Hurghada: Red Sea & Desert Horse Riding Tour with Swimming

The unusual part comes early: you ride from Hurghada’s dry desert to the Red Sea, then, if you choose the swim option, take your horse into the water for about an hour. I like the sharp change of scenery and the patient help from guides such as Karim, Ameen, Keo, and Sasa, who work hard to settle nervous beginners.

I also like the healthy, calm horses and the simple value: desert riding, beach riding, equipment, refreshments, and hotel transport are covered for about $20. The main caution is that riding can be tiring if you are new to it, and the tour keeps you in the saddle for several 40 to 60 minute sections.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride from desert to sea: The route gives you two very different settings in one outing, dry desert and Red Sea shoreline.
• Horse swimming is optional: Choose the swim option if you want about an hour in the water with your horse, and bring swimwear.
• Strong support for beginners: Guides provide an introduction, help with basic riding, and may stay close to nervous riders.
• Three hours of riding time: Expect roughly one hour in the desert, one hour at the beach, and additional time connected with the swim option.
• Good low-cost value: The $20 price includes hotel pickup in Hurghada, a guide, helmet, chaps, water, and coffee or tea.
• Check your pickup carefully: Confirm the exact time one day before, and allow for a delay of up to 10 minutes.

Why the desert-to-sea route works so well

Horse riding excursions can feel repetitive when the scenery never changes. This one has a useful rhythm. You begin near the stable, ride into the dry desert, continue toward the coast, and then spend time along the Red Sea. The change from sand and open space to beach and water gives the outing a sense of progress.

I like the desert portion because it is not just a short photo stop beside the stable. You get time on horseback in a broad, quiet setting, with the stark desert around you and glimpses of local plants and wildlife. Do not expect a naturalist tour or a long wilderness trek, but the open terrain offers a clear view of the region’s dry character.

The riding time is split into stations of roughly 40 to 60 minutes. That is helpful for pacing, though it still adds up to a demanding morning or afternoon for a first-time rider. You will need to sit upright, follow instructions, and use your legs and balance for much of the outing.

At the coast, the mood changes. You ride beside the Red Sea, with the breeze and sound of the water replacing the stillness of the desert. The beach section is the best choice for anyone who wants scenery and photographs without committing to the full swimming option.

Meeting the horses and getting the basics right

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada and a drive to the stable. There, you meet the guide and your horse before receiving a short safety and riding briefing. The practical aim is simple: make sure you know how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to basic instructions before leaving the stable.

The supplied equipment includes a helmet and chaps, along with a comfortable saddle. Wear breathable, flexible trousers. Long pants are the sensible choice because they help prevent rubbing against the saddle and your horse.

The guides teach basic control and, depending on the group and conditions, may show riders how to trot or run. The exact pace will depend on your ability and the group. If you are experienced, you may find the instruction basic. If you are new, it gives you a useful start without assuming you already know how to ride.

The strongest part of the support is the attention given to nervous riders. Beginners have described guides holding or leading horses when needed, and several families received extra help with children. One parent who was uneasy about riding was offered another way to continue after feeling unwell. That suggests the staff are willing to adjust when someone is struggling, though you should still treat this as a physical activity rather than a passive sightseeing trip.

The weight limit is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horse’s safety. This is an important booking detail, not a minor footnote. If you are close to the limit, check with the operator before paying.

Riding through Hurghada’s desert

The desert ride is the more atmospheric half of the land route. Away from the resort strips, you get a better sense of the dry interior around Hurghada. The scenery is spare, with wide views and little shade, so sunglasses, sun protection, and suitable clothing are wise choices even though they are not listed as included items.

I would not book this part expecting fast galloping across endless open sand. The tour is built around a guided group ride, with instruction and supervision. Some riders have been taught to trot or run, but the pace will depend on confidence, safety, and the guide’s judgment.

That group format is useful for families and mixed abilities. A first-time rider can receive support while a more confident rider still gets a proper outing. It may feel less independent than renting a horse privately, but the tradeoff is direct assistance from people who know the horses and the route.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Karim is frequently praised for reassurance and for helping nervous riders relax. Ameen is noted for being friendly and professional, while Keo and Sasa are known for keeping families involved and entertained. Other named guides include Abdul, Yusef, Ali, Yaseen, Mohamed, Mo, Abdi, and Amin.

Staff names can change by departure, so do not book solely because you hope to meet one particular person. The consistent point is that the guides are involved throughout the ride, not simply present at the stable.

Along the Red Sea beach

The beach ride provides the cleanest photographs and the easiest sense of place. You are on horseback beside the Red Sea, with the shoreline, wind, and water forming the backdrop. For many people, this is the most relaxing portion because the route feels open and scenic without requiring you to leave the horse.

The horses are described as calm, well-trained, and easy to ride. That matters here. A horse that is comfortable around water and groups makes the beach section much less stressful, especially if you have never ridden before.

The outing is not a private beach ride. You should expect to follow the guide and ride as part of a group. That can limit the time spent at any one spot, but it also keeps the activity organized and helps beginners stay with the group.

The stable’s treatment of the horses is another positive detail. The animals are described as healthy, friendly, and well cared for, with comfortable stables. You may get time to touch or cuddle them before or after the ride, but the main focus remains riding, not a formal animal-care visit.

