A telescope night in the Eastern Desert

The story

The Eastern Desert covers some 223,000 km² between the Nile and the Red Sea (Wikipedia), and a short drive inland from the resort strip is enough to lose most of its light.

The difference between a good night and a disappointing one is the guide. The best-reviewed evenings are run by astronomy specialists with a proper telescope; we ask for that, and we check the Moon's phase before we suggest a date.

Our judgement: Many safaris add stars as a line in the programme. This evening is built around them, with someone who knows what you are looking at.

What happens

1. Drive out of Hurghada in the early evening, away from the coast's lights.
2. Watch the sky darken over the desert while the guide sets up the telescope.
3. Look at whatever the night offers, from the Moon's craters to Saturn's rings and star clusters.
4. Supper in the desert before the drive back.

A proposed shape, not a fixed programme. The host sets the order on the day.

What it asks of you

Nothing but patience and a warm layer: desert nights are cold from November to March.

Minimum age

All ages; children need to stay up late

Best season

Year-round; best near the new Moon

What we confirm before you go

Where it fits

• A Red Sea Coast Journey to RestWhere on the coast should you rest, when some companions are active and others are not?

More in desert & sand

• Quad, camel and supper in the desert behind HurghadaThe Eastern Desert inland from Hurghada
• Sinai by quad, then supper with the BedouinThe South Sinai desert inland from Sharm El Sheikh
• Sunrise on Mount SinaiMount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery, South Sinai
• A Sinai Trail daySt Catherine, South Sinai
• Saqqara by quad and dirt bikeThe desert edge at Saqqara, south of Giza
• The White Desert after darkWhite Desert National Park, Western Desert