Sharm ElSheikh: ATV Quad & Buggy Adventure Sunrise or Sunset

The best part of this Sharm el-Sheikh outing is the changing light over the Sinai desert. At sunrise, the mountains slowly pick up color. At sunset, the sand and rocky hills turn gold, then pink, while the quad engines add a lively jolt to the quiet setting.

I like two things here: the low $18 price includes hotel pickup, a guide, and the ride, and you get real time behind the handlebars rather than simply sitting in a desert vehicle. Guides such as Sasa, Ahmed, Bojy, and Bogy are often praised for keeping people safe and taking photos.

The main drawback is organization. Pickup can run late, and you may wait at the ATV base before setting off. A large group can also mean dust, slower riding, and less freedom to stop when you want.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunrise or sunset choice: Sunrise is cooler and quieter, while sunset offers warmer colors and a more relaxed evening feel.
• Hotel transfers included: An air-conditioned vehicle collects you outside your hotel, but pickup time depends on your location.
• Safety briefing first: You receive instructions before riding, with helmets and safety glasses available on some departures.
• $18 is a strong value: The base rate covers transport, a guide, and quad biking, but water, scarves, goggles, and dinner may cost extra.
• Weight rules matter: A double quad allows up to 75 kilograms per person, with a maximum combined weight of 150 kilograms.
• Expect dust: Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind covering in sand.

Riding into the Sinai desert

This is a straightforward desert adventure rather than a long cultural tour. You leave Sharm el-Sheikh by air-conditioned vehicle, reach the ATV base, attend a short safety briefing, then set off across open sandy areas and low hills.

The scenery is the real reason to book. South Sinai is dry, spare, and dramatic. Rocky mountains rise around broad stretches of sand, and the early or late light gives the terrain far more character than it has under the hard midday sun.

You control your own quad, but you ride as part of a guided group. That makes the outing suitable for first-time riders who want a managed introduction rather than a completely independent route. The guide leads from the front and helps set the pace.

You may stop at scenic points for photographs. Some guides also ride along to take pictures of you, which can be useful when you want more than a quick phone snapshot. Sasa is particularly noted for helping with photos, while Ahmed and Bojy are also praised for friendly, attentive guiding.

Do not expect wilderness solitude. Several groups may use the same base, and a busy departure can feel more like a desert convoy than a private ride. The larger the group, the more dust you will encounter and the less quickly the quads can move.

Choosing sunrise or sunset

Sunrise is the better choice if you want cooler air and a calm start to the day. You may leave your hotel very early, but the reward is watching the first light spread over the mountain ridges. The desert feels fresh at that hour, and the cooler temperature makes the ride more comfortable.

A typical sunrise outing begins with the quad ride, followed by a pause to watch the sun come up. Some departures continue toward a Bedouin stop for tea before returning to the ATV base. Regular pauses can help you catch your breath, adjust your scarf, and take pictures.

Sunset is easier on holiday mornings and works well if you have plans during the day. The light becomes increasingly warm as the ride progresses, and the mountains can look especially striking from the higher sandy tracks. Many people prefer this option for photographs.

The trade-off is that sunset departures can finish after dark, especially if pickup or loading is delayed. If you have a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or evening show booked, leave plenty of space in your schedule.

Night drives may be offered with some departures. The setting can feel more rugged and cinematic after dark, but you lose the wide views that make sunrise and sunset special. Confirm the exact format before booking if a night ride is important to you.

What the pickup and base are really like

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is a major part of the value. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Sharm el-Sheikh hotel to the desert base, then return the same way.

The vehicle may not be allowed inside the hotel grounds. You may need to wait outside the hotel gate, so confirm the meeting point clearly and arrive ready. Pickup can be delayed by up to 10 minutes, though longer delays have also occurred.

The exact collection time depends on your hotel location. Confirm it one day before the outing rather than relying only on the time shown when you book. This is especially important for sunrise, when even a modest delay changes the amount of light you see.

At the base, the staff gives you instructions on steering, braking, and group riding. Pay attention here. The ride is exciting, but sandy tracks require steady handling, sensible spacing, and obedience to the guide.

The base may also be where you arrange extras. Mineral water is not included. Scarves and goggles are also excluded from the standard price, so bring your own if possible. Cheap scarves may be available to buy, but your own cotton head covering is usually more comfortable and familiar.

Riding the quad bikes safely

You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider. The short introduction is designed to show you the basics before you leave the base, and guides stay with the group during the ride.

Still, this is not a passive sightseeing trip. You will steer over sand, follow the vehicle ahead, and cope with dust blowing from other quads. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable clothes are much better than anything tight, delicate, or difficult to move in.

The weight rules deserve attention. A double quad allows a maximum of 75 kilograms, or 165 pounds, per person, with a total limit of 150 kilograms. If you weigh more than 75 kilograms, you may need to pay an additional €10 to switch to a single quad.

The operator can also change a double quad to a single quad for safety reasons based on weight or balance. That extra fee may apply even if you originally selected a shared vehicle. Check this before you pay so the final cost does not surprise you.

Helmets and safety glasses have been used on departures, but the standard inclusions specifically exclude goggles and scarves. Bring sunglasses, and ask what protective equipment is supplied when you arrive.

A little dust is part of the deal. You may finish with sand on your clothes, face, and shoes. I would avoid wearing white, protect your phone in a sealed pocket, and bring water even though drinks are not included.

