A night with horses and stars is hard to beat. This Hurghada tour mixes a gentle horseback ride around Makadi Bay with optional stargazing, dinner, and a show as the sky turns dramatic.

Two things I really like: the experience is pitched for all rider levels, so beginners are not treated like a problem. And the guides focus on safety while still giving you real chances to learn, even some basic trot practice if you feel ready.

One thing to keep in mind is timing. This is weather dependent, and the stargazing plan is tied to the evening option and what the sky allows.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Horseback riding around Makadi Bay with well-trained, gentle horses that work for families and first-timers
• Guide-led safety plus real riding instruction, including help for people who have ridden only a little
• Optional sunset add-ons: stargazing, dinner, and a show, turning the ride into a full evening
• A small group feel with a stated maximum of 100 travelers
• Extra comforts included, like air-conditioned transport and bottled water
• Good value for the length of the tour, starting at just over $41 per person

Sea and Desert in One Evening, Around Makadi Bay

Hurghada is famous for two worlds that usually stay separate: Red Sea days and desert nights. This tour stitches them together by starting with horseback riding near Makadi Bay, then, if you pick the sunset version, shifting to the dark sky and everything that comes after.

Makadi Bay is a resort area along the Red Sea Riviera, lined with hotels and spas. Even if you are just riding and not snorkeling, you get the same sense of place: sandy stretches, warm coastal air, and that vacation energy that makes the evening feel relaxed rather than rushed.

If you choose the horseback-only option, you still get a satisfying experience in about 3 hours. If you choose the sunset package, you are basically turning a ride into a story: dusk, stargazing, dinner, then a show.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For

At $41.34 per person, this is not priced like a fancy, long-distance expedition. It is more like a smart evening add-on, and you can see why it moves fast, often booked about a month ahead.

Here is where the value comes from. You are paying for transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a horse for each person. That matters because horseback activities can get expensive fast once you factor in the horse, the handlers, and the time.

What is not included is also pretty clear: you will handle tipping and any extras not mentioned in the program. For a lot of people, that makes budgeting easier because you know the big ticket items are already covered.

Pickup, Mobile Tickets, and a Manageable Group Size

You get pickup offered, plus a mobile ticket. That combination usually means fewer moving parts once you arrive in Hurghada, especially if you are traveling as a couple, a family, or solo.

The tour has a stated maximum of 100 travelers. That does not mean you will feel like you are in a tiny private bubble, but it also suggests the group should stay organized rather than chaotic. For horseback riding, organization is everything. You want clear handling, waiting areas that do not drag, and guides who can pay attention.

Also, you get confirmation at booking time. That lowers the annoying uncertainty factor, and it is useful when you have a tight trip schedule.

Horseback Riding Around Makadi Bay: Beginner Friendly, Not Just a Photo Op

The main event is the horseback ride around Makadi Bay. This is built to be workable for different abilities, from total beginners to people with more saddle time.

The horses are described as well-trained and gentle, and that is a big deal. A good horse calm-downs your nerves fast, which lets you focus on learning basic control rather than worrying about what the animal will do next.

From the reviews, you can also tell the guides pay attention to how riders feel in the saddle. Helmets can be provided if you ask, and one family specifically had to request them and received them without drama. That is the kind of small friction you want to avoid, so keep that in mind when you arrive.

What I like most is that instruction is not purely ceremonial. One rider noted that the guide helped beginners and even taught a little trot. That turns the experience from a slow, passive walk into something you actually learn from, even if you never become a show rider.

A few practical thoughts:

• Ask about helmets right at the start if you want one.
• Let the guide know if you have never ridden before, so they can position you and pace you.
• Wear something you can move in, because you are on a horse, not a theme park seat.

Why the Sunset Option Adds Value: Stargazing, Dinner, Show

If you are choosing the sunset tour, the evening includes stargazing, dinner, and a show after the ride. The idea is straightforward: as the sun sets over the Red Sea, you shift your attention from what is beneath your feet to what is above you.

Stargazing is led by an expert guide who explains mysteries of the night sky. Even if you do not know constellations today, you should come away with a few mental anchors. That is the difference between looking at stars and actually understanding what you are seeing.

Then you head into dinner with local and international options. This is a practical choice for value. You are already out, already in the mood, and you do not have to organize a separate meal plan with limited time in Hurghada.

