Indulge your senses with the beauty, traditions and flavors of Arabia during this thrilling off-road adventure through the desert and campsite dinner. Enjoy the magnificent landscape of golden sand dunes and experience the thrill of a life time on this 4x4 ride.

You’ll stop on one of the highest sand dunes to view the beautiful sunset, take some breath-taking photographs and enjoy a refreshing drink. Enjoy a buffet-style dinner while entertained by traditional dances. Be entranced with the lithe movements of a belly dancer and enjoy time at leisure. A henna artist will show you how, for special occasions, the people of this region have their feet and hands painted with the delicate colors of henna. Perhaps you’ll like to try the Bedouin way of transportation: riding a camel. This will surely be an experience to treasure.

Experience the thrill of a lifetime driving in 4X4 vehicles over towering soft sand-dunes, driven by experienced desert drivers. Travel into the desert and enjoy breathtaking climbs up the face of the dunes, followed by stomach-dropping descents into valleys, as you engage in what is referred to as dune bashing. As your skilled driver negotiates a course through the desert, you'll be treated to spectacular panoramic views of this magnificent vast landscape of golden sands.

After approximately one hour of excitement crisscrossing the desert terrain, you'll stop for a refreshing break at a Bedouin style campsite before the exiting return drive.

There is absolutely no finer or more exhilarating way to see the sights of Dubai than by helicopter. The excitement begins with your transfer to the helipad where your helicopter awaits to take you on an unforgettable trip that affords you the opportunity to experience the most popular, approximately 20-minute, flight over Dubai City. After a briefing at the heliport, you’ll fly high above the city, enjoying a bird's eye view of the abras and dhows on Dubai Creek, the wind-towered houses of the old town, the ships in Port Rashid, the dramatic high-rise office blocks and hotels of the modern city and the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world. You’ll also soar near the vicinity of the famous Burj Al Arab luxury hotel and the man-made Palm Juemirah, an island development which has been uniquely formed in the shape of a palm tree.

Touching down back at the helipad, you'll no doubt agree this will be one of the highlights of your cruise vacation.

Note: This tour is not recommended or those who suffer from motion sickness or have a fear of heights. Due to aircraft weight and balance limitations, the flight company charges an additional rate for passengers that weigh 250 lbs. or more. Approximate weight of each participant must be provided. Although tour has very limited capacity, a minimum number of participants are required to operate (5 guests by helicopter or maximum weight of 881lbs/400kg).

Discover Sharjah, Dubai’s neighboring emirate and considered by many to be the Pearl of the Gulf. It is recognized as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO. Drive from Port Rashid to the northern coast and Sharjah, the third largest of the seven emirates. It boasts some of the most remarkable architecture in the country and the largest mosque in the UAE, the King Faisal Mosque.

See the Quran Roundabout, the Ladies Club, the Sharjah Rulers Palace, Creek side and the grand Majarrah Souk with its intricate mosaics and golden dome. You’ll make a couple of stops for photos along the way. Enjoy a visit to Sharjah Fort, a coral and adobe fortification in the center of the city and a masterpiece of Arab architecture. You’ll also visit Sharjah Islamic Museum. Traditional costumes and jewelry, old doors, clay and copper pots, elaborate chests, and traditional games can be found on display here.

Sharjah is also famous for its souks, both traditional and new; a delight for bargain hunters. Accordingly, your tour of Sharjah ends with stops at the fish, fruit and vegetable market and its largest market, the Blue Souq or Central Market. Situated on the picturesque Khaled Lagoon, Souk Al Markazi is remarkable for its mix of modern and traditional Islamic architecture and the eclectic variety of goods found within its 600 shops. Follow your guide on an adventurous walk through this bustling bazaar.

OVERVIEW

Cruise Dubai Creek in a traditional wooden dhow and enjoy a unique water perspective of the city while dining on a sumptuous buffet. The dhow will be a modern, double-deck version of the vessel’s ancient design, which features triangular sails, two teak or coconut wood masts and hulls made of durable mahogany. Dhows are still used for trade throughout the Middle East. As you cruise down the natural saltwater creek, you will see other dhows, traditional boats of a different design known as abras and countless luxury yachts. That is the beauty of Dubai; it is thoroughly modern yet still retains its reverence for the past. The creek banks are lined with historical landmarks such as old-style souks and heritage attractions, yet the modern skyline always looms in the background as a reminder of city’s future. Similarly, the buffet dinner will offer a mix of authentic Emerati cuisine and international dishes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise a double-deck boat known as a dhow along Dubai Creek.
• See traditional buildings and attractions in the shadow of Dubai’s modern architecture.
• Dine on an array of dishes that represents Dubai’s duality of old and new.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gaze out over Dubai in the evening when the city is wonderfully radiant and watch a dazzling fountain show of water, music and lights from an ideal vantage point. A panoramic drive along the main artery Sheik Zayed Road will bring you to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which dwarfs even the collection of skyscrapers around it. After zipping up to the observation deck on the 124th floor – which is fittingly known as At The Top – you will be treated to an extraordinary 360° view of Dubai’s urban landscape. Few sights are quite so spectacular, especially at night when the city is beautifully illuminated. You will behold a spectacle of a different sort at Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping center by size. It overlooks Burj Kalifa Lake, home to the Dubai Fountain. The fountains shoot water nearly 500 feet high in colorful sprays whose every movement is choreographed to music.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Dubai’s illuminated urban landscape from an observation deck 124 floors high.
• Watch Dubai Fountain’s spectacle of dramatically illuminated dancing waters up close.
• Browse the shops of Dubai Mall, which overlooks the fountain.
• Drive down Dubai’s main road at night and behold the lighted skyscrapers that line it.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy the thrilling 360-degree view of Dubai’s Skyline from the observation deck of the tallest building in the world and free time at Dubai Mall, offering the world’s finest shopping experience, dining and entertainment. Drive along Sheikh Zayed Road, the most famous street in Dubai, to reach the Burj Al Khalifa building, credited as being the world’s tallest building at a dizzying height of just over 828 meters (2716 feet). At The Top, an observation deck on the 124th floor, offers you a fascinating 360-degree view of Dubai. The journey up begins in the lower ground level of The Dubai Mall and as you ascend, you are entertained by a multi-media presentation of the exotic history of Dubai and the marvel of Burj Khalifa.

