Starwatching, Camel Ride and Romantic Dinner in Hurghada Safari

The best part of this outing comes after sunset, when the desert turns into a dark, open-air observatory. I like the mix of camel riding and telescope stargazing, two very different ways to experience the Red Sea desert in one afternoon.

You also get a barbecue dinner, hot drinks, soft drinks, water, hotel pickup, and 4×4 transport for $40 per person. That is strong value for a half-day outing, especially for couples and families. The main drawback is the rough jeep ride, so bring a travel pill if you get carsick easily.

Key points at a glance

• A sunset from a small mountain: Walk up for wide desert views as the light fades.
• A traditional camel ride: The ride is short enough to fit into a busy program, but it gives the afternoon a distinctly Egyptian feel.
• Telescope stargazing: A professional guide uses large telescopes to explain the night sky and point out constellations.
• Dinner by fire and candles: Expect grilled chicken, beef, rice, salad, tomatoes, cheese, desserts, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• A useful $40 package: Transport, food, drinks, entrance fees, and telescope use are included, apart from a $2 national park ticket.
• A bumpy ride to the desert: The 4×4 transfer is part of the adventure, but it can be uncomfortable for anyone prone to motion sickness.

From Hurghada to the open desert

Your afternoon begins with pickup at your Hurghada hotel at about 2 pm. The drive is in an air-conditioned van before you transfer into a 4×4 for the desert portion of the outing.

That change of vehicle matters. A 4×4 lets the group reach a remote desert valley away from much of Hurghada’s built-up coast, but the ride can be rough. One practical tip is worth taking seriously: if bumpy roads make you sick, take your usual motion-sickness medicine before departure.

The exact driving time is not given, but the complete outing lasts roughly five to six hours. You should expect to return in the evening, after dinner and stargazing. Keep your afternoon free rather than trying to squeeze another fixed-time activity around it.

The tour can include up to 40 people. That is a fairly large group for an intimate desert evening, although the open setting gives everyone room during the camel ride, sunset walk, and dinner. If you are hoping for a private astronomy lesson, this is not that kind of experience. It is a shared excursion with a broad family and couple appeal.

A camel ride with desert atmosphere

Once you reach the desert, the camel ride is one of the first activities. It is not presented as a long expedition, but as a compact part of a larger afternoon that also includes the sunset, meal, and stars.

That makes it a good fit if you want to try riding a camel without committing a whole day to it. You can enjoy the novelty, take in the quiet surroundings, and still have time for the other parts of the program.

The camel ride also gives the outing a stronger local character than a simple desert transfer and dinner package. It connects the evening to traditional transport in Egypt, even if the overall experience is designed for sightseeing rather than an extended cultural visit.

I would wear long trousers or other comfortable clothing and closed shoes if you have them. The supplied details do not specify riding duration, saddle style, or exact animal welfare practices, so you should keep expectations modest. Think of this as a scenic introduction to camel riding, not a serious trek.

Climbing for sunset views

After the camel ride, you climb a small mountain to watch the sunset. The word small is useful here. This is not described as a demanding hike, but you should still be ready for uneven ground and a short uphill walk in a dry environment.

The timing is well chosen. The sunset gives the afternoon a clear high point before the meal, and the climb helps you see the desert from a higher position rather than sitting beside the vehicles the whole time.

Bring a phone or camera if you want sunset photos, but keep the light in mind. The desert can be glaring before sunset, then surprisingly dark soon afterward. A light layer is also sensible because the temperature can feel different once the sun disappears, though no specific evening temperature is provided.

This part is especially good for couples and families. Children who might lose interest during a long drive get a simple goal: ride a camel, walk up the hill, and watch the sun go down. The climb may be less appealing for anyone with mobility limits, since the route and surface are not described as accessible.

Barbecue dinner beside fire and candles

As the sun fades, dinner is served in a camping-style setting with fire and candles. The meal is a barbecue buffet, not a formal restaurant service, which suits the desert surroundings.

The listed food includes grilled chicken, beef, rice, green salad, tomatoes, cheese, and desserts. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water are included as well. For $40, having both the main meal and drinks covered keeps the evening simple and helps the price feel fair.

I like the range of food here. It is familiar enough for children and cautious eaters, while the grilled meat and outdoor setting give the meal more character than a standard hotel buffet. The available details do not identify particular Egyptian dishes or provide vegetarian and allergy arrangements, so you should ask the operator directly if you have dietary needs.

The fire and candlelight are also part of the attraction. Dinner is not just a pause between activities. It creates the setting for the second half of the evening, when you move from sunset colors to a dark sky filled with stars.

The word romantic in the tour title fits the atmosphere, especially for couples sharing a meal outdoors. Still, do not expect a private table or a quiet two-person dinner by default. With a maximum group size of 40, the mood is more social camp evening than secluded celebration.

