Review · HURGHADA

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada

4.0 · 223 reviews From $14 Operated by Delight Trips · Bookable on Viator
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The sea ride is the unforgettable part. This Hurghada excursion combines two very different settings, an hour around the beach and an hour in the desert, with hotel pickup, an instructor, helmets, and water or tea included. I like the chance to ride an Egyptian horse into the Red Sea, and I like that guides such as Ahmed and Mohammad are praised for helping nervous beginners. The main caution is that the advertised timing may not match the ride you receive, especially in the water.

The price is a striking $14 per person, though you should add the stated €10 per person in government and value-added taxes, plus another €10 per person if you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. I also think you should inspect the horses and clarify the route before mounting, since reports range from caring, well-behaved animals to concerns about horses looking thin or poorly cared for.

Key points to know before booking

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Key points to know before booking

  • Sea riding is mainly a photo opportunity for some groups: The advertised beach hour does not always mean a full hour in the water.
  • The desert section is usually the longer ride: You may spend around an hour there, with some rides allowing faster movement.
  • Ahmed and Mohammad receive strong praise: Both guides are described as patient, helpful, and good at adjusting to nervous or inexperienced riders.
  • The total outing lasts about three hours: That includes hotel transfers, preparation, and riding time.
  • The real price is higher than $14: Add €10 per person in listed taxes, with a further €10 per person for several resort areas.
  • Horse welfare deserves your attention: Most accounts describe gentle, well-behaved horses, but some raise serious concerns about thin animals, sores, and limited water.

Leaving Hurghada by air-conditioned transfer

The outing begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Transfers are included for Hurghada hotels, and the tour is listed at roughly three hours from pickup to return, though the exact rhythm depends on your hotel, group, and time spent getting ready.

This transfer is useful because the riding area is not simply outside your hotel door. You do not need to arrange a taxi or negotiate with a driver at the stable. That convenience matters in Hurghada, especially if you are traveling with children or carrying belongings for a half-day excursion.

The transfer can also eat into the advertised schedule. A private ride from Soma Bay was reported to take about 30 minutes each way, and one private booking lasted about two hours in total, including transportation. If you are staying outside central Hurghada, ask exactly how much time you will spend at the stable and on horseback.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the group, but it does not guarantee a private ride. A private experience can happen if only you and your companion book that departure, as one couple found, but you should not assume that in advance.

More Desert Horse Riding in Egypt

Getting comfortable with the horse and equipment

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Getting comfortable with the horse and equipment

At the stable, you receive a horse and safety equipment, including a helmet. A professional instructor is meant to provide guidance before the ride and assistance during it. That makes this a possible first horseback outing, though I would not treat it as a completely effortless beginner activity.

Several riders who had not been on a horse for years, or had never ridden before, found the guides encouraging. Ahmed is specifically praised for staying close to a nervous rider until confidence improved. Mohammad is also described as explaining things clearly and helping whenever needed.

Still, riding a horse in open desert and shallow sea water is more demanding than sitting on a guided pony around a small paddock. Some riders were comfortable with the horses moving faster, while others found the running section a little dangerous. If you are new to riding, tell the instructor plainly before you set off. Ask for a slow pace and do not feel pressured to join any faster movement.

You should also expect a sore backside if you are not used to a saddle. One first-time rider loved the experience but was left with the predictable souvenir of a sore bum. Comfortable trousers, closed shoes, and clothing you do not mind getting wet are sensible choices, though the supplied information does not specify a formal dress code.

The desert hour and the changing pace

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - The desert hour and the changing pace

The desert ride gives you the broadest stretch of riding. Instead of walking around a compact stable area, you move through Hurghada’s dry inland terrain with the guide leading the way. This is the part of the excursion that feels most like a proper outing rather than a short photo stop.

The horses generally follow the guide, which makes the route easier for beginners. You can still control turns and brakes, according to one detailed account, but your level of control will depend on your riding ability and the horse assigned to you.

The faster sections need a clear conversation beforehand. Some people enjoyed the hopa hopa, a quicker horse movement that added excitement. Others felt that the running was risky. If you have not ridden recently, start slowly and ask the instructor to keep you at a walking pace until you are settled.

The desert setting also puts horse condition into sharper focus. Positive accounts describe gentle, friendly horses that followed directions well. Other accounts describe animals that looked underweight, showed visible bones, or had sores. Those are serious concerns, not minor differences in taste.

I would take a moment before riding to look at the horse assigned to you. Check that it appears alert, has access to water, and is not showing obvious sores or signs of distress. If something looks wrong, raise it before the ride begins. A low price is not a reason to ignore animal welfare.

Riding into the Red Sea

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Riding into the Red Sea

The sea section is the reason many people choose this tour. Riding a horse along the beach is already unusual; entering the water creates the memorable image that makes this activity easy to remember and easy to photograph.

The supplied itinerary presents the beach riding as one hour. In practice, the water portion may be much shorter. One family spent about 15 to 20 minutes in the sea, while another account described the sea activity as little more than a photo session. Another ride reportedly spent about 1.5 hours in the desert and only a brief time at the water.

That does not make the sea stop worthless. Even a short ride into the water can be a special moment, especially if you have never ridden a horse in the sea. It does mean you should book this for the unusual photo and experience, not on the assumption that you will spend a full hour swimming or walking through the Red Sea.

