Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The best part is the sharp change of scene: you start among golden desert sands, then guide an Egyptian horse toward the Red Sea and into the water. Few Hurghada outings combine a land ride, a beach run, and horse swimming in one short trip.

I like the beginner-friendly instruction and the fact that helmets, bottled water or a soft drink, hotel pickup, and return transport are included. I also like that this is a private activity for your own group, rather than a large mixed outing. The main drawback is the short format. Three hours goes quickly, especially if you want relaxed riding time instead of a brisk schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Desert to sea in one ride: Cross sandy desert ground, follow the Red Sea coast, and reach the water on horseback.
• Horse swimming is the signature moment: The experience includes the chance to guide your horse into the sea, not just ride beside it.
• Good for first-time riders: A trainer stays with you and helps you follow the riding and safety instructions.
• Private group setting: Only your own party takes part, which can make the pace more comfortable.
• Transfers cover Hurghada hotels: Pickup and drop-off use an air-conditioned vehicle, with an extra $10 charge from several outlying resort areas.
• Strong value at $29: The price includes the ride, guide, transport, helmet use, and a drink, though tips and personal expenses are extra.

From Hurghada’s hotels to the desert edge

This outing begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, followed by transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in a hot resort town. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a stable or work out where the desert meeting point is, and the return ride is included.

The listed price is $29 per person, a fair deal for an approximately three-hour private experience with transfers. Horse riding excursions can cost more once you add transport, guide service, and equipment, so the included pickup makes this easier to compare with other Hurghada activities.

There is one transfer detail to check before paying. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay costs an additional $10 per person. The same $10 supplement applies to Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh. If you are staying in central Hurghada, the standard price is the more useful figure. If you are staying outside town, add the surcharge when judging the total cost.

The experience is generally booked well ahead, on average about 29 days before the date. That is useful planning advice, especially if your trip falls during a busy holiday period. You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time.

Meeting the Egyptian horses and your trainer

Once you reach the riding area, you are paired with an Egyptian horse and given guidance before setting off. The most important thing here is not riding skill. It is listening carefully, keeping a steady seat, and following the trainer’s instructions around the animals and in the water.

This is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. That is a good fit for a mixed family or friend group, since one person does not need years in the saddle while another has never ridden before. Helmets are provided for all riders, giving you a basic piece of safety equipment without requiring you to bring your own.

Karim is one guide associated with this experience, and the guide can explain the horses, the area, and the route as you go. Do not expect a long historical tour of Hurghada. The focus is practical instruction, safe handling, and getting you from sand to sea.

The private format is valuable here. Only your group participates, so the ride is not built around strangers with different confidence levels. The exact pace still depends on the guide and the group, but a private booking gives you a better chance of receiving direct help when you need it.

Riding across the desert sands

The first riding section takes you through the desert near Hurghada. The setting is simple and striking: pale sand, open space, and the Red Sea coastline close by. You get a very different view of the region from the back of a horse than you do from a resort bus or a hotel beach.

I like this section because it gives the experience a sense of movement. You are not only sitting beside the sea for a photo. You are guiding a horse through two distinct environments, with the dry desert on one side and the coast ahead.

The tour description refers to both walking and faster riding, and one account describes galloping on the beach. That does not mean every rider should expect to gallop. Your speed should match your ability and the trainer’s instructions. If you are new to riding, the best part may be learning how to handle the horse calmly rather than trying to ride fast.

This is also where practical clothing matters. Wear clothes that can handle sand and water, and choose footwear that feels secure while riding. The supplied information does not specify a dress code or storage arrangements, so keep personal belongings to a minimum and ask the operator about anything you do not want exposed to sand or seawater.

Following the Red Sea coastline on horseback

The route continues toward the Red Sea, with the coast on one side and desert on the other. That contrast is the visual heart of the excursion. You get open sea views without giving up the dry, spare character of the surrounding desert.

Beach riding can feel more exciting than ordinary trail riding because the space is wide and the scenery changes quickly. The sand also creates a softer, more unusual setting for the horse, though you still need to follow the guide’s directions and keep control of your mount.

The length of this section is not specified, so you should not book it expecting a long-distance horseback expedition. The total activity lasts about three hours, and some of that time includes transfers, preparation, and instruction. Think of it as a compact outing with several memorable settings rather than a full-day riding holiday.

The guide can also share information about the local area and the horses. That added context helps turn a simple photo stop into a more personal encounter with the animals. At the same time, the experience remains active. You will spend more time riding than listening to a formal talk.

Taking your horse into the Red Sea

The unusual feature comes when the horse enters the water. This is not simply a shoreline ride with the sea in the background. The experience is designed to let you guide your horse into the Red Sea, and the strongest account of the outing includes swimming with the horses.

For many people, this will be the reason to book. Riding through shallow coastal water creates a clear memory and gives the tour something that standard desert rides do not offer. It is also a good match for families with teenagers. A parent and two teenage daughters described this part, along with beach riding, as the favorite moment of a longer Egypt trip.

You should be comfortable with getting wet. The supplied details do not state the exact depth, swimming duration, or water conditions, so ask the operator for those specifics before booking if they matter to you. The sea portion is the main feature, but the exact time in the water may depend on the route, the horses, and the trainer’s instructions.

