When most people plan a trip to Dubai, they imagine spending most of their time in giant skyscrapers, shopping in the incredible up-scale malls and relaxing in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. While enjoying all of these activities is a great way to spend time in Dubai, there are also plenty of ways to get outside and see a side of the city that few people ever have the chance to see. One of the most popular attractions for travellers is the chance to venture out into the desert on a 4×4 tour of a lifetime. Here are some of the incredible things that you can expect to see and do on this adventure outside of the city.
Soak in Desert Scenery in a 4×4 Vehicle
The basis of this amazing desert safari is travelling in a 4×4 vehicle over the sand of the desert that surrounds the city of Dubai. Although the modern metropolis boasts contemporary glass and metal structures, most of the surrounding landscapes are little more than dunes made from sand. A chance to explore the desert in an all-terrain vehicle is an incredible way to experience what most of the United Arab Emirates is really like. Depending on your level of adventurousness, you can arrange for tours to be short and slow or longer and full of speed up and down the sand dunes.
Ride a Camel in the Desert
One of the most amazing experiences in the world is having the opportunity to ride on the back of a camel through the desert. Nomadic people throughout history, and even a few groups still in existence today, ride on the backs of camels when travelling through desert climates. As part of your 4×4 desert safari, you can opt to include a camel ride. You can choose to have a shorter camel ride, but some people actually make this the focus of their desert adventure. Some tour providers even offer overnight camel treks through the desert, which is an incredible way to get a feel for the history and culture of the area.
Sandboarding on a Desert Safari
For a serious thrill, you might be interested in trying sandboarding. In many ways, this sport is similar to snowboarding. Sandboarding is essentially riding down a sand dune with a board strapped to your feet. You can actually travel at astonishing speeds while barreling down the sand dunes, which means that it is a real rush of adrenaline. Rather than having to hike back up the sand dune after every run, those who opt for a 4×4 desert safari can usually have a ride back to the top for the next run. Although there are a handful of places around the world where you can try sandboarding, there is nowhere as scenic or as isolated as the desert sand dunes just outside of Dubai.
Enjoy a Traditional Meal and Entertainment Under the Desert Sky
Some desert safaris are just a few hours long, but many of the best tours take the majority of a day and end with a full meal after dark. Like most desert cultures, those living in this area only eat after the sun has set and the temperatures drop. As the stars come out, you can enjoy a traditional grilled meal over the fire, watch authentic Arabian bellydancers perform, get a henna tattoo on your hands or feet and even smoke a traditional water pipe with the locals. This glimpse into local culture is something that is hard to obtain in the city.
To fully enjoy your trip to Dubai, be sure to include a 4×4 desert safari in your travel itinerary.
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