Adventures & Experiences ESPECIALLY FOR YOU ESPECIALLY FOR YOU A journey of relaxation, fun and excitement! Welcome to a place where people from all corners of the world converge – the To make your stay as remarkable as you’ve wanted it to be, we at Desert Adventures, United Arab Emirates (UAE). the leading Destination Management Company in the region, have made the most of what the UAE has in store. Accordingly, we have put together some of the choicest Rich in cultural heritage and tradition, the UAE has rapidly transformed its empty options that will certainly make every minute of your visit count. desert land into a sought-after holiday destination filled with exciting attractions and distinctive experiences. Browse through this guide and learn more about all the fun and excitement that you most definitely would not want to miss. Make the most of your trip by getting From well-appointed hotel accommodations and thought-provoking sightseeing in touch with our local experts and representatives. We will be more than happy to tours that showcase the UAE’s natural splendour and intriguing culture to fun-filled assist you in making your stay truly memorable. In the meantime, keep turning the theme parks and desert activities, bargain shopping and luxurious fine dining pages and grab an experience of a lifetime! experiences – all these have made the country among the hottest places to be in the world for both leisure and business travellers. Here’s wishing you a pleasant stay. TRAVEL TOOL KIT What you need to know Desert Adventures aims to provide you with a host of opportunities for you to enjoy Exchange rate: Holds constant against the US dollar at every moment of your stay in the UAE. Apart from giving you the choicest collection US$ 1 = AED 3.66 of fun and exciting tours and experiences, we have compiled key information that Credit Cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express and will certainly help you better understand this wonderful place and its amazing Diners Club are widely accepted people. Contact details of vital institutions and authorities are also available to help Telecommunications: du and Etisalat are the country’s telecoms make your stay truly pleasant and stress-free. providers Internet & WiFi: Data roaming is available (with charges). THE UAE: A TRAVELLER’S PARADISE Free internet through WiFi access is also available in public places like airports, shopping Established in 1971, the UAE is a federation of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, malls, coffee shops and estaurants.r Some hotels Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Quwain. Each one, unique provide guests with free WiFi access. and rich in tradition, plays a vital role in making the UAE the powerful nation it is Getting around: Public transport such as taxis and buses today. From a humble alliance of quiet coastal towns, the UAE has grown into a are available. formidable union, bustling with commerce, trade and tourism. Estimated population: 9.5 million (2014) Land area: 83,600 km² Capital: Abu Dhabi Emergency numbers: Police and Ambulance: 999 Established: December 2, 1971 Fire Department: 997 Religion: With Islam being the official religion of Hospitals: Latifa Hospital: +971 4 219 3000 the UAE, equal respect and tolerance is American Hospital: +971 4 377 5500 extended to other religions as well. Dubai Hospital: +971 4 219 5000 Language: Arabic is the official language of the UAE. Al Baraha Hospital: +971 4 271 0000 English is used in business and Rashid Hospital: +971 4 219 2000 commerce, and is widely spoken and Welcare Hospital: +971 4 282 9900 understood. Lifeline Hospital: +971 4 884 5666 Local Time: +4 GMT Iranian Hospital: +971 4 344 0250 Weekend: Friday and Saturday Dubai International Airport: +971 4 224 5555 Currency: Arab Emirate Dirham (AED) Abu Dhabi International Airport: +971 2 575 7500 TABLE OF CONTENTS The choice is yours TOP RECOMMENDATIONS |9 SKY & SEA ESCAPADES |35 YOUR HAPPY PLACE |53 At The Top, Burj Khalifa |10 Dubai Seaplane Adventures |36 City Walk |54 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE Afternoon Desert Safari |11 Yellow Boat |36 IMG Worlds of Adventure |56 Dubai Top 5 |12 Helicopter Adventure |37 Yas Waterworld |57 IN A NUTSHELL: It is important to read Ferrari World |13 Balloon Flight with Falconry |37 Wild Wadi Waterpark |58 the introduction of every section. Dubai Parks and Resorts |14 Abu Dhabi Island Cruise |38 Wadi Adventures Al Ain |58 La Perle |15 Musandam - Dibba Cruise |38 Aquaventure Waterpark |59 • As you browse through this guide, take Crab Hunting & Fishing |39 The Lost Chambers |59 time to read the section introduction to CITY SIGHTS & INSIGHTS |17 Ski Dubai |60 get a