REVIEW · HURGHADA
3-Hour Swim with Horses and Romantic Dinner from Hurghada hotels
Book on Viator →Operated by Bella Trips · Bookable on Viator
A horse ride that mixes desert sand and sea water is rare. What makes this one special is the way you get both views and motion in a single 3-hour block, with helpful guides like Hani and a finish that turns romantic fast. I like that the staff give clear horse-handling instructions and stay close while you ride, and I also like the small-group feel (max 15). One thing to consider: show up ready for possible transfer hiccups, since at least one rider reported a late pickup and a vehicle that wasn’t air-conditioned.
You’re starting in Hurghada, usually with hotel pickup offered, then heading out to ride through Egyptian desert scenery and end up at the shoreline where the Red Sea ride happens. After that, you’ll wrap up with a romantic dinner and homemade food. If you want a totally frictionless logistics day, confirm your pickup details in advance and keep a little buffer in your schedule.
In This Review
- Key Points You’ll Care About
- Desert + Red Sea Rides in One 3-Hour Package
- What Hotel Pickup Means (and What to Confirm)
- Meet the Horses: Instructions That Make a Difference
- The Desert Segment: Dunes, Pace, and Photos
- Switching to the Red Sea: Horses in the Water
- The Romantic Dinner: Homemade Food as the Payoff
- Price Check: Is $18 Good Value?
- Who Should Book This (and Who Should Skip It)
- Timing and Group Size: Why the Numbers Matter
- Tips to Make Your Ride Go Smoothly
- Should You Book This Hurghada Horses + Dinner Experience?
- FAQ
- How long is the experience?
- Is pickup offered from Hurghada hotels?
- How many people are in the group?
- Can children participate?
- Is there a weight limit?
- What parts of the day include horseback riding?
- How far in advance should I book?
- Is there free cancellation?
Key Points You’ll Care About

- Desert ride plus Red Sea horse riding in the same experience
- Small group size (up to 15), which helps you feel looked after
- Clear guidance from named staff like Hani, with active help while you ride
- Romantic dinner with homemade food as the payoff after the riding
- Weight limit of 150 kg and a safety cut-off for kids under 5
Desert + Red Sea Rides in One 3-Hour Package

This is the kind of activity that makes sense in Hurghada because it gives you two “wow” moments without eating your whole day. You’ll ride through the desert scenery on horseback, then you’ll switch to the shoreline area for a sea-focused segment in the Red Sea.
You should think of it as a tight, guided rhythm: get oriented, get mounted, follow the pace your guide sets, and then enjoy the scenery at horse speed. The whole thing is designed to be doable for most people—especially if you’re willing to listen and keep a steady seat.
And yes, the romantic dinner matters here. The ride is the headline, but the meal is the reason this feels like more than just another excursion.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
What Hotel Pickup Means (and What to Confirm)
Pickup is offered, and the tour is positioned as easy to plug into a Hurghada stay. You don’t need to hunt your own way across the city if you’d rather have someone handle the first step.
Still, don’t assume every transfer will feel identical. One rider described arriving late by about 30 minutes, and also noted the vehicle wasn’t air-conditioned as expected. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but it does mean you’ll be smartest if you:
- confirm the pickup time window you’re given
- ask what the transfer vehicle is like if comfort matters to you
If you’re the type who hates surprises, add extra slack to your schedule.
Meet the Horses: Instructions That Make a Difference

The best part of this experience, based on repeated positive notes, is how the guides set you up to succeed. Names like Hani (and “Heni” in another spelling) show up because people felt the guides were friendly, present, and practical.
You’ll be taught how to handle the horse and control it, even if you’re a first-timer. This matters more than you’d think. In a desert setting, you want your horse handling to feel calm and predictable. On the shoreline, you want confidence in your seat and in the rhythm the horse uses in shallow water.
One of the stronger compliments in the stories is that the guides stayed alongside instead of vanishing after the mount. That’s the difference between a ride that feels like a tutorial and a ride that feels like you’re on your own.
The Desert Segment: Dunes, Pace, and Photos

