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

REVIEW · HURGHADA

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

  • 4.8649 reviews
  • 3 hours
  • From $17
Book on GetYourGuide →

Operated by Lucky Horses Stable · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Horse hooves meet Red Sea light. This Hurghada outing blends desert riding with time along the beach, with departures in the morning or at sunset for a different feel. You start at Lucky Horses Stable and get matched to your experience level, then follow a guide who keeps things safe and fun as you move from sand tracks to salty shoreline.

What I like most is the setup’s mix of adrenaline and control: a horse riding experience that works for beginners through more confident riders. Another big win is the atmosphere around the stables. You’re in a calm, animal-friendly environment with friendly staff, helmets/child safety vests for youngsters, and a crew that helps you get great phone photos without turning the whole trip into a production.

One consideration: the optional swimming with horses depends on season and temperature. In cooler months, it’s not offered from early November onward, so plan your expectations around the time of year.

Key points to know before you go

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Key points to know before you go

  • Desert-to-beach route: You’ll ride from sandy tracks to the Red Sea shoreline, so it feels like two scenes in one outing.
  • Multiple ride lengths: You can pick a shorter or longer option (with a 2-hour choice specifically tied to swimming).
  • Seasonal sea swim: Swimming is a summer highlight, but it’s limited after 31.10 and may need prior agreement depending on conditions.
  • Safety basics included: Helmets are provided, and children get a safety vest.
  • Phone photos handled for you: Guides help with photos during the ride, and there’s professional photo coverage available.

Lucky Horses Stable: the value is in how it’s run

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Lucky Horses Stable: the value is in how it’s run
Lucky Horses Stable sits in the Hurghada area where GPS can get a little too confident. The practical clue is that the stable is on the left side of the road; if your app drops you in front of the Harmony building, you’re close. Once you step out, look left and you should see the stables behind it. Since there are multiple stables nearby, bring your ticket up on your phone and make sure you go to the correct yard.

The reason this matters for value: when you spend less time “figuring it out,” you spend more time riding. And at this price point, that’s exactly what you want. Around $17 per person, you’re not paying for luxury. You’re paying for a real outdoors experience, guided, with safety gear, and a photo plan.

Inside the stable area, you’ll also meet other animals (cats, dogs, and horses). That’s part of the charm, but it’s also something to consider if you’re uneasy around animals. The information is clear: if you’re afraid of animals, think carefully before booking.

You’ll also see the small details that suggest care and routines—safety gear ready, staff attentive, and guides who help you get comfortable before you move out. In reviews, people repeatedly highlight guides like Rebecca, Abdul, Saeed, Adil, and others for being patient, especially with first-time riders and kids. That’s not just nice customer service; it directly changes your ride quality.

A few more Hurghada tours and experiences worth a look

From pickup to saddle: what your timeline actually feels like

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - From pickup to saddle: what your timeline actually feels like
This tour runs daily and has options ranging from about 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on which ride duration you pick. If you choose transfer, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada. For other nearby areas, pickup is available for an extra fee of €10 per person from places like Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay.

Here’s how the day usually flows in real life terms:

1) Pickup and waiting

If you book with transfer, you’ll wait at your hotel entrance or security gate. Some hotels don’t allow drivers inside, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to meet outside. If you’re doing self-arrival, you’ll go directly to Lucky Horses Stable.

A small time buffer can happen. Pickup times depend on hotel location, and short delays up to 15 minutes are possible due to traffic or hotel checks. If you’re traveling with kids or you’re timing dinner, keep that in mind.

2) Arrive at the stable and get matched

At the stables, you’ll meet the team and typically see the horses ahead of time. One of the smartest parts of this tour is that the guides choose horses based on your skill level, which is especially helpful if you’re a beginner or traveling with someone more advanced.

3) The ride starts: desert portion first, then the beach

The core experience is guided riding through desert areas and along the Red Sea beach. The exact pace and route can vary by your group and conditions, but the theme stays consistent: you don’t just trot in one place. You move from inland sand to open shoreline.

4) Return and drop-off

After the riding (and swim, if you choose it), you’re brought back to the stable area and then dropped off at your selected location.

Riding the desert and the Red Sea beach: why this combo works

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Riding the desert and the Red Sea beach: why this combo works
Many horse rides are one-scene events: either dirt tracks or a beach. This one is built around the contrast, and you feel it right away. You start in the desert ride zone, where the rhythm of the horse and the feel of sand underfoot create a “real excursion” vibe. Then you transition toward the beach, where the Red Sea air changes the whole mood.

