Hurghada: Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change from resort life to a horseback ride through mountain-framed desert valleys. You leave the hotel, travel by jeep to a desert oasis, and spend the evening moving from sunlight and dust to a BBQ meal and a remarkably clear sky.

I like the patient riding guidance, especially for first-timers, and the simple rhythm of the evening: ride, watch the sunset, eat, then study the stars. I also like that the program includes proper riding gear, a safety briefing, hotel pickup, and a guide. The main drawback is the rough jeep transfer. It can feel thrilling, but one account described very fast driving, no seatbelts in the rear, and a ride that frightened one passenger.

Key points to know

• One hour on horseback: Ride through desert valleys, stop for photographs, and reach a hill or viewpoint for sunset.
• Off-road transport included: The jeep travels about 17 kilometers to the oasis, and the full outing can run from roughly 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., depending on your hotel.
• Dinner at a desert oasis: Expect Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola after the ride.
• Stargazing with telescopes: A guide explains star groups and uses professional telescopes for objects visible that night.
• Good for first-time riders: Guides fit safety equipment and adjust speed and riding style to your comfort.
• Worth checking for comfort: The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year.

From Hurghada hotels to a desert oasis

Pickup begins at your hotel, with the exact time set by its location. Communication through WhatsApp has been prompt and useful, so keep your phone available on the day of the trip.

You first meet the group and then switch into an adventure jeep for the run into the desert. The stated route is about 17 kilometers to the oasis, but the total transfer can take longer than you expect because of hotel collections and possible stops to pick up other people. One outing ran from about 1:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

That makes this a full afternoon and evening, not a quick sunset activity. If you have a dinner reservation, show, or early morning excursion planned for the next day, allow plenty of room around the schedule.

The jeep ride is part of the entertainment, but it is also the section I would consider most carefully. Some people enjoy the speed and rough tracks. Others find the driving too aggressive, especially when sitting in the back without seatbelts. If you dislike jolting vehicles or fast off-road driving, ask about seating and driving arrangements before you commit.

Arabian tea before the horses

At the oasis, the program begins with Arabic tea or coffee. This gives you time to look around, settle after the jeep ride, and meet the riding team before mounting up.

The guide explains the route and basic safety rules, then supplies riding equipment. That briefing matters because the group can include experienced riders and people who have never held the reins before. Your riding style and speed are supposed to match your skill and comfort level, so tell the guide clearly if you want a quiet pace.

Several guides have been singled out by name during the outings. Adam was especially praised for the stargazing section, while Nasser, also called Marshmallow, brought plenty of humor to the astronomy talk. The horse guides are described as attentive with beginners, taking time to explain how to control the horse rather than simply sending the group off.

One hour on horseback through desert valleys

The horseback portion lasts about an hour. The route runs between valleys, with bare desert slopes and mountains forming the backdrop. This is not a polished riding arena. You are out in open country, where the appeal comes from the silence, rock, sky, and changing light.

The ride is designed for a mixed group. Guides may lead cautiously when needed and allow more confident riders some freedom when conditions permit. You should not expect a fast gallop or a fixed level of speed. The official safety guidance makes clear that the pace depends on the ability and confidence of everyone taking part.

That is good news if this is your first ride. I would still wear trousers or other practical clothing, since you will spend a full hour in the saddle. The desert can feel hotter than the temperature at your resort, so sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water are sensible additions even though only the first three are specifically listed as items to bring.

The horses are an important part of the experience. One particularly positive account described them as happy and healthy, which matters to anyone who wants to ride without feeling uneasy about animal care. You can also expect photo stops during the route, giving you a chance to rest, take pictures, and enjoy the setting without trying to photograph everything from the saddle.

Sunset from a desert hill

The ride is timed around sunset, and the group stops for photos and a rest. Some descriptions place the sunset view on top of a hill. From there, the low sun brings out the folds of the valleys and the mountain edges.

This is the quietest part of the trip. After the noisy jeep transfer and the practical business of learning to ride, the group has a chance to slow down. The horses, open ground, and fading light make the setting feel very different from Hurghada’s hotels and busy waterfront.

Bring a hat for the ride, but remember that the light can disappear quickly after sunset. A light extra layer is useful if the evening forecast is cool. The supplied advice is simply to wear clothing suited to the weather, which is sensible in a desert where the temperature can shift after dark.

After the sunset stop, you ride back to the oasis. The return portion is shorter in at least one described itinerary, though the exact timing can depend on the group and the route.

BBQ dinner with a practical menu

Back at the oasis, dinner is served after the ride. The menu includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola. It is a broad, filling meal rather than a carefully designed tasting menu.

That works well after an active afternoon. You get protein, rice, vegetables, salad, and fruit, with soft drinks included. A farm-to-table lunch is also mentioned in the tour highlights, but the detailed schedule clearly describes an evening dinner, so I would plan around dinner rather than lunch.

