Al Ain Day Trip from Abu Dhabi with Guide & Lunch

Summary

Al Ain Oasis Tour with Mountain Views & Local Markets

This full-day Al Ain tour from Abu Dhabi takes you from ancient forts to lively camel markets and lush palm groves. Enjoy mountain views atop Jebel Hafeet and relax over lunch with your group. It’s a mix of history, local color, and quiet moments you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway to Al Ain when our guide, Khalid, started telling stories about the old trading routes—his voice mixing with the hum of the highway and that faint desert heat smell coming through the air-con. I’d seen photos of Al Jahili Fort before, but standing there in the morning light, palm shadows on sand-colored walls, it felt different—like you could almost hear old footsteps echoing inside. Khalid pointed out bullet marks near one of the towers. “From when things weren’t so peaceful,” he said quietly.

The camel market was next—honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. There was this low chorus of animal sounds and men haggling in Arabic, dust swirling around our shoes. One guy waved us over to see a newborn calf; its fur was still damp and it blinked up at us like we were from another planet. We wandered through date palms in Al Ain Oasis after that, where everything suddenly smelled green and sweet, and you could feel a cool breeze slipping between the trees. Our private Al Ain day trip from Abu Dhabi included a stop for lunch at a hotel buffet—nothing fancy, but after all that walking, those grilled kebabs tasted like heaven.

Later we drove up Jebel Hafeet—switchbacks climbing higher until the city looked tiny below us. The wind at the top was sharp enough to wake you right up (I had to hold my hat). Someone joked about moving here just for the view; honestly, I still think about it sometimes. On the way back down we stopped by some hot springs—just dipped our toes in for a minute—and then piled back into the van feeling sun-tired and happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Al Ain Full Day Tour

• Pickup from Abu Dhabi hotel
• Travel to Al Ain
• Visit Al Ain National Museum
• Explore Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum
• Visit camel racetrack and livestock market
• See irrigation waterways in palm groves
• Drive up Jebel Hafeet mountain
• Admire views and visit hot springs
• Buffet lunch at 4-star hotel
• Return to Abu Dhabi hotel

Top questions

Is lunch included on an Al Ain day trip from Abu Dhabi?

Yes, lunch is included—usually served at a local hotel buffet during your tour.

How long does the Al Ain full day tour take?

The tour typically lasts around 8–9 hours including travel time from Abu Dhabi.

Are there stops at both Jebel Hafeet and Al Jahili Fort?

Yes, most tours include visits to Jebel Hafeet mountain and Al Jahili Fort as part of the itinerary.

Is hotel pickup provided for this private Al Ain day trip?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi are usually included with your booking.

What’s included

Your experience covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi, comfortable transport with air conditioning, guiding by a knowledgeable local throughout Al Ain’s highlights—including forts, oasis walks, camel market visits—and a relaxed buffet lunch before returning home together.