Sharm El Shiekh: Beach and City Desert Horse Riding Tour

The memorable part comes when the sandy track reaches the Red Sea. You ride along the beach, then take your horse into the clear shallows, clothes and all. I like the careful horse matching for beginners and the choice of sunrise or sunset, when the Sinai light is at its best. The main catch is that the ride to and from the beach can use much of your two hours, and the open riding area is not a dune-filled desert.

I also like the small groups of up to five and the patient instruction from guides such as Mohamed and Mahmoud. Beginners can start with a lead or close guidance, while confident riders may trot or canter where the guide allows it. Bring long trousers and waterproof shoes, and agree on any optional photography price before you ride.

Key points to know before you book

• Red Sea riding: Take your horse into the shallow water at the beach and expect to get wet.
• Good beginner support: Horses are assigned by riding level, with guides able to walk beside nervous riders or lead the horse.
• Sunrise is special: Early departures offer cooler air and striking light over the beach and Sinai hills.
• Two hours in the saddle: The advertised activity lasts two hours, though some rides have finished closer to 90 minutes.
• Small group format: The group is limited to five participants, which allows closer help than a large trail ride.
• Photography costs extra: A photographer may take polished beach images, but confirm the price and currency first.

From Edelweiss Center into Sharm El Sheikh’s desert

Your ride begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center, where you meet the staff, choose a helmet, and discuss your riding level. The useful question is not simply if you have ridden before. Tell the guide if you are nervous, comfortable at a walk, able to trot, or keen to canter.

The horses are assigned with ability in mind. Several riders with no previous experience were able to ride independently after basic instruction, while others stayed with a lead or had a guide walking alongside. That flexibility matters. A first ride should feel controlled, not like a test of courage.

The center provides helmets and an instructor. Guides speak Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian, although the amount of English can vary between staff members. Mohamed is repeatedly singled out as a calm teacher and strong horseman, while Mahmoud is also involved in running the experience. Communication before pickup is handled through WhatsApp, so provide a working number.

After mounting, the group leaves the center and follows the route through the open ground around Sharm El Sheikh. This is the part to picture accurately. You get golden sand, broad space, distant buildings, and the dry South Sinai setting, but not a classic Sahara scene of tall dunes. One rider found the word desert a little grand for the area between buildings.

That does not make the opening ride dull. It gives you time to settle into the saddle and learn how your horse responds. You may walk first, then move into a trot if you are ready. More experienced riders can receive greater freedom, but the guide decides when faster riding is safe.

The ride to the beach takes real time

The route to the coast is a major part of the outing, not a short transfer from the stable. Some accounts describe about an hour out to the beach and a similar route back, while the official duration is two hours total. That means the amount of time actually spent in the water or galloping beside the sea can vary.

I would treat the advertised two hours as saddle time, but leave some flexibility in your day. One person reported a total ride of about 90 minutes, while another said the full two hours was clear. Pickup, preparation, horse selection, and the return to your hotel add time beyond the riding itself.

The route is also where the group’s mixed abilities can shape the pace. A beginner may need a steady walk, while an experienced rider may want to move faster. The guides appear to manage this by matching horses and adjusting how closely they accompany each rider, but this is not a private gallop for everyone.

That balance is useful for families and couples with different levels. A nervous rider can stay close to the guide, while a confident companion may have a chance to trot or canter. If your main goal is speed, ask about the expected pace when you arrive.

Riding along the Red Sea shore

The beach is the emotional center of the outing. The horses reach the shore, walk or gallop along the sand, and then enter the water. The combination of horse, sea, beach, and early or late light creates the photographs people come for, but it is also fun without a camera.

At sunrise, the beach can feel quiet and open, and the changing sky gives the ride a calm start. You may need a very early pickup, with some departures beginning around 4 or 5 a.m., but that effort pays off in cooler conditions and soft light. Sunset offers a more relaxed start to the day and warm color over the coast.

The water section is not a dry horseback ride with a view of the sea. Your horse goes into the shallows, and you should expect splashes and wet clothes. Wear waterproof shoes if possible, and avoid clothing you need to keep dry for the rest of the day.

The beach itself is described as beautiful and relatively empty. You can ride along the shore, pose with the horse, and, if your ability and the guide’s judgment allow, canter on the beach. Several first-time riders were taught to trot, and some advanced riders were allowed to canter.

Do not assume every participant will get a long, fast beach run. The guide must account for the least confident rider, the horse’s behavior, and the beach conditions. A mixed group may spend time stopping for photographs or helping beginners. That is a fair trade for a safer, friendlier outing, but it may disappoint someone seeking a serious riding workout.

What the horses and guides add to the experience

The strongest part of this outing is the care given to the horses. The center is described as clean, with horses in good condition and assigned for temperament as well as rider skill. Calm horses were used for first-time riders, children, older adults, and nervous participants.

That does not mean every horse is dull. Riders describe horses with different personalities, including Candy, a spirited mare that enjoyed the sea and could move quickly under an experienced rider. The mix of gentle and energetic horses gives the guide room to tailor the ride.

Safety support is practical rather than theatrical. You receive a helmet, and the saddle has a strap to hold for security. A guide may lead the horse, walk beside you, or ride nearby. Instructors also explain how to handle the horse and check on water during the ride.

Mohamed receives particular praise for patience and clear teaching. He helped complete beginners learn to trot and gave more experienced riders room when appropriate. Other guides may communicate with fewer English words, but horse handling and simple riding instructions remain central to the outing.

The staff’s attitude matters because horseback riding can expose a wide gap between people in the same group. A confident rider may want a fast pace, while a first-timer may be gripping the saddle. Here, the arrangement is best suited to groups who value support and a memorable setting over a uniform athletic ride.

