Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

Horseback riding meets the Red Sea. This three-hour Hurghada outing takes you from golden desert sands to the coast, then into the clear seawater on an Egyptian horse. I like the unusual mix of desert riding and horse swimming, plus the fact that a trainer stays with you to help beginners. The main consideration is that the exact riding time can vary, since similar horse tours in Hurghada often run from one to two hours within the wider three-hour experience.

I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, an air-conditioned transfer, bottled water or a soft drink, a guide, and a helmet are included for $29 per person. The ride is private to your group, which should make the pace more comfortable than a large shared outing. Still, you should be ready for a hands-on activity in sand and water, not a passive sightseeing trip.

Key points at a glance

• Desert to sea in one ride: Follow the coastline with desert on one side and the Red Sea on the other.
• Horse swimming included: The unusual highlight is guiding your horse into the sea, an experience not found on most ordinary beach rides.
• Suitable for beginners: An expert trainer provides help and instructions, and helmets are supplied.
• Private group setting: Only your own group takes part in the activity.
• Easy Hurghada logistics: Hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, and a drink are included.
• Strong value at $29: The price covers transport and the ride, though extra transfer charges apply from some resort areas.

Starting with hotel pickup in Hurghada

The experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. You are transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Egypt, especially when you are heading out for an active morning or afternoon in the sun.

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, so you do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the riding site. That makes this a useful choice if you are staying in Hurghada and want a simple half-day plan rather than a complicated meeting-point arrangement.

Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay cost an additional $10 per person. The same $10 charge applies to pickups from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh. Check your hotel area before booking, since the advertised $29 price does not cover those extra transfer fees.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity is offered as a private experience for your group. That does not necessarily mean a private vehicle or a private guide in every stage, but it does mean the riding group is limited to your own party according to the supplied details.

Meeting the Egyptian horses and trainer

The ride uses Egyptian horses, giving the experience a local character beyond simply riding along a resort beach. The horses are described as well cared for, which is important when you are choosing an animal-based activity.

A trainer accompanies you and helps guide the ride. This is especially useful if you have never ridden before, feel uncertain around horses, or have only ridden occasionally. You should still listen closely to the instructions and follow the guide’s directions, particularly before entering the sea.

Helmets are provided for all riders. That is a basic but important safety feature, and you should wear yours throughout the ride as instructed.

The activity is described as suitable for most participants, including beginners. That does not mean every rider will find it effortless. Horseback riding uses balance and leg strength, and the combination of sand, movement, and water may feel more demanding than a short walk on a firm beach.

Riding across the desert sands

The first major part of the experience takes you across the desert. The golden sand gives you a very different setting from the usual hotel pool or boat excursion.

The guide can provide information about the surrounding area, its history, and the horses. This adds context to the ride, though the supplied information does not promise a long cultural talk or a formal historical tour. Think of the commentary as part of the guided activity rather than the main attraction.

The desert section also gives you time to settle into the saddle. Beginners can focus on basic instructions, steering, and keeping a comfortable position before the ride reaches the coast. Experienced riders may enjoy the chance to move at a livelier pace when conditions and the guide allow it.

One review describes galloping on the beach as part of the experience, along with swimming with the horses. That suggests the ride can include some energetic moments, but you should not assume that every rider will gallop. The pace depends on the guide, the horses, the group, and your riding ability.

If you want a quiet, slow ride with no change of pace, this may not be the best match. If you like a little excitement and want more than a basic walking tour, the combination of desert sand and beach riding is the stronger reason to book.

Following the Red Sea coastline

The transition from desert to coast is the visual heart of the outing. You ride with the sea on one side and the desert on the other, a simple setting that makes the experience feel distinctly Hurghada.

Beach riding can be more memorable than a standard trail ride because the scenery keeps changing. You may have open sand under the horse’s feet, the Red Sea beside you, and the dry desert stretching inland. The contrast gives the ride its sense of place.

The available information does not specify the precise beach, departure time, riding distance, or exact order of every section. Conditions can affect how long you spend in the desert, on the beach, or in the water. It is sensible to treat the schedule as flexible within the approximately three-hour outing.

The experience may also vary by riding ability. A confident rider might have the chance to move faster, while a beginner may spend more time walking and receiving guidance. That is not a flaw. It is the practical way to keep a mixed-ability group safe and comfortable.

Swimming with the horses in the Red Sea

The rare feature here is entering the Red Sea with your horse. For many people, this will be the moment that separates the outing from an ordinary horseback ride.

Swimming with horses requires following the trainer’s instructions carefully. You should expect to get wet and should plan your clothing accordingly. The supplied details confirm the sea-swimming element, but they do not specify how far into the water you go, how long the swim lasts, or whether every rider must take part.

