Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The desert changes after sunset. This Hurghada outing combines horse riding through mountain-framed valleys with a BBQ meal and an evening under the stars, giving you several very different experiences in one half-day trip. I like the well-organized flow, helpful riding guides, and the unusual chance to see the desert both in daylight and darkness. I also like the oasis setting, where you can stop for tea, eat dinner, and take a break between activities.

The main caution is the off-road jeep transfer. It can be rough and, according to one detailed account, very fast, with rear passengers riding without seat belts. The stargazing can also feel crowded when a large group shares only two telescopes, so this suits you best if you want a lively desert outing rather than a quiet private astronomy session.

Key points to know before booking

• One hour on horseback: Ride through desert valleys, stop for photos, and head to a hill or viewpoint for sunset.
• An oasis dinner stop: Arabian tea or coffee comes first, followed by rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• A spirited 17-kilometer jeep ride: The approach and return include off-road driving, which can be exciting but uncomfortable for some people.
• Stargazing with telescopes: A guide explains star groups and points out available targets, depending on the night’s sky calendar.
• Good support for first-time riders: Safety gear, a briefing, and close guidance help beginners feel more at ease.
• Strong value at $41: Hotel transport, riding, equipment, dinner, drinks, and stargazing are all included.

What this $41 desert evening actually includes

At $41 per person, this is priced as an affordable group excursion rather than a private desert ride. Your fee covers hotel pickup and return in Hurghada, the jeep transfer, guide services, riding equipment, one hour of horseback riding, Arabian tea or coffee, dinner with soft drinks, and the astronomy session.

That is a lot of activity for the price. You are not paying only for a short horse ride. You are also getting a sunset stop, a meal, transport into the desert, and an introduction to the night sky. If you paid separately for each part, the total would likely be less convenient and less predictable.

The trade-off is that the experience is built around a group schedule. The jeep, oasis, dinner, and telescopes are shared. I would book it for the variety and the value, not if you want a private guide, a slow meal, or unlimited telescope time.

Pickup, the meeting point, and the rough road out

Pickup begins according to your hotel’s location. From there, you go to a meeting point before taking a jeep roughly 17 kilometers into the desert. The trip can run from around 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., depending on pickup and return timing, so leave much of your afternoon and evening free.

The drive is part of the entertainment. Several people found the jeep safari exciting, and the route through the desert becomes especially memorable after dark. But the ride can also feel extreme. One detailed account describes speeds above 100 kilometers per hour and rear passengers without seat belts. That is a serious point to consider if you dislike fast driving, rough roads, or open-sided group transport.

Ask the organizer about seating and safety before departure if this worries you. The activity area is monitored by cameras and is described as following international health and safety standards, but those safeguards do not make a fast, bumpy transfer comfortable for everyone.

Communication appears to be straightforward. The organizer has used WhatsApp to confirm arrangements and has been described as responsive. Guides are available in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish, which is useful when the group includes several nationalities.

Tea, safety briefing, and meeting the horses

At the oasis, you receive Arabian tea or coffee before the activities begin. This gives you a moment to settle after the jeep ride and meet the guide who explains the schedule and safety rules.

You are fitted with riding gear before getting on a horse. The activity is suitable for beginners in the sense that first-time riders receive direct help with controlling the horse and staying comfortable. The guides adjust the riding style and speed to the ability and confidence of the group.

That last point matters. You should not expect a high-speed riding lesson or a free gallop across the desert. The pace depends on the least confident riders and on the guide’s safety judgment. This is a good arrangement for a first ride, families with older children, or anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery without feeling pressured.

Reports from the outing describe the horses as calm and well cared for. The guides also stay attentive, with some riders receiving individual help. If animal welfare is important to you, this is one of the more reassuring parts of the experience, although you should still ask questions directly if you have particular concerns.

One hour on horseback through desert valleys

The horse ride lasts about an hour and takes you between valleys in the desert. The mountains frame the route, and the open setting gives you a sense of distance that is hard to get around the resort area.

The scenery is the main reward. You can stop to rest and take photographs, and the route includes a hill or high point where you watch the sun go down. The changing light is especially effective here: pale desert ground, darker mountain shapes, and a low sun make a simple ride feel like a proper evening excursion.

You should dress for sun and dust. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. The desert can feel hotter than Hurghada’s hotel area, so do not judge conditions only by the temperature when you leave your resort.

A first ride can leave you sore, especially if you have not spent much time in a saddle. Wear practical clothing and shoes that stay secure. The experience does not include a promise of advanced riding or long stretches at a fast pace, so it is better for scenic riding than for experienced riders looking for a technical challenge.

The horses and guides are a major part of the value. Names heard during the activity include Adam, who received praise for his astronomy presentation, and Nasser, also called Marshmallow, who was described as a funny and engaging guide. The horse staff are praised for helping beginners learn the basics without making them feel foolish.

Sunset from a desert hill

The sunset stop gives the ride a clear purpose. Rather than staying near the oasis, you head out into the valleys and reach a higher point for the view. It is a simple idea, but it works because the desert gives you a wide, uncluttered horizon.

