Sharm ElSheikh: ATV Quad & Buggy Adventure Sunrise or Sunset

The best part of this Sharm el-Sheikh outing is simple: you get to trade the resort pool for a quad-bike ride through the Sinai desert, with mountains, sand, and changing light all around you. Choose sunrise for cooler air and a quiet start, or sunset for warmer colors and a more dramatic sky.

I like the strong value at $18 per person, especially with hotel pickup, transport, a guide, and the quad ride included. I also like the friendly guides, with Sasa, Ahmed, Bojy, and Bogy receiving repeated praise for keeping people safe, helping with photos, and making the ride fun. The main caution is timing: pickups and loading can run late, and a trip advertised as roughly three hours may take longer.

Key points to know before you book

• Sunrise or sunset choice: Sunrise brings cooler conditions and mountain light, while sunset gives you warmer colors and an atmospheric finish.
• Hotel pickup is included: You leave from outside your hotel, not from inside the lobby, and the pickup can be up to 10 minutes late.
• Guides set the tone: Sasa, Ahmed, Bojy, and Bogy are praised for clear instructions, good English, photo help, and careful supervision.
• The ride can be dusty: Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind covering in sand. Bring water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a scarf.
• Dinner is optional: Add the buffet dinner for tea, entertainment, and stargazing, but it is not part of the basic $18 price.
• Double-quad weight limits matter: Each person on a double quad must weigh no more than 75 kilograms. An extra €10 fee may apply if you need a single quad.

Why the Sinai desert ride is worth your morning or evening

This is not a polished sightseeing bus tour. The appeal is the feeling of being out in open desert, steering your own quad over sandy ground while the Sinai mountains provide the backdrop. The activity gives you a short burst of speed and freedom, but it also has plenty of stops, so you are not simply racing from one point to another.

The sunrise option is particularly appealing if you can manage an early start. The desert is cooler, the light changes quickly, and the first sun over the mountains gives the ride a special sense of place. You will need to confirm your exact pickup time the day before, since departure depends on your hotel location.

Sunset works better if you want an easier start to the day. The sky shifts through warm colors as you ride, and several people have found the mountain views especially memorable at this time. If you choose the sunset departure, do not assume the trip will end quickly after the last light. An optional dinner and evening program can extend the outing.

I also like the fact that this experience works for families with older children. One family reported that a 13-year-old rode independently, while another enjoyed the trip with a 16-year-old. You still need to follow the operator’s safety instructions and consider each rider’s comfort with a motorized vehicle.

Hotel pickup and the trip to the ATV base

Your day begins with pickup outside your Sharm el-Sheikh hotel. The transfer is in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is welcome after time in the heat. Exact pickup time depends on where you are staying, so confirm it one day before the activity. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible.

The pickup arrangement deserves attention. The vehicle collects you outside the hotel rather than inside the property. One person found this uncomfortable while waiting at the gate, so make sure you know the meeting point and stay alert for the vehicle.

Transfer times and organization can vary. Some departures have been prompt, while others have run about an hour late or involved a long wait before the bikes were ready. That does not erase the value of the activity, but it means you should avoid scheduling a flight, spa treatment, or important dinner immediately afterward.

The drive itself is part of the practical trade-off. Some people found the transfer comfortable and the driver hospitable. Others described the road journey as hair-raising, although that reflects the driving style common on Sharm’s busy roads rather than the quad activity itself.

The safety briefing and choosing your quad

At the base, you receive a short introduction to the quad bike and a safety briefing. Pay close attention here. The guide explains how to control the vehicle and how to handle the ride, and the group is expected to follow instructions throughout.

You may ride a single quad or share a double quad. The maximum weight for a double quad is 75 kilograms per person, with 150 kilograms as the total limit. If you weigh more than 75 kilograms, you may need to change to a single quad and pay an additional €10. The operator can also make that change for safety or balance reasons.

This rule is easy to miss when booking, so check it before you pay. A single quad may be more comfortable for a larger rider, and it removes the question of how two people will share steering and pace. The extra fee is worth budgeting for if you might not meet the double-quad limit.

Helmets and safety glasses are used on the ride, but scarves and goggles are not included. Bring your own sunglasses and consider taking a head covering. A desert scarf helps with sun, wind, and dust, though you should not feel obliged to buy one at the base. Some people found the scarves sold there to be poor quality, so bring one from your hotel if you already have it.

Riding through the dunes and mountain scenery

Once the briefing is finished, you follow the guide into the desert. The route can include sandy hills and broad open areas, with regular pauses at scenic points. You will have time to look around, catch your breath, and take pictures rather than spending the entire outing on the throttle.

The riding is exciting, but do not expect a private wilderness ride. Several groups may use the same area at the same time. When many buggies and quads gather, the pace can slow and the dust can become thick. That is part of the experience, but it matters if your main goal is fast, uninterrupted riding.

The guides help keep the group together and set the speed. Sasa is frequently praised for being energetic, helpful, and good at taking photographs. Ahmed and his crew are also noted for smooth organization, while Bojy and Bogy have been appreciated for their language skills and humor. English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic support is available.

You may find the guide riding near the group and stopping to check on people. That is useful for first-time quad riders and families. The best approach is to follow the pace you are given, keep your distance, and avoid treating the ride like a private race.

Expect sand everywhere. It can get into your shoes, sleeves, hair, and camera case. That is not a flaw, but it changes what you should wear. Choose comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, a head covering, and items you can wash easily afterward.

Sunrise at the Sinai mountains

The sunrise ride begins before the day has fully warmed up. As you travel through the desert, the horizon brightens and the mountains take shape. The cool air is a genuine advantage, especially when you are wearing a helmet and moving through dusty ground.