The horses are described as well cared for, which is an important point when you choose an animal-based activity. You should still treat the ride as a working encounter, not a casual swim with a pet. Stay calm, follow the trainer, and let the horse set the safe pace in the water.

Safety, comfort, and the three-hour schedule

A trainer accompanies the ride, and helmets are supplied. Those two details make the outing more approachable for a first-time rider. The guide can help you mount, handle the horse, and respond to instructions as the ride moves from desert to beach and sea.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information. It does not provide a detailed list of restrictions based on age, weight, medical conditions, or swimming ability. If you have a specific concern, contact FTS Travels before booking rather than assuming the general participation statement covers it.

The listed duration is approximately three hours. That is long enough to make the transfer worthwhile but short enough to fit beside other Hurghada plans. You could place it on a morning or afternoon when you want one focused activity, rather than giving up an entire day.

The schedule may feel tight if you want a slow ride, extensive instruction, and a long swim. I would view the three hours as a useful middle ground: more substantial than a basic one-hour stable ride, but not a full desert safari with several stops.

A bottled water or soft drink is included. That is a small but welcome touch in Hurghada’s heat, though you should still dress for sun and bring any personal items you need. Tips and other personal expenses are not included.

Why the private format changes the experience

This is a private tour, meaning only your group takes part. That does not automatically guarantee a completely custom route or unlimited riding time, but it does remove the uncertainty of being placed with a large public group.

For a family, private booking can make the ride less stressful. A nervous beginner can receive help without feeling rushed, while an experienced rider can ask questions and settle into the pace. It also makes the outing more social. You are sharing the unusual water ride with people you already know.

The private setup may be less important if you are a solo visitor mainly looking for the lowest possible price. Group discounts are offered, but the information does not state the exact discount or the minimum number of people required. Ask FTS Travels for the current group rate if you are booking with several friends.

The 4.9 out of 5 rating from 30 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation figure suggest a consistently well-received experience. I would treat those numbers as encouraging rather than as a promise that every ride will be perfect. Horse behavior, weather, timing, and your own comfort level can affect the day.

Is $29 good value in Hurghada?

At $29 per person, the package covers several costs that are easy to overlook. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned transfer, the horseback ride, a guide, a drink, and helmet use. For a three-hour private activity, that is strong value if your hotel is within the standard pickup area.

The value is especially clear if you want more than a basic beach ride. The combination of desert, coast, and sea gives you three settings in one outing. The horse swimming also makes the activity distinct from a standard riding lesson or a short photo ride.

The total is less attractive for hotels outside Hurghada because of the $10 per-person transfer supplement. Even then, the cost remains reasonable for a private half-day-style activity, but compare the final amount rather than the advertised base price.

Tips are not included, and personal expenses are your responsibility. The information does not list photography, meals, or extra equipment, so do not assume those are part of the package. The included drink is modest, but it keeps the basic arrangement simple.

Who should book this horseback ride?

I would recommend it to first-time riders who want a memorable activity without committing to a full day in the saddle. The trainer, helmet, private format, and short duration remove several common worries.

It also suits families with teenagers and couples looking for something beyond snorkeling, resort beaches, and standard desert vehicles. The water ride gives the outing a playful edge, while the desert section keeps it connected to Hurghada’s setting.

Experienced riders may enjoy it too, especially if they like the novelty of taking a horse into the Red Sea. But you should not book it expecting an advanced riding lesson or a long gallop. The supplied details promise guidance and a scenic ride, not technical training.

You may want to skip it if you dislike getting wet, feel uneasy around horses, or want complete control over the pace and route. The water section is central to the appeal, and a three-hour tour leaves limited room for a slow, leisurely program.

Booking tips for a smoother ride

Book ahead if the date matters, since the activity is often reserved about a month in advance. Confirm your hotel location at booking so you know if the $10 transfer fee applies.

Wear clothing suitable for both sand and water. Bring only what you need, and ask FTS Travels about changing arrangements or storage if you plan to carry valuables. Those details are not specified, so it is better to clarify them before pickup.

Read the cancellation deadline carefully. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Red Sea horse ride?

Book it if you want a compact, unusual Hurghada outing with desert riding and horse swimming in the same program. The $29 price, hotel transfers, trainer, helmet, drink, and private format give it a lot of practical value.

I would make the call based on your comfort with water and horses. If you want a gentle first ride with a strong setting and a memorable sea finale, this is an easy pick. If you want a long, technical horseback journey, choose a longer riding program instead.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada horseback riding tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. The total time includes the transfer, preparation, guided riding, and the desert and Red Sea sections.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the horseback ride, a guide, bottled water or a soft drink, and helmets for riders.

Does the tour include swimming with the horses?

Yes. The experience is designed to let you guide your horse into the Red Sea, and the advertised ride includes swimming with the horses.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners can participate, and an expert trainer provides guidance throughout the ride. Most people can participate according to the activity information.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service area in Hurghada.

Is there an extra transfer charge from other resort areas?

Yes. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay cost an additional $10 per person. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh also cost $10 per person.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets are provided for all riders.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted or refunded.