4-day adventure
Traditions of Dubai
United Arab Emirates
- Kandoo Multi-activity
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£1,049
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A jam packed weekend of culture and heritage. Hidden away behind the modern exterior of Dubai, lie the beautiful remnants of it's traditional past. This 4 day adventure takes you around the lesser known side of Dubai, where breathtaking architecture meets the myths and legends of the city's desert beginnings. Head out to Abu Dhabi and visit the majestic structures at the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, climb to the 74th floor of Conrad Abu Dhabi Emirates Towers and marvel at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a must-see when exploring the capital's historic roots. Then journey through the hidden heritage of Dubai's backstreets before hopping aboard a 4x4 and heading into the vast expanse of desert that makes up the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). Spend a memorable evening wildlife watching and delight in a delicious BBQ as the sun melts into the horizon. For those wanting a gentle start to an onwards challenge or some recovery time after taking on another adventure, this 4 day stopover is the perfect restful retreat.
Trip highlights
- Explore the incredible architecture in Abu Dhabi
- Tread the lesser known streets of Dubai's Old Town
- Indulge in an unforgettable desert safari experience
- Trip fully carbon offset as standard
Experiences
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Kandoo Multi-activity
Kandoo Adventures' trips with different activities to enjoy each day
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Welcome to Dubai!
Welcome to the UAE! On arrival in Dubai, a member of the Emirates Mahaba team will be waiting to fast track you through airport proceedings and onto your driver just outside the main doors. They will then transfer you to your hotel, where you will have time to relax and explore the city before meeting your representative this evening.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 2
Abu Dhabi City Tour
This morning, we need to be ready and waiting in the lobby of our hotel by 8:45am for a full day exploring Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage. Leaving behind the record-breaking skyscrapers of Dubai, we discover a city full of Middle Eastern charm. Our exploration of the nation’s capital begins at the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, designed to connect the three main religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the architectural beauty of these three ‘houses’ are breathtaking. Driving along the Corniche Road we then visit Qasr Al Watan, a cultural landmark that exhibits the UAE’s historical background in another beautiful setting, before we delve deeper into the city itself. Climbing to the 74th floor of Conrad Abu Dhabi Emirates Towers we gain uninterrupted views of the city. We then finish our tour at the ‘jewel in the crown’ - the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where pristine architecture meets ambient culture. Transferring back to Dubai we have the evening free to sample one of the many restaurants for dinner.
Please note - presidential events can sometimes mean access to Qasr Al Watan is prohibited at short notice. Qasr al Hosn will replace this activity should this occur.- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 3
Dubai Old Town and Evening Desert Safari
Once again being ready for an 8:45am departure, this time we embark on a journey through the heritage hidden away in the winding backstreets of Dubai’s Old Town. We explore the traditional sites of the Jumeirah Mosque, Za’abeel Palace and Al Fahidi district before crossing the Dubai Creek and weaving our way through the web of Souqs, the centre of Dubai’s commercial history. Arriving at Burj Al Arab we stop for some lunch before returning to our hotel. We then have a couple of hours to relax at the hotel before being picked up for our evening desert safari in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). Meeting in the hotel lobby at 4:30pm we take an exciting 4x4 dune drive, spotting Arabian Oryx and Gazelle roaming in their natural habitats and arriving at a traditional Bedouin camp for a delicious BBQ dinner. An unforgettable experience.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 4
Departure
This morning we wave goodbye to the bright lights of Dubai and continue our onwards journey. Transfer to airport in time for your flight.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
This trip is not physically strenuous, however it can be very tiring due to the heat. You will be spending most of your time in built up areas and down small backstreets and these can often become perfect suntraps. We will do our best to seek out shady areas but it is really important to make sure you drink plenty! This itinerary leaves little downtime, so although you do not need a high level of fitness, you should be ready for a jam packed cultural extravaganza.
Food & drink
Whilst
staying in hotels, breakfasts will be taken at the hotel restaurant. The Arabians are known for producing a great continental breakfast, so expect a wide range of options from classic Eastern dishes including flat breads, hummus, yoghurt, dates and jams to more western cuisine.
