Dubai is a dazzling blend of traditional values masked with a modern exterior, where golden desert sands meet looming skyscrapers and ancient souks stand alongside luxury shopping malls. Wander through the historic alleys of Al Fahidi, cruise across the azure waters of Dubai Marina by jet ski, or marvel at the cityscape from the top floor of the towering Burj Khalifa. Whether you're dune bashing in the vast Arabian desert, or exploring the stunning religious architecture, Dubai promises an unforgettable adventure at every turn.
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.
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
Our Emirati adventures
TRADITIONS OF DUBAI | Delve into the hidden backstreets and authentic history that is secreted within the Old Town walls of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Head out into the arid landscape of the Arabian desert and have a moment of peace below incredible dark skies. A real mix of historical wonders and ancient culture, combined into one perfect 4 day package.
DUBAI ADVENTURE WEEKEND | The perfect weekend to light your daredevil flame and get excited for your onwards adventure. We take to the skies in a hot air balloon, go off roading around the vast expanses of dunes and reach dizzying heights at the very top of the Burj Khalifa. All before having a relaxed evening in the desert wilderness.
EXTREME ADVENTURES IN DUBAI | Not for the faint hearted, this is a whirlwind of an adventure. An adrenaline seeker's dream! Ticking off a whole host of bucket list activities, from flying around Dubai marina on jet skis, to off roading across vast expanses of dunes and taking the ride of your life on the longest urban zipline in the world! A weekend of fast paced, exhilaration fuelled fun.
When to visit
You can find detailed advice on when to visit in our Dubai Travel Guide.
This a brief summary. The United Arab Emirates have a summer and winter season with shorter transitional periods in between. During the winter season, from December to March, the temperatures sit at a good level for land activities and water sports. There may be occasional rain however this will be very light and short lived. The summer season, from June to August, is generally extremely hot with temperatures reaching highs of around 50°C so most people choose to avoid this time to visit. The lack of water sources and rain in the desert mean that the heat in the UAE is generally very dry with low humidity.
Tailor made trips
Our trips in Dubai are all tailor made, so can be altered and adapted to suit your needs. Our 4 day packages are recommended itineraries that provide you with a good amount of activity time, mixed in with some free time to do some exploring yourself. Should there be activities you wish to do whilst in Dubai, that aren't included in your itinerary, please speak to a member of our team and we can change your trip to suit your preferences. Below are examples of activities we are able to offer:
Activities:
- Tandem
skydive over the Palm
- Tandem skydive in the Desert
- Zipline across Dubai Marina
- 1hr or 2hr Jet Ski
- Hot Air Balloon ride over the Desert
- Desert Dune Buggies
- Morning Desert Adventure
- Evening Desert Safari
- Overnight Desert Safari
- Admission into At the Top - Burj Khalifa
Full Day
Tours including:
- Authentic
Dubai Food Tour
- Highlights of Dubai - including At the Top level on the Burj Khalifa
- Half day Dubai Highlights
- Abu Dhabi Highlights
- Traditional Dubai
Clothing
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.
Accommodation in Dubai
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.
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 any of our Dubai trips so head out into the city and find a nice restaurant to sample some Arabian cuisine. 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 not included on your itinerary are also 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.
Budget
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.
Expect to pay between AED 40-80 ($11-$22 USD) for a meal out in a mid-range restaurant in Dubai city. To get around the city, a taxi will cost you around AED 5 base rate then AED 2-3 per km whilst on the journey, whereas the bus will be AED 4-9 depending on how far you plan to travel.
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.