Food quality appears to be one of the stronger points of the outing, though expectations should stay realistic. This is a desert BBQ at an activity site, not a restaurant visit in Hurghada. One account called the meal delicious, while another found it simply okay. The sensible view is that you should expect a generous, straightforward dinner that adds real value to the $41 price.

Soft drinks are included, but extra drinks may cost more. One person bought a smoothie and later reported stomach trouble, so I would stick to the included refreshments or choose extras carefully. That single experience does not prove a general problem, but it is a useful reason not to assume every additional drink is a good choice.

Stargazing after the lights go out

After dinner, the guide explains star groups and points out objects in the clear desert sky. The lack of city light is the main reason this works better than looking upward from a hotel balcony.

A professional telescope is used to view targets available according to the night’s calendar. The moon and selected stars or planets may be visible, but exactly what you see depends on the date and sky conditions. The telescope is not a private instrument for each person. If the group is large, you may need to wait your turn.

This is the part where expectations matter most. The astronomy talk can be funny and memorable, especially with a lively guide such as Nasser. Adam has also been praised for making the star session engaging. Still, a large group can make the telescope experience less personal. One account described a group of more than 45 people sharing two telescopes, one aimed at the moon and another at a specific star or target.

You will not be able to handle the telescope yourself or spend unlimited time looking through it. The reward is the setting and the guided explanation, not a private astronomy lesson. If you want a relaxed sky-watching session, stay near the guide and be ready when your turn comes.

What $41 buys you

At $41 per person, this excursion includes several separate services: hotel transfers in Hurghada, the off-road journey, a one-hour horse ride, equipment, guides, Arabic tea or coffee, dinner, soft drinks, and stargazing with a telescope.

I consider that a strong package for the price, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a desert safari, horseback ride, meal, and astronomy activity. The combination also gives the evening a clear shape. You are not paying for a single short ride and then trying to fill the rest of the night yourself.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a varied desert outing. You get scenery, animals, sunset, food, and stars in one booking. It is less appealing if you already have a full safari planned or if you want a small, quiet, specialist astronomy session.

The price does not remove the tradeoffs. The group can be large, the jeep ride can be rough, and the telescope time may be brief. Treat the tour as an active group adventure rather than a private luxury experience.

Who should book this evening

I would recommend it to you if you want to try horseback riding but do not need a long or technical ride. The guides are used to helping beginners, and the one-hour length gives you a clear taste without committing to half a day in the saddle.

It also suits couples and families with older children who enjoy a full schedule. The sunset gives the evening a romantic edge, while the dinner and astronomy talk keep the outing varied. People who enjoy photography will find plenty to work with, especially at the sunset stop and under the night sky.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or are bringing a baby under one year. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You also need to accept the physical nature of the day: a rough vehicle ride, heat, dust, time in the saddle, and a late return.

If you are nervous about horses, tell the guide before mounting. If you are nervous about the jeep, ask practical questions before departure. The safety rules and monitored site are reassuring, but they do not make the ride gentle or the desert cool.

Useful preparation for the day

Wear clothes that protect you from sun and dust while still allowing you to ride comfortably. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are specifically recommended. Choose shoes and clothing that you do not mind getting dusty.

Bring a phone or camera for the photo stops, but keep it secure during the jeep ride and on horseback. The guides make time for photographs, so you do not need to risk dropping your phone while riding.

Tell the horse guide your experience level. This is especially important if you have never ridden before. The pace is meant to follow the group’s ability, and clear communication helps the staff match the ride to your comfort.

Finally, leave space in your schedule. Hotel pickup times vary by location, and the outing may last until around 9 p.m. A full evening is part of the deal.

Should you book the horse ride and stargazing tour?

I would book this tour if you want good variety for $41 and are happy joining a group. The strongest elements are the patient horse guides, sunset ride, generous dinner, and the chance to see the sky away from Hurghada’s lights.

I would not choose it if you need a calm vehicle transfer, a small private group, or long telescope viewing. The off-road driving can be intense, and a crowded astronomy session may feel less special than expected.

For most active visitors, the package makes sense. You get a real change of scenery, a manageable first horseback ride, a desert sunset, dinner at an oasis, and a memorable look at the night sky. Just go prepared for dust, heat, rough transport, and a busy evening.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada horse riding and stargazing tour cost?

The price is $41 per person.

What does the tour include?

It includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a guide, riding gear, a horseback tour, Arabic tea or coffee, BBQ dinner with soft drinks, and stargazing.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback portion lasts about one hour.

Is the tour suitable for first-time riders?

Yes. The guides provide a safety briefing, fit riding equipment, and help beginners learn how to control the horse. Speed and riding style depend on each person’s skill and comfort.

What food is served at dinner?

Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meatballs, vegetables, salads, fruit, and cola.

What happens during the stargazing session?

A guide explains star groups and uses professional telescopes to view targets available in the sky that night. What you see depends on the calendar and conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or babies under one year. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.