Itinerary
Day 1: Half Day Dubai City Tour
Pass By: Dubai Creek, Mashraf Building, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Dubai Creek separates the city into two towns, with Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. The creek has been an influential element in the city's growth, first attracting settlers here to fish and pearl dive. Small villages grew up alongside the creek as far back as 4,000 years ago, while the modern era began in the 1830s when the Bani Yas tribe settled in the area.
On the Bur Dubai side of the creek, rubbing up against the Bastakia neighborhood, the waterfront has been regenerated as the Al Seef district, with a waterfront promenade backed by traditional coral-block and limestone buildings, a floating market, and shops selling crafts. It's a great place for a stroll with excellent water views.
Pass By: Deira Old Souk Abra Station, Baniyas Road Near Dubai Spice Souk, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Deira lies on the northern bank of Dubai Creek, and the winding streets here unveil the melting pot of different nationalities that have come to call Dubai home. On the shore, ancient dhows load and unload with modern banks, hotels, and office buildings as a backdrop.
For travelers, Deira is most famous for its traditional souks (markets), which bustle with shoppers at all times of the day. Deira Gold Souk is world-renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world. The Deira Spice Souk sells every imaginable spice, with stalls overflowing with bags of frankincense, cumin, paprika, saffron, sumac, and thyme, as well as the fragrant oud wood, rose water, and incense. The fish market provides a much less touristy experience.
Pass By: Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum's House, Al Khaleej Rd Bur Dubai, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum was the Ruler of Dubai from 1921 to 1958 and grandfather to the current ruler. His former residence has been rebuilt and restored as a museum that is a fine example of Arabian architecture.
Inside are the exhibits of the Dubai Museum of Historical Photographs and Documents, with many wonderful old photographs of Dubai from the period between 1948 and 1953. The marine wing of the museum has photos of fishing, pearling, and boat building. Throughout the building there are many letters, maps, coins, and stamps on display showing the development of the Emirate.
Nearby is the Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, restored with displays of traditional interiors.
Pass By: The Dubai Heritage Village, Entrance of the Dubai Creek, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Dubai's architectural, cultural, and maritime heritage is showcased at the Heritage and Diving Village, with displays related to pearl diving and dhow building — two of old Dubai's historic economic mainstays. There are also recreations of traditional Bedouin and coastal village life, with Persian homes, a traditional coffeehouse, and a small souk where potters and weavers practice their handicrafts at the stalls. Local music and dance are performed from October to April, and visitors can get advice from practitioners of traditional medicine.
Pass By: Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Jumeirah Mosque is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Dubai's mosques. An exact copy of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque, which is eight times its size, the Jumeirah Mosque is a fine example of Islamic architecture. This stone structure is built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, with two minarets that display the subtle details in the stonework. It is particularly attractive in the evening when lit with floodlights.
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (which also runs a program of tours, lectures, Arabic classes, and cultural meals) organizes guided tours of the mosque designed to try to foster a better understanding of the Muslim faith. Tours begin at 10am daily, except Fridays.
Stop At: Jumeirah Beach, Dubai United Arab Emirates
his strip of sandy white bliss is the number one beach destination for Dubai visitors. Hotels are strung out all along its length, with this being one of the most popular places to stay for tourists. The beach has excellent facilities, with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants, and water sports operators offering jet skiing.
While in the area, brush off the sand for an hour and visit the Majlis Ghorfat Um Al-Sheef, just a short hop from the beach. Built in 1955, this was the summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum. The residence, made out of gypsum and coral-block, has been restored and maintains much of the original beautiful decor, giving you a better understanding of the opulent lifestyle of Dubai's rulers. The Majlis Gardens feature a reproduction of an impressive Arab irrigation system and many shady date palms.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Burj Al Arab, 3 Jumeirah Street Burj Al-Arab Hotel, Dubai United Arab Emirates
The Burj Al-Arab is the world's tallest hotel, standing 321 meters high on its own artificial island on the Dubai coastline. Designed to resemble a billowing dhow sail, the exterior of the building is lit up by a choreographed, colored lighting show at night. Decadent in every way possible, the Burj Al-Arab is one of the most expensive hotels in the world, with the most luxurious suites costing more than $15,000 for one night.