What you’ll likely notice most is how the guides manage speed and comfort. For beginners, they help you learn how to control your horse safely and confidently. For more experienced riders, there’s room for faster movement along the beach. In reviews, people describe cantering and riding with more energy, but the key point is that it’s not random—it’s guided.

If you want the best odds of a smooth first ride, it helps to arrive with expectations that match your experience. Beginners tend to love when the guide takes time at the start, explains what to do, and keeps a close eye. More confident riders tend to love when the route allows them to build speed safely along the shore.

Choosing your ride length: 90 minutes vs 2 hours vs longer

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Choosing your ride length: 90 minutes vs 2 hours vs longer
The duration range is flexible: 90 minutes to 3 hours. That’s a big deal if you’re juggling Hurghada’s heat, your beach time, or excursions from your hotel.

Here’s how I’d choose based on your goals:

  • Shorter rides (around 90 minutes)

Pick this if you want the experience without losing half a day. It’s also a good fit for families where kids might tire out or for couples who already plan to spend long hours at the resort.

  • The 2-hour option

This is the best choice if you want the classic desert-to-beach experience with enough time to feel you truly rode, not just “started and stopped.” It’s also the required option if you specifically want swimming with horses (more on that next).

  • Longer options (up to around 3 hours)

If you like a slower pace and want more time in the saddle, a longer option is likely the better value for pure riding time.

One review note that’s useful: if your main priority is beach riding time, you may prefer skipping the swimming portion. Swimming (when offered) takes time and shifts the focus from riding along the shore to time in the water.

The summer sea swim option: fun, but only when conditions allow

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - The summer sea swim option: fun, but only when conditions allow
The headline “sea swim” is real—if you book the 2-hour ride with swimming option during the summer months. The thrill is simple: you ride your horse into the sea for a refreshing, memorable moment.

But here’s the practical rule that matters: swimming with horses is not offered from early November onwards. The last day is 31.10, and after that it may only be available upon prior agreement depending on temperature and sea conditions. If you’re planning a winter trip and sea swimming is a must for you, message ahead and confirm.

If you’re debating the swim, I’d think about it this way:

  • Choose the swim if you want a single standout moment that’s different from the typical beach ride.
  • Skip the swim if you want maximum time on land and along the shoreline.

Also, wear practical swim-ready clothing under your riding gear plan. The tour info emphasizes comfortable, breathable clothing, and long pants are ideal to prevent chafing. In practice, that usually means you’ll be happier if you prepare for the “sand + salt + movement” reality.

Safety and horse comfort: helmets, vests, and matching skills

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Safety and horse comfort: helmets, vests, and matching skills
This tour includes basic safety gear, and it’s not hand-wavy. Helmets are provided, and children get a safety vest. That’s especially important if you’re bringing a younger rider.

There are also hard limits:

  • Maximum rider weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Pregnant guests should consult their doctor before booking
  • Not suitable for mobility impairments
  • Babies under 1 year not suitable
  • People over 95 years not suitable

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a more reassuring setup than you might expect at this price. In reviews, parents mention how guides handle beginners and young riders patiently and keep them moving at a safe pace.

One subtle but valuable point: horses are chosen according to your skill level. That means the guide isn’t just “put you on a horse and hope.” The matching can reduce fear for first-timers and make experienced riders feel like they’re riding rather than babysitting.

Photos on the ride: phone help plus professional shots

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Photos on the ride: phone help plus professional shots
A big part of why people rebook and recommend this kind of activity is memory. The tour is set up to help you get photos without you being the only person juggling a phone while mounted.

You can expect:

  • Photos taken during the trip with your phone (guide assistance)
  • Optional professional photo coverage taken during the ride

Reviews mention specific cameraman support (names like Usef show up) and people praising the shots as good value. One of the best “value-per-minute” elements here is that the staff take photos while you ride, so you’re not stopping every few minutes to redo angles.

If you’re the type who hates awkward photo moments, this is a nice workaround. Focus on the ride. Let the crew handle the best angles.

Transfers, finding the stable, and first-arrival tips

Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horse Riding tour/w Swimming&Transfer - Transfers, finding the stable, and first-arrival tips
Logistics in Hurghada can be a time-sink, but this one is fairly straightforward if you use the clues you have.

