Horse Back Riding Desert Hack in Sharjah

The Horse Back Riding Desert Hack at Mleiha in Sharjah takes you out of the arena and into the open desert on horseback, with guides leading the way over rugged terrain past Fossil Rock and towards the Faya mountains. A hack is a relaxed ride out rather than a lesson, and this one lasts 45 to 60 minutes depending on your riding experience, ending back near the stables.

It is a different way to see central Sharjah: slower and quieter than a dune buggy or a 4×4, and close enough to the landscape to take in the rock formations and the open sand at a walking pace.

The landscape you ride through

Mleiha is no ordinary stretch of desert. The area sits at the heart of the Faya Palaeolandscape, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, where archaeologists have found evidence of early modern humans dating back well over 100,000 years. The rocks around Fossil Rock (Jebel Mleiha) hold marine fossils from roughly 70 million years ago, when the region lay beneath the sea.

The ride sets off from the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, opened in 2016 by the Ruler of Sharjah and developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The centre is built around a preserved Umm Al Nar era tomb, and its exhibition is worth a look before or after your ride, as it gives context to the scenery you will pass.

How the ride works for each level

No previous experience is needed, and the format adapts to the rider:

• Novice riders are guided by grooms, who lead and support you throughout the ride.
• Intermediate riders can ride independently, with expert guidance on hand if needed.
• Expert riders take a short orientation at the stables before heading out.

The length of the hack, between 45 and 60 minutes, depends on that experience level. Let the team know honestly how much you have ridden before, so they can match you with the right horse and pace.

The ride finishes at a gazebo near the stables, where the description mentions hot drinks and soft drinks. The booking page’s inclusions list does not repeat this, so treat the refreshments as something to confirm when the team contacts you.

When to ride

The hack runs daily, in the morning or before sunset, with start times assigned between 9am and 6pm according to availability. After you book, the Mleiha team contacts you to confirm your time.

Because slots are allocated rather than chosen from a fixed timetable, mention your preference for a morning or late-afternoon ride when the team gets in touch, and allow enough time for the drive so that you arrive well before your assigned start. The current booking window runs through the winter months, which is the best period for spending time outdoors in the Sharjah interior.

Rider requirements

• Riders must be 11 or older.
• Riders aged 11 to 18 must have a guardian present, who must give consent.
• The maximum rider weight is 90kg.

The listing includes a health restrictions heading without listing specific conditions. Mleiha’s arena lesson is not recommended for pregnant riders or those with back problems, and the same caution makes sense here, so raise any health concerns with the team when they call to confirm your slot.

The listing does not set a dress code, but Mleiha’s riding lesson advises boots and a helmet, so ask whether riding hats are provided if you do not have your own. Food and drinks beyond the post-ride refreshments, personal expenses and hotel transfers are not included.

Getting to Mleiha

The meeting point is the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in central Sharjah, a little over an hour’s drive from Sharjah city. You will need a car: follow Al Dhaid Road (E88) east and the signs to the centre, then park in the designated parking area. The booking page also provides a map pin for navigation.

Rescheduling is possible up to 72 hours before your ride, which helps if your plans change.

Combine it with more of Mleiha

Mleiha National Park runs a full outdoor season, so it is easy to build a day around the ride. Options include guided archaeological tours of late Iron Age ruins and burial chambers, fossil workshops, dune buggy and SUV landscape tours past Fossil Rock, glamping, and stargazing after dark. A late-afternoon hack followed by a stargazing session keeps the whole visit in one place. For families, younger children who are below the riding age have had pony rides on offer during the season, and The Lounge at Mleiha hosts groups and families against the desert backdrop.

If you would rather build your skills first, Mleiha also offers a 45-minute arena lesson covering walking, trotting and cantering.

For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Sharjah, browse more attractions, or check what is on this weekend.