Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horseback Riding, Stargazing, Dinner, Show

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scenery. You ride around Makadi Bay, with the Red Sea resort area on one side and open desert surroundings on the other. Choose the riding-only option, or make it an evening program with sunset, stargazing, dinner, and a show.

I like two things here: the horses are described as gentle and well trained, and the guides adjust the ride for both beginners and more confident riders. The optional dinner and show also turn a short horseback outing into a fuller night out. The main drawback is that a family had to ask for riding helmets, so bring up safety gear before you set off.

Key points to know

• Makadi Bay setting: Ride in a Red Sea resort area known for sandy beaches, snorkeling, and coral reefs.
• Several ways to book: Pick horseback riding alone, or add stargazing, dinner, and a cultural show.
• Suitable for beginners: Guides can teach basic riding and may help confident beginners try a gentle trot.
• Family-friendly pace: Children aged 7 and 11 took part, though you should confirm suitability for your own child.
• Small time commitment: The full experience lasts about three hours, making it easy to fit into a Hurghada stay.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel pickup is offered, and the price includes transport, bottled water, and a horse for each person.

Riding horses beside Makadi Bay

This experience uses Makadi Bay as its setting, a resort town on the Red Sea Riviera south of Hurghada. The area is lined with hotels and spas, but the riding route gives you a different way to see it. Instead of spending the whole outing beside a pool or on a beach, you get a view from horseback, with the coast and desert forming the backdrop.

The exact route can vary, but the central activity is clear: you ride around Makadi Bay with a horse assigned to each person. That matters if you are booking as a couple or family, since nobody has to sit out while another person rides.

The Red Sea setting adds interest even if you are not taking part in the optional evening program. Makadi Bay is known for sandy beaches and underwater sites with coral reefs, caves, and marine life. This horseback outing does not include any water activity, but the bay helps place the ride within one of Hurghada’s best-known coastal areas.

I would not book this expecting a long-distance desert expedition. The tour lasts about three hours, and its appeal is the mix of horse riding and optional entertainment rather than a full-day riding trek. That shorter format works well if you want to try horseback riding without giving up an entire day.

What the horse ride is like for beginners

The tour is designed for all riding levels. If you have never ridden before, the guides are expected to explain the basics and stay close enough to help. The horses are described as gentle and well trained, which is important when you are learning how to sit, steer, and keep a steady pace.

The most useful detail for confident beginners is that one guide taught riders to trot a little. That does not mean every person will trot, and you should not assume it is guaranteed. It does show that the ride can offer more than a slow walk if your ability and comfort level allow it.

At the same time, the guides have a safety-first role. You can ask for a slower pace or extra help, and the ride can remain comfortable for a family group with mixed abilities. I like that flexibility more than a fixed program that pushes every rider to move at the same speed.

A practical point: ask about helmets before mounting. One family had to request them, although the request was accepted. Helmets are basic riding equipment, so I would make this part of your check-in conversation rather than wait for the guide to offer one.

Gentle horses and a family-friendly pace

The horse is the heart of the outing, and the condition and temperament of the animals matter more than the postcard setting. The horses are described as well behaved and happy to get out, which suggests the ride is built around dependable animals rather than speed or showy riding.

Families can take part, including children aged 7 and 11 according to the information available. Still, the listing only says most travelers can participate. It does not provide a minimum age rule, weight limit, or detailed riding requirement, so contact the provider if your child is very young or has no riding experience.

The guides are said to watch rider safety while still allowing people to ride as they wish within reason. That balance is useful. A nervous first-timer needs close support, while someone with previous riding experience may want a little more control and movement.

Do not confuse this with a private riding lesson. The focus is on enjoying the route around Makadi Bay, not on formal training. You may receive basic instruction and perhaps try a gentle trot, but the experience is best for people who want a relaxed recreational ride.

Choosing the sunset, stargazing, and dinner option

The sunset version adds a clear sense of occasion. As the sun drops over the Red Sea, the ride shifts into an evening program with stargazing, dinner, and a show. This is the choice I would make for a date night, a family evening, or a first visit to Hurghada when you want several activities in one booking.

Stargazing is led by an expert guide who explains the night sky. That gives the sky-watching a purpose beyond simply sitting outside after dark. You can expect an introduction to the stars and the basic mysteries of the night sky, though the available information does not specify the equipment used or the length of this part.

The desert setting should help create the right mood. At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. This is a three-hour combined activity, not a specialist astronomy trip. If you have come to Egypt mainly for serious stargazing, you may want a dedicated astronomy program. If you want an accessible night under the stars after riding, this option makes good sense.

The sunset timing also means the outing may feel less like a standard daytime horse ride. Light changes quickly around the Red Sea, and the combination of open desert, horses, and evening sky gives the experience its strongest character.

Dinner with local and international choices

Dinner follows the ride and stargazing on the evening option. The meal includes local and international dishes, which is a practical choice for a mixed group. You can try Egyptian flavors without forcing the whole family to eat unfamiliar food.

