Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer

Horse riding into the Red Sea is the memorable part here. At Lucky Horses Stable, you ride from the desert to the beach, then, in warm months, guide your horse into the shallows. The stable matches horses to your ability, so a first-time rider can stay with a calm mount while a confident rider may get more speed.

I like the friendly, attentive guides, including Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, Adel, and Abdulrahman, who help with riding, safety, and photos. I also like the stable’s animal-friendly feel, with well-cared-for horses, rescued animals, cats, dogs, and even a young donkey. The main drawback is that the swimming option cuts into riding time and is not normally offered after October 31.

Quick points before you book

• Ride from desert to Red Sea beach: The route gives you open sand, sea views, and a change of scenery without committing to a full-day outing.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides choose horses according to your ability and stay close to help you settle in.
• Swimming is seasonal: Choose the two-hour swimming option in summer, but confirm availability after October 31 because sea temperature and animal welfare come first.
• Photos are practical for solo visitors: Staff can use your phone during the ride, so you are not left without pictures of the beach and horse.
• The stable feels like an animal refuge: You will meet friendly cats and dogs as well as the horses, so this is not a polished resort attraction.
• The $17 starting price is strong value: Transfers, longer rides, and pickup from resort areas may cost extra, so compare the exact option before paying.

From Hurghada hotel to Lucky Horses Stable

If you book transport, your day begins at your hotel entrance or the assigned security gate. Be ready about 10 minutes before the agreed time. Drivers may not be allowed inside some resorts, and traffic or hotel checks can cause a delay of up to 15 minutes.

Pickup is included from Hurghada when you select that option. From Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, or Soma Bay, pickup and return are available for an extra €10 per person. That fee can be sensible if you are staying far from the stable, but a taxi or Uber may work better for a group that has already arranged local transport.

If you make your own way, look carefully for the stable. GPS apps may leave you beside the road in front of the building called Harmony. The stable is on the left side of the road, with several stables behind the building. Show your ticket to the guide, because arriving at the wrong stable could waste part of your booked time.

The exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp, email, or the booking app. I would still confirm it the day before. Hurghada’s resort zones are spread out, and a little planning keeps the ride from starting with a search for the driver.

Getting comfortable with your horse

At the stable, the staff assigns horses based on your riding level. That matters more than it may sound. A nervous beginner needs a steady horse and patient help, while an experienced rider may want a horse that responds more actively.

Names that appear often in the stable’s day-to-day riding stories include Hero, Fatima, Flower, Jojo, Mediha, and Noor. The important point is not choosing a particular horse in advance. The staff’s job is to pair you with an animal suited to your balance, confidence, and control.

Beginners receive help with the basic commands and get time to become comfortable. Guides such as Rebecca, Saeed, Abdul, and Abdulrahman are praised for staying close, explaining what to do, and adjusting the pace. That makes this a better choice for a first ride than an outing where a large group is sent off with little instruction.

The horses are described as calm, gentle, and well cared for. Some can move faster when asked, but the guide controls the group and sets a pace that fits the riders. If you are frightened, say so at the start. The staff can place you with a quieter horse and give you more support.

You may also meet dogs, cats, and other animals around the stable. This adds warmth to the visit, but it is worth taking seriously if you are uneasy around animals. The stable is intentionally animal-friendly rather than strictly formal.

Helmets are provided, and children receive safety vests. Wear long trousers and comfortable, breathable clothing. Shorts can lead to rubbing against the saddle, while loose or delicate clothing may not be practical around horses. Food and drinks are not included.

The desert ride, with room for different abilities

The route first heads through the desert near Hurghada. Do not expect a long expedition into remote wilderness. This is a short recreational ride, but the open sand gives you a strong change from the hotel strip and the built-up resort areas.

For a beginner, this first section is useful practice. You can learn how your horse responds before reaching the beach, with the guide nearby to help with steering and speed. The desert portion also gives the group space to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

More confident riders may be able to move faster, including a canter or gallop in suitable conditions and under the guide’s direction. This is not guaranteed for every group. Your speed depends on your ability, the horse you are assigned, the route, and the guide’s judgment.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s better features. A family can ride together even when one person is new to horses and another has experience. The group may be divided by ability, with beginners riding at a gentler pace and more experienced riders receiving a livelier outing.

The duration options range from 90 minutes to three hours. A shorter ride suits a busy holiday schedule or a first attempt. The two-hour ride gives you more time for both desert and beach, while the longest options make more sense if riding is a main reason for booking.

Remember that the advertised duration is the total riding experience selected, not a promise of constant fast movement. Much of the pleasure comes from walking, handling the horse, enjoying the setting, and stopping for pictures.

Reaching the Red Sea beach

The route continues from the sand toward the Red Sea shore. This change is the tour’s visual payoff: dry desert under the hooves, then sea, beach, and open sky.

The beach section is also where the ride feels most distinct from an ordinary stable outing. You are not simply riding around an arena or along a fenced track. You get the unusual contrast of a horse beneath you and the Red Sea beside you.

Guides remain responsible for keeping the group together and choosing a safe pace. Some riders may want to go faster, but the experience is not designed as an all-out race. If your priority is a relaxed ride with scenery and pictures, the standard pace should suit you.

If you are an experienced rider, explain your level clearly. One experienced rider particularly valued being able to ride Hero along the beach, while another found the two-hour beach ride more satisfying without adding the swimming segment. That is useful advice: experienced riders may prefer extra riding time over time in the water.

The beach can also be the best part for families and couples. A parent who is nervous can remain with a guide while a more confident companion enjoys a livelier pace nearby. Solo riders benefit from the small-group or private options, especially since staff can take pictures using your phone.

