Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

REVIEW · BBQ

Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

4.7 · 307 reviews From $35 Operated by FTS Travels · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Stargazing meets quad bikes in the Sinai. This evening tour pairs astronomer-led telescope stargazing with a full desert circuit, so your night ends far from the hotel lights and close to the stars. Two things I especially like are the chance to look through equipment for stars and planets, and the Bedouin camp setup with a big BBQ dinner plus cultural shows.

The one drawback to plan for is that the desert side can be physical and you should check what you’re getting for safety gear. A few details worth knowing up front: you may be asked to ride solo instead of double based on balance or weight, and you’ll want to come prepared because scarf and goggles are not guaranteed unless you added the scarf option.

Key highlights you will feel right away

Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show - Key highlights you will feel right away

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned van, so you start and end with less hassle
  • ATV or dune buggy riding in the unique Sinai desert, plus timed breaks to keep it comfortable
  • Bedouin tea and camel ride with panoramic mountain views
  • Bedouin BBQ dinner open buffet with grilled meats, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and soft drinks
  • Astronomer telescope stargazing after dark, including a moon viewing option if you ask
  • Fire man, Tanura show, and Bedouin dance to turn dinner into an evening event

Trying to choose? These Sharm El Sheikh trips kept surfacing in our notes.

Hotel pickup to desert drop-off, how the timing really works

This is a classic night-out format: you’re collected from your hotel, moved to the safari station, then you run the desert loop in stages. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, clear trip instructions from your guide team, and a steady flow from action to dinner to stargazing.

At the safari station, guides help you get ready, including wrapping a cultural scarf if that’s part of your add-on. Then comes the safety briefing for quad or buggy riding, plus the practical reminder to keep valuables secured in your bag, not loose on you. Leave items like money, mobile phones, and personal papers (including passports) where they won’t bounce around during the ride.

The route is paced so you’re not stuck in one long stretch. You’ll drive about 50 minutes with two breaks, then later you’ll do a 30-minute night drive back to the safari station. After that, air-conditioned cars wait to take you back to your hotel.

ATV or dune buggy riding with breaks that actually matter

Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show - ATV or dune buggy riding with breaks that actually matter
The main ride is designed to be fun, not just transportation. Once you’re shown how the ATV or buggy controls work, you’ll head out for about 50 minutes in the desert, with breaks built into the schedule. That matters because Sinai desert nights can feel deceptively cool, and you’ll want time to steady yourself and take photos.

Your first break is for the scenery and sound, an echo stop in the giant mountains area. Even if you don’t care about echoes, it’s a smart moment to get your bearings before you keep rolling. The second break brings you to the Bedouin camp setup, where the program transitions from engine noise to tea, camel time, and mountain views.

Safety is a theme in the way guides handle the group. In general, you’ll be watching your speed, keeping the right spacing, and following instructions when the group stops and starts. If you feel anything off with controls, take a second at the start of your ride to get comfortable before you go faster.

One more practical note: double quads may change to single quads based on weight or balance, and an extra fee may apply (listed as €10 per person). If you care about staying on a double, tell your operator early or just plan mentally for the possibility.

Bedouin tea and camel panoramas, what makes this stop special

This tour doesn’t treat the camel ride like a checkbox. The camel portion happens right at a Bedouin camp stop with panoramic mountain scenery, so you’re not just sitting on an animal in the dark.

The program timing is straightforward. After the second riding break, you’ll switch gears into Bedouin tea and bread, then ride camels while you get the bigger view of the mountains. It’s a slower rhythm, which helps you recover from quad vibrations and switch from adrenaline mode to night-sky mode.

Camel handlers can be friendly and conversational, and some riders prefer to handle tips calmly rather than letting it turn awkward. If you want to tip, have small cash ready. If you don’t, keep your answer simple and let your guide handle the group dynamic.

This part also helps the overall flow. By the time you reach the second camp for dinner and shows, you’ll feel like you’ve earned the meal and you won’t arrive stiff or overloaded.

