Horse Riding Beach or Desert with transfer from Sharm El Sheikh

Horseback riding beside the Red Sea gives you a welcome change from Sharm El Sheikh’s usual boat trips, quads, and resort pools. You ride sandy paths with the desert close by, and on the coastal option, your horse may wade into shallow water. I like the gentle horses and patient guides, especially for nervous beginners. I also like that riders such as Emily and her daughter were allowed to go at their own pace.

The main catch is that this is not always a remote desert adventure. Some routes sit near roads, quad-bike traffic, and a less-than-pristine beach. I also want you to ask about the horses’ condition before setting off, since one rider found a horse tired and another felt unsafe with the handling. The low headline price is appealing, but add the five-euro government fee per person and treat photo sales as optional.

Key points at a glance

• Sea or desert setting: Choose a coastal ride with possible shallow-water wading, or a sandy route beside the desert.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides can walk beside nervous riders and match you with a suitable horse.
• Hotel transfers are included: Pickup and drop-off are offered from Sharm El Sheikh hotels, though one delayed transfer caused a serious timing problem.
• Guides make the difference: Mustafa and Muhammad received special praise for being helpful, calm, and attentive.
• A small group experience: The maximum group size is 15 people, so the ride is not designed as a private outing.
• Budget price, extra fee: The listed fare is $7 per person, but a five-euro government fee is not included.

Riding beside the Red Sea or through the desert

The choice of setting shapes the whole outing. On the beach option, you ride along the coast and may take the horse into low water. Do not expect a dramatic, waist-deep swim based on the information available. One successful outing included horses wading only in shallow water, while another rider was disappointed that the horse did not go farther into the sea.

The coastal ride is appealing because it gives you open views and photographs that look different from standard resort snapshots. It also offers the most unusual moment of the trip: sitting on horseback while the animal steps through the water. You can bring your own camera, and one rider specifically advised carrying a drink.

The desert option is better suited to anyone who wants sandy paths and open ground rather than water. Yet you should set your expectations carefully. Parts of the route can be near a road and quad-bike activity, and the enclosed desert area may feel more like a riding site than a remote mountain excursion.

That is not necessarily a problem. If you mainly want a short horse ride and a new view of Sharm El Sheikh, the setting does the job. If you picture silence, untouched dunes, and a long wilderness trail, you may find the surroundings too developed.

Arriving at the riding point

Your transfer takes you from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to the riding area. The stated service includes both pickup and return transport, which makes this easier than arranging a taxi to an unfamiliar location.

The quality of the transfer appears to vary. Several rides began with an on-time pickup and a friendly driver. One poor experience involved a late vehicle, followed by a very short ride and an early return to the hotel. Since the advertised duration is about two hours, a delayed pickup matters. You lose riding time, not just time in the car.

I would keep your phone available on the morning of the activity and confirm the pickup time clearly. If your hotel has several entrances or a large grounds, ask where the driver will meet you. This is simple advice, but it can prevent the most frustrating part of the day.

At the riding point, do not expect a large traditional stable complex. One rider described the setup as a place where horses wait between rides rather than a full stable. You meet the horse there, receive basic guidance, and prepare to mount.

Choosing a horse and getting comfortable

The guides aim to match horses with riders’ experience and confidence. Beginners can be placed on calm horses, while riders with more experience may receive a little more freedom. Names that appear in the experience include Galaxy and Madonna, both remembered warmly by riders who found them gentle and suitable for less confident riders.

This matching matters. A nervous rider needs a steady horse and a guide who does not rush. One family found the staff patient with both a mother and daughter, allowing them to proceed at their own pace. Another novice was accompanied on foot while an intermediate rider was allowed to trot.

You should tell the guide honestly how much riding you have done. Do not claim to be experienced simply because you have sat on a horse before. The guide’s choice of horse and pace can make the difference between a relaxed outing and an anxious one.

Mounting support is available. A rider who described herself as larger appreciated receiving a suitable horse and finding benches used to help riders get on. The maximum stated rider weight is 150 kilograms. If you are close to that limit, confirm the arrangement before booking rather than leaving the question until arrival.

Helmets and safety equipment are included. Wear clothing that can handle dust and rubbing. Jeans and trainers worked for one rider, and insect repellent was recommended. You should also bring water, since the ride takes place in hot, exposed surroundings and drinks are not listed as included.

What the two-hour ride is really like

The stated duration is approximately two hours, but the actual time in the saddle can depend on the route and operation that day. Some accounts describe a one-hour ride, while the product is sold as a two-hour experience. Ask at the start how long you will actually ride and what the route includes.

At a calm pace, you follow sandy tracks and open ground while the guide keeps the group together. New riders can expect walking, basic support, and close supervision. More confident riders may be allowed to trot, and one particularly positive outing included faster riding under the guide’s direction and observation.

Do not assume that a canter or a fast stretch is guaranteed. The guide has to consider the skill levels in the group, the condition of the ground, other riders, and the horses. If you want a quiet walk, say so. If you want to trot, ask politely and wait for the guide’s approval.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough for a shared outing, but it does not guarantee a private ride or individual attention every minute. If the group includes several beginners, the pace will likely remain cautious. That is helpful for safety, though experienced riders may find it less exciting.

