Duration
5 days, 4 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations

The UAE, a small desert nation on the Persian Gulf, has recently become a premier destination attracting visitors around the world. Dubai, known for luxury shopping and ultramodern architecture, garners the lion's share while the capital, Abu Dhabi, is equally as luxurious though understated by comparison and lesser seen. Visit both emirates on this journey which has all the quintessential glitz Dubai is known for, as well as a dive into its lesser-seen heritage and culture. Survey the land from the tallest building in the world, then sail across the creek on a traditional boat to the old souks. Visit a manmade archipelago filled with mega malls and global restaurants, then head out to the desert to ride a camel and relax at a bedouin camp. This 5-day classic journey of UAE shows you all the different facets that make this desert jewel truly shine.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Dubai Souks: In the heart of the city along the creek lies the souks of old Dubai where shoppers can haggle for gold and silver, perfume, spices, and textiles.
  • Tallest Building in the World: Claiming this illustrious title in 2009, this skyscraper is as impressive to look at as it is to survey the lands from its observation deck on the 124th floor.
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: The largest mosque in all the emirates, this impressive structure can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers. Its artful design and opulent materials makes it a sight to behold for all visitors.
  • Culinary Walking Tour: Get a taste of the real Dubai and local culture on this walking tour to local favorite eateries.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Dubai

Your journey to this small Persian Gulf nation begins with a private transfer to your hotel. After you land, you will be met upon arrival and escorted with expedited service through the airport for a ride to your hotel. Check in before heading out in the late afternoon for a desert adventure beyond the city.Experience the thrill of dune bashing, a popular local activity that takes you across rolling sand dunes in a 4x4 vehicle. Continue to a desert camp set amidst the dunes, where dinner is served under the stars. A range of traditional activities and entertainment, including camel rides, henna art, falconry, belly dancing, and a fire show, are available as optional experiences with supplement. Return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight in Dubai.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Only a 15-minute drive from the airport, yet strategically situated in the pulsing heart of downtown Dubai, proximity to the city’s main attractions as well as the property’s breathtaking views make the Address Downtown the ultimate address for a Dubai stay.

Accolades: The Address Downtown took home the award for the World’s Best Hotel Spa Suites at the World Spa Awards. A stay in the hotel’s Spa Suites or Signature Spa Suites includes a private terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi – the perfect place to enjoy the view.

Service: The Address family is known for contemporary design, excellent locations, elegant details and impeccable service. Address Downtown, being the brand’s flagship property, sets the bar high for exceptional hospitality and service standards.

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Address Downtown Dubai Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Dubai

Set out on a privately guided full-day exploration of Dubai. Begin by heading skyward to the Sky Deck observatory on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa, offering sweeping views across the city. For an even broader perspective, an optional helicopter flight can be arranged at an additional cost, taking you over Dubai Creek and the downtown skyline.Back on the ground, continue to the city’s traditional souks, where stalls display everything from gold and textiles to spices and fresh produce. Cross Dubai Creek by traditional abra to reach the Shindagha Museum, where exhibits trace the city’s evolution from a modest fishing village to a global hub.Pause for lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), where traditional Emirati cuisine is paired with an introduction to local customs and traditions. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Palm Jumeirah, traveling by monorail along the trunk of this man-made island lined with luxury resorts and restaurants. At the end of the day, return to your hotel.

Dubai
Dubai

Day 3

Abu Dhabi

After breakfast, check out and set out with your private guide for a day that blends cultural insight with a journey to the UAE’s capital. Begin with an exploration of authentic Dubai, stepping beyond its modern façade to discover local neighborhoods, traditional eateries, and everyday flavors. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into the city’s heritage through its food and community spaces.Continue south to Abu Dhabi, just over an hour’s drive away. Along the way, visit the Falcon Hospital to learn about the significance of falcons in Emirati culture, once vital to Bedouin life and now highly prized companions. Pass by Yas Island, known for its Formula 1 circuit, theme parks, and leisure attractions.Arrive in the late afternoon at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where the changing light of sunset reflects off its white marble surfaces. Explore the mosque’s intricate design, from its vast hand-knotted carpet to ornate chandeliers and detailed craftsmanship. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in Abu Dhabi and check in. Overnight in Abu Dhabi.Please note: Modest dress is required when visiting the mosque; both men and women should cover arms and legs, and women are required to cover their hair.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location:A beautiful palace situated on its own stretch of private beach, the façade of the building is simply breath-taking and close to everything you could need.

History: One of Abu Dhabi’s iconic landmarks, the gold and marble design embraces the rich culture and colourful traditions of this region.

Service:Personalized registration in the privacy of your suite, 24-hour butler service, luxury bathroom amenities, daily newspaper, fresh flower arrangements, evening turndown service, it’s hard not to be impressed by the flawless five-star luxury services offered.

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Emirates Palace Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Situated right on the Grand Canal, this luxury hotel offers a beachfront escape just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s city center.

