Horse Riding 3 Hours Beach, Desert, & Swimming By Horse in red sea – Hurghada

Feel the Red Sea from horseback. This Hurghada outing combines a desert ride, a beach ride, and a swim with a horse for about $22 per person, with hotel pickup included. I like the unusual three-part route and the guides’ knack for taking photos. The main concern is horse welfare, since several accounts describe very thin or poorly treated horses.

You get more than a standard beach hack here. The ride includes one hour in the desert, one hour beside the beach, and one hour in the Red Sea, plus water, tea or coffee, and an air-conditioned transfer. Still, you should confirm the extra cash charges, helmet availability, and the horses’ condition before mounting.

The experience is rated 4.7 out of 5, with 93 percent recommending it. Guides such as Karim, Mohammed, Abdul, and Abd El Rahim receive warm praise for their humor, patience, and photography. Yet the serious welfare complaints mean this is not a blind recommendation.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different riding settings: You spend one hour in the desert, one hour along the beach, and one hour in the Red Sea.
• The photos are a major part of the fun: Guides often take pictures and videos, help with poses, and look for memorable angles.
• Hotel transfers are included from Hurghada: Pickup and drop-off come in an air-conditioned vehicle, reducing the hassle of reaching the stables.
• The advertised price is not the final cost for everyone: Government taxes and VAT add €10 per person in cash, with another €10 transfer charge for some resort areas.
• Horse welfare needs your attention: Most feedback praises healthy, well-cared-for horses, but several serious complaints describe skinny horses, saddle injuries, and poor treatment.
• This is a physically active outing: You need a moderate fitness level, and three hours in the saddle can feel long in the Egyptian heat.

Three hours, three settings, one unusual Hurghada outing

The appeal is simple: few ordinary riding excursions let you move from desert to beach to sea in one booking. The route gives you a good range of scenery without asking you to plan several separate activities.

The ride itself lasts about three hours, while the full experience takes roughly four hours once hotel transfers and preparation are included. That distinction matters. If you have a tightly packed Hurghada schedule, leave more than three hours free.

You are not simply sitting on a horse for a short photo opportunity. The stated plan gives you about one hour in each setting. That makes the price attractive, especially if your booking remains close to $22 and you are staying within the standard Hurghada pickup area.

The catch is that the experience may not feel luxurious or polished. Group size can reach 15 people, and the standard of care appears to depend heavily on the staff working that day. I would book it for the unusual route and the seaside photos, but I would arrive ready to ask questions.

Starting in the desert, where the ride finds its rhythm

The desert section is scheduled for one hour. It gives you a quiet, open setting to get used to the horse before the beach and sea portions.

Pre-ride coaching is included, and horse trainers are supposed to assist throughout the ride. That is useful for first-time riders, especially because the tour is promoted as family-friendly and suitable for children.

Several accounts describe the horses as calm and the ride as manageable for beginners. One person specifically called it an easy ride for first-timers. Guides also received credit for adjusting the pace, including walking, trotting, and galloping when appropriate.

You should not assume that every rider will be offered the same pace. If you are new to horses, tell the guide clearly. If you are experienced, explain what you are comfortable doing before the group leaves. The best accounts describe guides asking what riders wanted and tailoring the outing around those preferences.

The desert is also where you can judge the horse and equipment before the more unusual part begins. Look at the horse’s general condition, the saddle fit, and whether the animal seems alert and comfortable. If something looks wrong, raise it before setting off.

Along the beach, with the Red Sea in view

The second hour takes place on or beside the beach. This section adds the open-water setting that makes the trip more than a standard desert ride.

The beach portion appears to be a favorite for photographs. The combination of sand, horses, and Red Sea views gives the guides plenty to work with, and several praised their ability to take photos and videos from different angles.

Mohammed is described as energetic and good with a camera. Abd El Rahim is praised for his humor and creative poses, while Karim received a specific compliment for being an excellent guide. You may get a guide who treats the photo session as part of the activity rather than an afterthought.

That said, the ride is not necessarily a private photo shoot. One family of six had a particularly good experience, while other accounts describe larger arrangements. A maximum of 15 people is stated, so expect the pace and photo time to vary with the group.

The heat is another practical factor. Three hours on horseback is a long time for some riders, particularly in full sun. One account noted that the water portion was welcome because the ride could otherwise feel too hot. Bring sun protection and take the offered water seriously.

Swimming with the horse in the Red Sea

The final hour is the most memorable part and also the section that needs the most careful preparation. You ride into the Red Sea with the horse, apparently using bareback riding for the water portion.

For many people, this is the reason to choose the excursion. A horse entering the sea beside you makes for striking photographs, and several accounts describe the water ride as the highlight. One person called bareback riding in the Red Sea awesome, while another noted that riding and swimming with the horse was not as easy as expected.

Getting on for the water segment may require extra help. One account describes using an old upside-down boat as a step to mount the horse. That detail tells you the process may be practical rather than elegant. If you have limited mobility or find mounting difficult, tell the staff before the ride begins.

You should also ask exactly how the water section works. The description calls it one hour of swimming with the horse, but that does not necessarily mean the horse swims continuously for a full hour. The sea portion may include entering the water, riding in shallow water, and spending time on or beside the horse.

Follow the guide’s instructions closely. Do not push for speed or deeper water if you are uneasy. One account praised a guide for letting the riders choose between walking, trotting, galloping, and entering the sea. That sort of communication is what you want here.

The photo service adds real value

The strongest repeated praise concerns the guides, especially their photographs. Several guides are described as friendly, funny, attentive, and willing to take pictures throughout the ride.