Finally comes the show, described as a program that celebrates Egyptian cultural heritage. This is where the tour becomes more than outdoor time. It gives you a structured ending, and it works well if you are traveling with kids, or if you want an evening that feels like more than just another dinner restaurant.

If you pick horseback-only, you still get the core riding experience. But if you are in Hurghada for multiple days, the sunset package is the one that turns your trip into a full evening memory.

Makadi Bay’s Coast, and Why It Matters for Your Ride

Even though you are not touring coral reefs during this specific activity, the setting around Makadi Bay helps explain the vibe. This is a resort strip with sandy beaches that are popular for snorkeling and scuba outings in the broader area.

The description also mentions that dive trips around the region can include caves, coral reefs, and marine life like barracuda. While you are not automatically doing underwater sightseeing on this ride, it is good context. You are riding in a place where people come because the sea life and coastal scenery are the star attraction.

For you, that means the ride is not happening in an industrial setting. It is happening along a vacation coast, which tends to make the whole experience feel lighter. You get that feeling that you are outside in the open air, not stuck inside a schedule-heavy itinerary.

How Long It Takes, and How to Pace Your Evening

This tour is listed at about 3 hours. That is short enough that it is realistic on a vacation day, but long enough to feel substantial.

Here is how I would think about it:

• If you want the ride plus dinner and show, plan for a full evening block even if it is only about 3 hours total.
• If you choose horseback-only, you free up time for a beach walk or another easy activity afterward.

Because the sunset option involves stargazing, dinner, and a show, you likely want to arrive with a clear sense of time. Do not stack another big tour immediately after, unless you enjoy living dangerously.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a great match if you want a memorable activity that is still approachable.

• Families like it because it can work for kids and still feel like a real event, not just babysitting time.
• Couples often enjoy it because it mixes outdoors time with an evening program.
• Solo travelers can appreciate the guide-led structure and the built-in plan for food and entertainment.

It is also a good option if you want horseback riding without needing advanced skills. The horses are described as gentle, and the guides adjust to beginners.

Who might skip it? If you only want something strictly physical or adrenaline-heavy, you may find the pace more relaxed. Also, if you are extremely sensitive to weather changes, the evening option depends on good conditions.

Practical Tips That Make a Difference

Based on how the experience is described, these are the small moves that help you get a smoother night.

1. Ask about helmets immediately

One review mentioned having to request them, and it was handled fine. You can save yourself stress by asking at the start.

1. Dress for warm evenings

Hurghada evenings can feel pleasant, but you are outside during sunset and dark sky time. Wear comfortable clothes that you can sit in after the ride.

1. Plan for tipping

Tipping is not included, so bring a little cash if that is your style.

1. Bring your phone, but don’t trust it for stars

Phones help, but stargazing works best when you also look with your own eyes. Keep it simple.

1. Be ready for a weather check

The tour needs good weather. If conditions are not right, you will get a different date or a full refund.

Weather Matters More Than You Think

This experience requires good weather. That is especially true if you are booking the sunset version, because stargazing needs a sky that cooperates.

The good news: if the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered either a different date or a full refund. So you are not stuck losing money because the sky turns moody.

My advice is to check the forecast close to your tour time, and keep your schedule flexible if you can.

Should You Book This Hurghada Horse Ride plus Stargazing?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want an evening that mixes fun outdoor time with a built-in cultural end to the night. The biggest strength here is the horseback riding quality, paired with guides who focus on safety and still teach you enough to feel like you accomplished something.

It is also a solid value play. For around $41 per person, you get transport, bottled water, a horse, and, on the sunset option, dinner and a show too. That is a lot packed into a short time window.

Skip it only if you dislike weather-dependent plans or you are hunting for a high-adrenaline riding session. If your goal is a friendly, guided experience with real atmosphere, this one fits.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed at about 3 hours.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride happens around Makadi Bay.

Do I need to know how to ride a horse?

No. The tour is designed to work for all levels, including beginners.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a horse for each person.

What if I want stargazing, dinner, and a show?

You can choose an enhanced evening option that includes stargazing, dinner, and a show. There is also a horseback-only option.

Are helmets provided?

Helmets may be available. If you want one, ask when you arrive and the guides can provide it.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 100 travelers.

Is tipping included?

No. Tipping is not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.