The horse swim: the special option

If you want the most unusual part of the tour, select the swimming option when booking. The horse swim lasts around one hour and takes place in the Red Sea. You ride into the water with your horse, creating a very different experience from a normal beach ride.

This is not simply standing at the edge for a quick splash. The swim option is presented as a proper water session, and the horse enters the sea with you. It can be refreshing and memorable, but you need to be comfortable with water, movement, and the physical effort of staying balanced on a horse.

Bring a swimsuit. You should also expect to get wet, so pack a change of clothes and protect anything that should not be splashed. The supplied information specifically highlights swimwear, while towels are not listed as included, so do not assume one will be provided.

The water session is especially popular with families and first-time riders because the guides stay close and help riders feel secure. One child initially refused to enter the water but joined after the guides reassured her. That kind of support is useful, but it does not remove the need to listen carefully and follow every safety instruction.

The swimming option may be the reason to choose this tour over a standard desert ride. If you only want to ride on land, the basic package still includes the desert and beach portions. If your main goal is the horse swim, make sure you select the correct option rather than assuming it is included in the cheapest booking.

Food, music, and the return to Hurghada

After roughly three hours of riding, you return to the stable. Water, coffee, and tea are included. The tour description also refers to a freshly cooked meal and music after the ride, but the formal included-items list does not clearly confirm the meal. I would ask the operator what food is served and whether it is included before booking.

That small check matters because the advertised package details are not perfectly consistent. The same information also refers to special offers on Sundays in one place and Tuesdays and Fridays in another. Confirm the current promotion directly with FTS Travels rather than planning around a particular discount.

The return transfer takes you back to your Hurghada hotel. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Hurghada, while hotels in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, and Soma Bay require an extra €10 per person. The operator will contact you with the exact pickup details.

Send your room number by email or WhatsApp if possible. Pickup time depends on your hotel, and the exact time should be confirmed one day before the excursion. A delay of up to 10 minutes can occur, so I would avoid arranging a tight appointment immediately afterward.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for an activity that combines transport, two riding settings, equipment, instruction, and refreshments. The value is strongest if you already want a short, guided introduction to riding and can use the included hotel transfer.

The price needs a closer look if you are staying outside Hurghada. The €10 transport supplement is not huge, but it changes the final cost, especially for a family. Check the pickup charge before comparing this tour with another stable.

You should also compare the base price with the swim option. The supplied details do not state a separate swimming surcharge, so confirm the exact price for the package you want. The central value is not only the time in the saddle. It is the unusual combination of desert, beach, and horse swimming in one outing.

The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada plans may shift, but check the final booking conditions for your selected date and option.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want close guidance and a short introduction
• Families with children who can follow instructions and manage a physical activity
• Couples looking for an unusual Red Sea experience
• Riders who want desert and beach scenery in one outing
• Anyone especially interested in swimming with a horse

The tour may be less suitable if you dislike group activities, cannot sit comfortably on a horse for repeated 40 to 60 minute sessions, or want a long independent gallop. It is also not a good fit if you exceed the 100 kilogram weight limit.

Children have received careful help from guides, including assistance for seven- and eight-year-olds, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age. Ask the operator about your child’s age and riding ability before booking.

English, German, and Arabic are available. That makes the safety briefing and basic instructions easier for many visitors, though you should still tell the guide clearly if you are nervous or have never ridden.

Simple preparation for a better day

Wear long, flexible trousers and sturdy clothing that can handle dust and water. If you choose the horse swim, bring swimwear, a change of clothes, and a way to keep your phone dry.

Tell the guide at the start if you are nervous, inexperienced, or feeling unwell. The staff have shown they can stay close to beginners and help riders who need extra support, but early communication makes that easier.

Do not skip the safety briefing. Helmets are provided, and you should wear yours for the full ride. Follow the guide’s instructions about pace, spacing, and entering the water.

Finally, confirm three things before departure: your exact pickup time, the final price for your chosen option, and whether the post-ride meal is included. Those checks take a minute and prevent the most likely surprises.

Should you book the Hurghada horse ride?

Book it if you want a low-cost, unusual activity with strong hands-on support and the chance to ride into the Red Sea. The horse swim is the main reason to choose this experience, while the desert and beach sections make the basic ride worthwhile even if you stay on land.

I would be cautious only if you are not comfortable with physical activity, water, or a group pace. For everyone else, the $20 base price offers a lot: hotel transport in Hurghada, equipment, instruction, desert riding, beach riding, and friendly guides who pay close attention to beginners. Confirm the swim option, pickup details, outside-Hurghada surcharge, and meal before you go.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How long does the activity last?

The full experience takes about three hours of riding and related activity. You will ride in the desert and at the beach, with each station lasting about 40 to 60 minutes.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming is included only if you select the swimming option. The swim lasts around one hour in the Red Sea.

Do I need riding experience?

No. The guide provides an introductory safety briefing and teaches basic riding. The activity can still be physically difficult if you have never ridden before.

Is there a rider weight limit?

Yes. Riders should not weigh more than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the horses’ safety.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and flexible long pants to help prevent chafing. Bring swimwear if you select the horse swimming option.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. A helmet and chaps are included. Water, coffee, and tea are also included.

Which languages are available?

The activity is available in English, German, and Arabic.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is eligible for a full refund. Confirm the exact terms when booking your selected option.