Mleiha Panoramic Lounge: BBQ dinner under the stars

Dinner and stargazing in a traditional Arabian lounge, with three peaks as your backdrop

The Mleiha Panoramic Lounge is an evening tour in the United Arab Emirates where you sit in a traditional majlis-style lounge, eat a freshly prepared BBQ dinner, and then look through telescopes with an expert astronomer guiding you to the stars. The lounge is shared with other groups, but your table is private. Children from age 5 are welcome. A guide speaks English throughout. A sunset dune buggy ride or a one-hour safari drive can be added for an extra fee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mleiha Desert BBQ and Stargazing

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive to Mleiha Archaeological Centre
• Short off-road drive into desert
• Settle in traditional majlis seating
• Enjoy Karak, Gahwa, and cold drinks
• Savor freshly prepared BBQ dinner
• Experience stargazing with expert astronomer

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, then taken on a short off-road drive into the desert where the majlis is set up. The lounge sits by a deer enclosure and horses, and opens onto views of Mt. Faya, Fossil Rock, and Saddle Rock. Karak, Gahwa (strong milk tea and Arabic coffee), and cold drinks arrive first, then a BBQ dinner with chicken kebab, lamb kofta, chicken drumstick, or vegetable kebab, served alongside Oriental Bukhari rice, potato harra, and vegetable curry. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you request them when booking.

After dinner comes the stargazing. An expert astronomer guides you through the night sky using powerful telescopes, pointing out constellations and planets visible from the desert. The whole experience runs four to five hours. If you want to add movement to the evening, you can book a 20-minute sunset dune buggy ride or a full hour-long safari drive in an SUV beforehand: both cost extra and need to be arranged in advance.

The lounge area itself is shared with other groups booked that night, including the bonfire seating, so you'll have company. Your dining table, though, is yours alone. Bring light, comfortable clothing and closed shoes. The desert cools quickly once the sun sets. If you have specific dietary needs beyond the vegetarian option, let the team know at booking.

What’s included

• Light refreshments and bottled water.
• coffee and Arabic tea.
• a freshly prepared BBQ dinner with your choice of grilled meats or vegetables and rice or curry sides.
• stargazing with powerful telescopes and an expert astronomer guide.
• an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for the short off-road drive into the desert.
• an English-speaking guide throughout the evening.

Options for this experience

2 options

Panoramic, without sunset viewingGuide in English · No fixed timeNon-exclusive setup: the lounge area is shared with other guest groups booked that night (including the bonfire seating area). Food Menu Option 1 is included. A vegetarian option is available for an extra AED 15 per person; please mention it if you would like to request it.

Panoramic, with sunset viewingGuide in English · No fixed timeSunset viewing, 20 minutes: the Mleiha off-road team will drive you to a scenic spot to watch the sunset over the dunes. Non-exclusive setup: the lounge area is shared with other guest groups booked that night (including the bonfire seating area). Food Menu option 1 is included. A vegetarian option is available for an extra AED 15 per person; please mention it if you would like to request it. Travel by 4x4 SUV.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Mleiha National Park

Is this one for you?Book the option with sunset viewing if you want the dune buggy ride or safari drive included in the timing: the vehicle and guide coordinate the add-on activities around the meal and stargazing. Without sunset viewing, you can still add these activities separately at checkout, subject to availability. Either way, the lounge itself is the same: shared space, private table, three peaks, and the astronomer after dark.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What are the three peaks I'll see from the Mleiha Panoramic Lounge?

Mt. Faya, Fossil Rock, and Saddle Rock frame the lounge's views across the desert. They're visible throughout the evening as the light changes.

Is the stargazing experience led by someone who knows the night sky?

Yes, an expert astronomer guides you through the constellations and planets using powerful telescopes, so you're not just looking up on your own.

Can I add activities like a buggy ride to my evening?

You can add a 20-minute sunset dune buggy ride or a one-hour safari drive in an SUV for an extra cost, but both need to be booked in advance and are subject to availability.

Is my dining table private, or do I share it with other guests?

Your table is private, though the lounge area and bonfire seating are shared with other groups booked on the same night.

What's included in the BBQ dinner?

The dinner includes a choice of grilled meats (chicken kebab, lamb kofta, chicken drumstick) or vegetable kebab, plus Oriental Bukhari rice, potato harra, and vegetable curry, followed by dessert. Light refreshments, coffee, tea, and bottled water are served throughout the evening.