The guides are the strongest part of the experience. Muhammad was singled out for checking that a larger rider was comfortable, while Mustafa was praised as a good host. Other riders found the guides friendly, supportive, and attentive to safety. Still, one person felt frightened by a quiet guide and unsafe while riding alone. Tell the staff clearly if you are uncomfortable, and do not continue at a pace that feels wrong.

The coastal ride and shallow water

The sea ride offers the most memorable setting. You can ride along the beach, pause for photographs, and, if you want, let the horse enter the water. The available information points to shallow wading rather than a full swim, and conditions may determine how far the horse goes.

The beach itself may not match the polished image suggested by promotional photographs. One rider found it dirty, and another noted that the area was not as pristine as expected. You will still get a coastal view, but do not book this as a spotless beach day.

Bring your own camera if you want control over your pictures. A photographer may take images during the ride, but those photographs cost extra. Prices reported by riders include £30 for a package and €20 per person in another case. One person paid and never received the images, so confirm exactly what you are buying, the price, and how the files will be delivered before handing over money.

You may prefer to skip the photos and enjoy the ride. That is perfectly reasonable. If the photographer’s approach feels pushy, a firm no should be enough. Your booking covers the horse ride, not a photo package.

The desert route and nearby activity

The desert route gives you sandy tracks, open plains, and a different angle on the dry surroundings around Sharm El Sheikh. You may find viewpoints or less-used paths, but the route should not be treated as a remote expedition.

Quad bikes can operate nearby, and some parts may run parallel to a road. This affects the mood. Instead of complete quiet, you may hear engines and share the wider area with other activities. Families and first-time riders may not mind, while experienced equestrians seeking solitude should consider the setting carefully.

The benefit is convenience. You can reach the riding point by hotel transfer and spend a short morning or afternoon on horseback without committing to a full-day desert trip. I see this as an accessible introduction to riding in Egypt, not a wilderness ride.

Horse care and safety deserve your attention

Most positive experiences focus on calm, attractive horses that were handled well. Riders described horses as friendly, beautiful, and well looked after. That is encouraging, but the mixed accounts mean you should remain observant.

Look at the horse before mounting. You can check its general alertness, breathing, tack, and willingness to move. If it appears overheated, exhausted, or uncomfortable, tell the guide immediately. One rider felt her horse was worn out and had to work hard to get it moving, which is a fair concern in a hot climate.

The ride should feel controlled. Guides may lead nervous riders, walk alongside them, or limit the pace. You should not be pressured into trotting, cantering, or entering the water. If you feel unsafe, stop and explain the problem.

The weight limit is 150 kilograms, and the activity is open to most people. That does not mean every horse suits every rider. Share your height, weight, riding experience, and any concern at booking or on arrival so the team can make a sensible match.

What the $7 price includes

At $7 per person, the advertised price is unusually low for a hotel pickup, equipment, guide, and roughly two hours of riding. The value is strongest if your hotel is within the normal Sharm El Sheikh pickup area and the full riding time is delivered.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and return service from Sharm El Sheikh hotels
• Horse riding on the sea or desert route
• Safety equipment
• A helmet
• Guide assistance

A five-euro government fee per person is extra. That changes the real cost, so calculate the total before booking. Photos are also not included. Treat them as a separate purchase and confirm delivery before paying.

The low fare also comes with tradeoffs. You may ride in a shared group, use a basic riding point rather than a formal stable, and encounter nearby road or quad-bike noise. If you value a polished equestrian center, private instruction, or a carefully maintained beach, a more expensive specialist outing may suit you better.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it to first-time riders, families with older children who can follow instructions, couples wanting a different activity from snorkeling, and confident riders who are happy with a guided group pace. The patient handling described by riders makes it especially suitable for people who feel nervous around horses.

It can also work well as a short add-on to a Sharm El Sheikh holiday. You do not need to give up a whole day, and the transfer keeps the planning simple. The mobile ticket and instant confirmation add convenience, though the timing still needs checking with the operator.

I would be more cautious if horse welfare is your main concern, if you need a guaranteed two hours in the saddle, or if you want a remote desert setting. The mixed reports about tired horses, late transport, the beach condition, and an unsafe-feeling encounter should not be ignored.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, you should expect no refund, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book Horse Riding Beach or Desert with Transfer?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, short horseback outing with the chance to ride beside the sea or on sandy desert tracks. The best parts are the calm horses, supportive guides, and the option for beginners to take things slowly. Muhammad and Mustafa are names worth asking for if they are working that day, though guide assignments cannot be guaranteed.

Before you commit, confirm four things: the route, the real riding duration, the transfer time, and the condition of the horses. Ask what shallow-water riding means that day, and agree on any photo price before you accept photographs.

For $7 plus the five-euro government fee, this can be good value when the ride runs properly. Just book it as a straightforward group horse ride near Sharm El Sheikh, not as a remote desert expedition or a luxury beach experience.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off service from Sharm El Sheikh hotels are included.

How long does the horse ride last?

The activity is advertised as approximately two hours. Some outings may be shorter, so confirm the riding time when you arrive.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. Most people can participate, and guides can match horses to different experience levels. Nervous riders may be led or walked alongside by a guide.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The stated maximum weight is 150 kilograms.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Is the government fee included?

No. A government fee of five euros per person is not included. Safety equipment, a helmet, guide assistance, riding, and hotel transfers are included.