Desert dust, then Red Sea calm. This Makadi Bay horse riding tour blends cool morning or glowing sunset light with calm, well-trained horses, and guides like Mohamed (often called Didi) and Yusuf keep things relaxed and fun. I especially like the photo stops and the way the team matches horses to your comfort level.

The main drawback is timing, transfer time can be anywhere from about 25 minutes to up to an hour depending on where you stay. If you pick an early option, you will be up early, and you will want your pickup to go smoothly.

Key points before you go

• Desert plus Red Sea in one ride keeps the scenery changing without feeling rushed
• Small groups and level-based horse matching help beginners feel safe
• Sunrise, sunset, dinner and stargazing choices let you pick the mood you want
• VIP 4-hour option adds a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea
• Guides often bring the camera energy and help with plenty of photos and video
• Family and first-timers work well when you tell the guide your comfort level

Makadi Bay Horse Riding: Desert Paths Meet Red Sea Calm

You come to Hurghada hoping for the Red Sea. You end up getting a desert experience too. The route typically mixes sand valleys and open plains, then shifts toward the coast for that quiet, breezy feeling you only get when you are away from hotel pools.

I like that the horses are described as calm and well trained, and the team organizes riders by skill level. That matters because confidence changes everything, from how you sit to how brave you feel trying a faster pace.

You also get a real guide-led rhythm. The morning air, the coastal light, and even the slower tempo on the sand all help the ride feel more like a journey and less like a theme-park activity.

Price and Value for a $20 Horse Ride With Real Add-Ons

At $20 per person, this is one of the easier activities to justify in Hurghada. What makes it good value is not just the horse time. You are also getting a professional guide, a safety briefing, helmets, and a structured ride route that blends desert and sea.

Where value gets better is in the upgrades. The 2-hour horse ride is a solid base. If you want more story and atmosphere, the sunset package that includes dinner, a live show, and stargazing adds an evening plan without you needing to arrange anything else.

The VIP option changes the math again. The 4-hour ride with a swim stop is longer, and swimming with your horse is a rare thing to check off on the Red Sea.

Picking the Right Option: 2 Hours, 4 Hours, Dinner Nights, or the Quad Combo

This tour comes in several styles, and choosing the right one is the difference between a simple ride and a full day you remember.

For a straightforward horse experience, go with the 2-hour ride (Makadi Bay area). If you want sunrise views and a meal, choose the early departure, since the Oriental breakfast is only included with the 5:00 AM sunrise option.

For an evening mood, select the sunset ride. Many people love this timing because the light softens the desert colors, and it naturally leads into the add-ons like dinner, live performance, and desert stargazing.

If you want the most “wow,” choose the VIP 4-hour horse ride. It includes a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea, so you are not just watching the water, you are stepping into it.

And if you want action before your saddle time, the 1 hour quad + 1 hour horse combo is built for cooler morning starts. It is also a nice way to split the experience, because quads give you speed and horses give you calm.

Before You Ride: Transfers, Meeting Point, and the First 15 Minutes

The day starts with pickup if you select it. Depending on your location, transfer time can be about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, about 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada, and up to around an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

If you do not want transfers, there is an entry-ticket-only option for the 2-hour ride, so you can handle your own way to the base.

When you arrive, your guide is usually at the entrance greeting you by name. If you are being picked up, you will want to wait in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before pickup. Then, at the base, there is typically a short rest period of about 15 minutes before the ride begins.

I like this start because it gives you time to settle in, ask questions, and get comfortable with what happens next, especially if you have never ridden before.

Helmets, Safety Checks, and How They Match You to the Right Horse

Safety here is not just a poster on a wall. You get a helmet and clear instructions before mounting. Helmets are provided upon request and, importantly, they must be worn during the ride.

Before you go, the team conducts a short guidance session, including a brief driving or riding test. This is a smart move because it helps the guide place you into a group that fits your control and comfort level.

The guides also choose horses based on your ability. That is a huge deal if you are nervous. Guides like Hassan and Mahmoud and Sabir are praised for being patient, and for picking a horse that matches the rider, even when the rider starts out scared.

