ATV Riding Dubai: Dune Bashing & Entertainment

Ride the dunes at sunset, then watch fire dancers under the stars

A six-hour desert safari in Dubai combines Land Cruiser dune bashing with optional dune buggy riding, live Tanoura and belly dance performances, sand boarding, and an unlimited barbecue buffet dinner. Hotel pickup is included, and the guide speaks English. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or serious heart conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Desert Safari Experience

• Land Cruiser dune ride
• Optional dune buggy ride
• Watch Tanoura dance show
• Watch belly dance show
• Watch fire show performance
• Enjoy unlimited BBQ buffet dinner

The experience

The ride starts with hotel pickup and heads straight into the desert. Once you reach the dunes, the Land Cruiser tackles the steep sand slopes at speed. This is the dune bashing part, where the vehicle pitches and rolls across the terrain. If you want to take the wheel yourself, a dune buggy ride is available as an add-on. Otherwise you stay in the Cruiser and watch the driver handle it. Either way, you'll stop for sunset photography before the entertainment begins.

The evening unfolds at a VIP sitting area with its own tables and chairs. A live guide walks you through the performances: Tanoura dancers in spinning skirts, belly dancers, and a fire show with performers moving flames across the stage. Between acts, you can get henna painted on your hands, ride a camel for a short stretch, or dress in traditional costume for photos. The buffet includes both vegetarian and meat options, with unlimited soft drinks, water, Arabic coffee and tea available throughout.

Sand boarding happens earlier in the evening. You get a board and slide down the dunes. The separate toilet facilities for men and women mean you don't have to plan around that. The whole experience runs about six hours from pickup to drop-off, so you're back at your hotel by late evening.

What’s included

• Land Cruiser dune bashing.
• sand boarding.
• sunset photography.
• Tanoura dance and belly dance performances.
• fire show.
• henna painting.
• short camel ride.
• photo opportunities in traditional costume.
• VIP seating with table and chair.
• unlimited soft drinks, water, Arabic coffee and tea.
• barbecue buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• separate toilet facilities.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:00, 14:30 and 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 45 years) · Senior (50 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Iconic Tourism LLC

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Dubai without a rental car, the included hotel pickup means you don't coordinate your own transport to the desert. The guide collects you and handles the drive, so the evening is one booked experience from start to finish. The dune buggy option lets you trade passenger seats for the wheel if you want to ride the dunes yourself instead of watching the driver.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

290 verified traveler reviews

5 ★242

4 ★33

3 ★3

2 ★3

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the difference between the Land Cruiser ride and the dune buggy option?

The Land Cruiser dune bashing is included in the price. You sit as a passenger while the driver navigates the steep dunes at speed. The dune buggy ride is optional and costs extra. It lets you operate a smaller vehicle yourself across the sand instead of riding as a passenger.

Is the barbecue dinner vegetarian-friendly?

The buffet offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, so vegetarian travelers can eat from the included meal without ordering separately.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in Dubai?

Hotel pickup is included. The guide collects you from your accommodation and brings you back after the safari ends, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the desert.

What happens during the entertainment part of the evening?

The VIP area hosts live performances including Tanoura dance (spinning skirt dancers), belly dance, and a fire show. You also get time for henna painting, a short camel ride, and photos in traditional dress between the shows.

Can I do sand boarding, or is it just watching?

Sand boarding is included. You get a board and slide down the dunes yourself as part of the evening activities.

Who shouldn't book this safari?

The operator does not recommend this experience for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with serious heart conditions, because of the dune bashing and the physical activity involved.