Sharm El-Sheikh: 2-Hour Horse Ride Along Beach & Desert Trails

The best part of this Sharm El-Sheikh horseback ride is the change of scenery: you start among Sinai desert trails, then reach the Red Sea and ride your horse through the shallow sea water. That mix of sand, mountains, and surf gives the outing more variety than a simple riding-school loop.

I like the choice of timing, since a sunrise, morning, or sunset ride can suit very different holiday plans. I also like that hotel pickup, a helmet, and an instructor are included in the $40 price. The main caution is that this is an active outing, and the horse ride requires a moderate level of fitness. Add the separate $5 governmental fee to your budget.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride from desert to sea: The route takes you into the Sinai desert and onward to a Red Sea beach.
• Sea riding is included: You have the chance to take your horse through the clear coastal water.
• Choose your time: Sunrise, morning, or sunset departures are available.
• Guide Eslam may lead your ride: He is described as friendly and experienced with riding.
• Transport is covered: Pickup and return to your hotel are provided by air-conditioned bus or coach.
• Budget beyond the headline price: The ride costs $40 per person, plus a $5 governmental fee.

From Sharm El-Sheikh to the Edelweiss stables

Your outing begins with pickup from your hotel, unless you choose to meet at the designated starting point in Sharm El-Sheikh 2. The transfer is by air-conditioned bus or coach, which matters in South Sinai. You are not expected to arrange your own taxi to the riding center or figure out an unfamiliar route before the ride.

The destination is Edelweiss Equestrian Center. Once there, you receive a helmet and meet the instructor who guides the ride. The information provided does not specify how long the transfer takes, so keep some flexibility in your schedule rather than planning a tight connection afterward.

This first stage is practical rather than scenic, but it removes much of the usual holiday hassle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are especially useful if you are staying in one of Sharm El-Sheikh’s resort areas and do not have a car.

The group can reach a maximum of 20 people. That is not a private ride, and the pace and amount of individual attention can vary in a group of that size. Still, an instructor is included, and the ride is designed for people who want a guided outing rather than an independent desert trek.

Getting comfortable in the saddle

At the equestrian center, you are fitted with a helmet and introduced to your horse. The instructor provides riding guidance before the route heads into the desert. The supplied details do not state the riding level required, nor do they promise a particular gait or speed, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed gallop.

One personal detail does help set the tone. Guide Eslam is described as friendly and experienced with riding, and one horse, Fire, received especially warm praise for being fast and enjoyable. That does not mean every guest will ride Fire, or that the pace will be fast for everyone. It does suggest that the horses and guide can be part of the appeal for riders who already feel comfortable in the saddle.

You should be ready for a physically active two and a half hours. The official description calls for moderate physical fitness, which is a useful warning for anyone unused to riding. Sitting on a horse can look easy, but balance, leg pressure, and the repeated movement of the animal can leave you tired.

Wear clothing you can move in and shoes suitable for riding. The supplied tour details do not list a dress code, so the safest approach is practical clothing that can handle dust and possible water. Since the ride reaches the sea, protect anything you do not want wet.

The Sinai desert route

Once mounted, you head into the Sinai desert under the instructor’s direction. The desert section gives the ride its sense of space. You are not only circling a stable or passing through a fenced training area. You are moving through open desert surroundings, with the mountains forming an important part of the view.

The mountains were singled out as one of the most beautiful parts of the outing. That makes sense as a visual counterpoint to the coast. Sharm El-Sheikh is often sold through its sea and reefs, but this ride gives you a look inland, where dry ground and rugged mountain shapes define the setting.

The desert route also changes how you see the area. From a coach or resort, the Sinai can pass by as a distant backdrop. On horseback, you move at a slower pace and have time to notice the space around you. I like that this is a simple outdoor activity rather than a packed sightseeing program. The point is the ride itself, the horse, and the setting.

Still, it is important to keep expectations realistic. No exact desert route, mountain viewpoint, or riding speed is specified. The outing promises desert trails and coastal riding, not a named archaeological site or a long wilderness expedition. If you want a precise route with fixed stops, this may feel less structured than a sightseeing tour.

Reaching the Red Sea beach

The route continues to a beach beside the Red Sea. This is the moment that makes the trip more distinctive than a standard horseback ride. You get the chance to ride alongside the shore and take your horse through the sea water.

The contrast is strong: dry desert under the horse’s hooves, then the sound and movement of water around its legs. The clear coastal water and beach setting provide the most memorable part of the ride, especially for someone who has already spent time snorkeling or swimming in Sharm and wants to see the Red Sea from a different angle.

The description says you can ride through the sea, but it does not specify how deep the water gets or how long you remain in it. Do not assume this means a long swim with the horse. It is safer to think of it as a guided water ride along the beach, with the exact time and depth dependent on the conditions and the instructor.

You should also remember that horses do not all react the same way to water, and riders do not all feel equally steady once the ground changes. Follow the instructor’s directions closely. The sea section is a highlight, but it is not the place to ignore safety guidance or push for speed.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset?