If you are experienced, tell them up front. One of the most helpful moments is when the guide hears your level and then plans your ride pace accordingly. That is how people end up with the right balance of control and excitement, including cases where more confident riders get to canter while the guide keeps a close watch.

The 2-Hour Ride Through Makadi Bay: What You Actually Feel

A two-hour ride has a sweet spot. It is long enough to get into the rhythm, and short enough that you do not feel exhausted by heat or sand dust.

Most routes include a mix of terrain: sand valleys, open stretches, and then coastal segments. The coastline part is where the experience becomes calmer and cooler, and where you often get those classic photos along the water.

In some rides, you may even splash into shallows near the shore. That is not about thrill for thrill’s sake. It just makes the Red Sea feel real, and it gives you a memorable contrast to the desert sections.

Photo stops are built in. Guides often take lots of photos and videos for your group, which is useful because one rider holding a phone usually means no steady camera work. Here, you can relax your focus on the ride.

Sunrise and Sunset Magic: Light, Temperature, and That Desert Quiet

Sunrise rides tend to feel cooler and cleaner. The air is easier, and the desert light hits at angles that make the coastline glow instead of glare. If you choose sunrise with breakfast, it becomes more than a ride. It is an early-day plan with food built in.

Sunset rides are about color and atmosphere. The guide-led pace works well here because you can actually enjoy where you are. The desert sky often looks bigger, and the coast feels softer as the day cools.

Both times are popular for a reason. You get a break from harsh midday sun, and you also get that quiet, open feeling that you only get when you are riding rather than just walking along a track.

If you want the best photos, bring your own sunglasses and a sun hat. That sounds basic, but it keeps you comfortable enough to actually pose when the guide calls the group for a shot.

Sunset to Night: Dinner, Show, and Stargazing After the Ride

The sunset package turns your horse ride into an evening. You ride first, then you eat, then you watch live performance, and then you shift into stargazing time.

This is a good option when you want one ticket to cover multiple parts of the night. Instead of hunting for dinner plans and then trying to find something to do after, you let the tour handle the sequence.

Dinner is described as Oriental, and the live show adds a cultural entertainment piece to the open sky. Stargazing in the desert area is often the payoff, because the surrounding darkness makes stars feel closer than in city lighting.

If you have ever felt like Hurghada evenings blur together, this structure helps. You get a clear arc to the day, ride, food, show, then sky.

VIP 4-Hour Ride With a Swim Stop in the Red Sea

If you are aiming for the biggest memory, choose the VIP 4-hour option. This is where the tour goes beyond “ride and return” by adding a swim stop with your horse.

It is also where you should be prepared for a bit more physical comfort planning. You will want swimwear ready, sunscreen applied earlier, and footwear that makes it easy to handle water and sand.

The bonus of the swim stop is emotional. Watching water is one thing. Getting into it adds a playful element that feels different from the desert portions of the ride.

This option is best for people who want variety. It is not just scenery. It is an activity shift from riding posture to water time.

Quad Plus Horse: A Faster Morning for Adrenaline Seekers

The 1 hour quad + 1 hour horse combo is timed during the cooler early morning. That makes sense because quads and sand dust can get tiring fast when temperatures rise.

The quad portion takes you out into the desert before you switch to horses. This split is actually smart. Horses feel gentle and steady after the speed of quads, and the change keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

If you go this route, do yourself a favor and wear dust protection. Sunglasses are a must, and a face scarf is a smart add-on if you are sensitive to grit.

On site, there are small shops and facilities. One rider noted toilets at the arrival area, and that you can buy water and face scarves there, with basic scarves costing about 200 EGP and water around 50 EGP. Premium scarves were listed at about 400 EGP. Pricing can shift, but it tells you the vibe: this place is set up for practical needs, not just riding.

Guide Style and Horse Temperament: Why People Feel Relaxed

Some people are nervous about horses. That is normal. What matters is the way the guide handles it and the horse selection.

In multiple experiences, guides are praised for being patient, calm, and good at choosing horses for different abilities. People also mention that guides explain what to do, and they stay attentive throughout instead of disappearing once the group starts moving.

