13 Desert Activities for Solo Women Travellers in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most luxurious countries in the world. From beautiful beaches to shopping malls, authentic cuisines to traditional souks, glamorous nightlife, to stunning skyscrapers, there is something for every kind of traveller. But the one thing that remains above all the experiences you can have in Dubai is the desert. And, the best part about the deserts in Dubai is that it offers plenty of activities for you to indulge in, making your trip a rather special one.
You can spend an eventful day full of activities at any of the deserts of Dubai, and there is plenty for you to choose from. When I had been to Dubai on my solo trip, little did I know that the deserts were going to become one of the highlights of my trip.
To make your work easier, I have shortlisted some of the best desert activities that you can try out on your solo trip to Dubai. Read on to know more!
1. Indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Hot Air Balloons
Let’s begin with the best. The hot air balloon ride gives you a complete 360-degree view of the beautiful Arabian desert of Dubai. Not only that, the perspective you get of the desert from up above is completely different from what you may see from the ground. Although hot air balloon rides are a bit expensive, the views are totally worth every penny you spend! In some areas of the desert, you can even spot desert animals such as gazelles and camels.
Your ride can last approximately 60 minutes, depending on the weather of the day. Most of the rides start early in the morning, and I would highly recommend you opt for the morning slot. This comes with two benefits. One- the breathtaking views of the sunrise from across the desert. Two- if you are lucky enough, the hot air balloon may not be too crowded in the morning.
Oh, and don’t forget to take your camera with you. The views of the Arabian desert views are worth capturing.
2. Go sandboarding
Another popular desert activity that many tourists try out on their trip to Dubai is sandboarding. It is not very different from snowboarding. So if you have gone snowboarding before, sandboarding will be a cakewalk. However, if you are a newbie at sandboarding, you will have an experienced instructor to teach you how to balance and navigate the board on the sand dunes.
Most of the time, the weather in Dubai is hot and humid. So it is easy to assume what the temperature would be like in the desert. My suggestion would be that you wear clothes that cover your entire arms and legs to beat the heat. It also helps you avoid tanning. If you do end up wearing shorts or tube tops, make sure you slather a good amount of sunscreen!
3. Ride a Quad Bike
One of the most thrilling activities in the deserts of Dubai is quad biking. Since the difficulty level of this desert activity is moderate, I would recommend you try it out only if you know about driving or riding bikes. And don’t worry, the experienced quad biking instructors will guide you on how to ride through the rough terrains of the deserts.
The average time limit for one ride is six hours for an average price of AED 135. In my opinion, this is a steal deal, and you must definitely try out quad biking to have an adrenaline-pumping experience in Dubai!
4. Experience Riding a Camel
Chances of you spotting a camel in the deserts of Dubai are quite high. So why not ride one? Camel safari is quite popular in Dubai and should definitely be on your list of desert activities to try out on a solo trip. Riding a camel will give you a glimpse of how the people of Dubai used to travel back in the day when there were limited options of travel.
If you are scared of riding a camel, then don’t worry, they are very calm and peaceful animals. And the instructors will guide you on how to sit on a camel and ride it.
These camels are taken care of under expert supervision at farms. So you don’t have to worry about the treatment of them.
5. …or go on Horse Riding
Very similar to camel riding is horse riding across the sand dunes. Horse riding is a unique experience when compared to other desert activities in Dubai. Because how often does one get to ride a horse in a desert, right?
Again, you will have an experienced guide by your side to help you teach how to ride the horse. The duration of the ride will be approximately 90 minutes, and you will have a wonderful time exploring the desert.
To ensure that you have a great time trying out horse riding in the desert, I would recommend wearing closed shoes such as sports shoes. Not only are these extremely comfortable, but they also help avoid tanning of the feet.
6. Try out a Dune Buggy
A desert activity loved by everyone, riding a dune buggy should definitely be something you try out on your solo trip to Dubai. A dune buggy is completely equipped with everything to ensure you have a safe ride in the dunes – seat belts, roll cages, fire extinguishers, and mechanical support.
If you do not know how to drive or ride a bike, the trainers will help you teach you how to ride a dune buggy. Although riding a dune buggy is allowed at all times of the year, it might be temporarily put on hold due to certain weather conditions. Nevertheless, it is a one-of-a-kind experience to go riding a dune buggy in the mighty deserts of Dubai!
Always make sure to check the weather conditions before booking any desert activity, for that matter.
7. Go Fatbiking
Fat bikes are the newest innovation in riding the desert. These come with bigger tyres specifically for the sand dunes. You will be allowed to ride the fat bike and explore the desert for about 5 hours, and the average price is somewhere around AED 590. If you are lucky enough, you might even spot a desert animal or two on your way!
