Hurghada Desert: Stargazing, Bedouin Camp & Candlelit Dinner

Summary

Stargazing in Hurghada’s desert with Bedouin tea and stories under the sky

You’ll cross Hurghada’s sands at sunset, sip herbal Bedouin tea in a quiet camp, share a candlelit dinner under open sky, then peer through a pro telescope at planets and galaxies above Egypt’s Red Sea desert. Expect laughter with your guide, new flavors on your tongue—and maybe a moment or two where words just fall away.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever seen so many stars you forget what you were saying?” That’s how it started for me out in the Hurghada desert. We’d just bounced along in this van (windows rattling, sand everywhere) and then stepped out into that dry hush — you know, when even your shoes sound too loud. Our guide, Mahmoud, grinned as he handed out little glasses of Bedouin tea. I tried to say thanks in Arabic; he laughed and corrected me gently. The herbs smelled sharp and earthy — almost like sage but not quite — and honestly, I could’ve just sat there with that cup all night.

The sun dropped behind these low dunes, turning everything gold and then purple. We wandered over to the Bedouin camp (it’s not far, maybe five minutes from where we parked). There was this weird mix of quiet and chatter — kids running around barefoot, someone tuning a radio with bursts of static. Dinner was laid out by candlelight: flatbread warm from the fire, stews that tasted smoky-sweet, nothing fancy but somehow perfect after all that wind. I kept thinking how different food tastes when you’re eating it outside with strangers who feel like friends after an hour.

Then came the main thing — stargazing with their big Meade telescope. Mahmoud set it up while telling us stories about the constellations (I only half-followed; my mind wandered up there somewhere). When I finally looked through the scope… Saturn’s rings were clear as anything. It was quieter than I expected — nobody said much for a few minutes. Just shuffling feet on sand and someone whispering “wow.” The sky over Hurghada really does feel bigger somehow. Even now, months later, if I close my eyes I can still smell the sweet smoke from dinner and see those stars crowding every bit of dark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert sunset, Bedouin camp, stargazing

• Drive 5 km into Hurghada desert
• Watch sunset at observation area
• Visit Bedouin camp
• Enjoy cold drink and Bedouin herbal tea
• Have romantic candlelight Bedouin buffet dinner
• Explore stars with GPS-directed telescope

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hurghada stargazing tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or accommodation are included.

What kind of telescope is used during stargazing?

A GPS-directed 15-inch Meade telescope is used for deep space viewing.

Do we visit an actual Bedouin camp on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit a Bedouin camp in the Hurghada desert and taste traditional tea.

Is dinner provided during the tour?

Yes, a buffet-style Bedouin dinner by candlelight is included at the camp.

How far is the drive into the desert from Hurghada?

The van takes you about 5 km into the picturesque desert from your hotel pickup point.

Is this stargazing experience suitable for families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all ages—families, couples, friends are welcome.

Are guides knowledgeable about astronomy?

Yes, professional astronomers lead the explanations and help operate the telescope.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, a short drive into the desert by van, herbal Bedouin tea on arrival at a local camp, a buffet-style candlelit dinner under open sky, expert-led astronomy explanations using a GPS-directed Meade telescope—and plenty of time to soak up both silence and stories before heading back to town.