Review · HURGHADA

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer

4.8 · 649 reviews 90 minutes - 3 hours From $17 Operated by Lucky Horses Stable · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The unusual part comes quickly: you ride from a stable into Hurghada’s open desert, then continue toward the Red Sea beach. In summer, the two-hour swimming option lets you take your horse into the water. It is a memorable mix of sand, sea, and animals rather than another bus ride to a sightseeing stop.

I like the careful horse matching for beginners and experienced riders, and I like that guides such as Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, and Mohamed stay close to help with control and photos. The main catch is that swimming is seasonal, and the ride may feel controlled and gentle if you hope for a long, fast gallop.

Key points before you book

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Key points before you book

  • Ride from desert to beach: The route combines Hurghada’s dry open scenery with the Red Sea shoreline.
  • Swimming is a separate option: Choose the two-hour ride with swimming, and confirm the sea temperature and conditions before booking.
  • Good for first-time riders: Calm horses, helmets, child safety vests, and close guide support make this accessible to beginners who can ride safely.
  • Horse care is part of the visit: You will see cats, dogs, donkeys, and horses at a peaceful stable setting.
  • Transfers cover Hurghada: Pickup and drop-off are available from Hurghada, with paid transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay.
  • Bring practical clothing: Long, breathable trousers help prevent rubbing, and you should expect to get wet if you choose the sea option.

What a ride at Lucky Horses Stable is really like

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - What a ride at Lucky Horses Stable is really like

Lucky Horses Stable gives you a different side of Hurghada. The resort town is known for boat trips, coral reefs, and hotel pools, but this outing heads inland first. The desert around the stable is broad and spare, with plenty of room to see your horse moving beneath you and the Red Sea ahead.

The activity suits several types of riders. A first-timer can begin on a steady horse with a guide nearby. An experienced rider may be placed with a more responsive horse and get a chance to move faster, including a canter when the guide and conditions allow.

That does not mean every group rides at the same pace. The team may split riders by ability, with beginners in one group and confident riders in another. This is important if you are traveling with someone who rides regularly while you are still learning. You can sometimes enjoy the same outing without being forced into the same speed.

The stable is also part of the experience. You may meet friendly cats and dogs, and the setting has a relaxed animal-care feel rather than a polished resort attraction. Horses have individual personalities, so your guide may pair you with a calm animal such as Jojo, Flower, Fatima, Hero, or Mediha, depending on your ability and the horses available that day.

More Desert Horse Riding in Egypt

Arrival, transfer, and finding the stable

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Arrival, transfer, and finding the stable

If you select pickup, wait at your hotel entrance or the agreed security gate 10 minutes before the arranged time. Some Hurghada hotels do not allow drivers beyond the entrance. Your driver or guide will confirm your name and room number before taking you to the stable.

Pickup times depend on your hotel location. A delay of up to 15 minutes can occur because of traffic or hotel security checks. The exact time is sent through WhatsApp, the booking app, or email, and it is sensible to confirm it the day before.

The standard transfer covers Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay costs an extra €10 per person. If you book without transport, you can arrive independently or contact the stable through WhatsApp to arrange a paid pickup.

Finding the stable independently takes a little care. A taxi or Uber may stop on the roadside near a building called Harmony. The stable is on the left side of the road, behind that building, in an area with several horse facilities. Show your ticket to the guide when you arrive rather than simply entering the first stable you see.

Choosing between 90 minutes, two hours, and longer rides

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Choosing between 90 minutes, two hours, and longer rides

The activity offers durations from 90 minutes to three hours, depending on the option and starting time available. A shorter ride works well if you are fitting this around another Hurghada activity or if you are unsure how comfortable you will feel in the saddle.

For a first ride, 90 minutes gives you time to learn the basics, cross the desert, and reach the coast without making the outing a full-day commitment. Remember that mounting, instructions, horse selection, and photo stops take part of the overall visit. If you want more time actually riding, choose a longer option.

The two-hour ride is the most useful choice for many people. It gives you a better chance to enjoy both the desert and the beach without rushing. It is also the option required for swimming with the horses.

Three hours suits riders who want a slower outing or more time with the horses and surroundings. I would not choose the longest option automatically if you are a complete beginner, have back or mobility concerns, or simply want a light holiday activity. Sitting on a horse for several hours can be tiring, especially in warm weather.

Desert riding and the approach to the Red Sea

At the stable, the team matches horses to riding ability. You receive instructions on handling and control, and helmets are provided. Children also receive safety vests. The guides stay near the group and can adjust the pace for people who are nervous or new to riding.

The desert section gives you room to settle in. You learn how your horse responds to the reins and the guide before reaching the shoreline. This is where the staff’s calm approach matters most. Several first-time riders have been helped through early nerves, while confident riders have been allowed more freedom when appropriate.

Do not assume that a beach ride means nonstop galloping. The speed depends on the group, your skill, the horse, and the guide’s judgment. A beginner may spend most of the ride walking, with perhaps a little faster movement if the horse and rider are ready. Experienced riders can ask about a faster group before setting out.

The beach section is the visual prize. You see the contrast between dry desert sand and the Red Sea, and the horse gives you a low, moving view that you cannot get from a hotel promenade. It is also a good part of the outing for photographs, especially if you are traveling alone and need someone else to take pictures.

Swimming with the horses: a seasonal choice

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Swimming with the horses: a seasonal choice

Swimming is the most unusual option, but it needs careful planning. Select the two-hour ride with swimming if you want to ride your horse into the sea. You should expect to get properly wet, so wear clothing that dries reasonably quickly and protect anything that should not be splashed.

