Dubai City Tour & Desert Safari: Old & New with BBQ Dinner
See Dubai's skyline and the desert in one day, then sit down to dinner under the stars.
A full-day tour of Dubai that splits the day between the city and the desert. Start with a luxury coach through Palm Island, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai Marina and the Burj Al-Arab, then move to a 4x4 jeep for dune bashing, a camel ride and sand boarding in the desert. The tour includes a live belly dancer and Tanoura show, a barbecue dinner with Emirati starters, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The whole day runs 11 hours.
Step-by-step itinerary
Dubai city tour and desert safari
- See Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort
- Pass by Jumeirah Public Beach
- Pass by Burj Al Arab
- Pass by Dubai Creek
- Pass by Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Pass by Palm Islands
- Pass by Sheikh Zayed Road
- Pass by Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Pass by Old Souk in Deira
- Pass by Dubai Marina Yacht Club
- Take a break at food court
- Drive to desert for dune bashing
- Enjoy sunset photography in desert
- Ride a camel
- Try sand boarding
- Watch belly dancer show
- Watch Tanoura live entertainment
- Have snacks and refreshments
- Enjoy buffet BBQ dinner
- Return to hotel
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off after the desert safari.
- luxury coach for the city portion.
- dune bashing in a 4x4 jeep.
- camel ride and sand boarding.
- henna application and traditional Arabic dress for photos.
- shisha at the campsite.
- belly dancer, Tanoura dance and fire show.
- barbecue dinner with Emirati starters, soft drinks, tea, coffee and water.
- all taxes, fees and handling charges.
- Every day 08:00
Information
Full-day Dubai tour combining the city's landmarks with a desert safari: dune bashing, camel ride, belly dancer show and barbecue dinner included, with hotel pickup.
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The experience
The morning begins with hotel pickup and a drive through Dubai's modern and historic quarters by luxury coach. You'll pass Palm Island, see the Burj Al-Arab from Jumeirah Beach, cruise Sheikh Zayed Road past the Emirates Towers, and stop at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to walk the old streets and see Dubai Museum from outside (the museum itself closes early on Fridays). The coach also takes in Dubai Creek, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Old Souk in Deira, with a brief break at a food court before heading toward the desert.
In the desert, you transfer to a 4x4 jeep for dune bashing: a roller-coaster-style ride over the giant dunes at sunset. After that comes a camel ride, sand boarding, and time for henna application and shisha at the campsite. You can also wear traditional Arabic dress for photos. The evening includes live entertainment: a belly dancer, Tanoura dance show and fire show (these are suspended during Islamic holidays and Ramadan). Dinner is a buffet barbecue with Emirati starters, soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.
Hotel drop-off happens after the desert program ends. The tour runs 11 hours total and operates on a shared-jeep basis, so seating is allocated by the driver: children under 12 must sit in the rear seats per UAE law, and priority goes to seniors for front seats. If you're the only person booking from your hotel, you may be asked to meet at a central pickup point instead, or you can arrange hotel pickup for an extra charge paid locally. On Fridays, the city portion is limited to 4 hours because the museum is closed and traffic is light. December through April, desert temperatures can drop to around 9°C, so bring light woollen clothes and a windbreaker.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's included in the desert safari part of the tour?
The desert safari includes dune bashing in a 4x4 jeep, a camel ride, sand boarding, henna application, shisha at the campsite, traditional Arabic dress for photos, a belly dancer show, Tanoura dance performance, a fire show, and a barbecue dinner with Emirati starters, soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. Live entertainment is suspended during Islamic holidays and Ramadan.
Do I need to be fit to do this tour?
You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The dune bashing is described as a roller-coaster-style ride, and you'll be getting in and out of jeeps, riding a camel, and sand boarding. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and sit in the rear seats of the jeep.
What happens if I'm staying at a small hotel not on the main pickup route?
If you're the only guest booking from your hotel, the driver will ask you to meet at a centrally located hotel instead. If you prefer pickup from your own hotel, you can arrange it for an extra USD 8 per person, paid locally to the driver. If more than one person from your hotel books the tour, pickup happens at your hotel.
Is the Dubai Museum visit included?
The tour stops at Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort, but on Fridays the museum is closed until 2:30 pm, so you'll see the forts from outside for photos only. Inside museum visits are not possible on Fridays. The city tour on Friday mornings is limited to 4 hours because of this closure.
Can I do the city tour and desert safari on separate days?
Yes, you can opt to split the program into two days instead of doing it all in one day. Let the operator know your preference when booking.
What should I bring for the desert in winter?
From December to April, desert temperatures can drop to around 9°C at night, so bring light woollen clothes and a windbreaker along with your regular clothes.
Operated by ABC Tourism LLC. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 10 days ago
Dubai City Tour & Desert Safari: Old & New with BBQ Dinner
11h · EN · at your hotel
from AED 602 per person
≈ US$ 160 in your currency
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