REVIEW · SHARM EL SHEIKH
Sharm El-Sheikh: Stargazing with Luxury Dinner
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A dark desert sky is hard to beat. This Sharm El-Sheikh night blends stargazing with dinner and Bedouin entertainment in the Sinai Desert. I like how the evening moves you from golden-hour views to telescopes, with a real sense of place.
Two things I really like: the VIP BBQ buffet feels like a full meal, not a snack, and the telescope session includes an astronomer who points out constellations (not just lets you look). One thing to watch for is pacing. Some evenings can feel slow or pulled in different directions, and there can also be a sales pitch vibe around oils or herbs.
In This Review
- Key Takeaways Before You Go
- Sunset Camel Ride at the Edge of the Sinai Desert
- VIP Bedouin BBQ: What You’re Really Paying $32 For
- The meal
- The reality check (food timing and details)
- Telescope Time With an Astronomer Under Sinai Skies
- Expect the session to feel short-per-person
- Tanoura Dance, Fire Show, and Desert Music Before the Stars
- Watch for timing and sound issues
- The “Sales Pitch” Factor: Apothecary, Oils, and Herbs
- Timing and Group Flow: Why the Evening Can Feel Long
- Pickup and return timing
- Transport and comfort
- What to Bring (So the Sky Part Actually Works)
- Who This Tour Suits Best in Sharm El-Sheikh
- Should You Book This Sharm El-Sheikh Stargazing and Luxury Dinner Tour?
- FAQ
- How much does the Sharm El-Sheikh stargazing experience cost?
- What is included in the VIP dinner?
- How long is the stargazing session and is there a guide?
- Is the camel ride included, and how long is it?
- What are the pickup details?
- What languages are offered?
- Is it wheelchair accessible?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key Takeaways Before You Go

- 10-minute camel ride at sunset through calm Sinai sands for an easy, photo-friendly taste of Bedouin life
- VIP Bedouin BBQ buffet with grilled meats, bread, salads, and soft drinks in a desert camp setting
- 30-minute guided telescope stargazing with an expert astronomer and high-powered telescopes
- Tanoura dance, fire show, and live desert music keep the group entertained before the sky portion
- Expect possible delays and downtime between activities, especially with large groups
- Some parts may feel commercial, including apothecary or herb/oil explanations where sales are part of the program
Sunset Camel Ride at the Edge of the Sinai Desert
This experience starts with a camel ride at sunset, about 10 minutes. It is short enough to feel manageable, even if you are not a “camel person,” and long enough to get that classic desert silhouette look as the sky turns gold. The Sinai Mountains views during golden hour are the visual payoff here.
One practical note: the ride is described as gentle and peaceful, but in real life you may meet camel guides who are very focused on tipping. If you go, decide on a tip amount ahead of time so you are not negotiating while you are trying to enjoy the moment.
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VIP Bedouin BBQ: What You’re Really Paying $32 For
The price is $32 per person, and what you get is more than “dinner in the desert.” You’re also buying: pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a guide/astronomer team, camel time, a Bedouin setting with tea and bread, plus shows and telescope stargazing.
The meal
The dinner is a VIP BBQ buffet served in a Bedouin-style camp. You should expect grilled meats, fresh salads, oriental dishes, and traditional Bedouin bread. Drinks include soft drinks, plus water and a seasonal fruit platter (and you also get Bedouin tea and bread before the dinner portion).
The reality check (food timing and details)
The core meal often lands well. People call out that it is tasty and satisfying, and the open-buffet setup means you can go back for seconds. Still, a couple of reviews mention a rush to start the program and trays being removed quickly, plus missing fruit in one case and water being served later than expected on a hot evening.
My advice: treat the buffet as “good fast service,” not a long sit-down dinner. If you are hungry, eat early when the buffet opens. Bring a bottle of patience, because the show schedule can cut into extra time at the table.
Telescope Time With an Astronomer Under Sinai Skies
Once it gets dark, the program turns to the sky. You get a 30-minute guided stargazing session, with professional telescopes and an expert astronomer walking you through constellations and astronomical stories.
This is the part that most people remember. When the sky explanation is paced well, it turns a quick look through a telescope into something you can actually understand. There’s a real difference between “look up” and “here is what you’re seeing and why it matters.”
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Expect the session to feel short-per-person
One review notes telescope time can be brief per guest, with very fast rotation through the equipment. Another mentions star explanations can feel too quick to fully absorb. The telescopes themselves are praised, but the delivery speed can vary by crowd size and how the group is managed.
So go with this mindset: the telescope moment is the highlight, but it is not a private astronomy lecture. If you want to really learn the sky, you’ll do best asking questions during the short guide window, and using your camera to capture what you can.