The light is the star of this version of the tour. You can watch the sun rise over the mountains, stop for pictures, and continue along the desert route as the colors change. One morning itinerary also included a ride to a Bedouin area for tea, giving the trip a cultural pause rather than making it only about the machines.

Sunrise requires more discipline. You must wake early, wait outside your hotel for pickup, and accept that the first part of the outing may happen in low light. If you are comfortable with that, it is likely the more peaceful option.

The cool temperature also makes sunrise a good choice for families and anyone who dislikes intense heat. Bring water anyway. Desert air and physical activity can leave you thirsty even when the morning feels mild.

Sunset, mountain views, and the optional evening program

Sunset is the more relaxed choice for most schedules. You can spend the morning at the beach or by the pool, then head into the desert as the heat begins to ease. The changing sky gives you strong photo opportunities, and the mountains look especially striking in the low light.

The basic ride includes time to stop at scenic locations. Guides may help take pictures, which is useful because balancing a phone while wearing dusty gloves is not easy. Sasa in particular is known for taking plenty of photos and helping people get the shots they want.

If you add the buffet dinner, the outing becomes a longer evening program. The available activities can include a meal, Bedouin tea, entertainment, and stargazing with an explanation of the night sky. One particularly positive account described the dinner and show as worthwhile, but keep in mind that these extras cost more than the basic $18 ride.

The optional dinner is best for you if you want a full desert evening rather than a short burst of quad riding. If you mainly want to drive and photograph the sunset, the basic option may be enough. Check exactly what is included in your chosen booking before you go.

Timing, group size, and the real pace of the day

The stated schedule can be less exact than you expect. One person was picked up an hour later than the time shown, then waited at the base before getting on a bike. Another group found the activity longer than expected, finishing several hours after the initial pickup.

I would allow extra time and treat the advertised duration as an estimate. Delays can come from hotel collection, vehicle loading, safety briefings, and organizing a large group. This is not the right excursion to book between two tightly timed plans.

Small-group wording does not necessarily mean a private or tiny group. The experience is designed to keep groups manageable, but several quad and buggy groups can gather at the same base. More vehicles mean more dust and a slower pace.

That said, regular stops help. They give you a chance to take photographs, drink water, and stay with the group. For many people, the social energy makes the ride more enjoyable. For others, the dust and waiting may be the chief drawback.

What to bring, and what to leave at the hotel

Pack for dust, sun, and movement. I would bring:

• Water, since mineral water is not included
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A sun hat or desert scarf
• Comfortable clothing
• Closed-toe shoes
• A camera or phone in a protective case

Open-toed shoes are not allowed. Sandals are a poor choice anyway, since your feet will be exposed to dust and grit.

Protect your phone. One rider left a phone on the air-conditioned bus, but the guide arranged for it to be returned that evening. That was a fortunate result, not a reason to be careless. Keep valuables in a secure pocket and check the bus before you leave.

If you want professional-looking photographs, ask the guides about photo stops. They may take pictures during the ride, but the exact photo service is not listed as a guaranteed inclusion, so do not assume every package includes professionally edited images.

Is $18 good value for this Sharm excursion?

At $18 per person, the basic ride is inexpensive for an outing that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a guide, and the quad-bike activity. It is especially good value if you want one active desert experience without committing to a full-day excursion.

The price does not cover water, scarves, or goggles. The buffet dinner is an add-on, and a single quad may require an extra €10 for riders above the double-quad weight limit. Add those costs before comparing it with other tours.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a clear introduction to the Sinai desert. You get scenery, transport, guidance, and a memorable sunrise or sunset without needing to arrange equipment yourself.

The value is weaker if you expect a quiet, private ride or perfect timing. Delays, group traffic, dusty air, and older vehicles are possible. Some vehicles may need maintenance, so set your expectations at a straightforward desert activity rather than a luxury adventure.

Who should book this quad adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active break from Sharm’s resort routine. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants mountain scenery with a little speed. The guides’ friendly approach also helps if you are nervous about operating a quad for the first time.

Choose sunrise if you care most about cooler temperatures, soft light, and a quieter feeling. Choose sunset if you prefer an easier start and want the option of dinner, entertainment, and stargazing afterward.

I would think twice if you dislike dust, motorized activities, waiting around, or group tours. You may also want another plan if your schedule is tight, since pickup and departure times can shift.

Booking is sensible for the price, especially if you confirm your pickup time, check the quad weight rules, bring water and eye protection, and leave extra time afterward. Choose the basic ride for a simple desert outing. Add dinner when you want the full evening program, not just the quad drive.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh are included, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Where do I meet the vehicle?

Pickup takes place outside your hotel. Confirm the exact meeting point and time with the operator one day before the activity.

Can pickup be delayed?

Yes. A delay of up to 10 minutes may occur, and some departures can run longer than planned.

Should I choose sunrise or sunset?

Choose sunrise for cooler air and views of the sun coming up over the mountains. Choose sunset for changing sky colors and the option of adding an evening dinner program.

Is a buffet dinner included?

Only if you select the dinner add-on. The basic quad experience does not include dinner.

Is water provided?

No. Mineral water is not included, so bring your own supply.

What shoes can I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What is the double-quad weight limit?

Each person on a double quad must weigh no more than 75 kilograms, with a total maximum of 150 kilograms. A single quad may be required for safety or balance.

Is there an extra charge for a single quad?

Visitors over 75 kilograms may need to pay an additional €10 to switch to a single quad. The operator may also change a double quad to a single quad for safety reasons.

Which languages are available?

The activity is available in English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic.