Sharm el Sheikh: Quad Bike Desert Ride & Bedouin Tea Stop

Summary

Sinai quad biking to a Bedouin camp with tea and camel ride

You’ll race across Sinai’s open desert on a quad bike from Sharm el Sheikh, then pause at a Bedouin camp for sweet tea and maybe a wobbly camel ride if you’re brave enough. Expect laughter with locals and plenty of sun-baked silence between bursts of speed. It’s rough around the edges in all the right ways.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — that low, grumbling engine as we lined up outside the quad center in Sharm el Sheikh. The air smelled dry and sharp, almost metallic, and I kept fiddling with my scarf (you really do need one; sand gets everywhere). Our guide, Kareem, had this easy way of explaining things — not too serious, but you could tell he’d done this a hundred times. When he handed me the helmet, he winked and said, “Don’t worry, everyone looks funny in these.” He wasn’t wrong.

Once we got moving into the Sinai Desert, the city noise just disappeared. There’s something weirdly peaceful about bouncing over sun-baked tracks with nothing but those rust-red mountains ahead. I tried to keep up with my friend but kept slowing down to watch the light shift on the rocks — it’s hard not to get distracted. After about 40 minutes (could’ve been less? Time felt strange out there), we pulled up at a Bedouin camp. The smell of wood smoke hit me before I even saw anyone. A couple of kids waved from behind a goat pen. Someone handed us tiny glasses of sweet Bedouin tea — honestly, it tasted like sage and dust and warmth all at once.

I didn’t expect to get on a camel that day (they’re taller than you think), but our host just gestured and laughed when I hesitated. My friend filmed me nearly sliding off — still gets brought up at dinner sometimes. The ride was short but bumpy; you sort of sway along while someone tells you stories in half-English, half-Arabic. After that, we sat for a bit longer than planned because nobody wanted to leave the shade or stop drinking tea. Eventually Kareem rounded us up for the ride back to Sharm el Sheikh — somehow faster now that we knew what we were doing. Sand in my shoes for days after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quad biking and Bedouin camp visit

• Drive quad bike into Sinai Desert
• Stop for photos and rest
• Arrive at Bedouin camp
• Enjoy traditional Bedouin tea
• Take a short camel ride
• Have a refreshing drink
• Return quad bike to base

Top questions

How long does the quad bike ride last from Sharm el Sheikh?

The quad bike ride into the desert lasts about 30-45 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this quad bike tour?

Yes, transfers to and from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Do I need to bring anything special for the Sinai Desert quad trip?

You should bring sunglasses and a scarf; scarves can be purchased at the quad center if needed.

Is there food or drink included at the Bedouin camp?

You’ll be served traditional Bedouin tea; soft drinks are available for purchase.

Can children join this Sharm el Sheikh quad biking tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap or in a stroller/pram.

Is this activity suitable for people with back problems?

No, it’s not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

How much does a soft drink cost at the Bedouin camp?

A soft drink costs about £2 or 40 LE at the camp.

Is there an option for a private quad bike tour?

Yes, this trip is also available privately upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes helmet rental for safety, round-trip hotel transfers by air-conditioned vehicle from Sharm el Sheikh, clear instructions on using your quad safely from your guide Kareem (or whoever is leading), plus traditional Bedouin tea served fresh at the desert camp before heading back through Sinai’s wild landscape.