The Bedouin dinner camp, fire man, Tanura, and Tanura-style energy

Dinner comes in the second Bedouin camp, where the evening turns into a real show-and-eat setup. You’ll find a party atmosphere, with performances listed as fire man, Tanura show, and Bedouin dance. The timing is built so your meal lands while the energy is high, then the night cools down again for stargazing.

The food is an open buffet BBQ Bedouin dinner, and it’s not just bread and sweets. You’re looking at grilled meat including kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and Bedouin bread. Drinks with dinner include water and soft drink, with cola specifically mentioned in the menu description.

Why this is good value: you’re paying once for a package that combines transport, desert time, dinner, and entertainment. A lot of nightlife costs you double, dinner separately and then a show later. Here, they stack the experiences in one block.

Entertainment also matters because it keeps the group together before the sky show. If you’re traveling with family or teens, this timing tends to work well: action on wheels, then a cultural stage moment, then stargazing to end the night.

Further Sharm El Sheikh outings from the same review batch

Astronomers after dark, telescopes, stars, and planet spotting

This is the part that gives the tour its main personality. After dinner and show time, you move to stargazing with astronomical telescopes, led by professional astronomers. The focus is on helping you see the night sky, not just saying the word stars and pointing vaguely.

You can expect guidance on what you’re looking at: stars, planets, and constellations in the Sharm El-Sheikh sky after sunset. The idea is simple. With a telescope and instruction, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time getting actual observations.

One small but memorable tip from rider feedback: if you want a photo, ask them about taking a moon shot through the telescope using your phone. That’s exactly the kind of detail that makes stargazing feel like a moment, not a lecture.

Stargazing is also where the desert setting pays off. When you get away from resort lighting, even basic sky objects feel easier to pick out, and the astronomer-led approach makes it feel accessible. The guides who handle this part tend to be a big factor in whether the night feels magical or just cold.

Photos, videos, and tips, how to stay in control

This tour has optional photo and video selling, and it can range from gentle to persistent depending on the person. It’s not unusual to get requests to buy packages, especially around stargazing and entertainment.

From what you’re told on the ground, you might see someone offering a moon photo or a video recording through the telescopes. You may also be approached for packages with prices quoted per person. If you’re curious, decide early, then be consistent. If you’re not, a calm no usually works.

Tips are another reality check. Some parts of the program include camel handling and photography pitches where staff may nudge for extra money. One rider noted camel attendants can be pushy with tips, and also said the tips weren’t required. My advice: keep small cash for your comfort, but do not feel forced. Your guide can help keep the group moving.

If you like a souvenir, it can be worth it. If not, you can still enjoy the experience fully without purchasing anything extra. The core value is already included: riding, dinner, and stargazing.

Guides make the night, the names to look out for

Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show - Guides make the night, the names to look out for
This tour’s energy often comes down to the guide team. In the feedback you’ll hear a lot of the same names, and they show up as friendly, attentive, and strong on safety and stargazing.

I’ve seen repeated mentions of guides including Hassan, Omar, Sabry, and Ibrahim, who is often called Coconut. People describe them as welcoming, helpful, and especially good when talking about the stars. One of the standouts is the way some guides manage the stargazing portion so it feels informative and not confusing.

Even when the schedule is packed, guides help keep things calm. If you get a guide who’s good at pacing and group control, the night feels smooth, with enough downtime between the action points.

What to bring, and what to skip so the night stays comfortable

This tour is active, then cold at night, then active again with stargazing and walking around the camps. Pack for comfort and practicality, not just looks.

What you should bring:

  • Comfortable shoes for uneven desert paths
  • A camera (and ideally a phone charged for stargazing moments)
  • Comfortable clothes for riding and cooler night air

What you should plan for:

  • A scarf option may be available with add-ons, but arafat-style protective scarf and goggles are listed as not included.
  • Smoking water pipe (shisha) is also listed as not included.

A quick pro tip based on common rider advice: if you hate scrambling for scarf options at the last minute, bring your own. The desert night gets breezy, and you’ll feel it fast when the temperature drops after sunset.

