Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The best part of this Hurghada outing comes when the horses carry you through quiet desert valleys toward a sunset framed by mountains. You get more than a short riding lesson: the evening also includes a bumpy 17-kilometer jeep ride, dinner at a desert oasis, and a look at the night sky through a telescope. The sunset ride and the friendly guides are the two strongest reasons I would consider booking it.

I also like the practical setup. Hotel pickup, riding gear, a safety talk, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing are all covered in the $41 price. The main caution is the jeep transfer. It can be fast and rough, and one account describes riding in the back without seatbelts, so this is not the right choice if you want a calm, polished evening.

Key points at a glance

• One-hour horse ride: Follow desert valleys, pause for photos, and climb toward a sunset viewpoint.
• A real off-road start: Travel 17 kilometers by jeep from the meeting point to the oasis.
• Helpful first-timer support: Guides fit safety gear and adjust the riding pace to your comfort and ability.
• Dinner under the desert sky: Eat grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.
• Astronomy after dark: Hear a guide explain star groups and view selected sky targets through telescopes.
• Strong overall value: At $41, the tour combines transport, two activities, food, and an evening in the desert.

From Hurghada hotels to a desert oasis

Pickup begins according to your hotel’s location. The organizers have used WhatsApp to communicate pickup details, and transfers have generally been described as punctual. You first go to a meeting point, then switch to a jeep for the off-road section.

That jeep journey covers about 17 kilometers. It is part of the experience, not just a transfer. You cross open desert toward an oasis, with some trips taking place partly in darkness on the way back. For many people, the rough ride adds excitement. For others, it can feel too aggressive.

You should be ready for a firm, jolting drive rather than a smooth safari vehicle. One account describes speeds above 100 kilometers per hour and no seatbelts in the rear, with the ride feeling frightening for one passenger. That is a serious point to consider, especially if you have back problems, dislike speed, or are traveling with someone who wants a gentle outing.

The full evening can take roughly from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., depending on hotel location and the transfer schedule. The ride itself lasts one hour, but the total outing is much longer because of pickup, the jeep transfer, dinner, and astronomy talk.

Getting ready for the horse ride

At the oasis, you receive an Arabian tea or coffee before the activities begin. The guide explains the schedule and safety rules, then helps you prepare with riding gear.

This is useful if you have never been on a horse. Several people with no previous riding experience found the staff attentive and supportive. The guides help you learn how to control the horse and stay with you along the route. Family groups may receive close attention, with separate guides helping individual riders when needed.

The pace is not fixed. The riding style and speed depend on the group’s skill and comfort. That means you should not book this expecting a fast gallop or a demanding riding lesson. The guide decides what is suitable, which is the sensible approach for a mixed group.

The horses have also received positive attention for appearing happy and well cared for. If animal treatment matters to you, ask questions at the start and tell the guide about your experience level. The published information says the site is monitored by cameras and follows international health and safety standards, but the quality of your ride will still depend on the day’s group, horses, and guide assignment.

Wear clothes that can handle dust and direct sun. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. The desert can feel hotter than the resort area during the afternoon, so do not rely on the cooler feel of your hotel grounds when choosing what to wear.

One hour through valleys at sunset

The riding route takes you between valleys inside the desert. This is the most scenic part of the outing, especially as the light softens and the mountains take on warm colors.

The route includes stops for rest and photographs. You can take pictures with the horses and pause to enjoy the view rather than spending the entire hour in motion. Guides have been praised for helping riders pose and for allowing some freedom in the way they ride, within the limits of safety.

The sunset stop is usually the main visual reward. You ride toward a higher point, then have time to watch the sun drop over the desert. The setting is simple but memorable: open sand and rock, mountain walls, horses, and a sky that changes by the minute.

Still, keep expectations realistic. This is a guided group ride, not a private horseback expedition. The pace may be slow, and your route can depend on the abilities of the people riding with you. That is good for beginners, but experienced riders looking for long stretches of independent riding may find it restrained.

The heat is another practical issue. Even at sunset, the desert can be warmer than expected. Sunscreen and a hat are not optional extras for many people, and sunglasses help with glare and dust.

After the sunset stop, you return to the oasis on horseback. The second part of the ride is shorter in feel because the main photo stop has already passed, but it gives you a final chance to enjoy the horses before dinner.

Dinner at the oasis

Back at the oasis, dinner is served with soft drinks. The meal includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.

