Hurghada: Star Stargazing Desert Adventure by Jeep & Dinner

The best part of this Hurghada outing comes after sunset, when the desert goes quiet and a telescope brings the moon, planets, and seasonal stars into view. Before that, you get a bumpy 17-kilometer Jeep ride, a small oasis farm, camels, horses, and dinner by candlelight. The stargazing is the real prize, especially with guides such as Nasser, Abu, or Arabi explaining what you see.

I like the mix of simple desert life and astronomy, from feeding farm animals and seeing bread made to finding the North Star. I also like the price: at $48, hotel transfers, dinner, drinks, several short activities, and the telescope session make this a strong value.

The main caution is comfort. The off-road drive can be rough, the camel and horse rides are brief unless you pay for an optional longer ride, and the desert becomes surprisingly cold at night. One report also described unsafe driving, so speak up if your driver is taking the bumps too fast.

Key points to know before you book

• 17 kilometers of desert off-roading: Expect a very bumpy ride in a Toyota Land Cruiser style vehicle, not a smooth city Jeep.
• Sunset from a high desert hill: This is one of the evening’s most photogenic moments, with drinks and time for pictures.
• A short camel and horse experience: The included camel ride lasts about five minutes, and the horse ride is also brief.
• Dinner at the oasis: Grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola are included.
• Telescope viewing after dark: Depending on the season and weather, you might see the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and constellations.
• Bring serious warm clothing: Shorts and a T-shirt may feel fine at hotel pickup, but not after dark in the open desert.

From Hurghada to 17 kilometers of desert track

Your evening begins with hotel pickup in Hurghada, followed by a transfer toward the desert meeting area. If you stay outside Hurghada, expect an extra charge. The stated supplement is €5 for hotels in Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna, plus a national park fee of €1 per person.

The road portion gives way to an off-road vehicle for the 17-kilometer run into the desert. This is not a token ride on a packed dirt road. The Land Cruiser style vehicles climb and drop over rough ground, and several people compare the sensation to a roller coaster. You will need to hold the bars or another secure handhold.

I like this part because it quickly changes the mood. You leave the resort zone behind and reach a quieter setting with open desert, hills, animals, and no hotel entertainment around you. The tradeoff is clear: this is not suitable for anyone with back problems, and it may be uncomfortable if you dislike jolting rides.

The listing calls the vehicle a Jeep, but the actual transport may be a large Toyota Land Cruiser type vehicle. Some people found it difficult to climb in and out. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator for more detail before booking.

Tea, dates, and a look at the oasis farm

At the oasis, you are welcomed with tea, Arabian coffee, and dates. This small pause matters because it gives you time to settle after the rough drive and see a different side of desert life.

The farm visit includes green plants and animals. Children can feed the animals, and you may see goats, horses, baby lambs, and other farm creatures. One of the more unusual details is the chance to watch traditional bread being made by a Bedouin woman.

This is not a large museum or a formal cultural center. It is closer to a working rural stop, and that is its appeal. You get a brief look at farming, animals, herbs, and food preparation in a place where water and cultivation matter. Guides such as Mohamed Salah have also used this part of the visit to explain local customs and Bedouin life.

Families should note that the animal feeding can be a highlight for children. Still, the tour is not designed only for children. The evening gets dark and cold, and the full programme can be a long stretch for very young children.

Camel and horse rides: fun, but keep expectations modest

The included camel ride lasts around five minutes. That is enough to sit on a camel, take pictures, and get a first feel for the movement, but it is not a long trek across the desert. Some people report getting only three or four minutes, so think of it as a short introduction rather than a serious riding experience.

The horse ride is similarly brief in the standard programme. Guides generally keep the pace suitable for the group, and you can tell them if you are nervous. One rider with a fear of horses asked for a very slow pace and received it.

Longer camel or horse rides may be available at an extra cost, but the supplied details do not give a fixed price or length. Ask before you agree to anything. Also, animal allergies are listed as a reason not to take this tour, so this is not a good choice if contact with horses, camels, goats, or other animals is a concern.

I like that the animals are part of the evening rather than the entire purpose of it. You get a taste of several activities without spending hours on one ride. If your main goal is a long camel trek, choose a dedicated camel safari instead.

Sunset from the high hill

The vehicle takes you to a high hill for sunset. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing, and it gives the evening a clear rhythm: active in the afternoon, quiet and reflective as the sun drops.

You can take photographs from the hill, enjoy a drink, and watch the sand change color. The open setting gives you a better view than you would have from the camp itself. Several people especially liked the combination of dunes, stillness, and the Egyptian sunset.

The horse ride is arranged around this part of the programme, so people doing different activities can still gather for sunset. Bring your camera, but do not spend the entire time looking through it. The view is one of the few moments when the tour slows down.

Dinner by candlelight at the desert camp

Dinner includes grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola. The meal is served after sunset, often by candlelight, which gives the camp a pleasant and simple atmosphere.

The food receives strong praise, though one useful criticism is that it may not always be as warm as expected. You may find extra drinks or smoothies available for purchase, but those are not part of the stated package.

I see this meal as more than a way to fill time before the stars. Eating outside, away from the bright resort lights, is part of the point. You get a short taste of an evening in the desert rather than another buffet inside a hotel.

