One hour on horseback makes the desert feel yours.

This Hurghada day trip strings together desert riding, oasis BBQ, and night-sky stargazing with a telescope, plus hotel transfers and off-road jeep time.

I especially like how the team sets you up for confidence first, with riding gear and a safety briefing before you start. I also love the way dinner happens in the desert oasis, with a proper BBQ spread and later a focused stargazing session.

One thing to factor in: the jeep safari back and forth can feel intense, and the stargazing telescope time can be limited when a lot of people are watching.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• One-hour horse ride through desert valleys, timed for sunset views
• Riding gear and safety briefing before you mount up
• Desert oasis BBQ dinner with Indian rice, grilled chicken, meat balls, salads, fruits, and cola
• Telescope stargazing where what you see depends on the night’s calendar targets
• Longer day with transfers since pickup and return are built into the schedule
• Group-dependent intensity during off-roading, including high-speed desert driving mentioned in feedback

Desert Horse Ride, BBQ, and Stargazing: The Real Vibe

This isn’t a short stop-you-can-skip kind of excursion. You’re traded a resort view for real desert time: jeep tracks, valleys for horse riding, a sunset pause, then darkness for the stars.

What makes it work is the pacing. You get an active start, a calm sunset moment, a sit-down dinner in the oasis, and then the best part of the day switches your brain from daytime adrenaline to night curiosity. The whole flow also helps if you’re traveling with mixed experience levels, since the ride is supported with guides and gear.

Price and Value at $41 Per Person

At $41 per person, the value comes from stacking several activities that usually cost more when booked separately: hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided horse ride, off-road jeep transfer, BBQ dinner, and guided stargazing with a telescope.

If you’re thinking in terms of what you’d otherwise pay for a taxi plus a sunset horse excursion plus a guided star session, this bundle adds up fast. The only caveat is that you should know what kind of trip you want: it’s a full day with jeep time, and some parts feel more thrilling than relaxing.

How the Day Starts: Pickup, Meeting Point, and the 17 km Off-Road

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, with timing depending on where your hotel is. Then you move from the meeting point to an adventure jeep ride, including off-roading for 17 km until you reach the oasis inside the desert.

This jeep leg matters for two reasons. First, it positions you away from the usual beachfront bustle, so the desert night later actually feels dark. Second, based on feedback, the driving style can be very fast and bumpy, and some people will find that thrilling while others will find it a bit stressful.

Practical tip: if you get motion-sensitive on bumpy roads, come ready with a calm plan (slow breathing, sit where you feel most stable, and avoid expecting a smooth ride).

The Safety Briefing and Riding Gear Setup

Before anyone mounts up, the guide covers how the program will work and reviews safety rules. You also get riding gear so you’re not improvising with street clothes.

I like that the speed and riding style are described as dependent on the skill and comfort level of participants. That gives you a fair shot even if you’re new to horses, as long as you listen during the briefing and tell the guide what you’re comfortable with.

If you’re a first-timer, this is exactly the right kind of tour. The horses are guided, you’re not out alone, and the staff takes time to help you get the routine down before you’re going deeper into the desert valleys.

One Hour Horse Riding at Sunset: Valleys, Mountains, and Real Views

The highlight is your one-hour horse ride between valleys in the magical desert, timed for sunset. This is the part where the trip earns its keep: watching the desert change color while you’re moving through it on horseback feels different than standing still at a viewpoint.

You’ll also get pauses for photos and rest. One part of the program description even references a stop connected to a camel segment, which may appear in the photo/rest rhythm depending on how your group moves through the oasis route.

What I’d do in your shoes:

• Wear a hat and sunglasses to fight glare.
• Expect it to feel hotter than your resort, especially earlier in the afternoon.
• Keep your phone protected. Desert air can be dry, and you’ll want quick access for sunset shots.

In feedback, some people also mention riding to a hill to watch the sunset from above. Even if your route varies slightly day to day, the goal stays the same: get you into the right light.

Photo Stops and the Oasis Build-Up

Between the ride and dinner, the day slows just enough to breathe. The program includes photo opportunities and rest moments, which are important because desert riding is tiring in ways you don’t always expect: heat, dust, and the simple effort of staying balanced.

This is also when the group energy shifts. The earlier excitement is still there, but people start focusing on the sky. That sets up the dinner-and-stargazing transition smoothly.

Desert BBQ Dinner: What You Eat (and Why It’s Part of the Experience)

After the ride, you head back to the oasis. Dinner is a BBQ-style meal with Indian rice, grilled chicken, meat balls, vegetables, salads, fruits, and cola.

Two things make this meal feel like more than fuel. One, it’s served in the desert, so it lands as an event, not just a rushed plate. Two, the spread is broad enough that most dietary preferences can find something to eat, even if you’re not there for a gourmet food mission.