Bring your camera, but do not spend the entire stop looking through it. The best part is the silence and the color shift as the sun drops. After the photo stop, you ride back toward the oasis, usually on a shorter return route.

The timing depends on the season and the day’s schedule. If sunset is your priority, confirm the expected pickup time and sunset plan before you leave Hurghada. The activity is designed around the evening light, but exact conditions are never guaranteed.

Dinner at the oasis

After riding, you return to the oasis for dinner. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. The food is described as tasty and satisfying, though one account called it basic rather than elaborate.

That is the right expectation. This is a group BBQ dinner in the desert, not a restaurant tasting menu. You get a full plate after time outdoors, and that makes the meal feel useful as well as enjoyable. The tea or coffee at the beginning and soft drinks with dinner are included.

There is a practical warning about extra drinks. One person bought a smoothie and later reported stomach trouble, also noting that it was not cold. That does not prove the included food is unsafe, but I would stick to the provided meal and drinks unless you are confident about extras. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask before booking because the available information does not list substitutions.

The oasis itself helps break up the day. You can sit down, eat, and regain your energy before the final activity. It also gives you a different view of the desert, with a settled camp replacing the open valleys and sunset route.

Stargazing under a clear desert sky

The astronomy session begins after dinner. A guide explains star groups and points out objects that can be seen that night, depending on the calendar and conditions. On a clear evening, the lack of city light can make the sky the most memorable part of the trip.

The telescopes add something beyond ordinary sunset viewing. The equipment is used to look at available targets, which may include the moon, stars, or planets depending on the night. The experience is partly educational and partly visual, with the guide doing the pointing and explaining.

Set your expectations carefully. The group may be large. One account describes around 45 people sharing two telescopes, one used for the moon and one for a particular star or other target. That means you may need to wait, and you will not have private access to the equipment.

The guide can make a big difference. Nasser, known as Marshmallow, was praised for making the astronomy talk funny and engaging. Adam was also singled out for a strong presentation. You should expect a guided demonstration rather than an observatory-style session with detailed individual instruction.

The sky itself is free, of course, and that is part of the charm. Even if you only get a short look through the telescope, the desert darkness and the explanation of star groups still make this a worthwhile end to the evening. If telescope time is your main reason for booking, choose a smaller astronomy tour instead.

Safety, comfort, and who should skip it

The riding program includes equipment and a safety briefing, and speed is adjusted to the riders’ skill and comfort. That makes it suitable for many beginners, but you still need to be comfortable sitting on a horse for an hour and handling outdoor conditions.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. These rules are simple, but they matter because the outing includes animals, off-road driving, and uneven desert ground.

I would also think carefully about young children and anyone prone to motion sickness. The supplied information does not give a minimum riding age, but babies under one year are excluded, and the jeep ride can be rough and fast. Ask the provider about age and seating before paying if you are booking for a child.

The activity area is monitored by cameras and is described as meeting international health and safety standards. Still, comfort depends on the group, the driver, the weather, and your own tolerance for a long afternoon outdoors.

What to pack for the afternoon and night

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing. These are not optional extras in the desert. You will be exposed to sun during the ride and may notice a cooler feel once the sun has gone down.

Choose clothes that allow you to sit comfortably on a horse. Secure shoes are sensible, and a light extra layer may help after sunset. Keep your camera and phone protected from dust, and carry only what you need because you will move between jeep, horse, dinner, and astronomy areas.

You do not need to bring dinner or a telescope. Both are included, along with the riding gear and welcome drink. Alcohol is not permitted.

Should you book this Hurghada horse ride?

I would book this tour if you want a full desert evening with several activities and do not mind sharing the experience with a group. The strongest parts are the guided horse ride, the sunset viewpoint, the friendly staff, and the unusual switch from bright desert scenery to stars and planets after dinner.

I would skip it if you need a calm transfer, guaranteed seat belts, a private guide, or long telescope access. The jeep ride may be too aggressive for some people, and the astronomy portion can feel short when many people are waiting for two telescopes.

For $41, the package offers good value. You get transport, gear, a one-hour ride, food, drinks, and stargazing without arranging separate bookings. My practical advice is to book on a clear-weather evening, confirm the pickup details through WhatsApp, ask about jeep seating, and treat the telescope session as a bonus rather than the whole reason to go.

FAQ

How much does the horse ride and stargazing tour cost?

The price is $41 per person.

Where does the experience take place?

The tour takes place in the Red Sea Governorate, with pickup and drop-off in Hurghada.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada are included.

How long is the horse ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour.

Is the horse ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a safety briefing, riding gear, and guides who help first-time riders learn how to control the horse. The pace depends on the ability and comfort of the group.

What food is served at dinner?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Arabian tea or coffee is provided as a welcome drink, and cola is included with dinner.

Does the tour include a telescope?

Yes. The stargazing session uses professional telescopes to view targets available in the sky, depending on the calendar.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather.

Who cannot join this experience?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.