A thriving metropolis full of diversity, culture, history, modernity and old world charm, Dubai offers a fascinating insight into the past, present and future of the Middle East. While the city is a lively place to explore, no trip to the region is complete without visiting a part of the emirate which is intrinsically linked with Dubai’s heritage; the desert.
At first foreboding, but on closer inspection hauntingly beautiful, the desert stretches out for miles and miles, and this sea of sand offers the perfect setting for an outdoor adventure. A Dubai desert tour is an ideal way to full explore and experience these seemingly barren landscapes, which in actual fact support life as well.
Desert safaris that take place in the mornings give you the chance to get off to a relatively early start, before the full force of the sun takes effect. A part of such safaris are the many adventure-related activities on offer. One of the “must-try” activities is undoubtedly dune bashing which features being taken on a thrilling ride on a 4WD vehicle as you take on the imposing dunes of the desert. Adventure sport enthusiasts can also look forward to quad biking and the unique activities of sand boarding and sand skiing, which do not take place on snow-capped mountains, but rather sand-covered dunes! Of course, no trip to the desert is complete without a ride on what are known as the “ships of the desert”; camels.
For a more complete experience, take Dubai desert tours that begin or extend past the afternoon. These give one the opportunity to capture breathtaking sunsets, which paint the sky and the shifting sands of the desert in enchanting hues. After sunset, some tours will take you to a traditional-style camp, where one can have henna designs drawn on your hands and feet, enjoy a steaming mug of Arabic coffee, savour a decadent barbecue dinner, smoke traditional shisha and be enthralled by rhythmic belly dancing. A Dubai desert tour is definitely one you will not soon forget!
If you are in search of accommodation in Dubai which makes an ideal base for your excursions then consider the Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa. Located on the famed Palm Jumeirah, this luxurious Palm Jumeirah Hotel also offers dune safaris which let you experience the very best of Dubai’s famed deserts.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.