If you’re picky about drinks, keep in mind you’ll have cola included, and you can also choose additional cold drinks on-site if available. One piece of feedback mentioned a stomach issue after buying a smoothie that wasn’t as cold as expected, so use your common sense with anything fresh and sweet when you’re in hot conditions.

Overall: the dinner is simple, plentiful, and well-suited to a day spent in the outdoors.

Stargazing With a Telescope: The Night-Sky Lesson Part

Once dinner is done, the guide explains star groups, then you watch the sky. You’re not just staring blindly; the session is structured so you understand what you’re looking at.

Then comes the telescope. It’s described as a professional telescope aimed at targets available in the sky depending on the calendar. That means you won’t always see the same exact objects, but the session should still feel focused and purposeful.

What to expect in real life: if a lot of people join, telescope access can be limited and you may have to wait your turn. One review also mentioned only a couple of telescope uses at a time (moon and a specific target), which is worth considering if you’re hoping for long, close-up viewing.

Guide detail I love: you might get guides like Nasser (Marshmallow) who brings energy to the star talk, or someone like Adam who people praised for making the stargazing memorable. Either way, the best results come when you’re ready to look up, not constantly check your screen.

Off-Road Jeep Return: Thrill Factor and Comfort Tips

After stargazing, you do the last off-roading drive back to the first meeting point, then return to your hotel.

Here’s the balancing act. Some people felt safe and even enjoyed the wild, fast desert driving, especially on darker roads and when the jeep feels like it’s racing other vehicles. Others said the driving was extreme, with very high speeds, and noted concerns about seatbelts and where you sit.

So I’d plan for the possibility that this part feels like an adrenaline ride. If you’re prone to seasickness or get anxious with speed, bring something to steady yourself and go into it with the right expectations: this is an adventure-style jeep, not a slow scenic shuttle.

Timing, Transfers, and the Reality of a Full Day

This trip is long enough that you should treat it like a day event, not a quick afternoon activity. Pickup happens based on hotel location, and one review cited a return time around 9:00 pm after leaving in the early afternoon, depending on transfers.

That length can be a positive if you love a full schedule with multiple moments to remember. It can also be annoying if you’re tired after a day of resort lounging. If you’re choosing this as your one big excursion, it makes sense. If you want something light, you might consider a shorter horse or sunset-only alternative.

Who This Excursion Fits Best

You’ll probably love this tour if:

• You want one-hour horse riding with guidance, not a self-guided ride
• You like the idea of dinner in a desert oasis, followed by a guided sky session
• You enjoy off-road adventure, even if it’s fast and bumpy

You might reconsider if:

• You’re pregnant (the tour notes it’s not suitable)
• You need wheelchair access (not suitable)
• You’re traveling with babies under 1 year
• You’re strongly uncomfortable with high-speed desert driving or bumpy rides

Languages and Guide Style

The tour operates with guides who can work in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. That makes it easier to follow the safety briefing and star explanations without guessing.

From feedback, the guides also have personality, not just instructions. That matters because the stargazing part works best when the speaker can keep you looking up and learning in the dark.

What to Bring (and What to Plan For)

You’ll get the gear for the ride, but you still need to show up ready for desert conditions.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Sunscreen
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Plan for:

• Heat before sunset, even if you’re used to Hurghada resort weather
• Dry conditions and dust during off-road riding
• The fact that night skies are clear only on the right evening, so your stargazing experience depends on conditions and the calendar targets

Also note: alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed.

Should You Book This Horse Ride, BBQ Dinner, and Stargazing Tour?

If you want a single day that mixes adrenaline, sunset beauty, hearty desert dining, and actual guided stargazing with a telescope, I think this is a strong pick for Hurghada. The organization, the supported first-time-friendly horse riding, and the way the day ends under the stars are exactly the kind of combination that feels memorable rather than repetitive.

I’d only hold back if you’re worried about the jeep driving intensity or if telescope time is a deal-breaker for you. In that case, you might prefer a tour with a smaller group or longer viewing window.

Bottom line: book it if your idea of a great day is active desert time that finishes with the sky overhead.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding portion?

The horse riding lasts for one hour.

What’s included in the tour besides the horseback ride?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a guide, riding gear, the horse tour, a welcome Arabian tea or coffee, a BBQ dinner with soft drinks, and stargazing are all included.

Is dinner provided, and what food is included?

Yes. Dinner includes Indian rice, grilled chicken, meat balls, vegetables, salads, fruits, and cola.

Do you get to look through a telescope during the stargazing?

Yes. There is professional telescope stargazing, and the targets depend on what’s available in the sky based on the calendar.

What time is pickup and when will I be back in Hurghada?

Pickup depends on your hotel location. Return time also varies by transfers, with one described schedule running from early afternoon until around 9:00 pm.

What should I bring for the desert?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Is alcohol allowed?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

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