If you selected transfer from Hurghada:

  • Wait at your hotel entrance or security gate
  • Some hotels won’t let the driver inside
  • Be ready to stand where your guide asks you to wait
  • Reconfirm your pickup time one day before your tour (they send it via WhatsApp or through the GetYourGuide app and by email)

If you selected no transfer:

  • You can come on your own
  • Or you can message via WhatsApp to arrange pickup

If you’re arriving by taxi or Uber:

  • The stable is on the left side of the road
  • GPS may drop you at the Harmony building
  • Once you step out, look left and find the correct stables yard behind it

This sounds boring, but it prevents the most common problem: showing up at the right area, then walking the wrong row of stables and losing 30 minutes. Do yourself a favor: find the Harmony building reference before you overthink it.

Who this fits best: families, couples, and first-time riders

This is the kind of activity that makes sense for different travel styles in Hurghada:

  • First-time riders

Guides are repeatedly described as patient and helpful, and the horse matching matters here. If you’re nervous, you’ll want a guide who can slow your brain down and explain what’s next.

  • Families with kids

Helmets and child vests are provided. Reviews mention kids loving it, and the staff coordinating with different riding groups at the same time. It also helps that the stable is an animal environment, so there’s something to see even before you mount up.

  • Couples and friends

This is a fun “shared story” activity. One person gets the desert beat, the other gets the beach moment. Everyone leaves with photos and a clean memory hook.

  • Solo travelers

Even solo riders can get paired with a suitable horse and guide. Reviews mention solo travelers appreciating the staff and photo help.

If you’re traveling with someone who’s afraid of animals, that’s the biggest red flag. The setting is animal-forward, and there are cats and dogs around the stable area.

Price and value: why $17 can feel like a bargain

At around $17 per person, this tour is priced like an easy add-on—but it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. What makes it good value is the combination:

  • Guided desert-to-beach riding
  • Safety gear included (helmets and child vests)
  • Phone-photo help during the ride
  • Optional professional photos
  • An animal-friendly stable environment

The “value math” gets even better if you’re comparing it to other paid activities that only give you one photo, one short moment, and then you’re done. Here, you get a real block of time outdoors, plus a two-scene ride, and then a staff team that actively supports you in the moment.

The only place you might feel the price trade-off is if you wanted a longer, more structured ride for advanced riders only. But for most visitors—especially beginners—this is a strong deal.

Also, if you’re using transfer from outside central Hurghada, the extra €10 per person is still reasonable compared with the cost of private taxis for the same round-trip distance.

Should you book the Sea & Desert Horse Riding at Lucky Horses Stable?

I’d book it if you want a guided horse ride that’s built around real variety: desert riding plus time along the Red Sea beach. I’d also book it if you care about animal care signals and you like a stable environment where staff are present and attentive, not distant.

I’d think twice if:

  • You’re uncomfortable around animals and won’t like the stable area with cats and dogs nearby.
  • You’re traveling in the season when sea swimming isn’t offered, and you’d be disappointed if it’s not available.
  • You need mobility-friendly access. The tour lists it as not suitable for mobility impairments.

If you’re a beginner, or you’re bringing kids, this tour has the structure and safety basics to make it feel manageable. And if you’re doing it for photos and memories, the crew’s phone-photo help plus optional professional shots make it easy to leave with more than blurry screenshots.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada sea and desert horse riding tour?

The duration ranges from about 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the option you choose and availability of starting times.

Where does the tour start?

The ride starts at Lucky Horses Stable Hurghada.

Can I ride in the morning or at sunset?

Yes. The tour can be done in the morning or at sunset.

Is swimming with horses included?

Swimming with horses is included only if you select the swimming option.

When is swimming with horses available?

Swimming is offered in the summer months, and it is not offered from early November onwards (last day 31.10). It may be available upon prior agreement depending on temperature and sea conditions.

What should I wear for the ride?

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing, and long pants are recommended to help prevent chafing.

What safety gear is provided?

Helmets are provided, and children receive a safety vest.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum rider weight is 220 lbs (100 kg).

How do photos work during the tour?

You can get photos during the trip with help using your phone, and there are also professional photos available.

Do I get hotel pickup, and is there extra cost from nearby areas?

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

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Hurghada we have reviewed

Explore Egypt