Also, follow the guidance about what not to keep on you during the quad or buggy ride. If they ask you to leave valuables in a bag, do it. It’s not about trust, it’s about safety and ease.

Price and value at about $35 per person, is it worth it?

At the listed price of $35 per person, the value is in the mix. You’re getting hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, a professional guide and astronomer, ATV or dune buggy riding, a camel ride, tea and bread, a full BBQ Bedouin dinner open buffet, water and soft drinks, cultural shows, and telescope stargazing.

That bundle matters because it would cost you more if you tried to combine the pieces separately. You also avoid the hardest part of the equation, night transport and finding the right desert setting for stargazing.

Where the price may surprise you is extras, not the core tour. Photo and video packages are optional, and single quad changes can cost extra if they apply to your weight or balance. Also remember that tipping and small purchases are part of the on-the-ground culture.

Who tends to love this tour:

  • Families who want both action and a cultural dinner show
  • Teenagers who enjoy quad biking
  • Anyone who wants a real stargazing experience, not just a nighttime walk

Small safety notes to treat seriously (and calmly)

The tour has safety instructions before riding, and you’ll be briefed on how to handle the ATV or buggy. The practical mindset is simple: do a quick check before you move out, listen to the guide, and don’t try to out-ride the controls.

Because quads and buggies can vary in feel, it helps to understand the basics immediately: accelerator response, braking control, and how the seat and handlebars fit you. One rider noted the accelerator and brake can feel stiff for non-professional riders, so slow is not a failure. It’s how you get comfortable.

Also check your helmet fit. If something feels loose or uncomfortable, ask for an adjustment before you start. Your goal is to keep the night fun, not to endure it.

Finally, this is not for everyone. The tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women and not suitable for people with back problems. If you have those constraints, choose a different kind of night experience.

Should you book this Sharm El-Sheikh ATV and camel with BBQ and stargazing?

If your main goal is to see the night sky with real help, I think you should book it. The stargazing element with astronomers and telescopes is the anchor, and the rest of the itinerary keeps the evening lively so you’re not waiting around bored.

Book it if you want a single-ticket desert night with ATV or buggy time, camel panoramas, a full Bedouin dinner with shows, and then actual sky viewing after dark. At around $35, it’s one of the more efficient ways to stack experiences in South Sinai.

Skip it if you’re looking for a quiet, low-activity evening, or if you have mobility limits related to back issues or pregnancy. Also, if you dislike any kind of optional upsell, go in with a clear plan for what you will and won’t buy.

If you do book, bring your own scarf if you can, keep valuables secure during the ride, and treat the stargazing like the main event. That’s where this tour really earns its place in Sharm El-Sheikh.

FAQ

Do you get picked up from the hotel?

Yes. You’re picked up from your hotel to the safari station by air-conditioned van, and you’re returned to the hotel at the end of the tour.

How long is the driving in the desert?

You’ll have about 50 minutes of driving, including 2 breaks. Then you drive about 30 minutes at night back to the safari station for the return transfer.

Is the ride ATV or dune buggy?

You can ride an ATV or a dune buggy depending on the option you select. For safety reasons, double quads may be changed to single quads based on weight or balance, and an extra fee may apply.

Is there a camel ride?

Yes. The program includes a camel ride at a Bedouin camp, with a panoramic view of the mountains.

What shows are included at the Bedouin camp?

The shows listed are fire man, Tanura show, and Bedouin dance.

What is included with the BBQ dinner?

The BBQ Bedouin dinner is an open buffet. It includes Bedouin bread, grilled meat such as kofta and chicken, plus rice, vegetables, salads, and water and soft drinks with dinner (cola is mentioned).

Do you get telescope stargazing?

Yes. After the dinner and shows, you watch the stars and planets using astronomical telescopes with the help of professional astronomers.

Are there toilet stops during the tour?

The tour includes stops during the driving portion, and there are working toilets at every stop.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, and comfortable clothes. Note that protective scarf (Arafat) and goggles are listed as not included, and shisha is not included.

Who is this tour not suitable for, and can I cancel?

It is not suitable for pregnant women and not suitable for people with back problems. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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