The water can also make beginners nervous. One first-time rider was frightened at first but felt supported by Ahmed. Follow the guide’s instructions closely, keep your balance, and tell the instructor if you are uncomfortable. Do not assume that a helmet removes every risk. The tour requires you to sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury, and pregnant women are not permitted to ride.

The photos may be one of the best parts of the outing. Guides are praised for offering to take pictures and helping create memorable shots. If your phone is not waterproof, keep it protected until you are safely back on shore.

What the guides add to the experience

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - What the guides add to the experience

The instructor can make or break a horseback tour, especially when the group includes children, beginners, and confident riders together. Ahmed receives repeated praise for patience, safety, and his ability to notice when someone needs extra support. Mohammad is praised for being friendly, entertaining, and clear with instructions.

That personal help matters more here than on a simple beach walk. You need someone to manage the horses, keep the group together, explain how to slow down, and judge when a rider is ready for a quicker pace.

Communication is not always perfect. One rider felt that a language barrier made it difficult to explain their concerns. You can reduce that problem by using short, direct requests: slow, stop, nervous, no running, or help. Pointing to the pace you want may work better than trying to explain a long concern while mounted.

The guides also appear to handle family groups well. A family with two young children found the staff friendly and helpful. Still, children need close supervision, and parents should ask how the ride will be adapted for their age and riding ability.

Price, extra charges, and overall value

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Price, extra charges, and overall value

At $14 per person, the basic price is unusually low for an excursion that includes pickup, a vehicle, two riding settings, equipment, an instructor, water, and tea. If the full promised riding time is delivered, it can be excellent value.

The extra charges change the calculation. The stated government and value-added taxes cost €10 per person in cash. If you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, the transfer costs another €10 per person in cash on the spot. For two people, those additions can make the final price much higher than the advertised headline amount.

I would confirm the final cost before booking, and again before pickup. One unhappy booking involved discovering the €10 charge on arrival. Even if the fee is listed in the tour details, surprise cash charges can sour an otherwise enjoyable afternoon.

Value also depends on the riding time you receive. If your group gets a full desert ride, a worthwhile water entry, good instruction, and a smooth transfer, the outing is hard to fault at this price. If the sea portion lasts only long enough for a picture and much of the ride involves sidewalks, roads, or waiting, the bargain becomes less convincing.

Safety, traffic, and horse care

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Safety, traffic, and horse care

Safety is a mixed part of the experience. Helmets are provided, an instructor joins the ride, and many accounts describe the activity as safe and comfortable. The guide’s attention appears especially valuable for beginners and nervous riders.

But one account describes walking horses through a commercial area, along sidewalks, and across busy roads. That is not the peaceful desert ride many people picture. If the route begins near developed areas, traffic may be part of the experience before you reach the open terrain.

The tour also requires a signed disclaimer for damage and personal injury. That is normal for an activity involving animals, but it is a reminder to take the risks seriously. Children can participate, yet the data does not give a minimum age or height, so parents should ask before booking.

Horse welfare is the biggest question I would not brush aside. Some people describe friendly horses that appear well cared for. Others report thin horses, visible bones, sores, or horses tied in the sun without water. These accounts conflict sharply.

You can make a more responsible choice by observing the stable before you ride. Look for water, shade, clean tack, and horses that appear able and willing to move. If the horse looks injured or unwell, ask for another horse or decline the ride. The provider is Delight Trips, and the booking information gives you a contact point if you need to raise a concern.

Who should book this Hurghada horse ride?

Horse Riding Tour 2 Hours on Sea And Desert & Transfer -Hurghada - Who should book this Hurghada horse ride?

I think this suits you if you want an inexpensive, unusual outing and you are comfortable with a simple, locally run operation. It is especially appealing if the idea of riding into the sea matters more to you than polished facilities or a tightly timed program.

It can work for families, couples, solo riders, and adventurous beginners. The guides have helped nervous riders build confidence, and helmets and instruction are included. A private departure may also be possible, though it is not guaranteed.

I would be more cautious if you expect a full hour in the water, a luxury stable, a quiet beach route from start to finish, or precise scheduling. Experienced riders may enjoy the chance to go faster, but should still ask what pace the guide will allow.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans might change. Cancellation is free with a full refund when made at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the image of an Egyptian horse stepping into the Red Sea makes you smile, and if you can accept a basic setup with variable timing. The combination of desert riding, beach scenery, hotel transport, and patient guides offers a lot for the money.

I would confirm three things first: the final price including cash charges, the expected time in the sea, and the stable’s current horse-care conditions. If those answers are clear and satisfactory, this can be a memorable Hurghada excursion. If animal welfare or a full, carefully timed two-hour ride is your priority, choose a provider that gives stronger detail about horse care and exact riding times.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including hotel pickup, transfer, preparation, and the ride. The advertised riding program includes one hour by the beach and one hour in the desert, but the actual timing may vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included for the main Hurghada service area.

Is horse riding in the sea included?

Yes. The activity includes beach riding and is promoted as a chance to ride into the sea. The actual time in the water can be much shorter than one hour.

Are helmets and an instructor provided?

Yes. A helmet and safety equipment are provided, and a professional instructor assists before and during the ride.

Can beginners and children participate?

The tour is child appropriate, and most travelers can participate. Beginners have received help from the guides, but you should tell the instructor if you are nervous or want to maintain a slow pace.

Are there extra charges?

Yes. The listed government and value-added taxes cost €10 per person in cash. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person in cash.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

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