Here is a thing you need to consider before opting for fat biking in the desert – fitness. This desert activity requires a higher level of fitness, so if you are not physically fit, it may get a little difficult for you to ride the fat bike across the desert. In cases of other ailments such as back pain or an injury, it would be better if you consult with the tour operator beforehand.
8. Ride a Dirt Bike
If you love riding a bike, then dirt biking is definitely the desert activity for you! It is one of the most thrilling activities to experience in a desert, and which better place than the land of dunes would be perfect for this?
Whether you know how to ride a bike or not, you will have an initial lesson on riding dirt bikes. The instructors are all experienced professionals, so you do not have to worry about a thing!
The price of a dirt bike tour may be on the expensive side, but trust me, if you are a bike lover, the adrenaline rush is going to be worth the experience!
When I went to Dubai on my solo trip, riding a dirt bike off-road and in the desert seemed like an interesting concept. My tour guide was very friendly and guided me on every step to ensure I have a great experience. I can confidently say that riding a dirt bike is not something that is limited to only men, and it is an equally fun experience for ladies as well!
9. Ride in a Vintage Land Rover
Since Dubai is all about luxury and glam, it is possible to have a luxurious experience in the desert as well. This is very similar to going on a desert safari in a basic jeep, but with a twist, you get to ride in a luxurious vintage land rover! The fact that the land rover is a vintage vehicle makes the experience even more worthwhile.
You can choose a package that fits well with your budget and ride in style while exploring the beautiful desert of Dubai.
10. Get the adrenaline pumping with Dune Bashing
Dune bashing is all about a 4×4 land cruiser that is driven by a skilled driver. All you have to do is sit back and relax while enjoying the thrilling ride. So this will be a perfect desert activity for you even if you do not know about driving. What makes dune bashing all the more interesting are the small stops the driver makes to let you click pictures of the mesmerising views!
You can go for dune bashing at any time of the day, but I would recommend you choose the evening slot. You can witness the gorgeous sunset and the different coloured skies changing from blue to red. Witnessing the sunset in a desert is one of the most calming experiences you can have in a desert.
There are different packages that you can choose from for your dune bashing ride. Each package may vary in price. As per the convenience of your budget, you can choose the one that suits your needs perfectly.
11. Enjoy a mesmerising experience with stargazing
Although not really a thrilling and adventurous activity like the others that I have mentioned so far, stargazing is a quiet and calming activity to do in a desert in Dubai. You can also use a telescope provided with your tour to enhance the experience of stargazing. Lying on the sand under a sky full of stars can be a beautiful way to end your day.
To have the best stargazing experience at reasonable prices, I would suggest you book your tickets well before time. You can check out this website to know more details on stargazing bookings in the deserts of Dubai.
12. Have the best experience with a Desert Safari
What is visiting Dubai and its beautiful deserts without going on a desert safari? Now, there are many different types of desert safaris offered, and each one depends on the package you choose. I would recommend you opt for a hummer desert safari if you want to have a thrilling and safe experience in the dunes. The hummer is considered one of the safe and comfortable SUVs in the world. You will be accompanied by a skilled driver to ensure you have the best experience.
Once the desert safari is over, you will stop at your campsite. You will have different options depending on the desert safari package you choose. For instance, some might have an entertainment show and dinner along with different desert activities. And others might have entertainment shows, BBQ dinners, campfires, stargazing, and other desert activities.
The base price of an average desert safari starts from AED 225. As per your schedule and budget, you can choose the package that comprises most things you want to do in the desert!
Another type of desert safari that is quite famous among tourists is the night desert safari. It is quite similar to the one you will experience in the day time. However, the only difference is it happens at night. You will be accompanied by a professional driver and a guide to ensure you have the best experience.
13. Do a Marilyn Monroe photoshoot on your tour to Dubai desert
I’m saving the best for the last, ladies! When Dubai is about everything extra, why not live a day being extra too? You can now dress up in an award-show kinda long dress and do a photoshoot in a desert. Yes, that’s right! You will truly feel like a celebrity when a photographer clicks a ton of pictures of you.
You can book the photoshoot via dubaiflyingdress.com. They even provide you with different choices of dresses for rent at quite reasonable rates.
Who said Dubai is all about shopping at luxurious malls and visiting glam buildings?
Dubai is much more than its glamour and luxury. Its beautiful deserts prove this! Each desert in Dubai is a unique experience in itself that every traveller should visit at least once on their trip to the country.
That said, I hope you have a great time in the land of dunes. Make sure to bring back home a ton of memories!