During the desert portion, you’ll ride across sand and through scenery with mountains, dunes, and valleys in view (depending on the route). The pace can include trots and, for some riders, faster movements like canters and even gallops—especially if you’re comfortable with the horse and follow directions.
This is where you’ll feel the “Egypt” of Hurghada in a different way. You trade hotel sidewalks for open air. You feel the scale of the dunes. And if you’re the type who likes motion-based sightseeing, it’s more fun than a stand-still camera stop.
Photos also come up as a real perk. One review mentioned a captain who was kind about taking photos, and another mentioned getting plenty of pictures after being taught how to move with the horse. If photography matters to you, plan to be relaxed with your posture and don’t fight the horse’s rhythm—guides tend to get better shots when you’re not tense.
Switching to the Red Sea: Horses in the Water
The headline feature is horseback riding in the sea. The activity description is clear that you’ll be in the Red Sea waters while riding, not just standing at the edge.
This part changes the feel fast:
- the ground gets less predictable under hooves
- your sense of balance has to adjust
- you’ll likely deal with splashes and salty water sensations
That’s also why the instruction quality from your guide matters. If you start this segment already trusting your control and your seat, you’ll enjoy it instead of bracing for it.
And yes, it can feel magical—because it’s genuinely unusual to do horse riding that blends into swimming-like water time. It’s also a nice contrast to the desert: same horse, totally different environment.
The Romantic Dinner: Homemade Food as the Payoff
After the riding, you finish with a romantic dinner. The activity title says romantic, and at least one strong note highlighted homemade food as fantastic. That’s a key clue about what kind of dinner this is: not just a quick stop for calories, but a real end to the outing.
I think this is what makes the whole experience feel “complete.” A lot of excursions stop right after the main activity. Here, you get a mood shift—from sand-and-sea adrenaline to sitting down, eating, and digesting the day.
If you’re traveling as a couple, this is the part that turns your photos into a story. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s still a win because it’s a built-in debrief time, not a scramble to find a restaurant afterward.
Price Check: Is $18 Good Value?

At about $18.01 per person, this isn’t priced like a luxury show. It’s priced like an experience that tries to hit the best parts of Hurghada in a tight package: desert riding, Red Sea riding, and dinner.
So what does that price buy you in real terms?
- A guided horseback experience with instruction (not just a rental horse situation)
- A small group size (max 15), which helps the ride stay personal
- Two environments in one outing (desert + sea)
- A dinner finish that includes homemade food
Could you find cheaper horse time somewhere? Maybe. But this one bundles more than a basic ride, and it’s structured around a “do it all” flow.
At the same time, keep expectations aligned. This is not a high-end, private-safari level operation based on what’s publicly known about the format and group limits. It’s a value-focused activity, and the experience quality depends heavily on the guide day and transfer setup.
Who Should Book This (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a strong fit if you:
- want a horses-and-scenery day without planning a full itinerary
- like hands-on guiding and clear instructions
- enjoy photo-friendly activities (and want help getting shots)
It’s also a good option if you’re traveling with someone for a romantic outing, thanks to the dinner portion.
You should think twice if:
- you’re extremely sensitive to transfer delays and vehicle comfort (one rider reported an issue)
- you’re bringing very young kids—kids under 5 can’t participate for safety
- you exceed the 150 kg maximum weight limit
If you’re a first-time rider, the experience is built for it. The repeated feedback about reassurances and guide attention suggests you won’t be treated like a passenger who just needs to hold on.
Timing and Group Size: Why the Numbers Matter
The total duration is about 3 hours. That’s a huge deal for Hurghada planning because you can fit this around beach time or other day trips.
Group size is capped at 15. That matters too. Smaller groups usually mean:
- clearer direction
- less waiting around
- more chance for the guide to help if someone needs a moment
Confirmation is received at booking, and mobile tickets are used. That’s practical—less paperwork, fewer moving pieces in the moment you’re trying to enjoy the day.
Also, the tour is near public transportation. So if you decide you don’t want pickup, there’s an alternative way to reach the start point, at least in theory.
Tips to Make Your Ride Go Smoothly
You don’t need to be an equestrian. You do need to be coachable.
Here’s what will help you get the most out of the desert and sea segments:
- Pay attention during the horse-handling instructions. This is where your confidence starts.
- Keep your posture steady. If you tense up, it usually makes riding harder for you and the horse.
- If you want faster riding like canter or gallop, be ready to follow the guide’s cues right away.
- Bring a calm, patient attitude. The best rides happen when you stop fighting the horse’s pace.
And if you care about comfort in transit, confirm pickup vehicle details before the day of. One off experience shouldn’t ruin your plan, but you don’t want surprises either.
Should You Book This Hurghada Horses + Dinner Experience?
I’d book it if you want a memorable Hurghada day that blends desert scenery, Red Sea horseback riding, and a romantic meal finish in a short window. The standout strengths here are the instruction quality and the guide presence—people felt safe and supported, not brushed off after mounting.
I’d also book it with one practical mindset: treat pickup timing as something to double-check. If you’re scheduling this on a tight travel day, add buffer time.
If you’re under 5 years old, over 150 kg, or you’re expecting a fully luxury, perfectly timed transfer every time, this probably won’t match your expectations.
Otherwise, for the price, the mix of desert + sea + homemade dinner is exactly the kind of “simple plan, big memories” outing that makes Hurghada feel like more than just a beach resort town.
FAQ
How long is the experience?
It runs for about 3 hours.
Is pickup offered from Hurghada hotels?
Pickup is offered.
How many people are in the group?
The group size is capped at a maximum of 15 travelers.
Can children participate?
Kids under 5 years old can’t participate for safety.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. The maximum weight limit is 150 kg.
What parts of the day include horseback riding?
You’ll ride through the desert and also ride in the Red Sea waters.
How far in advance should I book?
It’s commonly booked about 7 days in advance.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel within 24 hours, you won’t get a refund.







