Escape the city for an immersive 17-hour journey into Abu Dhabi’s legendary Al Khatim Desert. This overnight experience goes beyond typical desert tours—you’ll witness the complete desert lifecycle, from golden hour through star-filled night to breathtaking sunrise.

Your guide collects you from your Abu Dhabi location in a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser. As the cityscape fades, endless dunes emerge on the horizon during your drive toward Al Khatim, one of the UAE’s most photogenic desert regions.

Afternoon Adventures

The excitement begins with a 45-minute dune bashing session. Your experienced driver navigates towering sand mountains, creating an exhilarating ride across this natural roller coaster. Between adrenaline moments, you’ll stop at a traditional camel farm to learn about these remarkable desert animals and their importance to Emirati heritage.

As the afternoon light softens, ascend to the highest dune for sunset. Watch the desert ignite in shades of crimson, gold, and violet—a photographer’s dream unfolding before you.

Evening at the Bedouin Camp

Arrive at your traditional desert camp, where warm Emirati hospitality awaits. Begin with Arabic coffee (gahwa) and sweet dates—the customary welcome that hasn’t changed for generations.

Immerse yourself in authentic activities: skilled artists create intricate henna designs on your hands, you’ll hold majestic falcons for unforgettable photos, and you can dress in traditional kanduras or abayas for a cultural photoshoot. Try sandboarding down silken slopes or enjoy a camel ride as twilight descends.

Relax in the majlis area with flavored shisha while the camp prepares dinner. The evening feast features an extensive BBQ buffet—succulent grilled meats, aromatic Arabic rice, fresh mezze, and traditional desserts. As you dine beneath the stars, live entertainment begins: hypnotic belly dancing, the spinning spectacle of Tanoura performers, and dramatic fire shows illuminating the darkness.

Night Under the Stars

After the performances conclude, camp lights dim for what many guests treasure most: stargazing in unpolluted desert darkness. Far from city glow, thousands of stars emerge—the Milky Way stretches overhead in brilliant clarity rarely seen from urban areas.

Retire to comfortable Bedouin tents equipped with quality mattresses, fresh linens, and warm blankets to shield against the desert night’s coolness. The profound silence of the dunes creates the kind of peaceful sleep many describe as the most restful they’ve experienced.

Dawn Awakening

Natural light gently wakes you as sunrise transforms the dunes from shadow to glowing gold. This quiet hour offers a completely different perspective of the desert—morning stillness before the day’s heat arrives.

Gather for a hearty breakfast featuring fresh Arabic bread, eggs prepared to order, fruits, and hot beverages. Energized and refreshed, you’ll return to Abu Dhabi carrying memories of an experience few visitors have the chance to enjoy.