I would describe this as a substantial outdoor dinner rather than a refined restaurant meal. The food has been a major plus for many people, with grilled items and side dishes providing enough variety for a simple evening buffet. The setting also matters. Eating in an oasis after a desert ride feels more distinctive than stopping at a standard tourist restaurant.

One person found the meal only basic, so food expectations should stay sensible. A separate purchase of a smoothie led to a stomach problem, although that was not part of the included meal. Stick to the included food and drinks if you have a sensitive stomach, and avoid buying alcohol, which is not allowed on the tour.

The setting is likely more important than presentation. You are there for dinner after sunset, with the desert around you and the astronomy session still ahead. If you want a carefully plated meal or a wide choice of drinks, this will not be that kind of night.

Stargazing with a guide and telescope

After dinner, the guide explains groups of stars and points out objects in the clear desert sky. A professional telescope is used to view targets available on the night’s calendar, which can include the moon, stars, or planets.

This is where the lack of city light helps. The desert sky gives the astronomy talk a proper setting, and the experience can be striking on a clear night. Nasser, also called Marshmallow, has been singled out for making the explanations funny and keeping the group interested. Adam has also been praised for his work during the evening.

The astronomy session does have limits. One outing had more than 45 people and only two telescopes, with one set up for the moon and another for a particular star. You may need to wait your turn, and you will not have unlimited access to the equipment. You also should not expect every object to appear huge or sharply detailed.

The guide’s explanation is an important part of the activity. This is not simply a telescope viewing station. You learn basic information about star groups and get help understanding what you are looking at. If you already know a great deal about astronomy, the talk may feel introductory. If you are curious but inexperienced, it should be more rewarding.

Cloud cover and the calendar affect what you can see. The available targets change from night to night, so the exact telescope viewing cannot be guaranteed in advance. The pure sky is the main attraction, with the telescope adding a closer look when conditions allow.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, the tour offers good value if you want several activities in one evening. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the jeep transfer, a guide, riding equipment, one hour of horseback riding, tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing.

A separate horse ride, desert safari, dinner, and astronomy session could quickly cost more once transport is added. The convenience of having everything arranged also matters. You do not need to organize a taxi to an out-of-town stable, find a desert dinner site, or arrange a telescope session yourself.

The value depends on how you feel about the jeep transfer and group format. If you dislike rough roads, the transport may reduce your enjoyment. If you want a private ride, a small group, or a serious astronomy program, the $41 price does not buy those things.

For most people, I see this as a broad evening sampler. You get a taste of desert riding, a sunset viewpoint, an off-road trip, a meal, and basic astronomy in one package. None of the individual elements is designed as a specialist experience, but together they make a full evening.

Who should book this evening?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time horse riders, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants an active break from Hurghada’s resort routine. The guides are used to mixed ability levels, and the safety briefing plus adjustable pace make the riding more approachable.

It also suits people who like variety. You move from a jeep ride to horseback riding, then dinner and stargazing. The evening does not depend on a single attraction, which helps if one part is less impressive than expected.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a baby under one year old, as the activity is not considered suitable for those groups. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

I would also avoid it if you are especially nervous about high-speed off-roading or sitting in the back of a jeep without seatbelts. Ask the operator for the current vehicle and seating arrangements before booking if that issue matters to you.

The tour is offered with English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish language support. Confirm the language you need when arranging the booking, since the number of groups and the exact guide assignment can vary.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a reasonably priced desert evening with plenty of variety, especially if the horse ride and sunset appeal to you. First-time riders are likely to get the most from the patient instruction, while the dinner and open sky give the night a pleasant finish.

Skip it if comfort, quiet transport, or a small astronomy group matters more to you than adventure. The jeep ride can be intense, and the telescope may involve a long wait in a large group.

For the right person, this is a lively, well-filled outing rather than a slow luxury experience. Bring sun protection, expect dust and bumps, and treat the stargazing as a guided introduction rather than a private observatory visit. At $41, that is a fair trade for an evening that combines desert scenery, horses, food, and stars.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The total outing can run from about 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., including hotel pickup, the meeting point, jeep transfers, horseback riding, dinner, and stargazing. The horse ride itself lasts one hour.

What food is included?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. An Arabian tea or coffee welcome drink is also included.

Is horseback riding suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour includes a safety briefing, riding gear, and guide support. The riding style and speed depend on each participant’s skill and comfort level.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suitable for the weather. The desert may feel hotter than your resort during the riding portion.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for babies under one year old.

What languages are available?

Guides may provide the experience in English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, or Spanish. The exact language arrangement should be confirmed when booking.