The schedule can have small pauses while another group completes an activity. Most of the time there is enough to do, but the programme is shared, so do not expect every minute to be tightly filled. If you choose a longer optional ride, staff coordinate the timing with the rest of the group.

Stargazing with Nasser, Abu, Arabi, or another guide

After dinner, the group spends about 15 minutes lying back and looking at the sky without equipment. This simple start is useful. Your eyes need time to adjust, and you get a chance to notice the stars before a telescope narrows your attention to one object.

The telescope session follows. What you can see depends on the season and the weather. Past viewing has included the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. Saturn’s rings can be a memorable sight, while Jupiter may be less impressive on some nights depending on conditions and the telescope view.

The guide then explains star groups, planets, zodiac signs, and ways to find the North Star. The programme description uses the word horoscope, but the best way to understand this part is as a mixture of astronomy, constellation stories, and zodiac explanations. Ask questions if you want the session to go beyond a basic identification of bright objects.

Guides have included Nasser, sometimes called Marshmallow, Abu, Arabi, David, and others. Their approach can vary. Nasser is described as lively and good at using a laser and questions to keep people involved. Arabi has explained the subject in both English and German. David has led a clear lesson. The operator lists English, German, French, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish, though the exact language mix depends on the guide assigned to your group.

Weather matters more than any promise in the programme. Cloud, wind, or a bright moon can reduce the number of stars you see. One cloudy evening produced fewer stars but still offered a fine moon view. Strong wind can make the open desert uncomfortable and can spoil a telescope session.

A special total lunar eclipse event was listed for September 6, 7, and 8, 2025. Since special dates can change, confirm the current schedule before planning a trip around an eclipse.

The cold is the most common practical surprise

Hurghada can feel hot during the day, yet the desert after sunset is a different place. Several people arrived in shorts and T-shirts and regretted it. Pack long trousers, a jumper, and a coat. A blanket is useful in winter.

Wear comfortable shoes because you will move around uneven ground, climb into the off-road vehicle, and walk around the camp and hill. Bring water and a camera. The welcome tea, coffee, dates, sunset drink, dinner, and cola are included, but your own water remains sensible.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies. The site is described as monitored by cameras and operated under international health and safety standards, but the rough drive is still physically demanding.

One important safety note comes from a complaint about a driver racing over the desert with no hands on the wheel while a passenger felt frightened. That appears to be an isolated account among many positive safety comments, but it is worth acting on. Hold on, tell the driver to slow down, and alert the guide if the ride feels reckless.

Is $48 a good price for this evening?

At $48 per person, the value is strong if you want variety. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the desert transfer, off-roading, welcome drinks, farm visit, animal feeding, short camel and horse rides, sunset viewing, dinner, and telescope stargazing are all covered.

You are not paying for one polished attraction. You are paying for a full half-day or evening programme made from several short experiences. That makes it a good fit for a first visit to Hurghada, especially if you want to see more than the resort and the sea.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want serious astronomy or a long riding excursion. The telescope view depends on weather and season, and the included rides are short. Extra charges may apply outside Hurghada, and optional drinks or longer rides can add to the total.

Tipping is not required by the supplied information, but one person suggested carrying Egyptian pounds to thank the staff. If you choose to tip, small notes are practical. Do not feel pressured to pay for photography or extra packages without first checking the price. One person was disappointed after being unable to obtain photographs because the package price remained unchanged.

Who should book this desert evening?

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and first-time Hurghada visitors who want a varied night away from the resort. It is especially good for someone who likes sunsets, simple cultural encounters, animals, and looking at the sky without needing advanced astronomy.

It also suits solo women who want an organized outing with pickup and a guide. The multilingual format helps mixed groups, and the staff are often described as friendly and attentive.

I would skip it if you have a back condition, are pregnant, dislike bumpy vehicles, or need a long, serious horseback or camel ride. I would also avoid booking it on a cloudy or very windy night if stargazing is your main reason for going.

Cancellation is available without charge up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada plans may shift.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want one affordable evening with many parts: a rough desert ride, farm animals, sunset, dinner, horses, camels, and a telescope. The best memories are likely to come from the sunset and the sky session, with the guide’s personality making a real difference.

Choose another excursion if you want a calm ride, a luxury desert camp, or a dedicated astronomy lesson. For most visitors who pack warm clothes and accept the bumpy transport, this is a lively and unusually full-value way to spend an evening outside Hurghada.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada stargazing desert adventure cost?

The listed price is $48 per person. Extra charges apply for some hotels outside Hurghada, including a stated €5 supplement for Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna, plus a €1 national park fee per person.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive tea, Arabian coffee, and dates on arrival. Dinner includes grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola. Sunset drinks are also included.

How long is the camel ride?

The included camel ride lasts about five minutes. A longer camel ride may be available for an additional charge, but the exact price and duration are not provided.

What might I see through the telescope?

Depending on the season and weather, you might see the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and other available sky targets. The guide also explains constellations, star groups, planets, zodiac signs, and the North Star.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, water, and a camera. Wear long trousers and warm layers, especially in winter, because the desert can become very cold after sunset.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies. The rough off-road ride and contact with camels, horses, and farm animals are important considerations.