Doha Desert: ATV, Quad Bike & Dune Bashing with Camel Ride

Summary

Doha desert thrills with quad bikes, camel rides and sandboarding

You’ll leave Doha behind for golden dunes where you’ll try quad biking or buggy rides, share sweet tea in a Bedouin tent, meet camels (and maybe laugh at your own sandboarding skills). With local guides handling everything from pickup to tire deflation, it’s less about perfection and more about feeling part of the desert for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the pickup because I mixed up my hotel entrance. The driver just grinned when I finally found him (“No rush, it’s Qatar time,” he said), which sort of set the tone for the whole day. We left Doha behind pretty quick, city fading out to this pale gold nothingness that’s hard to describe unless you’ve seen it. At MIA Park, there were already a few locals chatting by their trucks and unloading quad bikes. I was nervous — those things look way faster up close — but our guide Khalid gave me a helmet and just said “You’ll get used to the sand.” He wasn’t wrong. It’s different from any road; you feel every bump and slide.

After about 40 minutes of bouncing around (I definitely screamed once or twice), we stopped at this spot where camels were waiting under a shade cloth. The air smelled like cardamom from someone making tea nearby. My camel was called Lulu — she kept turning her head back at me as if to check I was still there. The ride itself is short but honestly, it’s more about that slow rhythm and watching the horizon than anything else. There was a Bedouin tent set up with carpets where we had sweet tea and tried to say thank you in Arabic (I butchered it; Khalid laughed). Someone handed around dates too, sticky and warm from the sun.

The real adrenaline hit came after: dune bashing in a 4x4 out towards the Inland Sea. It’s loud — tires hissing on sand, everyone half-laughing half-yelling as we went over these ridiculous drops. At one point we stopped so people could try sandboarding (I wiped out immediately; sand gets everywhere). But then there was this quiet moment: just standing at the top of a dune looking down at this impossible sweep of empty land all the way to Saudi Arabia. The light gets sharp out there in late afternoon. I still think about that view sometimes — how small you feel in all that space.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert adventure with rides and dune bashing

• Drive from Doha pick up point
• Quad bike or buggy ride
• Buggy rides and ATV bikes
• Camel ride and Bedouin tent visit
• Dune bashing and sandboarding
• Return to pick up point and inflate tyres

Top questions

How long does the Doha ATV & dune bashing tour last?

The experience typically lasts half a day including transfers from Doha and all activities.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from Doha is included.

Can I choose between quad bike or buggy rides?

Yes, you can select either quad bike or buggy options when booking.

Are camel rides part of this tour?

A short camel ride is included during one of the stops in the desert.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No full lunch is provided but you get bottled water, coffee or tea, and dates at the Bedouin tent stop.

Are children or infants allowed on this trip?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap; however, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiac issues.

What should I wear for ATV riding in Qatar?

Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting sandy; closed shoes are best for riding ATVs or buggies.

Does this include sandboarding?

Yes, there are opportunities to try sandboarding during one of the dune stops.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from Doha, your choice of quad bike or buggy ride through the desert near MIA Park, a short camel ride under local guidance, bottled water throughout, stops for photos (including falcon pictures if you want), time inside a traditional Bedouin tent with coffee or tea served alongside dates, plus all necessary gear like helmets before heading back into town at sunset.