You can tailor the ride to a sunrise, morning, or sunset departure. This is one of the most useful choices in the program because the light affects both comfort and scenery.

A sunrise ride may appeal if you want cooler conditions and softer light over the desert. It also lets you finish early and keep most of the day free. The supplied details do not promise a specific sunrise viewing point, so book it for the timing and atmosphere rather than a guaranteed spectacle.

A morning ride is a straightforward choice for people who prefer daylight and want to avoid a late return. It may also suit a family schedule, though the tour does not state a minimum age, so you should confirm that point before booking for a child.

A sunset outing offers the most obvious mood change, with the desert and coast taking on a different color as the day ends. The tradeoff is that you should leave room in your evening plans, since the full outing lasts about two hours and thirty minutes, including the riding program and transport arrangements.

The timing options are a real advantage, but availability can depend on the date. Select your preferred time when booking and confirm the pickup details rather than assuming every departure is offered every day.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is a reasonably focused way to combine desert scenery and a Red Sea beach. The price includes the horse ride, instructor, helmet, hotel pickup, and return transport. Those inclusions matter because transport and basic riding equipment can otherwise turn a low advertised price into a more expensive outing.

The separate $5 governmental fee per person is not included, so your practical cost is $45 per person before any optional extras. Food and drinks are also excluded, though the tour lasts about two and a half hours rather than a full day. Bring what you need for the outing instead of expecting a meal or refreshment stop.

Professional photographs are available at an additional cost. That may appeal to you if riding through the sea is a major holiday memory, but photography is not part of the basic package. Bring a phone only if you can keep it safe and dry, and do not expect to handle it freely while riding.

The value is strongest for someone who wants three things in one short activity: a guided horse ride, desert views, and access to the beach on horseback. It is less compelling if you are mainly looking for a long, technical riding session, a private instructor, or a full-day desert program. The group limit of 20 also means the $40 price buys a shared outing, not a private tour.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would consider this a good fit for a holidaymaker who wants an easy-to-arrange outdoor activity from Sharm El-Sheikh. The hotel transfer keeps the logistics simple, and the route offers more visual variety than a ride limited to the stable grounds.

It should suit riders with at least a moderate level of fitness who are comfortable spending time in the saddle. If you have never ridden before, the instructor can provide guidance, but the supplied information does not promise a beginner-only format or individual lessons.

The ride may also appeal to experienced riders who want a relaxed scenic outing rather than a formal equestrian session. Just keep your expectations measured. The details do not confirm advanced riding challenges, long gallops, or a particular horse for each participant.

I would be more cautious if you have mobility limits, significant balance concerns, or are uncomfortable around horses. The official guidance calls for moderate fitness, and the route includes desert ground and sea water. Ask the provider about suitability before paying if you are unsure.

Practical details that can change your day

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and pickup is offered from your accommodation. You can also use the designated meeting point in Sharm El-Sheikh 2, South Sinai Governorate. Make sure you know which option you selected, since a meeting-point booking and a hotel pickup require different morning plans.

The activity is near public transportation, though the included coach transfer is the simpler choice if it is available for your hotel. The maximum group size is 20 people. That gives you a clear idea of the scale, but not the exact number on your date.

The duration is listed as approximately two hours and thirty minutes, while the title describes a two-hour horse ride. For planning, use the longer figure. It is the safer estimate when arranging lunch, a spa booking, airport transfer, or another excursion.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. That policy is fairly clear, but check the local time carefully if you are booking from abroad.

Is the beach ride worth booking?

I would book this ride if you want a short, scenic introduction to horseback riding in Sharm El-Sheikh and the idea of taking a horse into the Red Sea appeals to you. The combination of desert, mountain views, and beach gives the outing a clear identity, while pickup and equipment keep the planning simple.

I would skip it if you want a private equestrian lesson, a guaranteed fast ride, or a detailed cultural tour of Sinai. The group may reach 20 people, the exact route is not specified, and the $5 governmental fee plus optional photographs raises the final cost.

For the best fit, choose your timing with care, allow the full two and a half hours, wear practical clothing, and treat the sea section as a guided scenic ride rather than a guaranteed swim. If that sounds like your kind of holiday memory, the $40 price is fair for the mix of transport, instruction, equipment, desert trails, and coastal riding.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes. The title refers to a two-hour ride, so allow the longer period when planning your day.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $40 per person. A separate governmental fee of $5 per person is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included by air-conditioned bus or coach. You may also choose to meet at the designated starting point in Sharm El-Sheikh 2.

What equipment is provided?

A helmet is provided. The horseback ride and instructor are also included.

Can I ride a horse through the sea?

Yes. The route reaches a Red Sea beach, where you have the opportunity to ride your horse through the sea water.

Can I choose a sunrise or sunset ride?

Yes. The available timing options include sunrise, morning, and sunset.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.