Hurghada: Star Stargazing Desert Adventure by Jeep & Dinner

Cold desert air, warm hospitality.

This Hurghada stargazing adventure mixes a bumpy 17 km off-road jeep ride with farm life, animal feeding, sunset views, dinner, and a telescope session that turns the night sky into a real lesson. You’ll be picked up from your hotel, driven out into the desert, then guided step-by-step through what you’re seeing above you.

I especially like the way they pack in so much without rushing: the farm visit with tea/coffee and dates, then sunset viewing from a high hill, followed by supper under candlelight-style desert vibes. The other big win for me is the astronomy part—guides like Nasser (also called Marshmallow), Arabi, and Mohamed Salah-style guides use interactive explanations and a professional telescope to show you specific targets such as the Moon and planets.

One consideration: evenings can get cold fast, and the ride can be seriously bumpy. If you’re sensitive to rough roads—or if you have back issues or worry about riding a camel/horse—this may not be the best fit.

Key Highlights That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• 17 km off-roading in the desert, not just a quick scenic drive
• Farm tour + animal feeding with a welcome drink of tea, Arabian coffee, and dates
• Camel ride for about 5 minutes and a short horse ride for about 5 minutes
• Sunset on a high hill with drinks included
• Dinner with a full meal menu (grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, cola)
• Telescope stargazing with live guide explanations, with targets based on the season

Getting Picked Up in Hurghada and Why That Matters

This tour is built around door-to-door convenience. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and that matters in Hurghada because you don’t want to spend your precious evening trying to coordinate transport while the sky is getting dark.

The schedule is also practical: you start with driving out into the desert, then you hit the animals, sunset, dinner, and finally stargazing. That order is key. It keeps you warm and occupied while the light fades, instead of showing up and sitting around waiting for the sky show.

If your hotel is outside Hurghada, there can be an extra charge, and some nearby areas may add a small fee. I’d confirm your pickup point ahead of time, especially if you’re staying in places like Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna.

The 17 km Desert Jeep Ride: Fun Bumpy, Hold-On Energy

The headline is the desert driving. You’ll do an off-road drive into the desert for about 17 kilometers, which is longer than the short “drive-by” safaris that feel more like a transfer than an experience.

Most people describe the ride as thrilling—fast, bumpy, and very “hold on” style. There are accounts of Toyota Land Cruisers used for the off-road portion, and at least one person notes getting into the vehicle can be awkward. If you’re traveling with mobility limits, bring that up early.

Now the balanced part: one review raised a safety concern about a driver’s behavior. That doesn’t mean everyone gets that experience, but it’s a reminder to speak up if rough or risky driving makes you anxious. Tell your guide right when you meet them what you’re comfortable with, so they can place you accordingly.

Oasis Stop: Tea, Dates, and a Real Farm Moment

Once you reach the oasis area, the tour shifts from adrenaline to calm. You get welcomed with tea, Arabian coffee, and dates. It’s simple, but it works. You’ve just been in the desert dust and vibration, and now you’re back to human scale.

Next comes the farm tour. You can watch green plants, see farm animals, and the experience is family-friendly—there’s time to feed the animals. In a place like the Red Sea region, this is a welcome break from “just sand and camels,” because you get a glimpse of how desert-adjacent life actually works.

I like that this portion also gives kids (and kid-at-heart adults) something hands-on to do before the sunset rush. It helps the whole flow feel less staged and more like you’re moving through different parts of the day.

Camel Ride and Horse Ride at Sunset Hill

After the farm, you go up to a high hill for sunset. That hill-stop is the visual payoff of the whole drive. You’re out in open desert, light is fading, and you get that classic Egyptian desert color—gold turning to deep orange—without competing with crowds.

Then you add short animal rides:

• Camel ride about 5 minutes
• Horse ride about 5 minutes

The rides are short by design, so you don’t spend your entire evening stuck waiting. Some guides even joked and gave the ride vehicles fun nicknames, and the vibe tends to be relaxed rather than strict or overly performance-like.

If you’re thinking about “Will I feel rushed?”—usually no. You’re moving through the day in small blocks: ride, watch, snack/drink, then move again. That pacing is why the tour works well for couples and solo travelers.

Important note: this is not listed as suitable for animal allergies or for people with back problems. If either applies, skip this one. If you’re simply scared of horses or camels, consider talking to the staff first; you may find they’ll match your comfort level.

Dinner in the Desert: What You Actually Eat

Dinner comes after sunset and after the telescope setup begins later. The meal is included and it’s not just snacks. Your menu includes:

• grilled chicken
• meatballs
• rice
• salads and vegetables
• cola (soft drinks)

People describe dinner as surprisingly good, and several call out the atmosphere—eating in the desert setting feels special. One review specifically mentioned candlelight-style dining, which makes sense for the timing: it’s dark by then, and lighting is usually low-key so the experience feels more “evening event” than “supper stop.”

You’re also offered welcome drinks earlier (tea, Arabian coffee, dates), and you get a drink during the sunset viewing stage too. This adds comfort at a time when the air can shift from warm day heat to chilly night air.

