Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

A Red Sea swim on horseback makes it unforgettable. This Hurghada tour blends desert riding with Red Sea beach time, and you can add an optional 1-hour swim that feels like something out of a movie. I also like how the guides set you up with helmets, chaps, and an intro safety talk, so you can focus on the views and not on second-guessing your seat, from people like Karim and Keo.

The main thing to consider is that horseback riding is physical. If you are new or nervous, take it slow during the early lessons and plan for a bit of effort, not a lazy stroll.

Key things to know before you go

• Desert + beach split: about 3 hours total on horseback, with each section running roughly 40 to 60 minutes.
• Helmets and chaps included: they hand these over from the start, then walk you through basics for both comfort and safety.
• Optional 1-hour swim with your horse: choose the swim option if you want the big highlight.
• Small but important weight limit: horses’ safety rules cap riders at 220 lbs (100 kg).
• Photo-friendly guides: many guides help take pictures and videos, and some take shots using your own phone.
• Pickup is Hurghada-focused: extra €10 per person applies if you need pickup from areas outside central Hurghada.

What You Get for $20 in Hurghada

For $20 per person, this tour is a strong value because you are paying for more than a ride. You get hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, two riding sessions (desert and beach), and drinks like coffee and/or tea plus water. Then, if you select the swim option, you add a full 1-hour horse-and-water experience in the Red Sea.

That matters for value because a lot of “cheap” tours only deliver one short highlight. Here, you get a daytime rhythm: learn how to ride, move through sand and surf, then cool off with the sea option if you booked it. Guides like Ameen, Kareem, and Sasa often focus on getting beginners comfortable quickly, which helps make the time feel worth it.

Pickup Timing and How to Prep (So You Start Stress-Free)

This is a hotel-to-stable plan. You’ll be picked up from your Hurghada hotel and transported to the stables, where you meet your guide and your horse. Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel location, and pickup can run late by up to 10 minutes. I’d plan a loose start to your day, not a strict schedule for afterward.

What you should bring and wear is pretty straightforward, but it affects comfort a lot:

• Wear comfortable clothing with breathable long pants to prevent chafing in the saddle.
• If you choose the swim option, bring swimmers (and anything you need to change after).
• Closed-toe, secure footwear helps, since you’ll be stepping around and holding on while the guide positions you.

If you are coming with kids or brand-new riders, that extra focus on basics is the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one.

Stable Start: The Safety Brief You Actually Need

Before you head out, you get a short orientation. You’ll meet your guide and get introduced to your horse, then you’ll do a quick safety and riding setup for comfort and control.

Here’s what the tour provides up front:

• Helmets for safety
• Chaps to help with rider comfort
• An introductory briefing so you understand how to handle the horse at your pace

In the reviews, names like Karim, Ameen, and Yusef come up repeatedly for being supportive and reassuring, especially for people who were nervous at first. If you are worried about falling, watch how the guide positions you and how they manage the group. You’ll usually get more confidence once you see how calm the horses are at the start.

Desert Riding: Golden Sand, Flora, and Wide-Open Views

The desert portion is about 1 hour of horseback riding (often broken into 40 to 60 minute stages during the day). This is the part that feels big and quiet. You ride through the stark, open terrain where you can look across the sand and spot natural flora and fauna in the area.

Why this segment is worth it:

• It gives your horse time to settle into a steady rhythm, which helps beginners.
• The setting is a real change from beach riding, so the day does not feel like one long loop.
• You get that sense of space, with the desert holding your attention even if you do not consider yourself an outdoors person.

One practical consideration: desert riding can feel warm and dusty. Loose, breathable clothing and long pants help. Also, follow your guide’s pace, even if you see people moving faster ahead. Your job is to ride safe and relaxed.

Red Sea Beach Ride: Sea Breeze and the Sound of Waves

After the desert, you shift to the beach section, also around 1 hour of riding. This is where the tour hits its sensory peak for many people: the sea breeze, the sound of waves, and the changing light on the water.

In plain terms, this part is easier for the senses than the desert. The shoreline gives you a clear visual reference, and the horses often move in a calm, guided way along the sand. Reviews highlight how many guides keep beginners comfortable, with constant reminders and help if someone is unsure how to hold position.

This is also when the photo moments happen. You’ll likely get multiple picture options, including guides taking shots and, in some cases, using your own phone so you do not have to guess which angles came out best.

The Optional 1-Hour Swimup: Swimming With Your Horse

If you want the standout memory, this is the one. The swim option is about 1 hour of swimming with your horse in the Red Sea. You get a true change in environment, which is why it keeps showing up as the highlight in the feedback.

