Sharm El Sheikh: ATV, Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

Desert thrills come at a very low price here. This five-hour outing combines quad biking in the Sinai with a camel stop, Echo Mountain, a Bedouin-style camp, BBQ dinner, and live entertainment. Hotel pickup and drop-off make it easy to fit into a Sharm El Sheikh holiday, and the small-group limit is listed at 15 people.

I like the generous mix of activities for $23, especially the roughly 45 minutes of ATV riding reported by several participants. I also like the guides, with names such as Abdul, Alfredo, Armando, and Gilberto receiving praise for being friendly, funny, helpful, and attentive. The main drawback is that the operation can feel crowded and loosely managed, with long waits for the show, aggressive selling, and a camel ride that may be little more than a photo stop.

Key points before you book

• Around 45 minutes on the quad bikes: The ride includes several short journeys between desert stops, rather than one long open-speed run.
• Echo Mountain adds a scenic pause: You stop for desert views and photos instead of simply racing from the ATV base to camp.
• The camel ride may be very short: Several accounts describe it as a brief walk near the camp, often focused on photos.
• The evening includes dinner and live shows: Expect a BBQ-style meal, Bedouin entertainment, dancing, and a fire show, though timing can be uneven.
• The $23 price is hard to beat: Pickup, ATVs, camel time, dinner, and entertainment make this strong value if you accept a basic, busy setup.
• Bring water and a light jacket: Desert heat can be tiring, while the evening can turn chilly after the camel ride.

Five hours from hotel door to desert camp

The trip begins with pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup and return transfers are repeatedly described as smooth, though exact timing is confirmed on the day, often by WhatsApp. That last-minute confirmation is useful, so keep your phone available and watch for the message.

The advertised duration is about five hours. That sounds like a full afternoon and evening, and it is. You are not simply paying for a short ATV circuit. The time includes transfers, safety instructions, riding, desert stops, camel time, dinner, and a show.

The listed group limit is 15 people, which should make the outing feel more personal than a large coach excursion. Still, the ATV area is shared with many other groups. At busy times, the open desert route can feel crowded, and the whole operation may resemble organized chaos rather than a carefully timed private safari.

That distinction matters. If you want a quiet desert outing with lots of space, book a private trip instead. If you want a cheap activity with plenty happening around you, the busy atmosphere may be part of the fun.

Getting set up for the Sinai ATV ride

At the desert base, you receive instructions on how to operate the quad bike. This is an important part of the experience, particularly if you have never ridden an ATV before. The machines are generally easy to handle, but the route can become disorderly when riders with different levels of confidence share the same area.

I would treat the safety briefing seriously and stay behind the guide. Some participants praised the staff for working hard to keep the line together, while others felt there was not enough visible health and safety control. The sensible approach is to avoid racing, leave space between bikes, and be careful when stopping for photographs.

The ride itself is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Several accounts describe around 45 minutes of total quad time, broken into short rides of about 10 to 15 minutes between stops. That gives you a decent amount of time in the saddle without making the entire afternoon a single dusty run.

You will ride through the Sinai desert on marked routes with the group. This is more of a guided safari than a free-form off-road adventure. You will not be choosing your own route or setting your own pace, but you do get the pleasure of moving through the desert under your own power.

Dust is part of the deal. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf, and protect your eyes if you have suitable glasses. Scarves are also sold at the stops, but bring your own if you prefer not to buy one there.

Echo Mountain and the desert photo stops

The stop at Echo Mountain breaks up the ATV riding and gives you a chance to look around. It is also a natural photo point, with the rocky Sinai setting providing a change from the hotel zone of Sharm El Sheikh.

Do not expect a long mountain walk or a remote expedition. This is a brief stop within a group activity. You may find several other groups arriving at the same time, and the pause can include requests to buy small items such as bracelets or beads.

That selling is one of the less comfortable parts of the trip. Some participants felt pressured by children offering bracelets and asking for payment, while others found the prices reasonable. If you do not want to buy anything, a polite but firm no is the easiest answer.

The guides can help make these pauses more enjoyable. Abdul was praised for taking photographs, while Gilberto was noted for checking on people throughout the trip and speaking several languages. A good guide matters here because the desert stops are short, and clear instructions help the group move on without confusion.

The camel ride: cultural moment or quick photo opportunity?

The camel portion sounds more substantial in the title than it may feel in practice. Several detailed accounts describe a short walk around or near the camp, sometimes just across the road and back. The main purpose appears to be the photo opportunity.

That does not make it worthless. For a first-time camel rider, even a brief turn can be a memorable novelty, especially when combined with the desert setting. But if you are booking mainly for a proper camel trek, adjust your expectations.

You may also find a separate charge for photographs, tea, or other extras. One participant specifically noted that Bedouin tea was not included in the basic booking. Ask the price before accepting anything, particularly if a handler offers to take your photo.

Animal welfare is another personal consideration. One account described the camels as poorly kept and chose not to ride. That is an individual observation rather than a stated feature of the tour, but it is worth keeping in mind if animal care is important to you. You can enjoy the ATV portion and skip the camel ride if you are uncomfortable.

Bring a light jacket for this part of the evening. Temperatures can drop once the sun goes down, and one guide, Alfredo, was praised for lending his jacket to someone who felt cold.

A Bedouin village with herbal medicine and desert tea

After the riding, the group heads to a Bedouin-style village or desert camp. This is where the pace changes from motorized adventure to dinner and entertainment.

One appealing feature is the chance to learn about traditional herbal medicine. That small cultural element gives the evening more substance than a simple meal at an outdoor restaurant. It is not a full museum visit or a detailed anthropology program, but it offers a glimpse into local practices.