That distinction matters. If you are excited by the idea, confirm the water portion with the provider before your ride. If you are uncomfortable in the sea or do not want to get wet, ask how you can remain on the beach while the activity continues.

A review of the experience describes swimming with the horses as part of a day that also included desert and beach riding. The same account praises the horses’ care and identifies Karim as an excellent guide. That gives you a useful name to look for or request when confirming arrangements, although guide assignments can change.

The water section is also where safety instructions matter most. Stay with the guide, follow directions, and do not try to push a horse or yourself beyond your comfort level. The point is to enjoy an unusual setting, not to turn a guided ride into a test of courage.

How much time you really get in the saddle

The advertised experience lasts about three hours, including the transfer and activity structure. The supplied description notes that horseback riding tours in Hurghada often range from one to two hours, with some longer options available.

That means you should not assume you will spend all three hours riding continuously. Part of the time may be used for hotel pickup, transport, meeting the horses, instructions, changing pace, and moving between the desert, beach, and sea.

For a first-time rider, that can be a benefit. A full three-hour saddle session might feel tiring, while a shorter riding period within a half-day outing is easier to manage.

For experienced riders looking for a long trail ride, the duration may feel modest. At $29, though, the appeal is not simply the number of riding minutes. You are paying for a combined experience with transport, a guide, the coastal setting, and the unusual sea portion.

What the $29 price includes

At $29 per person, this is a low-cost way to add an active excursion to a Hurghada stay. The value is strongest if you make use of the full package rather than comparing the price only with a basic riding lesson.

Included items are:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned transfers
• Horseback riding
• A guide
• Bottled water or a soft drink
• Safety helmets

The private group format adds value for families, couples, or small parties that want to stay together. You do not have to join a large public riding group according to the supplied information.

Extra costs are limited in the details provided. Personal expenses and tips are not included. The listed resort-area transfers cost $10 per person, so calculate the real price based on your hotel location.

There are also group discounts available, although the discount amount is not specified. If you are booking for several people, ask for the current group rate instead of assuming the per-person price will remain unchanged.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a short, active outing with several settings in one trip. It suits people who like horses, open-air activities, beach scenery, and a bit of novelty.

Families with older children or teenagers may find it especially appealing. One account describes two teenage daughters choosing this as the favorite among a long list of excursions, thanks to the beach gallop and horse swimming. That is a strong clue for families seeking something more memorable than a standard sightseeing stop.

Beginners are also well served by the trainer and supplied helmets. You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider, but you should be willing to follow instructions and accept that the pace may be controlled for safety.

Experienced riders may enjoy the change of setting, particularly if the guide permits a faster pace on the beach. Still, do not book this expecting a long-distance equestrian expedition. The available information points to a guided recreational ride rather than advanced riding instruction.

The activity may be less suitable if you dislike getting wet, feel uneasy around horses, or want a fully predictable schedule. The exact balance of desert, beach, and water can vary, and the sea portion requires comfort with an animal in the water.

Simple preparation for a better ride

Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet or sandy. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, storage, or towels, so you should ask the provider what is available before departure.

Bring only what you need. The vehicle includes bottled water or a soft drink, but the tour does not cover personal expenses. Follow the trainer’s advice about helmets, riding pace, and entering the water.

If you are a beginner, tell the guide at the start. Clear communication can help the trainer match instructions and pace to your comfort level. If you are booking for teenagers or a mixed-ability group, mention that as well.

It is also worth confirming the pickup time, your hotel’s transfer charge, and whether the swimming portion will be available on your date. The booking is flexible up to a point, but changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

Final call: should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a memorable Red Sea activity at a modest price and like the idea of combining desert riding, beach riding, and horse swimming in one outing. The included transport, helmet, guide, drink, and private group setting make $29 good value for most Hurghada hotel stays.

Book with realistic expectations. You may not ride continuously for three hours, the pace may be gentle for beginners, and the exact timing of the sea portion is not detailed. For families with teenagers, first-time riders, and anyone looking for an unusual break from resort time, this is an easy recommendation.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours. The actual riding time may vary, since similar Hurghada riding tours commonly include one to two hours of riding within the wider activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is swimming with the horses included?

The experience includes riding into the Red Sea with the horses. The exact duration and order of the swimming portion are not specified, so confirm the details with the provider before departure.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets are provided for all riders.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The activity is described as beginner-friendly, and an expert trainer is available to guide and assist riders.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water or a soft drink is included.

Are transfers from all Hurghada resort areas free?

No. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh are available for an additional $10 per person.