Telescope viewing under a dark sky

The astronomy portion is the reason to choose this tour over a basic camel-and-dinner trip. Professional specialist guides use large telescopes and explain what you are seeing in the night sky.

The desert setting helps. Away from city lights, stars are easier to see, and the tour promises views of constellations that can be difficult to pick out from Hurghada. If conditions are right, you might also spot a shooting star, though no guarantee can be made.

The quality of this part depends on several things outside the operator’s control: clouds, haze, moonlight, and how clearly the guide can organize a group of up to 40 people around the telescope. The supplied information does not name the astronomy guides or specify telescope models, so you should expect a guided introduction rather than a technical observatory session.

That is not a weakness for most people. You do not need to know astronomy before arriving. The guide’s job is to point out stars and constellations and make the sky easier to understand. For children, this can be the most memorable part of the evening. For adults, it gives the desert setting a purpose beyond photographs and dinner.

I would bring a small flashlight, preferably one with a red-light setting, but this is a personal packing suggestion rather than an included feature. Keep your phone charged too. Once the sun is down, the wide sky and firelight are likely to be more useful than a busy schedule of extra entertainment.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is priced as a broad, all-in-one excursion rather than a single activity. The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and return by 4×4 transport
• Professional guide service
• Camel ride
• Dinner
• Tea or coffee
• Soft drinks
• Bottled water
• Telescope use
• All listed fees and taxes

The combination gives the tour good practical value. Paying separately for transport, a desert meal, a camel ride, and an astronomy session could easily become more complicated, even if the tour is not luxurious.

There are a few extra charges to watch. Hotels in Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, and El Gouna cost an additional $5 per person for pickup. Hotels in Soma Bay and Safaga cost an additional $10 per person. There is also a $2 cash national park ticket paid on the spot.

That means the advertised price is not the final amount for every hotel. For someone staying in central Hurghada, the added cost is small. For someone staying farther south, it is worth including the pickup surcharge when comparing this outing with alternatives.

The operator describes the price as the lowest in Hurghada, but I would treat that as a sales claim rather than a fact you can verify from the details alone. The more useful point is that the package has no listed hidden activity fees, with the $2 park ticket clearly identified as separate.

Who will enjoy this desert evening

This tour is a good match for couples who want sunset, dinner, and stars in one outing. The candlelit camp setting and open sky give the evening a gentle romantic feel without requiring a formal restaurant or expensive private excursion.

Families can also make good use of it. The program changes pace often: vehicle ride, camel ride, short climb, sunset, meal, and telescopes. That variety is helpful for children, though very young children may find the long transfer and rough 4×4 road tiring.

Friends and first-time visitors to Hurghada will appreciate the broad introduction. You get a taste of desert transport, camel riding, outdoor food, and astronomy without having to plan each part separately.

I would be more cautious if you dislike bumpy roads, prefer small private groups, or need a carefully arranged accessible route. The activity is designed for most participants, but the mountain climb, camel ride, desert surface, and 4×4 transfer may not suit everyone.

What to bring for a smoother outing

The tour supplies the main necessities, but a few personal items can make the evening easier:

• Comfortable shoes for the short climb and desert ground
• Sun protection for the afternoon
• A light layer for after sunset
• Motion-sickness medicine if you are sensitive to jeep rides
• A camera or charged phone
• Cash for the $2 national park ticket
• Any personal snacks or dietary items you may need

Water is included, as are soft drinks, tea, and coffee, so you do not need to stock up on beverages unless you have a special preference.

The meeting time is 2 pm, and confirmation is provided when you book. Pickup is offered, but you should check that your hotel is within the standard Hurghada area or budget for the stated surcharge.

Should you book the Hurghada starwatching tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed half-day desert outing with several classic Egypt experiences in one price. The strongest reasons are the telescope session, sunset viewpoint, included dinner, and straightforward transport arrangement. The food selection is practical, and the firelit setting gives the evening more warmth than a simple drive into the desert.

Skip it if you want a private romantic dinner, a serious astronomy course, or a long camel trek. The group may reach 40 people, the 4×4 ride can be rough, and the exact standard of the meal and telescope presentation may vary with conditions.

For most visitors staying in Hurghada, this is a sensible value choice. It gives you a memorable night outside the resort zone without demanding a full day or a complicated plan. Just allow the full five to six hours, carry cash for the park ticket, and prepare for a bumpy road before the stars appear.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 2 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included for hotels in Hurghada. Hotels in Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, and El Gouna have an additional $5 charge per person. Hotels in Soma Bay and Safaga have an additional $10 charge per person.

What transport is used?

You travel from your hotel in an air-conditioned van and use a 4×4 jeep for the desert portion.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is part of the experience.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner is a barbecue buffet with green salad, tomatoes, cheese, rice, grilled chicken, beef, and desserts.

Are drinks included?

Tea or coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Is telescope use included?

Yes. Telescope use and a professional guide are included.

Is there an extra entrance fee?

A $2 per person national park ticket is paid in cash on the spot.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.