The stated seasonal rule is clear: swimming is normally not offered from early November, with October 31 listed as the last regular day. After that date, it may be possible only by prior agreement and only if the temperature and sea conditions are suitable. Contact the stable in advance rather than assuming the option will operate because it appears during booking.

There is a little uncertainty in the available information because some recent outings have included swimming in November. Treat those as exceptions, not a promise. Weather in Hurghada can change, and the decision should put the horses’ wellbeing first.

Swimming also changes the shape of the ride. You may spend less time on ordinary beach riding because part of the two-hour option is given to the sea experience. If you want the longest stretch of riding and care less about entering the water, choose the regular two-hour beach ride instead.

Guides, safety, and the horse-care question

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Guides, safety, and the horse-care question

The strongest feature of this activity is the level of personal help. The team speaks English, Arabic, Estonian, German, and Italian. Guides named in recent feedback include Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, Abdulrahman, Adil, Mohamed, and Said, though the person leading your outing depends on the day and the selected group.

Rebecca is especially noted for careful riding and attention to both horse and rider. Abdul is known for helping nervous beginners settle in, while Saeed has worked with first-time riders at a pace suited to their ability. These names cannot be guaranteed, but you can ask at the stable if you have a language or experience preference.

The horses are described as calm, healthy, and matched to ability. Some have individual quirks. Fatima, for example, may be more lively than a very cautious rider expects, while Hero is described as strong and comfortable around water. That does not mean a particular horse will be assigned to you. The guide makes the final match.

The stable also includes rescued or rehomed animals, including horses from the Pyramids area and local villages, along with dogs and cats. If you are uneasy around animals, think carefully before booking. This is not a place where you quickly mount, ride away, and avoid the rest of the stable. Animals are part of the atmosphere.

The maximum rider weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for horse safety. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, babies under one year, people over 95, or pregnant people who have not first consulted a doctor.

Photos, clothing, and what to bring

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Photos, clothing, and what to bring

The guide can take photos with your phone during the ride. This is useful for solo visitors and couples who want more than a quick selfie. Staff members have also helped create posed photographs at the desert, beach, and water sections.

Some outings include access to a dedicated photographer, with photos available under the selected arrangement. Ask what is included in your exact booking before assuming a full professional photo package is part of the $17 price.

Wear long trousers and a breathable top. Long pants help prevent chafing, and closed, secure footwear is sensible for riding. Bring a change of clothes and a way to keep your phone dry if you choose swimming.

Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring water if permitted. The stable visit is active rather than a meal stop.

Is $17 good value?

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Is $17 good value?

At $17 per person, this is inexpensive for a guided ride that can include desert scenery, beach access, safety equipment, hotel transport from Hurghada, and help with photographs. The value is strongest if you choose a longer ride and use the included transfer.

That price does not include food or drinks. Transfers from nearby resort areas cost an extra €10 per person, and any dedicated photography arrangement should be checked before you arrive. Even with those additions, the outing can work well as a lower-cost alternative to a full-day boat or desert excursion.

Price should not be your only test here. A cheap horse ride is poor value if the horses look neglected or the staff rush nervous riders. The useful detail at Lucky Horses Stable is the attention given to matching horses and riders, providing helmets, and keeping guides close. You are paying for a simple outdoor activity, not luxury facilities.

Who should book this horse ride?

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Who should book this horse ride?

I would recommend it to couples wanting an unusual Hurghada date, families with children old enough to follow instructions, solo visitors who want a guided activity, and riders who miss horses while on holiday.

It is also a good bridge between a complete beginner and an experienced rider. Ask for ability-based grouping so each person gets a suitable pace. Families should tell the team the children’s ages and riding experience before the activity begins.

I would be more cautious if you dislike animals, have mobility problems, exceed the weight limit, or expect a long open gallop. The ride is guided and safety-led. That is a benefit for beginners, but it may feel restrained to a skilled rider hoping to ride freely for most of the time.

Practical booking advice

Choose the swimming option only if the sea conditions and date make it realistic. For a normal beach ride, the two-hour option gives the best balance of time and variety. For a cautious first attempt, start with 90 minutes.

Confirm pickup the day before and wait at the correct hotel entrance. If you are taking a taxi, save the stable location details and show your ticket on arrival, since several stables operate in the same area.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Hurghada plans depend on weather.

Should you book Lucky Horses Stable?

Book this if you want a friendly, low-cost horse outing with real desert and sea scenery, rather than a polished show. The staff support, horse matching, child safety equipment, and photo help make it especially suitable for beginners.

Choose the regular two-hour beach ride if riding time matters most. Choose swimming only after confirming the date and conditions, particularly from November onward. For most people who enjoy animals and want a relaxed break from the hotel strip, this is a worthwhile Hurghada activity at a modest price.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included from Hurghada?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay is available for an extra €10 per person.

Can complete beginners join the ride?

Yes. The activity is suitable for beginners and experienced riders. Horses are matched to ability, and guides provide instructions and close help. The pace can also be adjusted to suit the group.

When is swimming with the horses available?

Swimming is normally offered during the warmer season, with October 31 listed as the last regular day. From early November onward, it may be available only by prior agreement and if the temperature and sea conditions are suitable.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing, with long trousers recommended to reduce chafing. If you choose swimming, bring a change of clothes and protect your phone from water.

Are helmets and safety vests provided?

Helmets are provided, and children can use safety vests. The guides also give riding instructions and remain available during the outing.

What is the rider weight limit?

The maximum rider weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety. The activity is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, babies under one year, people over 95, or pregnant people who have not consulted a doctor.

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Where to ride next

Pick a coastline, a desert or a mountain trail.