Enjoy approximately 2 hours of leisure time at Dubai Mall, the region's leading shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination. Dubai Mall has revolutionized the shopping experience with its more than 1,200 stores amidst several world-class attractions that range from adventure sports to an aquarium and underwater zoo. Shop till you drop or simply browse. Visit the aquarium or try ice-skating. Have a simple snack or a sumptuous meal at one of its more than 200 food and beverage outlets. Whatever you decide to do on your free time, your Dubai Mall experience will be memorable.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Dubai with a focus on the ultra-modern icons that now define this visionary city. Along the way, you will pause for photos of landmarks that include the luxurious Burj Al Arab, a sail-shaped hotel that rises majestically high above the Arabian Gulf. Palm Jumeirah may be just as recognizable, especially when seen from The Pointe, a magnificent waterfront mall at the heart of this manmade island in the shape of a palm tree. You will also stop to snap photos of Dubai Marina, an exclusive neighborhood and massive boating facility built along a two-mile stretch of the gulf. The waterway is lined with what is often called “the tallest block,” a stretch of skyscrapers whose scale is stunning. More skyscrapers await you as you drive through downtown Dubai on famed Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Mall, where you will spend free time browsing the sprawling shopping center.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the iconic buildings that define the skyline of modern Dubai.
• Behold the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel and manmade island Palm Jumeirah.
• See skyscraper after skyscraper, a cityscape that reflects Dubai’s vision for the future.
• Independently browse the luxury shops in the sprawling Dubai Mall.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Introduce yourself to the historic sites and the vibrant cosmopolitan life of Dubai, often referred to as the Golden City. Explore modern Dubai, where the old fort and ancient houses stand in stark contrast to the uniquely designed high-rise steel and glass buildings. It’s difficult to believe that barely 30 years ago, this gleaming metropolis was a little more than a desert-strewn wilderness, where nomadic tribes roamed the sands and a cluster of settlers crowded around the banks of Dubai Creek.

A drive through the city gives you great photo opportunities. The dazzling hotel Burj Al Arab, designed to resemble a billowing sail and dominating the Dubai coastline, is one. The Jumeirah Mosque, an impressive example of Islamic architecture, is another photo opportunity. Head to the Al Bastakiya district, with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers, built to catch a breeze and naturally cool the houses during the summer heat. This maze of limestone and coral dwellings built by Iranian merchants, offers a glimpse of old Dubai. Get acquainted with the history of Dubai, its current development and deeply rooted heritage, when you visit the Dubai Museum. Located in the 200-year-old Fort Fahidi, the museum offers a collection of monuments, artifacts and audio visual media that exposes Dubai’s past and present.

Stop at Dubai’s waterfront, reflecting the city’s vibrant personality. Here, you’ll board an Abra (water taxi) for a short ride across The Creek, where you’ll find the Spice and Gold Souks. Both are perfect places for a glimpse at local activities. Take in the aromas of exotic spices, sharpen your bargaining skills and be enticed by the glittering displays of gold jewelry.

Experience an up-close look at many of the Dubai’s important landmarks and become acquainted with the local scene. The very best way to become acquainted with a destination and truly experience the local scene is to explore it on foot. It's a short transfer to Dubai Creek where you’ll have a brief photo stop before starting your walk to the Bastakia area. This part of Old Dubai is one of the most picturesque historical sites in the city and has been designated as a heritage area. Many of its vintage homes and wind towers have undergone renovations in the last few years and its narrow alleyways have been elected as pedestrian areas. Follow your guide past small galleries and colorful cafés before a short refreshment break.

Walk through the older past of the city towards Al Fahidi Fort and on to the old Textile souk, with a cornucopia of textiles in varying colors and textures. Continue your walk through the Creek’s edge to visit Sheikh Saeed House, a magnificent restored home which was the official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum who ruled Dubai from 1912-1958 . The home, which dates back to 1896, houses a rare collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that chronicle Dubai's history.

Make your way to the popular Heritage and Diving Villages. Located near the mouth of Dubai Creek, this outdoor museum recreates life as it was in days gone by, highlighting the emirate's maritime past, pearl diving traditions, mountain life, architecture and crafts.