Dubai: Hatta Dam & Heritage Village with Kayaking

Mountains, Water & a Restored Village an Hour from Dubai

You leave Dubai in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and return eight hours later having paddled on Hatta Dam, walked through a restored heritage village, hiked briefly to a mountain dam, and eaten local snacks at two stops. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are the guide, water, and entry to the Heritage Village. Kayaking costs extra but is available if you want it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hatta sightseeing and kayaking tour

• Transfer to Hatta
• Visit Hatta Dam viewpoints
• Optional kayaking at Hatta Dam
• Explore Hatta Heritage Village
• Optional lunch at Heritage Village
• Visit Hatta Hill Park
• Light local snacks break
• Walk from Wadi Hub to Al Khattem Dam
• Enjoy views at Al Khattem Dam
• Transfer back to Dubai

The experience

You're in the car before the city noise fades. The drive northeast from Dubai takes you into the Hajar Mountains, and by the time you reach Hatta Dam, the landscape has already shifted: dry peaks, a reservoir catching the light, air that feels thinner. The dam itself is the first stop, and it's the kind of place where you understand why people bring cameras. The water sits still between the rock walls, and the mountains rise sharp on both sides. If you want to move beyond looking, there's a one-hour kayak option on the water itself, which changes the whole feeling of the place. You're not standing on the shore anymore, you're on it.

After the dam, the tour moves to Hatta Heritage Village, a restored settlement that shows what life looked like here before modern Dubai existed. The buildings are real reconstructions (a fort, a mosque, a traditional Emirati house), and a guide walks you through them. There's a one-hour lunch break built in if you want to eat, and the food is local and light, not the heavy tourist meal you might expect. The village isn't large, but it's the kind of place where you can actually picture how people lived, which matters more than size.

The afternoon takes you to Hatta Hill Park and then a short walk (about 15 to 20 minutes, nothing strenuous) down to Al Khattem Dam. It's a quieter stop than the morning, and the Hatta sign sits visible against the mountains. You get a 45-minute break here with more local snacks, time to sit and let the day settle. Then the drive back to Dubai, which feels longer on the return because you're tired and the mountains are behind you now.

The whole day runs about eight hours door to door. You're picked up from your hotel, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide handles the timing so you don't have to think about what comes next. Water and snacks are included, which matters when you're in the sun. Kayaking is optional (you pay extra if you want it), but everything else is in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai.
• air-conditioned vehicle with a tour guide.
• entry to Hatta Heritage Village.
• local snacks at two stops.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• optional one-hour kayaking on Hatta Dam (additional cost).
• optional one-hour lunch break at the Heritage Village with traditional local food.

Options for this experience

3 options

Meeting point for pickupGuide in English · 08:00Shared option, kayaking not included (can be purchased directly at the location): pickup from Mall of the Emirates metro station, with light local snacks and a tour guide.

Hotel pickupUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 08:00Shared option: pickup from any Dubai hotel, with light local snacks and a tour guide. Pickup is included. Kayaking ticket not included; it can be bought directly at the location.

Private tripUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Private option: pickup from any Dubai hotel by private car, with light local snacks, an English-speaking tour guide, and kayaking tickets. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to9h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteAED 110

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Atlas

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the mountains and water around Dubai without arranging your own transport or navigating the drive: the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you step out of the car ready to start, not hunting for parking or checking a map.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): 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 is the kayaking on Hatta Dam?

One hour. It's optional and costs extra if you choose to add it.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, tour guide, entry to Hatta Heritage Village, bottled water, and local snacks. Kayaking is not included unless you pay the optional fee.

How far is Hatta from Dubai?

About an hour's drive northeast from central Dubai.

Is there time to eat lunch?

Yes. There's a one-hour optional lunch break at Hatta Heritage Village where you can eat traditional local food, and a 45-minute snack break later at Al Khattem Dam.

Is the walk to Al Khattem Dam difficult?

No. It's a brief 15 to 20 minute walk through natural terrain, suitable for all fitness levels.

What should I bring?

The tour includes water and snacks, but bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. If you kayak, wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.