History: This five-star resort and spa, featuring both European and Middle Eastern-inspired architecture, opened its palatial doors to guests in 2013.

Service: All areas of the hotel, from the many restaurants to the elegant spa, feature world-class service; guests may also elect to be a part of the Club Level, for extra personalized service and a private lounge with complimentary light meals and drinks.

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Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

· Style: Designed by two top architectural companies, the hotel’s aesthetic perfectly balances sophistication, elegance, and warmth with its dark woods, beautiful furnishings, and water features.

· Dining: Boasting eight different restaurants and bars, the hotel’s gourmet meals range from fresh seafood to authentic Cantonese cuisine.

· Relaxation and Comfort: In addition to luxurious rooms and suites, the hotel houses a nine-room spa that offers several treatments and is equipped with a hammam, cold mist showers, a large whirlpool, and a sauna.

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Rosewood Abu Dhabi Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Abu Dhabi

Today is a full-day exploration of Abu Dhabi. Begin with a visit to Yas Marina, where sleek yachts line the waterfront, before continuing to the Corniche for a stroll along the seafront, framed by landscaped gardens and the city’s skyline.Continue to Saadiyat Island to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where art from around the world is displayed in a striking architectural setting. Stop at a local date market to sample regional varieties and learn about their cultural significance. Later, explore the nearby mangroves on a private cruise, where you may spot wildlife such as flamingos and other native species.Conclude the day at Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest structure in Abu Dhabi and a symbol of the city’s origins, now thoughtfully restored as a museum. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi

Day 5

Departure

Spend the morning as you wish, whether another stroll along the promenade or a relaxing long breakfast, until it is time for your private transfer to the airport for your flight onward.

Suggested Hotel For Days 1–2

Address Downtown Dubai
Preferred Hotel

Address Downtown Dubai

The award-winning and flagship Address Downtown hotel in Dubai is the epitome of ultra-luxe. Perfectly located to offer views of the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, the Souk Al Bahar and the wider skyline, this refined and superlative property offers a wide range of accommodation styles, dining options and luxury facilities. Rooms and suites are generous with space (the Signature Royal Suite extends over an incredible 5,059 square feet), with options of views depending on your mood, as well as choices for Club Lounge access and terrace areas, some of which feature a jacuzzi. Dining ranges from Mediterranean to a New-York-style steakhouse, drinking ranges from chic rooftop cocktails to sophisticated afternoon tea, while facilities range from a five-tiered outdoor swimming pool to a state-of-the-art fitness center.
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Suggested Hotels For Days 3–4

Emirates Palace
Preferred Hotel

Emirates Palace

Traditional design meets contemporary luxury in this award-winning five-star resort and is enjoyed by celebrities, heads of states as well as royal families from all over the globe. With 302 rooms and 92 suites adorned with the finest upholstery and craftsmanship, the Palace stands apart from its competition in the city, a testament to the renowned quality and bespoke service of this iconic Abu Dhabi landmark. Guests can treat their taste buds to a culinary adventure in one of the fourteen restaurants and lounges throughout the Palace. Choices range from the all-day restaurant, Le Vendome Brasserie, with its incredible international buffet, to the award-winning Emirati restaurant Mezlai, boasting more than 100 different local dishes. If that’s not enough, an authentic taste of Italy at Mezzaluna or succulent meats off the grill is available at BBQ Al Qasr, as well as fresh seafood at Sayad or contemporary Chinese cuisine at Hakkasan.  Emirates Palace is a culinary mecca of award-winning restaurants with something for everyone.

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Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi
Preferred Hotel

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

Mirrored only by the beauty of the elegant Grand Canal as its backdrop, the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi is an architectural vision, blending Venetian and Bedouin influences to create a glowing, lavish resort. From its beachside spa to its eight unique restaurants, this five-star luxury hotel offers something for everyone, featuring sweeping views of Al Maqta creek, lush gardens, and the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Guests may spend their days lounging by the Grand Canal or the resort’s outdoor pool, or explore Abu Dhabi’s thriving and elegant city center, just minutes away from the resort. With over 500 guestrooms, suites and villas, as well as an opportunity to be a part of the Club Level class, guests can choose the accommodation that best suits their needs, and focus on what’s really important: relaxation and exploration. 

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Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Preferred Hotel

Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Housed in a 34 story tall building designed by the Manhattan-based Handel Architects, the sleek and stylish Rosewood Abu Dhabi is the handiwork of New York-based BBG-BBGM architecture firm. With impressive panoramic views of the city, the hotel is a beacon of luxury. Each of the 189 opulent rooms and suites are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, warm dark wood tones, and a large variety of premium amenities. The hotel’s diverse range of bars and restaurants satisfy the most discerning of guests while its Sense Spa provides rejuvenating treatments. There are a luxurious outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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The UAE: A Tale of Two Cities

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On my recent trip to UAE trip, I wanted to visit Dubai & Abu Dhabi, but I really wanted to reach far beyond them to discover the true essence of UAE and appreciate its rich history and cultural significance
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