You might also notice the “two-part guide” approach. In one experience, there were two guides, one on foot and one on horseback, so less confident riders had closer support. That setup makes sense for pacing and safety, especially when the group includes mixed skill levels.

When the guide pairs you with a good horse, you can focus on the ride instead of worrying about control. The result is that first-timers feel steady, and experienced riders get the option to go faster when it is safe to do so.

What to Bring, What to Leave Behind, and How to Avoid Sand Trouble

Bring the basics and keep it light. You should pack comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. If you choose the VIP swim stop, bring swimwear too.

Wind matters in the desert. On windy days, wearing longer clothing can help protect your skin from sand. It also helps you feel less irritated for photos and longer stretches outside the shade.

Leave valuables at your hotel. For the ride, you also want to avoid jewelry. Large luggage is not allowed, and pets are not allowed either.

Also skip smoking in the vehicle and avoid alcohol and drugs, since those are listed as not permitted.

One small practical trick: if you are prone to dust discomfort, consider a face scarf. Even if you buy one at the base, it is an easy way to avoid rubbing your eyes and throat for hours.

Group Size, Private Options, and Comfort That Feels Personal

This is usually set up as a small group experience. Groups are tailored to riding level, so you are not stuck riding at someone else’s pace the whole time.

If you want more control over the plan, private tour options are available. Private transfers can also be added for comfort, especially if your hotel is far from the base.

For families, one experience praised training that worked for kids during the full duration. That does not mean everyone can ride, but it suggests the team is used to guiding younger riders who need structure and patience.

The key is communication. Tell the guide your comfort level early. The better they understand your expectations, the smoother the whole ride feels.

Who This Hurghada Horse Tour Fits Best

This tour is a great fit if you want a classic Hurghada activity that includes more than the beach. The combination of desert terrain and Red Sea coastline makes it feel like Egypt, not just a single viewpoint.

It also works well for beginners because the team provides helmets, safety instructions, and horse matching. If you are nervous, guides often help you get over fear by staying patient and careful.

Choose the sunrise breakfast option if you like quiet mornings and a simple meal plan. Choose the sunset dinner and stargazing option if you want an evening program with a cultural show. Choose VIP if you want water play with your horse.

There are also clear skip conditions. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people over 243 lbs (110 kg).

If you fall into one of those categories, it is worth picking a different activity in Hurghada. The ride requires safe physical participation.

Should You Book This Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour?

Yes, if you want a guided horse ride that actually uses the setting, desert and Red Sea together. The value at $20 is strong, especially because you get safety gear, professional guidance, and a structured route with photo stops.

You should also book if you care about atmosphere. Sunrise options bring cool air and soft light. Sunset options can roll into dinner, live show, and stargazing. VIP adds the swim stop, which is the kind of memory that feels rare.

But choose your option carefully. If you are sensitive to early mornings, double-check the sunrise timing since breakfast is tied to the 5:00 AM departure. And if you live far from the Makadi Bay area, plan for a longer transfer.

If you want a smooth, safe, and genuinely scenic half day or evening, this is an easy “yes” for most people in Hurghada.

FAQ

How long is the Makadi Bay horse riding tour?

The horseback riding options range from about 2 hours up to a VIP experience of 4 hours, with other add-ons that turn a ride into an evening. Duration is listed as 2 to 5 hours depending on what you choose.

Do I need hotel pickup for this tour?

Pickup is optional. If you select the tour with shared transfer, you get hotel pickup and drop-off. There is also a 2-hour option without transfer, described as an entry ticket only.

Where do I meet my guide?

Your guide waits at the entrance and greets you by name. If you are picked up, you should wait in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. If you choose other times, breakfast is not listed as included.

Is a swim stop with the horse included?

A swim stop in the Red Sea is only included with the VIP 4-hour horse riding option.

Do I get safety equipment like a helmet?

Yes. You get a safety briefing and horse introduction before the ride, and helmets and safety equipment are provided upon request. Helmets must be worn during the ride.

Who should not participate?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people over 243 lbs (110 kg).

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear if you are booked on a swim stop option, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Not allowed includes pets, luggage or large bags, jewelry, smoking in the vehicle, and alcohol and drugs.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.