ATV Riding in Dubai Desert: Quad Bike Self-Drive

You operate the quad bike across 30 minutes of red dunes yourself.

Self-drive quad bike riding in Dubai's Lahbab desert combines a 30-minute solo ride on red sand with dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding and a full evening at a desert camp. Pickup from anywhere in Dubai is included, and the experience runs about 6 hours from mid-afternoon into the evening. A live guide speaks English throughout, and dinner is a full international buffet with live Tannura and fire shows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pickup from location in Dubai
• Drive to Red Big Dunes (Lahbab)
• Stop for quad bike ride and refreshment
• Dune bashing with photo stop
• Move to desert camp
• Camel riding
• Enjoy BBQ dinner and live show

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your location in Dubai and a drive toward Lahbab on the Hatta Oman Road, heading into the red dunes. Once at the meeting point, you get a brief refreshment stop before moving into the desert for the quad bike ride itself: 30 minutes of self-drive on the big red sand, with a picture stop in the middle of the dunes so you can capture the moment. This is the core of the experience: you control the machine across terrain most visitors only see from a passenger seat.

After the quad bike section, the day shifts to the desert camp for the rest of the evening. Dune bashing in a 4x4 takes another 35 to 40 minutes, then you move through the camp's other activities: a short camel ride, sandboarding, henna tattoos, and a chance to wear traditional Arabic dress for photos. The camp itself has a traditional welcome with tea and coffee when you arrive.

Dinner is a full international buffet with both vegetarian and meat options, served while you watch the live Tannura dance show and a fire performance. Water and soft drinks are included throughout. Pickup happens between 2:30pm and 3:00pm, and you're back in Dubai by 9:30pm to 10:00pm. The guide is with you the whole time and speaks English.

What’s included

• Self-drive quad bike for 30 minutes on red sand.
• dune bashing in a 4x4 for 35 to 40 minutes.
• camel ride.
• sandboarding.
• henna tattoos.
• traditional Arabic dress for photos.
• international buffet dinner with vegetarian and meat options.
• live Tannura dance show.
• live fire show.
• traditional welcome with tea and coffee.
• water and soft drinks.
• pickup and dropoff from anywhere in Dubai.
• English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

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

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 to 50 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Desert Explorers Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to operate the quad bike yourself rather than watch from a passenger seat. The 30-minute self-drive is the core experience, and everything else (dune bashing, camel ride, dinner and shows) fills the rest of the evening around it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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.

How long do I actually spend riding the quad bike myself?

The quad bike self-drive portion lasts 30 minutes on the red sand desert, with a photo stop included in that time.

What's the difference between the quad bike ride and the dune bashing in the 4x4?

The quad bike is your solo 30-minute ride where you operate the machine across the dunes. Dune bashing is a separate 35 to 40-minute experience in a 4x4 vehicle driven by the guide, where you sit as a passenger while the driver navigates steep sand slopes.

Does the price include dinner at the desert camp?

Yes, a full international buffet dinner with both vegetarian and meat options is included, along with the live Tannura and fire shows that happen during the meal.

What time does the experience end and how do I get back to Dubai?

Dropoff is between 9:30pm and 10:00pm in Dubai, using the same 4x4 vehicle that picked you up from your location earlier in the day.

Is there anything I need to know before booking if I have a health condition?

The quad bike riding is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. A high level of physical fitness is needed for the full experience.

What happens at the desert camp besides the quad bike ride?

At the camp you can take a short camel ride, try sandboarding, get henna tattoos, wear traditional Arabic costumes for photos, and enjoy a traditional welcome with tea and coffee. The evening includes a full dinner buffet, live Tannura dance, and a fire show.