UAE Holidays – Tours & Adventure Guide
PureTravel Says
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states situated in Southwest Asia, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. UAE with its mix of mountainous terrain (some raising to 2,500 meters), sandy dunes and shoreline of more than 750km is a heaven for adventure seekers. With thrills like Desert Safari, Scuba Diving, Ballooning, Sand skiing and Mountain Trekking UAE can make visitors adrenaline go high with every moment of pure fun.”
Holiday Highlights
The UAE is made up of 7 Emirates in total; Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Each of the emirates offers something a little different to travellers, from bright and bold Dubai, the sprawling capital of Abu Dhabi and laidback Umm al-Quwain. Expect Arabian mystique, natural beauty and luxury hospitality and you will not be disappointed!
Desert Safari - Dubai with its large proportion of sandy deserts supports as a great spot for desert safari. Driving through the sand dunes in a 4 x 4 and the thrill of going up and down a dune provokes many a scream and laughter out of enjoyment. The sun setting among the dunes is a wonderful sight to watch.
Scuba Diving and Deep Sea Fishing - For Divers, the coastline of UAE offers a colorful world of marine life and coral reef waiting to be explored. Khorfakkan is the most scenic spot in the country and it features coral outcrops suitable for scuba diving and snorkeling. It is also called as “The creek of Two Jaws” as it gives the breathtaking glimpses of the underwater marine life.
The shallow and warm waters of the Persian Gulf provide plenty of plankton for vast shoals of baitfish that are followed by sailfish which could be caught just 30 – 40 miles from the shore. Apart from sailfish there is a great chance for other fishes namely Barracuda, Queen fish, Long Tail Tuna, Giant Trevally, Spanish mackerel and Kingfish.
Sand Skiing - At UAE, visitors could enter the game of skiing with new styles. The new sport that is taking everyone by storm is Sand Skiing. The sand Dunes in Dubai act as the perfect spot for this. It is an unusual sport entertainment for the people who love to speed. Special skis are used while high dunes in the interior of the Dubai desert are chosen as slopes.
Ballooning - Hot Air ballooning over the desert when sun slowly rises over the beautiful sandy slopes is a great adventure. You will be soaring in to the immense blue desert sky and looking at the magnificent views of the Hajj Mountains to the east and the skyline of the 21st century Dubai in the west. The Landing of the Hot Air Balloon will be dependent on the wind strength making it a unique experience.
Mountain Trekking - Hajar mountain range with its rough terrain is a great place to trek. With its highest slope in the north and sloping directly in to the sea, stand the Hajar Mountains. This region is popularly called Ru’us Al-Jibal. The southern part of the range has been formed from sedimentary and igneous rocks, attracting also students of geology. The view of sand dunes flourishing a rust color terrain and the quiet desert landscape with its continually changing views is also a major attraction for the trekkers. All visitors in UAE acknowledge it as one of the world’s most awesome viewpoints.
When To Go
The climate of the UAE is hot and dry generally with July and August being the hottest months. In the Hajar Mountains the temperatures are considerably cooler due to its increased altitude, with January and February being the coldest months. During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind named ‘sharqi’ makes the coastal region unpleasant. So it is better to avoid the coastal region during that time. The region is prone to occasional, violent dust storms, which could reduce visibility to a greater extent.
Top Tips
- Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year. In the winter months it will be advisable to take a jumper or a light jacket.
- Take good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun and the sandstorms.
- Take a hat and lots of sunscreen with you.
- Be sensitive to the local traditions of the people, mainly during the month of Ramadan.
- Wherever you go, be sure you take a bottle of water with you.
Classic Itineraries
- Scuba Diving and Deep Sea Fishing in the vast shoreline.
- Desert Safari (or) Dune Bashing in the sandy deserts.
- Trekking in the Hajar Mountain ranges.
- Sand skiing in the dunes.
- Hot air ballooning over the deserts.
Festivals, Events and Anniversaries in 2014
This year the Sharjah Emirate hosts the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014 - The quieter and laidback alternative to Dubai, Sharjah is brimming with traditional Islamic culture, from traditional arts and crafts to striking architecture.
