Egypt Discovery
ExcursionMarsa Alam

Desert Stargazing, Camel Ride and Bedouin Dinner from Marsa Alam

5 hours, shared group, camel ride, Bedouin dinner and guided stargazing included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 5-hour shared evening from Marsa Alam: a 45-minute camel ride at sunset, dinner at a Bedouin camp, and guided stargazing. A clear night sky is needed, and the weather decides that.
  • New
  • Small group

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · Eastern Desert
Includes
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request) · Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests · A camel ride · Dinner, tea and water at the camp · A guide for the ride and the stars
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Winter and spring evenings are often clear. Avoid nights near a full moon if you want the faintest stars.

  • ETAA Licence 718, operating since 1988
  • One of our six Egyptian offices

02Overview

A first look

This is a five-hour shared evening in the desert near Marsa Alam. You start with a camel ride of about 45 minutes while the sun sets. Next comes dinner and tea at a Bedouin camp. After dark, a guide helps you find constellations in a sky with very little light pollution. The pace is slow, so it suits families and couples. Whether you see many stars depends on the weather and the moon, which we cannot control. You are back at your hotel around 20:30.

Background

The facts

The Eastern Desert behind Marsa Alam has very little light pollution, so the night sky is bright on clear evenings. The camp is a short drive from the coast.

Named in this entry

Eastern Desert of Egypt·camel riding·Bedouin camp dinner·constellations

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Families and couples who want a calm evening under the stars.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for anyone who cannot mount a camel, or who needs a guaranteed clear sky.

What lingers

  • 01A camel ride of about 45 minutes as the sun goes down
  • 02Dinner and tea at a Bedouin camp, served by your hosts
  • 03Stargazing in dark desert skies, with a guide naming the constellations
  • 04A calm, quiet evening that suits all ages
  • 05Hotel collection and return included
  • 06A shared group of up to 16 guests

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Camels, dinner and stars in one evening
  • A slow, quiet pace
  • Dark skies away from hotel lights

Things to Consider

  • Cloud or moonlight can spoil the view
  • Evenings can be cold in winter

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in the Marsa Alam area: the town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between (El Quseir on request)
  • Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests
  • A camel ride
  • Dinner, tea and water at the camp
  • A guide for the ride and the stars

Not included

  • Tips for the guide and camel handlers
  • Bottled fizzy drinks
  • Money for your own purchases

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Let your eyes adjust for a few minutes before looking for fainter stars

  2. 02

    Wear a warm layer even if the day was hot

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The stargazing evening is free for under-2s, half fare for ages 2 to 11 and full fare from age 12. The stargazing evening lasts 5 hours, so think about what your children enjoy and can manage.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for the stargazing evening worked out?
    We quote the stargazing evening per person and the figure covers everything on the inclusions list. Our team confirms the figure for the stargazing evening after you send a request, and until then it is provisional. For the stargazing evening, bear in mind that we are a licensed Egyptian operator with ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and IATA accreditation, but we do not sell international flights.
  2. 02When and where will you collect me?
    A driver collects you for the stargazing evening at 16:00 from hotels in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between them. For the stargazing evening, El Quseir pick-ups can be arranged on request. We confirm your exact time for the stargazing evening once your request is accepted, so be ready in the lobby a few minutes early.
  3. 03Can children join the stargazing evening, and what do they pay?
    Yes. On the stargazing evening, children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and ages 12 and over pay the full adult fare. Please think about whether little ones can cope with the stargazing evening, which lasts 5 hours.
  4. 04Will the sky definitely be clear?
    No. Clouds and a bright moon can hide the stars, and we cannot control either. Winter and spring evenings are often very clear. If the sky is poor, the guide still gives a talk, and the camel ride and dinner go ahead.
  5. 05What if I have to cancel the stargazing evening?
    You can cancel the stargazing evening up to three days ahead and get a full refund. From three days down to 24 hours before the stargazing evening, half is returned. Inside 24 hours, or if you are not ready at collection time for the stargazing evening, there is no refund. The sooner you tell us, the better.
  6. 06Is the camel ride suitable for children?
    Camels are tall, and mounting can feel odd the first time. Younger children can ride with an adult, and handlers walk beside the animals. Tell us your children's ages when you send your request so we can plan the ride.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-666643

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