Lunches are not included on this trip. Whilst on the city tours you will be taken to local restaurants where you can experience how the Arabians like to eat. Expect a selection of traditional breads, pastries, fruit, vegetables, stews etc. Please remember to be careful when choosing what you eat, especially if choosing cold salads that have been freshly washed.
Evening meals in Dubai city are to be taken at your own leisure. You may choose to eat in the hotel restaurant or at one of the many restaurants looking out over Dubai marina. On your evening in the desert a delicious BBQ dinner will be provided. You can expect an array of grilled chicken and lamb, along with rice, fresh vegetables and salads. Soft drinks are included here, but any alcoholic drinks will need to be purchased. We can cater for most dietary requirements on request.
Please
be aware that the water in Dubai is not drinkable. Whilst in the city, bottled water can be purchased in shops or at your hotel, but it is not as readily available in the desert. Here, bottled water will be provided as part of your meal inclusions.
Accommodation
Your full day by
day itinerary shows what is included in terms of hotel accommodation and meal
basis. All of our accommodation is based at Dubai marina in comfortable 4* hotels in ensuite rooms. Where your hotel basis is B&B, you can either purchase snacks or meals at the hotel, which can be paid for by card or in cash (AED). All our hotels have bars and restaurants that offer a wide range of options foodwise and are able to accommodate all dietary requirements, should you choose to eat at the hotel.
Check in time will be after
2:00 pm. If you arrive on an early flight into Dubai, you may have to wait
until this time for your room to be available, however you will be able to
leave bags safely at the hotel or use the facilities prior to this time.
Your guide
Your representative for the weekend will meet you at your hotel on the
evening of your arrival day, where they will answer any questions you may have.
If you are arriving on a late flight, you will meet them on the morning of Day
2.
Transport
All transfers will be in comfortable, air conditioned private minibuses or cars.
How do I get there?
Dubai International Airport is an international hub and so is easily accessible from most airports. Emirates fly direct to Dubai from all the major UK hubs including Manchester, London Heathrow, Birmingham and Glasgow. British Airways also offer direct flights from London Heathrow. Although not direct, Qatar offer flights from all these hubs with a stop in Doha on route and KLM offer flights via Amsterdam.
From the US, Emirates again offer direct flights from all major hubs including, New York, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles . KLM and Delta are also offering flights via Amsterdam from New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Upon arriving at
the airport terminal, a member of the Emirates Marhaba team will be waiting for
you with a named sign and they will fast track you through immigration and
security, before assisting you to baggage claim then on to your driver outside
the main doors. Your driver will be outside these doors, holding a ‘Kandoo
Adventures’ sign. The address of your hotel is on your trip itinerary.
Budget & change
The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED د. إ.) is
an open currency so you will be able to buy this before you arrive. Alternatively,
you can travel with US Dollars, and exchange these upon arrival. It is very
important that US bills be new (no more than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. Dubai
is becoming increasingly cashless, however we would recommend travelling with
some cash for tipping and buying small items in markets and local shops. If you
are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell
your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it
won't work when you really need it.
Tips
Tipping when you are satisfied with the service you have received is
customary in the UAE. However, it is not mandatory and should be left to the
discretion of each individual. Generally a 10% tip for guide and activity services
and 10-15% in restaurants is considered to be appropriate.
Formalities & health
Passport
Please double check that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival into the UAE.
Please note that the local government have imposed a rule that all passports must have an assigned gender (M or F). We recommend that you take a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, as this will be useful if the original is lost while you are travelling. If your passport has sustained any damage, please check with your passport office to see if it should be replaced. Your airline may refuse to allow you to board if they think UAE Immigration will not accept your damaged passport.
Please note that the local government have imposed a rule that all passports must have an assigned gender (M or F). We recommend that you take a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, as this will be useful if the original is lost while you are travelling. If your passport has sustained any damage, please check with your passport office to see if it should be replaced. Your airline may refuse to allow you to board if they think UAE Immigration will not accept your damaged passport.
Visa
Most visitors to Dubai (including nationals from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia) require a tourist visa to enter the UAE. These will be issued upon arrival in the UAE. You will need at least one blank visa page in your passport. Some countries not mentioned above, will need to apply for a visa prior to entering the UAE so please check with your local embassy should this be the case.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not require a paid visa, but will need to apply for a free eVisa instead. Visas take approximately 48 hours to be issued and are only valid for 60 days from the date of issue, so do not apply for your visa too early.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not require a paid visa, but will need to apply for a free eVisa instead. Visas take approximately 48 hours to be issued and are only valid for 60 days from the date of issue, so do not apply for your visa too early.