The camp also creates a social setting. You sit with the group, watch the entertainment, and have time to settle down after the dusty ATV ride. Shisha is available for an extra fee, with one participant reporting a price of about £8. Prices for extras can change, so check before ordering.

The camp may feel busy rather than intimate. Many people arrive for the same dinner and show, and there can be plenty of staff moving between tables. If you like a lively setting, this adds energy. If you prefer quiet meals, the noise and delays may test your patience.

BBQ dinner: good value, but keep expectations modest

Dinner is described as a BBQ-style meal with rice, pasta, salad, and other buffet-style items. Several participants enjoyed the food, while others found the portions small or disliked the serving method. One person said a second serving of pasta, rice, and salad was provided when requested.

The meal does not appear to be a free-flowing, all-you-can-eat buffet in the usual resort sense. At times, staff may fill your plate for you. That explains why some people found the serving style restrictive and the portions modest.

Food quality also seems inconsistent. Most accounts describe an acceptable or enjoyable dinner, but two participants reported becoming ill afterward and connected the illness to the meal. That cannot establish the cause, but it is enough reason to use sensible caution. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid overeating, and carry any medication you normally use for digestive problems.

Water is another practical issue. One participant reported receiving only one bottle of water by the BBQ. The desert heat, dust, and ATV ride can leave you thirsty, so bring extra water if permitted and do not assume the supplied bottle will last the evening.

At $23, the meal is part of a very inexpensive package. I would judge it as a filling camp dinner rather than a culinary highlight. The value comes from the complete evening, not from restaurant-level food.

The show, fire performance, and the waiting problem

The evening entertainment includes Bedouin-style dancing, a fire show, and other live performances. The fire show receives the strongest praise, and it is easy to see why. After a dusty ride and a simple dinner, a fire performance under the dark desert sky gives the evening a memorable finish.

Some participants also enjoyed stargazing after the fire show. That can be a pleasant extra, especially away from the bright lights of central Sharm El Sheikh.

The timing is the weak point. A few people waited one to two hours before the show began, and another account described a long delay while the group waited for other participants. The show itself can also have large gaps between dances.

This is not a tight theatrical production with a fixed start and finish. It is a camp program that depends on several groups arriving, eating, and being seated. Bring patience. If you are tired, hungry, or traveling with young children, the delay may overshadow the fun.

The performances can also include animals, which is important to know if you prefer entertainment without animal use. You can decide in advance how comfortable you are with that aspect.

How the $23 price measures up

At $23 per person, this is unusually cheap for an outing that includes hotel transport, quad bikes, camel time, dinner, and live entertainment. The inclusion of air-conditioned transfers also removes the need to arrange a taxi to a desert base.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In one afternoon and evening, you try an ATV, see a desert viewpoint, ride a camel, visit a camp, eat a meal, and watch a show. Paying separately for those elements would usually cost more, even if each part is basic.

The low price also explains some compromises. You may encounter a shared safari area, extra charges for photos and drinks, selling at the stops, a basic meal, and an uneven show schedule. This is a budget package, not a private luxury desert experience.

I would also compare the price with your hotel before booking. One couple found the hotel was charging about twice as much per person for a similar activity. That suggests this package can offer strong savings, provided you are comfortable arranging the booking outside the hotel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy this Sharm El Sheikh excursion?

I would recommend it to first-time ATV riders, couples, friends, and families who want a lot of activity for a small price. The ride is long enough to feel worthwhile, while the dinner and show give non-riders something to enjoy afterward.

It also suits people who like group energy and do not mind a flexible schedule. Guides such as Abdul, Armando, Alfredo, and Gilberto were praised for warmth, humor, photography, and language skills. Those personal touches can make a busy day much easier.

I would be cautious about booking it if you want privacy, strict timing, or a serious off-road challenge. The shared riding area can be crowded, and some people found other riders reckless. It may also disappoint you if the main attraction is a long camel trek or polished stage show.

Wear clothes that can get dusty, bring water, pack a light jacket, and keep some cash available for optional drinks, photos, tea, shisha, or souvenirs. Most people can participate, but the activity is still physical and involves riding on uneven desert routes.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want the cheapest practical way to combine desert riding, a camel photo stop, dinner, and entertainment from Sharm El Sheikh. The ATV ride is the main reason to go, and the friendly guides can add real warmth to an otherwise busy group operation.

Skip it if you want a quiet private desert experience, carefully controlled safety procedures, a substantial camel trek, or a dependable dinner schedule. At $23, the tour offers a lot, but you pay for that value with crowds, sales pressure, variable food, and possible waiting.

For most budget-minded visitors, I would consider it a good-value adventure, as long as you arrive with realistic expectations and treat the fire show and camp dinner as extras after the quad ride, not the main event.

FAQ

How long is the Sharm El Sheikh ATV and camel tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup, desert activities, dinner, entertainment, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are offered in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $23 per person.

How many people can join the group?

The activity has a maximum listed capacity of 15 participants, although the ATV area may be shared with many other groups.

Is the ATV ride suitable for beginners?

Instruction is provided before riding, and most people can participate. The tour uses a guided group route rather than allowing riders to choose their own course.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes, the experience includes an option to ride a camel. The camel portion may be brief and focused mainly on photographs.

What food is served?

The evening includes a BBQ-style dinner with items such as rice, pasta, salad, and other buffet-style food.

What entertainment is included?

The camp program includes live entertainment, dancing, and a fire show. Some accounts also mention stargazing after the show.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.