good idea of the tours and Dubai City Tour |18 TASTES & TOURS |41 Dolphinarium |60 attractions featured. We have seven Magical Dubai City Tour |19 Qasr Al Sultan Arabian Dining |42 Sega Republic |61 sections, marked in bold on this page. Modern Dubai Tour |20 Armani Afternoon Tea |42 Kidzania |61 Modern Dubai Tour w/ High Tea |21 Bateaux Dubai Creek Cruise |43 Hop-On, Hop-Off |62 • In every introduction, we have listed Abu Dhabi City Tour |22 Dhow Cruise |43 Jebel Jais Picnic |62 reminders and general policies that apply Magical Abu Dhabi City Tour |23 Dinner at Bab Al Shams |44 Saga World |63 to the items in that particular section. Al Ain City Tour |24 Burj Al Arab Dining Experience |44 Sharjah City Tour |25 Kitchen Mission |45 • We have used icons all throughout this East Coast City Tour |26 Mixology |45 guide. Here are some examples: Secrets of Arabia |27 ROADTRIPS & SPORTS |47 INTO THE DESERT |29 World’s Longest Zipline |48 Morning Safari |30 Harley Davidson Tour |48 • Each section has its own set of icons. You Bedouin Culture Safari | 30 Bentley City Tour |49 will find their definitions in the introduction Heritage Safari & Camel Safari |31 Musandam Roadtrip (4WD) |49 page. Mleiha Adventures Package |32 Pistol & Clay Shooting |50 Dune Raiders |32 Equestrian Centre & Stable Tour |50 • All published information are subject to Private Falconry Experience |33 Drive a Ferrari 458 GT |51 change without prior notice. Arabian Village |33 F1™ Racetrack Experience |51 TOP RECOMMENDATIONS Top recommendations Crowd favourites, best-sellers. Is your stay too short? Or, are you simply looking to jump in right away and indulge in some of the most popular places, activities and experiences that the UAE has to offer? Well, we have the right stuff for you. In this section you will find our top and highly recommended attractions that will make your stay truly fun yet relaxing, and of course, memorable. With some customers even coming back for more, these are no less than our crowd favourites. But before you get too excited, below are points to take note of as you browse through this section: • The activities and attractions in this section fall under various categories that you will find in this Excursions Guide. • If you wish to find tours and activities similar to a particular item in this section, refer to the icon on the page. City Sights Tastes & Insights & Tours PAGE 17 PAGE 41 Into the Roadtrips Desert & Sports PAGE 29 PAGE 47 Sky & Sea Your Escapades Happy Place PAGE 35 PAGE 53 9 TOP RECOMMENDATIONS At The Top, Burj Khalifa Afternoon Desert Safari Located on Level 124 of the world’s tallest tower, At The Top, Burj Khalifa You have never really been to the Middle East until you’ve done the signature gives you a captivating panorama of Dubai, a view you wouldn’t find Desert Safari. Nothing beats a firsthand experience of coasting through the sand anywhere else in the city. dunes of the great Arabia. • Enjoy an uninterrupted bird’s eye view of various parts of the city, • A luxury 4x4 vehicle will be sent to pick you up from your hotel and from the famous Sheikh Zayed Road and its rows of skyscrapers, the take you straight to the desert. charming old structures up to the glistening coastal waters. • Brace yourself for an hour-long, exhilarating dune-bashing • The golden sunset is the most magical hour of any day. What more experience. when you can watch the sun descend below the horizon from a view • Step out of the vehicle and soak in the grandeur of the golden desert so high up in the sky? At The Top’s observation deck is the perfect sunset. Remember to take photos. spot to view this sunset spectacle. • Grab the opportunity to ride a camel. • As you hop on the lift that will take you to the observatory, you will • Feast on a sumptuous BBQ dinner buffet at the authentic Bedouin be treated to a multimedia presentation that showcases Dubai’s camp, where you will also be treated to live cultural entertainment. history and the record-breaking story of the Burj Khalifa. • Drop by the henna tattoo painting booth and get inked with a • Being an essential highlight of every traveller’s UAE itinerary, At The traditional Arabic design. Top tickets sell out fast. Be sure to secure your slot as soon as you can. Days of operation: Daily Days of operation: Daily Duration: 1 hour Duration: 6-7 hours (from an afternoon take-off) Remarks: See the ‘Into the Desert’ section on Page 29 for details. 10 11 TOP RECOMMENDATIONS Ferrari World Dubai Top 5 Abu Dhabi is the home of the first and only Ferrari theme park in the Home to a host of world wonders, Dubai is a captivating city of sights, world. Brace yourself for top-class, high-octane rides and attractions that sounds and experiences.