Photography, clothing, and the small costs to watch

A photographer may accompany the ride and take pictures at the beach. The images can include posed shots in the water and action pictures along the sand. For many people, this is the best way to capture a moment that is hard to photograph from the saddle.

The service is optional and costs extra. Prices have not always felt clear to every customer, so ask for the exact amount, currency, and number of images before agreeing. One person paid about £25 for around 30 pictures, while another was surprised by a £30 charge quoted in British pounds rather than Egyptian currency. Treat those figures as examples, not a fixed current price.

The photographer may also affect the rhythm of the ride. If your group wants many posed images, beach time can turn into a photo session. That suits anyone booking mainly for social media or family pictures, but riders focused on time in the saddle may prefer fewer stops.

Clothing deserves more attention than the booking description suggests. Wear long trousers, since the saddle can rub bare legs, and choose comfortable clothes that can get wet. Several riders strongly recommend trainers or riding shoes, while waterproof shoes are useful for the sea section. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, but sandals and shorts are poor choices here.

A passport or copy is required for security purposes. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. Pregnant women and people with back problems should not take this ride.

Is $98 fair for two hours?

At $98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach near Sharm El Sheikh. The value depends on what you want from the outing. You are paying for the horse, helmet, instructor, small group size, beach access on horseback, and the chance to ride into the Red Sea. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the transfer option.

For a beginner, the instruction and individual attention make the price easier to justify. You are not simply handed a horse and sent down a path. The guide assesses your ability, chooses a suitable animal, and can remain close throughout the ride.

For an experienced rider, the value rests on the setting. Galloping or cantering beside the sea, then entering the water, is a distinctive Sharm experience. If you only want a long, technical trail ride, the route may feel less rewarding because part of the journey passes through open ground near the city.

Check the transfer choice carefully. With pickup, you begin at your hotel in an air-conditioned bus or coach and return there after the ride. Without it, you must reach the Edelweiss Equestrian Center yourself. One rider was pleased with the pickup, while another felt let down after booking without transport.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan to eat beforehand, especially for a sunrise departure, and bring anything you need for the morning. The experience itself lasts two hours, but transport and preparation mean it takes a larger block of your day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans around Sharm are still shifting, but confirm the exact pickup time through WhatsApp before the day.

Which departure time should you choose?

Sunrise is my first choice if you can manage the early start. The air is cooler, the beach may be quieter, and the light changes as you ride from darkness into morning. Several riders considered the early wake-up worthwhile, with some leaving their hotel around 4 a.m. or arriving at the center at 5 a.m.

Sunrise also suits nervous riders who prefer a gentler start before the heat builds. The soft light is flattering for photographs, and the sea can look especially calm. The tradeoff is simple: you must sleep early and organize transport carefully.

Morning riding gives you daylight without the pre-dawn start. It can be a practical choice for families, but the supplied information does not provide a precise temperature schedule, so you should expect conditions to vary by season.

Sunset offers the strongest choice for people who want dramatic color without waking in the middle of the night. The ride can finish with the Sinai hills and beach glowing behind you. Keep in mind that late-day heat can still matter in summer, and the guides and horses are working in warm conditions.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

This is a good match for first-time riders who want instruction, a calm horse, and a memorable setting. It also works well for families with children, provided the child is comfortable around horses and meets the operator’s requirements. A nine-year-old learned to trot during one outing, while an older rider in her sixties was given a gentle horse and close support.

Experienced riders have something to gain as well. You may be permitted to trot or canter, and the beach and sea create a setting quite different from an indoor arena. The ride is not designed as a fast, uninterrupted training session, though, especially when beginners share the group.

Avoid it if you are pregnant or have back problems. Think twice if you dislike getting wet, cannot wear long trousers, or want a pure desert experience with dunes. Also reconsider if paying extra for photographs would bother you, and make sure you can decline the service clearly.

Should you book the Edelweiss beach ride?

I would book this if you want a friendly, image-filled horseback outing with real beginner support and a strong sense of place. The best parts are the well-kept horses, patient guides such as Mohamed, the small group size, and the moment your horse steps into the Red Sea.

Before paying, choose the transfer option if you do not have simple transport to Edelweiss, confirm the pickup time on WhatsApp, and ask about optional photo charges. Wear long trousers, sturdy or waterproof shoes, and clothes that can get soaked.

Book sunrise for cooler air and the best light. Choose sunset if you want a slower start and dramatic beach color. At $98, it is good value for the unusual sea ride and personal instruction, but less so if you expect a full day, long dune ride, or uninterrupted galloping.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The stated activity duration is two hours. Some rides may take about 90 minutes, so allow flexibility and remember that hotel transfers, preparation, and pickup time are separate.

Where does the ride begin?

The ride begins at the Edelweiss Equestrian Center in Sharm El Sheikh. If you select transport, pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are included.

Can complete beginners take part?

Yes. The instructor assesses your ability, assigns a suitable horse, and can lead the horse or walk beside you while you learn the basics. Some first-time riders progressed to trotting.

Can I gallop or canter on the beach?

You may be allowed to trot or canter if your ability, the horse, and conditions make it suitable. The guide controls the pace, especially in a mixed group.

Will I ride the horse into the sea?

Yes. The route continues to a beach where you can take the horse into the Red Sea shallows. Expect your clothes and footwear to get wet.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors are listed as speaking Arabic, English, Russian, and Italian. Communication in English may vary between individual guides.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, long trousers, comfortable shoes, waterproof shoes, and your passport. A copy of your passport is accepted.

Is the photography included?

No. Photography is optional and costs extra. Confirm the exact price and currency before accepting the service.

Is hotel pickup always included?

Pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. If you do not select it, you must make your own way to the Edelweiss Equestrian Center.