Vaccinations
Below we have set out what is the general guidance for travel to UAE. We strongly advise you to consult with your own GP or travel clinic near you before travelling. They will have the most up to date and medically accurate information relevant to you, and should be relied upon over these recommendations.
Strongly Advised Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid and Diphtheria
- Yellow Fever: This can be contracted by being bitten by a contaminated mosquito. This vaccination is not essential if you are arriving directly in the UAE. You do need it though if you plan to arrive through any country that is subject to yellow fever. Simply stopping over at an airport in an affected country should not require vaccination, but leaving the airport even briefly would make it necessary.
Strongly Advised Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid and Diphtheria
- Yellow Fever: This can be contracted by being bitten by a contaminated mosquito. This vaccination is not essential if you are arriving directly in the UAE. You do need it though if you plan to arrive through any country that is subject to yellow fever. Simply stopping over at an airport in an affected country should not require vaccination, but leaving the airport even briefly would make it necessary.
Insurance
Before you can join any Kandoo Adventure, you will need to insure yourself against accident, injury, and illness.
Your insurance must cover the cost of evacuation and repatriation if necessary. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Make sure to choose the correct policy for the activities you are participating in. Be sure to read the small print carefully for any policy you are considering - different policies provide different levels of cover, so make sure you understand what is and isn't included in your policy.
Your insurance must cover the cost of evacuation and repatriation if necessary. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Make sure to choose the correct policy for the activities you are participating in. Be sure to read the small print carefully for any policy you are considering - different policies provide different levels of cover, so make sure you understand what is and isn't included in your policy.
Health
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated when exercising in hot climates. Where you will be exerting yourself, and sweating, as a result, you’ll have to drink much more water than you normally would, and you should try to drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day to stay hydrated. Even when you don’t feel thirsty you should try to drink this amount as a minimum.
Sunburn and UV Protection
The three most important things you can do to avoid sunburn are:
- Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your face, nose and ears at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun, and reapply regularly. High SPF lip balm is also a must.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, nose and ears.
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses, category 2-4.
You can easily become dehydrated when exercising in hot climates. Where you will be exerting yourself, and sweating, as a result, you’ll have to drink much more water than you normally would, and you should try to drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day to stay hydrated. Even when you don’t feel thirsty you should try to drink this amount as a minimum.
Sunburn and UV Protection
The three most important things you can do to avoid sunburn are:
- Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your face, nose and ears at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun, and reapply regularly. High SPF lip balm is also a must.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, nose and ears.
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses, category 2-4.
Equipment & clothing
Clothing to bring
We recommend bringing lightweight clothing including comfortable walking shoes such as trainers or walking sandals. Due to the conservative local culture in Dubai, please ensure you have modest dress - make sure shoulders and knees are covered and women will need a scarf or similar to be respectful when visiting religious buildings. Transparent or tight-fitting attire is also not permitted, as well as clothing featuring cartoon character images.
Temperatures in the UAE can fluctuate quite quickly, particularly in the desert, so please also bring a warm layer for your Evening Desert Safari as you may find once the sun goes down the temperatures become much cooler.
Equipment to bring
The sun in the UAE can be very intense so we recommend bringing sun cream and a sun hat to keep you protected whilst out on your activities and a water bottle to stay hydrated. A pair of sunglasses may also come in handy.
Price
Ideal travel time:
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Pricing from £1049 / $1349 per person (based on 4 people)
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Meet at greet at Dubai International Airport
- Fast track through airport procedures
- A dedicated representative throughout your stay
- All transfers in a private, air conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation in comfortable 4* hotel in Dubai Marina
- Full day Abu Dhabi city tour inc all entry fees
- Tea and snacks on city tours
- Thrilling 4x4 drive across the desert dunes
- Sunset stop to watch one of nature’s greatest sights
- BBQ dinner in a traditional Bedouin setting
- Soft drinks on desert safari
Price does not include
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Drinks and personal expenses
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