Hurghada: Desert & Sea Horse Riding with + 360° Photos

Horseback riding meets the Red Sea. This two-hour Hurghada outing combines Arabian horses, desert trails, shoreline riding, and optional swimming with the horses. I especially like the chance to ride beside the sea at sunset and the friendly, capable guides, including Ameen and Saleh, who receive warm praise for their riding skills and care.

The stable visit adds something useful: you learn how to brush, clean, and feed your horse rather than simply climbing aboard for a quick photo. The main drawback is that the ride includes some walking along a Hurghada road, which may feel uncomfortable if you are riding with a child or are nervous around traffic. You should also check the weight limit carefully before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two-hour Arabian horse ride: You spend time on horseback at different stations, with each section lasting about 40 to 60 minutes.
• Desert and Red Sea scenery: The route may include sandy desert trails, beach riding, and views across the water.
• Swimming with the horses: This is available when you select the relevant option, and it is one of the most memorable parts of the outing.
• Hands-on stable time: You learn how to brush, clean, and feed the horse before or around the ride.
• Photos and videos included: Guides take pictures and videos during the activity, including the advertised 360-degree photo experience.
• Strict riding limit: The safety information lists 155 pounds, or 70 kilograms, as the horse-care limit. Use this lower figure when deciding if the ride is suitable.

From your Hurghada hotel to the stable

The day begins with pickup in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle. The provider operates from Hurghada, and the exact pickup time depends on your hotel. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, so I would avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

Pickup details are sent after booking, and you should provide your room number by email or WhatsApp when possible. Confirm the final pickup time one day before the ride. This small step matters in Hurghada, where hotels can be spread across a wide area and a pickup window is more realistic than a precise minute.

Transfers are included from listed Hurghada hotels. The information also refers to El Gouna transfers, while hotels in El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, Safaga, and Soma Bay may require an additional charge, listed as €10 per person for several of those areas. The details are not perfectly consistent, so ask the provider to confirm the fee and pickup coverage before paying.

The drive takes you to the stable, where the horse-riding team greets you. This is not presented as a large resort-style attraction. The focus is the horse, the guide, and the ride itself, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a quick photo stop.

Meeting the Arabian horses

At the stable, the guides introduce you to your horse and explain the basics. You can learn how to brush, clean, and feed the animal. That short lesson gives the ride more meaning, especially if you have never handled a horse before.

The horses are described as well-trained and well-behaved, and the guides receive strong praise for their care and riding ability. Ameen is singled out as an excellent horse rider, while Saleh is remembered as a kind and fun cowboy. Those details matter because your comfort depends heavily on the person leading the group.

You should still be honest about your riding experience. Horseback riding uses your legs, balance, and core muscles, and the activity notes that it can be difficult if you have little or no experience. The guides can help, but this is not the place to pretend you are an expert rider.

The horses carry riders through several stations, with each period on horseback lasting around 40 to 60 minutes. The total riding time is described as two hours, although the full outing also includes transport, stable time, instructions, and photography.

Riding through the desert

The first major part of the route takes you through the desert around Hurghada. You ride along scenic trails, surrounded by open sand and the dry, spare setting that makes the Red Sea coast so different from the Nile Valley.

Desert riding is not about constant speed. The appeal is the steady rhythm of the horse and the changing view from the saddle. You get a better sense of the space than you would from a vehicle, and the quiet can be calming when the horse settles into a walking pace.

The tour description uses the word forest trails, but the main setting is clearly the Egyptian desert and the Red Sea shore. I would expect the exact route to depend on conditions, the selected option, and the day’s schedule. Ask the guide at the stable whether your ride will begin inland, by the beach, or with both areas included.

The route may suit you if you want a gentle outdoor activity rather than a fast, technical riding lesson. It is less suitable if you want long periods of galloping or advanced instruction, since the supplied details focus on guided riding, scenery, and calm contact with the horse.

Along the Red Sea and into the water

The beach section is the outing’s strongest feature. Riding beside the Red Sea gives you a second setting after the desert, and the contrast makes the two-hour trip feel varied.

The horse may walk along the shoreline, with the water close by and the guide controlling the pace. This is a good choice for people who want a special holiday photograph without booking a full-day excursion. The shoreline also gives the horse and rider a cooler, more open setting than the dry inland trails.

Swimming with the horses is possible when you select that option. This is not simply standing beside the water for a picture. You can enter the sea with the horse, making it the most unusual part of the experience.

Bring swimwear under your clothes. There is no place to change on the beach, so this tip is practical rather than optional. You should also bring a towel and wear comfortable shoes. Protect your phone and other valuables, since the water section creates obvious risks for electronics.

The available information does not specify how long the swimming portion lasts, how deep the water is, or whether every horse enters the sea. Ask those questions before you leave the stable if swimming is the main reason you are booking. The experience is weather and horse dependent, so keep your expectations flexible.

Sunset, photos, and the 360-degree memory

Sunset riding is another major attraction. The timing can give you warm light over the desert and water, with the horse adding a memorable foreground to your pictures.

Guides take photos and videos throughout the activity. That means you can concentrate on riding instead of trying to hold a phone while managing a horse. It also helps if you are traveling alone or want group pictures without asking strangers on the beach.

The experience is promoted with 360-degree photos. Since the practical details only confirm that guides take photos and videos, I would ask how the 360 images are delivered, whether they are included for every participant, and whether you receive them digitally afterward.