Tanoura Dance, Fire Show, and Desert Music Before the Stars

The entertainment in this tour is a big part of the value. You get a Bedouin party program that can include a Tanoura dance and a fire show, plus live desert music. These are built to keep the group engaged while it cools off and darkness arrives.
Fire and dance are usually the crowd-pleasers. One review specifically calls out the fire dancing as excellent, and another describes a fire-stick show plus a dancer with a hat. If you like photos, this is where you’ll get the most dramatic light—just keep your camera ready before the telescope line starts.
Watch for timing and sound issues
Some reviews mention the show flow can feel disjointed, with silence at times and swapping performers while dinner is happening. That is not a dealbreaker, but it does mean you may feel like you’re waiting for the next moment rather than always being in full performance mode.
The “Sales Pitch” Factor: Apothecary, Oils, and Herbs
Here is the biggest swing factor in the reviews: a long apothecary or shop segment focused on oils, herbs, or benefits. One guest says there is an hour-long pharmacy/apothecary sales pitch, and another calls the herb-selling part commercial and touristy, especially when it eats time that could have gone to star talk.
Also, one review describes being taken to a shop next door for Bedouin oils explanations after tea and bread. That shop portion may feel like education at first, but it can quickly turn into persuasion.
My practical advice: decide in advance what you will do if someone offers you products. A firm no, repeated politely, is often easier than engaging. If stargazing is your main goal, keep your expectations realistic about how much time is reserved for the sky versus the sales-focused segments.
Timing and Group Flow: Why the Evening Can Feel Long
This is one of those tours where the schedule can stretch because it is built for a group of around a hundred people (in one account). You may wait between activities, and there may be moments with little to no explanation while everyone regroups.
Pickup and return timing
Pickup time depends on your hotel location, and you should confirm the exact pickup time the day before. There can also be a delay of up to 10 minutes.
On the ground, one itinerary example shows pickup around 17:30, then the dinner part starting late (around 21:30). Another return estimate puts bus drop-off around 11 pm after coordinating groups. So plan a relaxed day before this evening and don’t book anything urgent afterward.
Transport and comfort
You are transported by air-conditioned vehicle, which helps when your day has already been warm. It is also a plus if you want an easy evening without organizing a private driver and entrance fees.
What to Bring (So the Sky Part Actually Works)
The tour gives you the basics, but you still want to show up ready for the conditions.
Bring:
- Comfortable shoes (camel rides and walking at the camp can add up)
- A camera (the golden-hour mountain views and the performance lighting are photo-worthy)
- Comfortable clothes (desert evenings can feel different from daytime)
Also, if you’re serious about stargazing, consider bringing something small for keeping your hands comfortable while you look through the equipment area, since telescope rotations can be fast.
Who This Tour Suits Best in Sharm El-Sheikh
This works best for you if you want an all-in-one evening: camel ride, a proper BBQ dinner, Bedouin-style shows, and a guided look through telescopes. It is also good value if you are staying in Sharm El-Sheikh and don’t want to plan separate transport for dinner plus astronomy plus entertainment.
It may be less ideal if:
- You hate sales pitches or product pushing
- You dislike long group waiting between segments
- You are hoping for a slow, detailed astronomy lesson rather than a short guided session
One more thing: it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Should You Book This Sharm El-Sheikh Stargazing and Luxury Dinner Tour?
I think you should book it if your priorities are clear: you want a memorable desert night with food, shows, and telescope time, and you are okay with a big-group schedule. The value at $32 is strong because transport, dinner, entertainment, and astronomer-led stargazing are bundled together.
Skip it if your personal tolerance is low for sales segments or if you expect the star talk to be slow and thorough. In those cases, you may end up wishing more time went to the sky.
If you do book, go in with the right plan: eat early when the buffet opens, set a firm boundary if someone tries to sell oils or herbs, and treat the telescope look as the peak moment rather than a long class.
FAQ
How much does the Sharm El-Sheikh stargazing experience cost?
The price is $32 per person.
What is included in the VIP dinner?
You get a Bedouin-style BBQ buffet dinner, including grilled meats, salads, oriental dishes, Bedouin bread, plus Bedouin tea. It also includes water and soft drinks and a seasonal fruit platter.
How long is the stargazing session and is there a guide?
The guided stargazing session lasts 30 minutes, with an expert astronomical guide and the use of professional telescopes.
Is the camel ride included, and how long is it?
Yes. There is a camel ride included, lasting about 10 minutes.
What are the pickup details?
Pickup time depends on your hotel location. You should confirm the exact pickup time one day before the trip. Pickup delays of up to 10 minutes may occur.
What languages are offered?
The tour is available in English, Italian, and Arabic.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.





