One practical thought: the tour doesn’t list a vegetarian menu here. If that matters to you, I’d message the operator in advance and ask what alternatives (if any) are available.

Stargazing With a Telescope: Moon, Planets, and Constellations

The stargazing part is where this tour earns its name. After dinner, you’re guided into a session with a professional telescope. The experience includes time to lie down and watch the sky on your own first, then the telescope shows specific targets.

The targets are not guaranteed to be identical every night. The tour says you’ll watch available targets depending on the season. Still, guides commonly point out bright “big names” like the Moon and planets. Reviews mention seeing Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and especially Saturn—including details like the rings when conditions allow.

Here’s what I’d call the real value: the guide doesn’t just point upward. They explain star groups and even use horoscope-style context. More than one guide is described as funny and interactive, with techniques like lasers and quick Q&A. That makes the sky feel less random. You start to understand how to find things, not just look at them.

Some guides also explain navigation using the North Star. That’s a cool bonus if you like learning practical sky logic.

Two weather notes matter:

1. If the night is cloudy, you’ll see less. One review mentions a cloudy night limiting star count, but the Moon still made the experience memorable.
2. It can get cold enough that people recommend long trousers, a jumper, and even a blanket. The tour data says bring water and comfortable shoes, but the experience itself tends to run chilly—especially after dark.

Who This Desert Night Trip Is Best For

This is best for people who want a packed-in evening with real variety: desert driving, animals, sunset, dinner, then astronomy.

You’ll likely love it if you’re:

• on a first trip to Hurghada and want an experience beyond the resort
• a couple looking for a romantic-feeling night out
• a solo traveler who enjoys guided explanations and friendly staff
• someone who likes astronomy but doesn’t want to study a star chart first

It’s not a good match if you are:

• pregnant (listed as not suitable)
• dealing with back problems (listed as not suitable)
• allergic to animals (listed as not suitable)

If you’re traveling with children, the experience is described as family-oriented during the farm visit and animal feeding. Just remember the stargazing is at night and the air can be cold, so plan warm layers and keep an eye on your child’s comfort once it gets dark.

Price, Value, and What Makes $48 Feel Like a Deal

At around $48 per person, this tour is good value because it bundles multiple paid activities into one evening. You’re not just buying a transfer to a desert viewpoint. You’re getting:

• off-road driving (~17 km)
• welcome drink (tea, Arabian coffee, dates)
• farm tour + animal feeding
• camel ride (~5 minutes) and horse ride (~5 minutes)
• sunset viewing with a drink
• a full dinner meal
• telescope stargazing with guided astronomy/horoscope explanations

That’s why it often scores high on “what did we actually get?” logic. Even if you personally don’t care about one element (say, the short rides), you still get the rest: sunset + dinner + telescope explanations.

Also keep in mind add-ons noted in the tour info:

• There may be a national park fee of 1 euro per person
• Some pickup zones outside Hurghada can add charges
• Hotels in Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna may add a 5 euro hotel fee

Those costs don’t kill the value, but they can change the final total. If you’re budgeting tightly, ask what your final price will be before you go.

Practical Tips to Get the Best Night Sky (and the Best Mood)

Here’s how to make your evening feel easy rather than “survive-the-cold”:

• Wear long warm layers. Reviews repeatedly mention chilly winter evenings. Even if it’s sunny earlier, the temperature drops after dark.
• Bring a camera. You’ll want photos of the sunset and the telescope moments.
• Bring water. It’s listed as a must-bring item.
• Comfortable shoes help. You’ll be moving around at the oasis and hill areas.
• If you get cold easily, consider packing a blanket or extra warm layer. One review recommended this directly for comfort during stargazing.
• If you enjoy tipping: one review suggested carrying some Egyptian pounds for tips, while others say there’s no pressure to tip. I’d keep it simple—be ready with a small amount if you want to show appreciation.

Should You Book This Hurghada Stargazing Desert Adventure?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a single-ticket evening that gives you desert driving, animals, sunset, dinner, and a telescope-guided sky lesson in one go. The star portion tends to be the “wow” moment—especially when Saturn and other planets are visible—and the guides are often praised for being fun, interactive, and clear.

I’d skip or rethink it if you’re prone to discomfort on bumpy rides, you have back problems, you’re pregnant, or you have animal allergies. Also think twice if cold nights will be a major problem for you—because even with drinks and dinner, stargazing means staying outside.

If you’re choosing between “just watch the sunset” and “actually learn the sky,” this tour leans heavily toward the second. And honestly, that’s a better kind of souvenir than another photo.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the pickup is from your hotel for the Hurghada area.

How long is the camel ride and the horse ride?

The camel ride is listed as about 5 minutes, and the horse ride is also listed as about 5 minutes.

What dinner is included?

Dinner includes grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola/soft drinks.

Do you use a telescope for stargazing?

Yes. After dinner, you get a stargazing session using a professional telescope, plus live guide explanations about stars and horoscope.

What can I see in the night sky?

You’ll see available targets depending on the season. In past experiences, guides have mentioned views of the Moon and planets like Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars when conditions allow.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, and water. Also plan for cold in the evening and wear warm layers, since stargazing happens after dark.