The information does not provide a menu, details about drinks, or special-diet arrangements. If you have allergies or dietary needs, ask the provider before booking. Do not assume that every preference is covered simply because both local and international food are offered.

I see the dinner as part of the value rather than the main reason to book. It gives the evening structure and saves you from arranging a separate meal after the ride. The quality and range can vary, so I would choose this tour for the complete night rather than for a gourmet dining experience.

The meal also helps the tour work for non-riders in a group, though the information says there is a horse for each person and presents the program as a riding experience. If someone in your party does not want to ride, confirm the arrangements before paying.

The Egyptian show after dark

The night ends with a show celebrating Egyptian culture. This gives the tour a clear finish and adds a performance element to the evening. For a first trip to Egypt, it can be a simple way to include music, dance, or other cultural presentation without planning another night out.

The details do not say what type of show is presented or how long it lasts. I would treat it as a general cultural performance, not a specialist theater production. That distinction helps set the right expectation.

The show is also one reason the evening package may appeal to families. After the ride, everyone can settle in for food and entertainment rather than needing to keep moving from place to place. Couples may prefer the sunset and stars, while solo visitors can enjoy a ready-made evening with transport included.

If your main goal is riding, book the riding-only version if available. Paying for dinner and a show makes sense only if you want the full program.

Price and what you receive for $41.34

At $41.34 per person, this is a reasonable package if you choose the version that includes riding, dinner, stargazing, and the show. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and one horse per person. Pickup is offered, which can remove the cost and hassle of arranging transport from your hotel.

The value depends on the option you select. For riding alone, the price should be judged mainly against the length of the ride, the quality of the horses, and the care provided by the guides. For the evening program, you are also paying for the meal, astronomy presentation, and cultural show, making the combined package easier to justify.

Tips and extras are not included. Keep some cash available for tipping, since it is customary to recognize good help from guides and drivers. The information does not list other possible costs, so ask what is covered if you are offered additions on site.

The tour is often booked 27 days ahead on average. That does not guarantee it will sell out, but it is a useful sign that you should reserve early if your Hurghada dates are fixed, especially for a family group.

Transport, timing, and group size

The experience lasts about three hours. That is long enough for a ride plus the evening additions, but short enough to fit around a beach day, a hotel stay, or another Hurghada activity.

An air-conditioned vehicle is included, and pickup is offered. This is especially useful in Hurghada, where resorts are spread along the coast and a simple transfer can make a short activity much easier. Confirm your pickup point and time at booking, since one driver was reported to be late even though the full tour time was maintained.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is a high possible limit, so do not assume you will receive a private or intimate outing. A large group can mean more waiting at the start, during horse assignment, or before dinner and the show.

On the other hand, a larger group may suit families and social visitors who prefer a planned activity rather than a quiet private ride. If you want a personal pace or one-to-one riding instruction, ask the provider about group arrangements before you commit.

Who should book this Makadi Bay experience

I would recommend this outing to first-time riders, families, couples, and solo visitors who want several easy activities combined into one evening. It is also a good fit if you are staying in the Hurghada area and want a break from hotel pools and beach time.

Beginners have the most to gain because the horses are gentle and the guides can provide support. Riders with some experience may enjoy the chance to trot a little, but this is not presented as a technical ride or a fast desert session.

The sunset package is best for people who want variety. You get horses, open-air scenery, stargazing, food, and a cultural performance without arranging each part separately. The riding-only option makes more sense if you are focused on the horses or have limited time.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed helmet, have strict dietary requirements, or want a very small group. Those concerns are not deal breakers, but you should confirm the details before booking.

Booking and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Pickup is offered, so keep your booking details available when arranging the transfer.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since the activity depends on good weather, poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

That policy is fair but firm. If the weather looks uncertain, make your decision early rather than waiting until the last day. Cut-off times use local Hurghada time.

Should you book this horse ride in Hurghada?

Book it if you want a short, easy-to-arrange Red Sea outing that combines horseback riding with an evening meal and entertainment. The gentle horses, flexible pace, included transport, and support for beginners make it approachable, while the sunset and stars give it more atmosphere than a simple daytime ride.

Choose the riding-only option if horses are your main interest. Choose the full evening if you value convenience and want dinner and a cultural show included. Before booking, confirm helmet availability, pickup timing, dietary needs, and the exact program you are selecting.

At $41.34, the experience offers solid value when you use the whole package. It is not the right choice for a serious equestrian session or a private desert adventure, but for families, couples, and first-time riders, it is a practical way to see another side of Makadi Bay.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The horse ride takes place around Makadi Bay near Hurghada, on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is a horse provided for each person?

Yes. The inclusions specify one horse for each person.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The experience is designed for all riding levels, including beginners, and most people can participate.

Are dinner, stargazing, and the show included in every option?

The experience offers a riding-only choice and an enhanced option with stargazing, dinner, and a show. Check which version you select when booking.

What is included in the price?

The listed inclusions are an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a horse for each person. Tips and other extras are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.