A few things that make this moment special:

• It feels more connected than just riding by the water.
• You get time to watch your horse move and behave in the sea, not just pose at the shore.
• It’s refreshing and exhilarating, especially if your body is ready to cool down after desert warmth.

Practical advice:

• Bring swimmers, and plan to dry off afterward.
• If you are nervous, tell your guide right away before you enter the water. Many guides, including Karim and Ameen in reported experiences, stay close and support riders who need extra reassurance.
• Follow instructions on getting on and off safely. This is not the time to improvise.

Horses, Care, and Why the Guides Matter

The tour’s quality is tied to how the horses are cared for and how they are managed around riders. In the feedback, the horses are repeatedly described as healthy, strong, well trained, and calm. Names like Shakira and Boyka appear in connection with friendly, well-known horses on the stable side.

Just as important is the guide team. Several names show up in a way that suggests consistent training and personality:

• Karim and Ameen often get praised for reassurance and patience.
• Keo and Sasa are described as professional and attentive.
• Mohamed appears in accounts where the ride is described as fun and still controlled.

You should think of the guides as part teacher, part traffic controller. They handle pace, spacing, and safety so the group can enjoy the experience without chaos. For first-time riders, that translates into fewer moments of panic and more moments where you can actually enjoy the ride.

Food, Music, and the End-of-Ride Reset

After about 3 hours of riding (desert plus beach), you return to the stable. Then the tour adds a relaxed landing: a delicious meal freshly cooked after your ride, with music playing. For many people, that is the best kind of finish because your energy is spent, and you get to refuel without hunting for food on your own.

The meal detail is not about luxury. It’s about timing and comfort, and it fits the day you just had. You are not rushing off immediately, which helps if you have kids or if you are coming off a swim.

Where Pickup Works, and When You Pay the Add-On

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. If you are staying farther out, pickup is possible but costs extra: an add-on of €10 per person applies for places like Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay.

This matters because it changes the real total cost. The listed $20 rate is compelling, but the add-on can nudge the price up if your hotel is not in Hurghada proper. If you are comparing tours, make sure you price in the pickup area so you do not get surprised.

Languages and Communication on the Ground

Good communication makes or breaks a beginner-friendly activity. This tour offers guidance in English, German, and Arabic, which helps if you need instructions in a language you understand well. Even if you are basic with the language, safety gear and simple riding cues usually do the heavy lifting.

If you travel with a group, being able to communicate clearly reduces the chance that someone misses instructions at the stable or during the swim option.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a great fit if you want:

• A fun mix of desert + Red Sea beach in one day
• A beginner-friendly horse experience with helmets and a real safety intro
• A memorable, photo-friendly option with the swim add-on

It may be less ideal if:

• You cannot ride comfortably for multiple 40 to 60 minute segments (remember, this is a physical activity)
• You fall into the “no way” category on water activities, since the best highlight is the horse swim

It also works well for couples and families. In the feedback, kids are mentioned, including children who were hesitant at first but gained confidence with guide support.

Should You Book This Hurghada Horse and Red Sea Swim Tour?

I’d book it if your goal is one of those rare travel days that feels both playful and scenic. The value is strong for $20 because you’re getting two major riding environments plus optional water time, with safety gear included and hotel pickup handling the logistics. The most praised part is the swimming with horses option, and if that’s what you came for, choose it.

I would hold off or ask more questions if you have concerns about riding physical comfort, nervousness, or getting in water. Also double-check pickup timing a day before, because pickup time depends on where you are staying and delays can happen.

If you want a holiday moment you will still talk about months later, this one is a serious contender in Hurghada.

FAQ

Is the horse riding tour available every day?

Yes. The tour runs every day, with special offers mentioned for certain days (the schedule notes Tuesday and Friday, and also references Sunday offers), so confirm the day you plan to go.

How long will I be on the horse?

You’ll ride in two main sections. Each station runs about 40 to 60 minutes, and the day includes about 3 hours of riding total across the desert and beach.

What is included if I do not choose the swim option?

You get hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a guide, a desert riding session and a beach riding session, plus coffee and/or tea and water, helmets, and chaps.

How long is the swimming with horses option?

The swim option is about 1 hour, where you swim with your horse in the Red Sea.

What safety gear do you provide?

You get a helmet and chaps, and you receive a safety briefing before riding.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Yes. For the horses’ safety, riders should not weigh more than 220 lbs (100 kg).

Where does pickup work, and where is it extra?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay is available for an extra charge of €10 per person.

What languages are the guides?

Guides are available in English, German, and Arabic.

What should I wear for the ride?

Wear comfortable clothing with breathable long pants. Long pants help prevent chafing while riding. If you choose the swim option, bring swimmers.