, or perfectly timed transport. For most visitors looking for an unusual half-day experience in Hurghada, though, this is a good-value choice, and the Red Sea swim is the part most likely to stay with you.

FAQ

Is the horse riding tour available every day?

Yes. The tour operates daily. Special offers are listed for Tuesdays and Fridays in the main booking information, while another description mentions Sundays and Fridays, so confirm the current offer for your date.

What does the $20 price include?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a guide, one hour of desert riding, one hour of beach riding, a helmet, chaps, coffee or tea, and water. Confirm whether the swimming option carries an extra charge.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming is available only if you select the swimming option. The swimming portion lasts around one hour in the Red Sea.

How long will I ride for?

The standard itinerary includes about one hour in the desert and one hour along the beach. With the swimming option and other parts of the outing, you may spend roughly three hours at the stable and riding locations.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The tour begins with an orientation and basic riding instruction. Guides help nervous and first-time riders, but horseback riding is physical and may be difficult if you have no riding experience.

What is the rider weight limit?

For the horses’ safety, riders should not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Is hotel pickup included outside Hurghada?

Pickup and drop-off from hotels in El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, Soma Bay, and Al Ahyaa are available for an additional €10 per person. Pickup from hotels in Hurghada is included.

What should I wear for the tour?

Wear comfortable, breathable long trousers to help prevent chafing. If you choose the swimming option, bring swimwear and a change of clothes. Helmets and chaps are supplied.