Pass By: Burj Khalifa, 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Downtown Dubai, Dubai 9440 United Arab Emirates
Dubai's landmark building is the Burj Khalifa, which at 829.8 meters is the tallest building in the world and the most famous of the city's points of interest. For most visitors, a trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor here is a must-do while in the city. The views across the city skyline from this bird's-eye perspective are simply staggering. The slick observation deck experience includes a multimedia presentation on both Dubai and the building of the Burj Khalifa (completed in 2010) before a high-speed elevator whizzes you up to the observation deck for those 360-degree views out across the skyscrapers to the desert on one side and the ocean on the other.
Burj Khalifa Entry Ticket is not included in the tour price. It can be requested at additional charges.
Pass By: The Dubai Mall, Al Mussallah Rd DownTown Dubai, Near Souk Al Bahar Bridge, Dubai 113444 United Arab Emirates
Dubai Mall is the city's premier mall and provides entry to the Burj Khalifa, as well as the Dubai Aquarium. There is also an ice-skating rink, gaming zone, and cinema complex if you're looking for more entertainment options. The shopping and eating is endless, and there are nearly always special events such as live music and fashion shows within the mall. The most famous of these are the annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February and the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival in July and August.
Pass By: Sheikh Zayed Road, E 11, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Road is the main thoroughfare running through Dubai's modern downtown business district. This wide, eight-lane highway is rimmed with towering glass, chrome, and steel high-rises along its entire length. It's one of the best on-the-ground vantage points for Dubai's famed skyscraper views.
Main attractions are along, or just off, the strip between the roundabout and the first intersection, and most of Dubai's famous malls are located along the road's route. The Dubai World Trade Tower has an observation deck on its top floor, which offers visitors panoramic views (a cheaper option than the Burj Khalifa), and the Gold and Diamond Park (Sheikh Zayed Road) is a one-stop shop for jewelry lovers, with 118 manufacturers and 30 retailers all under one roof.
Stop At: Dubai Frame, Sheikh Rashid Road Gate 4, Zabeel Park, Dubai United Arab Emirates
Sitting slap-bang between Dubai's older neighborhoods clustered around the creek and the city's modern sprawl, this ginormous 150-meter-high picture frame is one of Dubai's latest sights. Inside, a series of galleries whisk you through the city's history and explore Emirati heritage before you travel up to the Sky Deck, where there are fantastic panoramas of both old and new Dubai to be snapped on the viewing platforms.
Afterwards check out Future Dubai gallery, which imagines what a futuristic vision of the city will look like.
Dubai Frame Entry Ticket is not included in the tour price. It can be requested at additional charges.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Dubai Desert Safari with Quad bike Ride
Pass By: Dubai Desert Tours, Al Fahidi Souk, Al Fahidi Area - Al Fahidi - دبي - United Arab Emirates
Enjoy breathtaking views of the red sand and high dunes, almost a picture-perfect views of the Arabian Desert.
Stop At: VIP Hummer Desert Safari Dubai, Office 201 Samhan Building Al Garhoud - Near Al tayar Motors, Samhan Building - ديرة - دبي - United Arab Emirates
Fasten your seat belts and get ready for the adventure drive. Explore the Desert for the evening and enjoy thrilling activities on the golden dunes . Feel the vivifying experience as you drive through challenging sand dunes
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: HAPPY DESERT SAFARI, Office No S19 - France R23 - International City - France Cluster - دبي - United Arab Emirates
Venture deeper into the desert for the best scenic views possible, then stop for a picture on the highest dunes. To add more fun, set your foot on the Sand Board and glide on the dunes. A camera is absolutely a must-have so not to miss miss this experience and admire the 360 views of the desert landscape as the sun slowly sets down
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Al Tamayouz Motorcycles Rental Tours, E44 - Al Qasimiah City - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates
Upon reaching the meeting point, there will be a brief stop to deflate the vehicle's tires before heading off for the adventure drive. You can spend some time capturing photos and enjoy your thrilling quad bike ride. Take control of your fully automatic quad bike in the deserts and enjoy the ride of your lifetime. Feel the vivifying experience as you drive through challenging sand dunes
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.