Swimming with horses in warm weather

Swimming is available as an option, not as part of every ride. To include it, choose the two-hour ride with swimming. The horse enters the sea while you remain mounted or follow the staff’s instructions, creating the most unusual moment of the outing.

This option is particularly appealing if you want a story to tell rather than simply a pleasant horseback ride. The water provides a refreshing break in summer, and the pictures can be memorable. Several riders describe the sea portion as the highlight of their visit.

There is a practical tradeoff. Swimming uses some of the two-hour booking, so you get less time riding along the beach and through the desert. If your main aim is to ride at a steady pace, choose the regular two-hour ride instead. If the horse-and-sea experience is your priority, select swimming.

Seasonal details matter here. Swimming is normally offered through October 31, with the last regular day listed as October 31. From early November onward, it may only be possible by prior agreement, depending on the weather and sea temperature. This restriction is linked to the animals’ wellbeing, so confirm before booking if you are visiting in late autumn or winter.

Do not assume that a warm Hurghada afternoon guarantees swimming. Ask about current conditions. The stable can decide based on the temperature and the sea, and that is the right approach for both rider and horse.

Photos without carrying a camera

The staff can take pictures with your phone during the ride. This is a small inclusion, but it adds real value, especially for solo visitors or couples who want photographs together.

You may be guided into good positions near the beach or water, with the horse included in the frame. Staff members who act as photographers, including Abdulrahman and Yousef in different outings, have been praised for making an effort with the pictures.

Bring a phone with enough battery and storage. A waterproof case is sensible for the swimming option, although no special camera equipment is supplied. You should also clarify whether you want the phone used before setting off, since handling a phone around horses and water is not ideal without preparation.

The photos are taken using your own phone, which avoids waiting for a separate digital package. It also means the quality depends on the phone and the person holding it. Still, for a $17 starting activity, having staff help you capture the ride is a useful touch.

What the $17 price really gives you

At $17 per person, this is one of Hurghada’s easier outdoor activities to fit into a holiday budget. The base price covers horseback riding through the desert and along the beach, with a helmet and child safety jacket available. Selected options also include hotel transport and swimming.

The value is strongest for beginners, families, and anyone who wants a memorable two-hour outing without paying for a full-day excursion. You get instruction, horse assignment, a guide, and help with phone photos. The stable setting, with its other animals, adds character that a simple beach ride may not offer.

Check the option carefully before booking. Duration, transfer, and swimming are not identical across all choices. Pickup from the more distant resort areas costs an additional €10 per person, and food and drinks are not included.

I would compare this with the cost of a private taxi to the stable if you are staying outside Hurghada. For couples or small groups, the extra transfer fee may be worthwhile for convenience. For solo visitors staying nearby, going directly to the stable can keep the total lower.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the plan flexible. Those terms are useful if your holiday schedule may shift, but you still need to check the exact option and confirm the pickup details.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This outing suits couples, families, friends, and solo visitors. It is especially strong for a first horseback ride because the horses are matched to ability and the guides help riders settle in.

Families should note that children receive helmets and safety vests, and several outings have worked well for young riders. Adults remain responsible for judging their own child’s comfort around horses and the other animals at the stable.

Experienced riders may enjoy the beach, the open desert, and the chance to canter when conditions allow. However, do not book this expecting a long independent ride at full speed. The route is guided, and safety comes before giving one rider a faster outing.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, babies under one year, people over 95, or anyone above the 100 kilogram weight limit. Pregnant participants should consult a doctor before booking.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

• Confirm the pickup time through WhatsApp or the booking app the day before.
• Wait at the hotel entrance or security gate, not inside the resort unless told otherwise.
• Wear long trousers, breathable clothing, and shoes suitable for a stable.
• Carry water, since drinks are not included.
• Bring a charged phone if you want staff to take pictures.
• Tell the guide if you are nervous or have previous riding experience.
• Check swimming availability if you are visiting from early November onward.
• Allow extra time for pickup if your hotel has security checks or sits outside central Hurghada.

Should you book Lucky Horses Stable?

I would book this tour if you want a friendly, manageable introduction to horseback riding with the added choice of a Red Sea beach route. The staff’s care with horse selection, beginner support, safety equipment, and phone photos makes the $17 starting price appealing.

Choose the standard two-hour ride if you care most about riding time. Choose the swimming option in warm weather if entering the sea with a horse is the main reason you are interested. Confirm the season before paying, especially after October 31.

This is not the right pick for a guest who dislikes close contact with animals, needs accessible transport, or expects a private, high-speed riding lesson. For most families, couples, solo riders, and curious beginners, though, it offers a memorable way to see a different side of Hurghada.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

Available options range from 90 minutes to three hours. The exact duration depends on the option you select.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada are included when you select an option with transfer. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay is available for an extra €10 per person.

Can I arrive at the stable without a transfer?

Yes. If you select the option without transfer, you can travel directly to Lucky Horses Stable. If you arrive by taxi or Uber, look on the left side of the road near the Harmony building and show your ticket to the guide.

Is swimming with the horses available all year?

No. Swimming is normally offered in warm weather, with October 31 listed as the last regular day. From early November, it may be possible only by prior agreement and depending on the temperature and sea conditions.

Which option includes swimming?

To include swimming, choose the two-hour ride with the swimming option.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The staff matches horses to riding ability, and guides provide help and instructions. Private or small-group options are also available.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing. Long trousers are recommended to help prevent chafing while riding.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, for the safety of the horses.