The photos can be a real part of the value, but do not let them replace attention to the horse. Listen to the guide, keep your hands steady, and follow instructions when the horse is near water or other riders. A good picture is worth less than a safe, comfortable ride.

What the guides add

The guide is central to this outing. The strongest feedback focuses on friendly staff, good horse handling, and a welcoming atmosphere. Ameen is praised for his riding ability, and Saleh is described as kind and entertaining.

Those names give you useful points of contact. If you are assigned one of them, you can tell them early whether you are a beginner, a confident rider, or nervous about the water. Even if another guide leads your group, clear communication will help them match the pace to your comfort.

The staff also help make the stable visit more than a staging area. Learning to brush and feed the horse gives you a respectful way to meet the animal before riding. That is particularly useful for children and first-time riders, though a parent should decide whether the child can manage the physical demands.

One caution comes from the route itself. An 11-year-old rider found walking along the main Hurghada road stressful because of nearby cars. The overall outing was still rated highly, but this is a fair warning. If you are bringing a child or feel uneasy around traffic, ask whether that road section is part of your planned route.

Is $21 a good value?

At $21 per person, the experience is priced well for a two-hour Arabian horse ride with guide service, hotel transport in the covered areas, and photos and videos. The value improves if you want several elements in one outing: desert riding, beach riding, sunset views, and the chance to swim with the horse.

The price does not include lunch, so plan to eat before or after the trip. It also excludes extras not listed in the program. Transfers from some nearby resort areas may cost an additional €10 per person, so the final price can be higher if you stay outside central Hurghada.

The optional swimming feature may be worth the extra cost if it is charged separately, but confirm the amount before booking. The same applies to the advertised 360-degree photos. The basic package includes photo and video coverage, while the exact delivery of 360-degree content is not explained.

For a short activity, the low price makes sense for a first-time rider who wants a memorable half-day-style outing without committing to a full desert safari. For an experienced equestrian seeking technical training, the value is weaker because this is a guided sightseeing ride rather than a serious riding lesson.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction to horses
• Couples looking for a sunset activity with strong photo potential
• Families with older children who can handle a physical ride
• Horse lovers who want to combine stable care with time in the saddle
• Visitors who want both desert and sea without booking separate excursions
• Anyone interested in swimming with horses

You should think twice if you dislike riding for long periods, have limited balance, or expect a fast ride. The activity requires physical effort, and the guide may keep the pace controlled for the horses’ safety.

The weight rule also needs careful attention. The safety information gives a limit of 155 pounds, or 70 kilograms, while another note says the activity is not suitable for people over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. These figures do not match. Use the stricter 155-pound limit and confirm directly with FTS Travels before booking. The rule protects the horse and avoids an awkward refusal at the stable.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear comfortable clothes that allow your legs to move. Long trousers may be more practical than shorts because you will spend substantial time in the saddle, though the supplied instructions only specifically require comfortable shoes.

Bring a towel if you plan to swim. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes because changing facilities are not available on the beach.

You should also prepare for dust, sun, and time outdoors, although specific sunscreen guidance is not provided. Keep personal items to a minimum, particularly if you intend to enter the water. Follow the guide’s instructions about where to leave anything you do not need on horseback.

Give yourself time to listen at the stable. The brushing and feeding lesson is not filler. It helps you understand the horse’s mood, care needs, and behavior before you ride.

A practical verdict on the full experience

The activity earns its strong reputation for good reasons: the staff are friendly, the horses are described as calm and well trained, and the route offers more variety than a basic arena ride. Desert trails, Red Sea riding, sunset light, and optional swimming create a memorable mix for a modest price.

The weak points are practical rather than dramatic. The riding can be demanding for beginners, the road section may unsettle families, and the weight information needs clarification. The exact swimming time and 360-degree photo delivery also deserve a quick question before you confirm.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a short, friendly horse outing with desert and sea scenery, especially if swimming with the horses is high on your list. It offers good value at $21 when your hotel is within the included pickup area.

Skip it if you want advanced riding, a long gallop, or a completely traffic-free route. Before booking, confirm the pickup fee, stricter weight limit, swimming details, and how you receive the photos. With those points settled, this is a personable Hurghada activity that gives you genuine time with the horses, not just a quick staged picture.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The horseback riding portion lasts two hours. You remain on the horse at each station for about 40 to 60 minutes.

Where does the experience take place?

The ride takes place around Hurghada, with routes through the Egyptian desert and along the Red Sea. The exact route may depend on the selected option and conditions.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming with the horses is available if you select that option. Confirm the option and any extra cost before booking.

What should I wear for swimming?

Wear your swimwear under your clothes because there is no place to change on the beach. Bring a towel and comfortable shoes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in Hurghada by air-conditioned vehicle. Additional charges may apply for hotels in areas including El Gouna, Al Ahyaa, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, Safaga, and Soma Bay.

What is the weight limit?

The safety information lists 155 pounds, or 70 kilograms, as the limit for the horses. Another note lists 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, as the general suitability limit. Confirm the stricter 155-pound limit with the provider before booking.

Can beginners join the ride?

Beginners can join, but horseback riding is physical and may be difficult if you lack experience. Tell the guide about your riding level before setting out.

Are photos and videos included?

Guides take photos and videos during the tour. The experience is also advertised with 360-degree photos, so ask the provider how those images are delivered and whether they are included in your selected option.