You’ll get to ride over red dunes, try sandboarding (don’t worry if you fall), meet camels up close, and enjoy live shows under desert stars—all with dinner included. It’s an easy way to see another side of Dubai beyond the skyscrapers.
The first thing I noticed stepping out of the 4x4 was how the red sand felt—warm, almost silky between my fingers. Our driver, Ahmed, had a playlist of old Arabic pop that set the mood as we left the city behind and headed toward the Hajjar Mountains. The sun was still high when we hit the dunes, but you could already smell grilled meat drifting from a camp somewhere nearby. If you’ve never tried dune bashing before, it’s a wild ride—lots of laughter and a few nervous squeals as we slid down steep slopes. Ahmed seemed to know every twist in the sand by heart.
We stopped for photos just as the sky started turning orange. The light made everything look kind of magical—my shoes filled with sand but I didn’t care. A local vendor handed out tiny cups of cardamom coffee and sticky dates while some folks tried sandboarding (I wiped out twice but it was worth it). Later at camp, there was henna painting for anyone who wanted it—my friend got a little palm design that lasted days. The evening rolled on with belly dancing, a fire show that drew everyone close, and a buffet dinner where I probably ate too much lamb kebab. By the time we left, my clothes smelled faintly of shisha and spices.
Yes, families bring kids all the time—just keep in mind dune bashing can be bumpy for little ones or those with health concerns.
Light clothes and sandals work best; bring something warmer for after sunset since it cools down quickly in the desert.
Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian dishes at the buffet alongside grilled meats.
You can always sit out anything you’re not comfortable with—there’s no pressure to join every part.
Your experience covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai by 4x4; guided dune bashing on red sands; sandboarding; camel rides; sunset photo stops; henna painting; unlimited water; Arabic sweets, coffee and tea; shisha in a dedicated area; live belly dance, fire and Tanoura shows; plus an international buffet dinner with both veg and non-veg options.
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