Example Itinerary

Dubai to Abu Dhabi - Sun, Sights, Sand & Shops

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Glamping, Architecture
Destinations
UAE

Rich in both culture and extraordinary wealth, Dubai is a city with sky-high iconic buildings, man-made beaches and all the extravagant luxuries one could think of.  Shop, dine and discover the history behind the city and what Emirati culture is all about. Travel to Al Maha, a stark contrast to city life and spend time surrounded by lush flora and incredible fauna with sand dunes like waves in the sea that seem to go on to infinity. Relax, unwind and stay at Qasr Al Sarab, an incredible hotel by Anantara,resembling an entrancing desert oasis where every luxury imaginable is available .Finally to Abu Dhabi, a city to rival Dubai, with the same luxuries but a sense of depth and more culture to be felt in the daily buzz that fills the streets.

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

  • Spirituality: Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest and most important site of worship in the country.
  • Birds of Prey: Falconry is one of the oldest Emirati traditions and travelers will learn about the special bond between falcon and falconer in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
  • Sweet Treats: Dates are a significant symbol of Middle Eastern culture and a staple food in this part of the world. Meander through Abu Dhabi's Date Market to sample the delicious fruit.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Al Maha

Located within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve 25 miles and only 40 minutes from Dubai, Al Maha is a picturesque place filled with flora and fauna creating an amazing desert oasis. Discover the magical world of Falconry, learning about these majestic creatures who soar through the skies or trek the desert with a guide and discover what lays in the sandy dunes that stretch on forever.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set on a sandy canopy amongst a shady palm oasis in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the Al Maha resort is the epitome of Bedouin luxury.

Service: Guests will be welcomed with warm Arabian hospitality upon arrival to Al Maha and will receive a personalized and attentive service throughout their stay, right up until the moment they leave.

History: According to legend, Al Maha was a wondrous oasis lost in the desert. A curious wanderer stumbled upon a protruding twig after following his falcon and returned the next day to unearth the spring hidden here and brought life back to the barren desert.

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Al Maha Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Al Maha

Awake to a day of leisure in Al Maha with an endless list of activities to enjoy. Go horse riding through the sea of sand dunes on stunning Arabian horses and watch the sunset or for the adventurer, discover the thrill of the dunes in a 4x4 with an experienced driver.

Al Maha
Al Maha

Day 3

Liwa Oasis

Just shy of four hours’ travel and 218 miles is the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab resort. Awaken to travel and experience the visually impressive sand dunes that surround this resort, then appearing like an oasis in the desert, the resort unfolds with unbelievable views of the surrounding landscape.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: In Abu Dhabi’s empty quarter, this hotel is a desert oasis, away from everything, surrounded by sands.

Services: From camel-back tours into the desert to attentive concierge hospitality staff, guests will find their every need taken care of.

History: An island in the desert, the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab is a window into an ancient world.

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Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Liwa Oasis

Enjoy the luxuries of the resort from indulgent spa treatments, to traditional tea offerings, dine in one of the many restaurants or visit the resort’s animal friends with its resident falcons, the sleek Saluki dogs (Arabian Greyhounds) and the many camels that belong of the land.

Liwa Oasis
Liwa Oasis

Day 5

Abu Dhabi

Around 130 miles away and just over 2 hours is the city of Abu Dhabi, the next stop on the journey. Much like Dubai, with its modern landscape, it is a unique city with much to offer the fussiest of travelers and those who love to shop and explore.

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

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
About

Abu Dhabi is an opulent bastion of commerce and industry in the United Arab Emirates as well as the burgeoning nation’s capital. Situated on the waterfront of Al Bateen in the Abu Dhabi Marina, The Abu Dhabi Edition boast sleek, modern lines of décor in keeping with the modish high-rise buildings of the city set amid lines of palm trees and carefully manicured walkways.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Abu Dhabi

Rise in the morning to explore the delights of Abu Dhabi and the incredible skyline with its impossibly high buildings. Discover the iconic Sheikh Zayed Mosque that is considered the most important site of worship in the country or learn about falconry watching the birds and their masters at work, a tradition embedded within Emirati culture for centuries. Lastly, you cannot visit Abu Dhabi without wandering the aisles of the Date Market, with literally hundreds of sweet and sticky varieties to sample.

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi

Day 7

Dubai

Only an hour and a half away, spanning 86 miles, transfer back to Dubai spending the evening at the hotel, enjoying fine cuisine, spa treatments or relaxing in the comfort of the rooms.

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
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: One couldn’t possibly ask for a more superlative and exciting location for a hotel, with the Armani Hotel nestled into the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, overlooking downtown Dubai.

History: One of the world’s most fascinating construction projects, the Burj Khalifa was inaugurated in 2010, and is today known as a vertical city that rises into the sky.

Service: Everything in the hotel bears Armani’s signature touch, including the warm Italian-style hospitality and fine service shown to its guests.

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Armani Hotel Dubai Preferred Hotel

Day 8

Dubai

Dubai - known for its shopping and today is the day! Explore the hundreds of outlets, glitzy brand name department stores in the refreshing cool of air-conditioning, or hit the local markets and purchase authentic Arabian trinkets and textiles to take back home. At every turn you will find something to purchase and a shop that sells it.

Dubai
Dubai

Day 9

Departure

Say goodbye to Abu Dhabi with the journey heading back to Dubai only 86 miles away - leaving this magical city to head off on the next adventure

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.

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