Star Gazing Tour Telescope with Bedouin Dinner, Camel and Show – Sharm El Sheikh

Traveling to Sharm El Sheikh offers a host of adventures, but one experience that promises a blend of culture, nature, and astronomy is the Star Gazing Tour with Bedouin Dinner. While many travelers look for a seamless and memorable night under the stars, this particular tour has its highs and lows, which are worth knowing before booking.

From the mesmerizing desert sunset and camel rides to the chance to peer through telescopes at planets, this tour offers an authentic taste of Bedouin life and cosmic wonder. However, the experience’s overall value hinges on factors like organization, guide expertise, and the quality of the star gazing setup. If you’re a curious traveler who loves culture coupled with celestial sights, this might be worth considering—but with some caveats.

What I love about this experience is the opportunity to enjoy desert sunsets, ride camels, and learn about astronomy all in one evening. The authentic Bedouin hospitality and the chance to sip herbal tea in a traditional tent add a cultural touch. Also, the star gazing through telescopes can be genuinely breathtaking—when everything works smoothly.

However, a possible drawback lies in inconsistent reviews about organization and equipment. Some travelers faced delays, poor communication, and subpar telescope experiences. This means that the full magic of star viewing isn’t guaranteed, especially if the equipment or guides aren’t up to par.

This tour suits adventurous travelers keen to combine desert culture with stargazing and who don’t mind a bit of unpredictability or rough edges. It’s best for those expecting an authentic experience, willing to overlook some imperfections, and eager to enjoy a taste of Bedouin life under the night sky.

Key Points

• Authentic Bedouin Experience: Includes camel rides, traditional tea, and cultural entertainment.
• Stargazing Potential: Guided by an astronomy expert with telescopes, but equipment quality varies.
• Transport & Convenience: Hotel pickup and drop-off included, making logistics easier.
• Mixed Reviews on Organization: Arrivals and equipment issues noted by some travelers.
• Affordable Price: At just $5, it’s a budget-friendly option, but this also reflects the current quality.
• Time Commitment: About 5 hours, fitting easily into an evening plan.

The Itinerary: A Closer Look

Starting around 4:30 PM, the tour kicks off with hotel pickup via air-conditioned vehicle, which is a plus for comfort and convenience. The first highlight is the desert sunset landscape, where you’ll get a chance to soak in the fading light and desert colors. The guide or driver will likely point out key sights or local facts, though some reviews indicate communication issues—so don’t expect a detailed narration unless you’re lucky.

Next, the camel ride through the desert sands offers a unique perspective on the landscape—this is usually short but memorable. Travelers frequently mention the Bedouin tent setup as a warm and welcoming space to rest, sip herbal tea, and enjoy live Egyptian music and dance. These cultural elements are praised for providing an authentic flavor, even if the show isn’t always polished.

Following dinner, the focus shifts to star gazing. An astronomy guide will explain the night sky, pointing out planets and celestial bodies through telescopes. But reviews suggest that the quality of telescopes varies; some set-ups are described as “shonky” or lacking in clarity. The dark desert sky generally provides excellent visibility—an undeniable highlight when the equipment cooperates.

The tour wraps up after about 5 hours, with transportation returning you to your hotel. The inclusion of live music and authentic cuisine makes the evening lively and culturally enriching, despite occasional logistical hiccups.

Transport & Group Size

One of the tour’s strengths is the hotel pickup and drop-off service, which spares you the hassle of navigating to meeting points. The group size is limited to a maximum of 30 travelers, helping maintain a more intimate atmosphere, though some reviews note the experience can feel disorganized if the guides aren’t attentive.

Price and Value

At just $5, this tour is extremely affordable. For that price, you’ll get a combination of culture, desert scenery, and star gazing. However, the cost reflects the overall quality—some travelers found the equipment old or poorly maintained, and organizational issues hampered the experience for others.

If you’re primarily after a fun, budget-friendly evening and aren’t overly concerned about perfect logistics or telescope clarity, this tour offers decent value. But if you’re expecting a highly polished, seamless star gazing experience, you might find it lacking.

Authenticity and Cultural Touches

The Bedouin hospitality is frequently praised. Guests enjoy drinking herbal tea and watching traditional dances, which add depth to the night. The camel ride is often highlighted as a fun, if short, adventure that transports you back in time.

However, some reviews mention extra charges for activities like the camel ride, which were not clearly communicated beforehand. This highlights the importance of reading the fine print or confirming what’s included.

The Star Gazing Experience

This is the core reason many sign up. When the telescopes work properly, you’ll have the chance to see planets and stars up close—a truly memorable sight. The dark desert sky offers an excellent backdrop for astronomical viewing, far from city lights.

Yet, reviews reveal that equipment quality can be inconsistent. One guest noted that the telescope was broken, and others mention the setup in a parking lot rather than a dedicated stargazing site. The guides are knowledgeable, but their ability to deliver a flawless experience depends heavily on the equipment and weather.

Practical Tips for Potential Bookers

• Arrive with realistic expectations: This tour offers cultural and natural highlights but might not deliver perfect star-gazing if equipment is faulty.
• Bring warm clothing: Desert nights can get chilly.
• Confirm details: Inquire whether the telescopes are working and what activities are included.
• Expect some disorganization: Reviews suggest that delays and communication issues can happen.
• Tip your guide: If you appreciate their efforts, it’s customary and may enhance your experience.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

This experience is perfect for budget travelers eager to try a cultural desert evening with star gazing, families looking for a fun outing, or adventurous souls who enjoy a bit of unpredictability. It’s less ideal if you’re seeking an expert astronomy session or a luxurious, well-coordinated event.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, the tour provides hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, making it convenient and straightforward to join.

How long does the tour last?
The entire experience lasts approximately 5 hours, starting around 4:30 pm and ending before 10 pm.

What’s included in the price?
The tour fee covers transportation, a Bedouin dinner, camel ride, local entertainment, herbal tea, and star gazing with telescopes.

Are there any additional costs?
Yes, there is a $5 safari tax per person, and some activities like the camel ride might require tips or extra charges not included in the base price.

What is the quality of the star gazing?
It varies; some guests have enjoyed clear views through telescopes, while others have encountered equipment issues or less-than-ideal setups.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Most travelers say yes, as the activities are generally family-friendly. However, children should be comfortable with desert conditions and possibly cold nights.

This Star Gazing Tour with Bedouin Dinner in Sharm El Sheikh offers a charming blend of cultural insight and cosmic adventure at a very accessible price. The authentic Bedouin hospitality, combined with the desert sunset, camel rides, and dark skies, creates a memorable outing—when everything runs smoothly.

While the organization and equipment may sometimes fall short, the experience still holds appeal for those looking to enjoy a relaxed evening under the stars, with cultural entertainment thrown in. It’s best suited for travelers who are flexible, value culture, and are not overly concerned about perfect star views.

If you’re seeking a cost-effective way to combine desert scenery, local culture, and night sky gazing, this tour could be a worthwhile addition to your Sharm El Sheikh itinerary. Just keep your expectations in check, and you’ll likely enjoy a fun, authentic evening.

Remember: Always confirm details about equipment and inclusions beforehand, and be prepared for some surprises—good or bad. That’s part of the adventure in a desert night under the stars.