Stops, photographs, and Bedouin touches

The scenic stops are short, but they break up the ride and give you a chance to enjoy the setting without watching the track directly ahead. The best photo moments come when the sun is low and the mountains catch the light.

Some guides take pictures for you along the route. Sasa has been especially helpful with photographs, and other guides may also offer posed shots at scenic points. Ask about the price before agreeing to professional photos.

A few itineraries include a pause for Bedouin tea. This is a small detail, but it gives the outing a human touch and makes it more than a simple motorized ride. You may also find a camel-riding option at a stop, depending on the departure.

The tea stop should not be confused with a full village visit. The main activity remains quad biking, and the cultural element is brief. If you want a detailed look at Bedouin life, this tour is not a substitute for a dedicated cultural excursion.

Some evening versions add dinner, performances, and star gazing. These are add-ons rather than part of the basic $18 booking. If you choose dinner, check exactly what is included, since the standard outing only promises the ride, guide, and transport.

Dinner and the optional evening program

The buffet dinner can make the sunset option into a longer evening outing. After the ride, you may have food, entertainment, and a chance to look at the night sky, with an explanation of the stars on some departures.

This can be good value if you want several activities in one booking. One evening format has included a desert rose, dinner, shows, and star gazing, which gives the trip more variety than quad biking alone.

The cost and timing need checking before you add it. An outing advertised as about three hours may run longer once transfers, waiting, the ride, dinner, and entertainment are included. If you prefer a short burst of activity, choose the basic ride and return to your hotel.

Dinner also changes the feel of the day. Sunrise riders may have tea and a simple cultural stop, while sunset riders can continue into an evening program. Neither is automatically better. Choose based on whether you want a quick ride or a fuller desert night.

Value at $18 per person

At $18, this is one of the easier Sharm el-Sheikh activities to recommend on price alone. You receive hotel transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, and the quad ride. That leaves you paying mainly for the optional extras.

The value is strongest when pickup is smooth and the quads are ready when you arrive. Delays can reduce the benefit, especially if you spend an hour waiting at the base before riding. Ask about the expected ride time, not just the total tour time.

The optional costs are reasonable to plan for. Water is extra, and you may need to buy or bring a scarf and goggles. A €10 single-quad charge may also apply if the double-quad weight limit does not suit you.

A 4.7 rating from 1,374 reviews suggests the activity delivers what most people expect: a fun, affordable desert ride with good scenery. The lower price does mean you should expect a shared, organized outing rather than a private luxury safari.

Who should book this ride

You should consider it if you want an active break from Sharm el-Sheikh’s beaches and resort pools. It suits couples, families with older children, and first-time quad riders who prefer a guide nearby.

A 13-year-old has ridden a quad independently on this outing, but you should still judge your own child’s confidence and ability. The operator controls the safety rules, and the guide may adjust vehicles or pace when needed.

It also works well for photographers. Sunrise and sunset offer the best light, and guides may help with pictures. Bring a camera or phone, but protect it from dust and do not rely on having a quiet stop every few minutes.

You may want another activity if you dislike engines, dust, group schedules, or waiting. The desert is not silent once the quads start, and a busy departure can feel crowded. This is an adventure ride, not a slow nature walk.

The tour is also less suitable if you require complete certainty about timing. Pickup times vary by hotel, delays happen, and add-on dinner programs may finish later than expected.

Practical packing advice

Wear light, comfortable clothing with closed-toe shoes. Do not bring open sandals, even if they are your usual choice in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, and plenty of water. A head covering helps keep sand off your face and neck, particularly on a busy route.

Bring a camera, but use a protective case or sealed bag. Sand reaches pockets, controls, and zippers quickly. Leave anything fragile or valuable at the hotel if you do not need it.

I would also wear clothes in neutral or darker colors and avoid loose scarves that can catch in the wind. The operator may sell scarves, but bringing a comfortable one from your hotel is often the better option.

Should you book the Sharm ATV adventure?

Book it if you want a low-cost, lively way to see the Sinai desert at the day’s best light. The ride gives you control of the quad, hotel transport, safety guidance, photo stops, and the chance to add Bedouin tea or an evening dinner program.

Before booking, confirm your pickup time, ask about the expected ride length, and check the double-quad weight rules. Bring water and your own scarf if possible, and budget for the €10 single-quad fee if it may apply.

I would choose sunrise for cooler air and a quieter mood. I would choose sunset for warmer photographs and the option of continuing into dinner and star gazing. Either way, accept that organization may be imperfect, and you will probably finish dusty.

For $18, the basic outing is a good buy. Just treat it as a shared desert adventure with some waiting, not a private expedition.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm el-Sheikh are included, with transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is outside the hotel, and the exact time depends on your location.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, water, a camera, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Are scarves and goggles included?

No. Scarves and goggles are not included in the standard booking. You can bring your own, and scarves may be available to purchase at the activity base.

Can I choose sunrise or sunset?

Yes. The activity is offered as either a sunrise or sunset quad adventure. Confirm your selected time and the exact pickup time one day before departure.

What are the quad weight limits?

A double quad allows up to 75 kilograms, or 165 pounds, per person, with a maximum combined weight of 150 kilograms. You may need to pay an extra €10 per person to switch to a single quad.

Is dinner included?

Buffet dinner is optional and only included if you select the dinner add-on. Mineral water is not included in the standard activity.