This matters because the setting is highly visual, but you cannot safely take many pictures while controlling a horse. A guide who knows how to position the horse and rider can turn a simple outing into a useful holiday record.

Expect poses, short videos, and pictures from different angles. Abd El Rahim is singled out for creative photos, and another guide helped a rider pose in ways that suited her interest in photography.

The service may not be identical on every departure. If photographs matter to you, say so at the start. Also ask how and when the images will be provided, since the supplied details do not specify a delivery method or whether any photo charge applies.

Horse welfare is the issue you should not brush aside

I would not skip this part. Most of the positive feedback describes horses as beautiful, strong, healthy, well behaved, and cared for. One account said the horses appeared well looked after, while another said the guides seemed to care about their welfare.

But several serious complaints describe the horses as skinny, with visible bones, sunken backs, and damaged skin from saddles. One person left before riding after seeing the horses and reported the experience as animal cruelty. Another said a guide’s horse was bleeding and that helmets were not provided while riders were asked to gallop.

These are not minor complaints. They conflict sharply with the positive descriptions, which means conditions may vary by date, horse, staff member, or personal judgment. The information provided does not resolve that conflict.

You can make a responsible decision on arrival:

• Check that the horse has a healthy-looking body and no obvious open wounds.
• Look for saddle sores, bleeding, or severe skin irritation.
• Confirm that the horse is properly matched to your size and weight.
• Ask for a helmet before riding.
• Do not gallop if the helmet is unavailable or the tack appears unsafe.
• Refuse to ride if you believe the horse is unfit.

The activity requires a disclaimer for damage and personal injury, but signing a form does not remove the operator’s duty to provide reasonable safety and proper animal care. A low price is not a good bargain if the animals are suffering.

Safety, fitness, and comfort

A helmet is listed as included for every rider. Because one account specifically says helmets were not provided, confirm this at the stable before you mount. I would treat a helmet as essential, particularly if the guide suggests a faster pace.

The tour is child-appropriate, but the information does not give a minimum age, height limit, or weight limit. Ask the provider for those details if you are booking for a child or larger adult.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Mounting, sitting in a saddle for three hours, and getting on for the sea portion all require some strength and flexibility. The staff may help you mount, but you should not rely on assistance to overcome a major mobility issue.

Wear clothing that can handle sand and salt water. You should expect to get wet during the Red Sea section. Bring whatever personal sun protection you normally use, and keep valuables to a minimum.

Service animals are allowed according to the booking information. The group can contain up to 15 people, so tell the provider in advance if you need a particular arrangement.

Transfers and the true price

At $22 per person, the basic price is unusually low for a three-hour activity with hotel transfers and refreshments. I see the strongest value for someone who wants a memorable photo experience and a short taste of several Hurghada settings without paying for separate excursions.

The price needs a closer look, though. Government taxes and value-added taxes are listed as €10 per person, payable in cash on the spot. That is a significant addition to a $22 booking.

A further €10 per person transfer fee applies to pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh. Standard Hurghada hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but your exact hotel matters.

Water, coffee, and tea are included in the stated plan. One person said no drinks were offered, so I would carry water and confirm the refreshments when you arrive. The air-conditioned vehicle is a useful inclusion in Hurghada’s heat, especially for the return trip.

The operator, Delight Trips, offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Canceling within 24 hours or changing the booking during that period does not qualify for a refund.

Who will enjoy this most

I think this suits a first-time rider who wants scenery, photos, and a memorable story more than a technical riding lesson. You get coaching, staff assistance, and a route that changes often enough to keep the outing interesting.

It also suits couples, families, and friends who want something different from snorkeling, quad biking, or a standard beach day. The family of six had a good time, and the child-friendly policy makes it possible for parents to consider.

Experienced riders may enjoy it if they want a relaxed ride with desert and sea scenery. You should set realistic expectations, though. This is a guided holiday outing, not a serious equestrian trek or a lesson in advanced riding.

I would be cautious if animal welfare is a central concern for you, if you are uncomfortable with bareback riding, or if you need firm guarantees about helmet use and horse condition. The positive accounts are enthusiastic, but the negative welfare reports deserve serious weight.

Should you book this Hurghada horse ride?

Book it if the combination of desert, beach, sea, and photography sounds worth the uncertainty around a basic stable setup. The price is appealing, the route is unusual, and the guides are often praised for being friendly, flexible, and helpful with photos.

Before paying or mounting, confirm the total cost, pickup area, helmet provision, horse size, and the condition of the animals. If you see a horse that appears underfed, injured, or badly saddled, do not ride it. Ask for an alternative or leave.

My verdict is cautious approval for the right person: a memorable, good-value experience when the horses and safety standards are in good order, but not one I would book without checking those points first.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding experience last?

The full activity takes about four hours, including transfers and preparation. The horse riding itself is advertised as three hours, split between the desert, beach, and Red Sea.

What does the three-hour riding itinerary include?

It includes one hour of riding in the desert, one hour on the beach, and one hour swimming with a horse in the Red Sea.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. An additional €10 per person transfer fee applies to El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh.

Are helmets provided?

A helmet is listed as included for each rider. Since one account reported that helmets were not provided, confirm availability at the stable before riding.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The activity is described as child-appropriate and family-friendly. The provided details do not state a minimum age, so confirm age requirements before booking for a child.

Are drinks included?

Coffee or tea and water are listed as included. One account said refreshments were not offered, so carry water and confirm the arrangements when you arrive.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.