The adventurous side to Dubai

Enjoy the thrills and dunes of Dubai with a desert safari. 4x4 tours are the most common form of transport, and with various packages including belly dancing, henna painting, camel rides and even a fire show as extras, it’s easy to see why.
 
Dune bashing will see things get underway with a bang, driving at increasing and decreasing speeds to really wake you up before a scenic tour begins. Knowledgeable guides are also on hand throughout your tour giving you historical and factual information about the area you’re surrounded by. Want to turn the adrenaline up a notch? Then give quad biking or sand skiing a try. We guarantee your heart will be pounding as you jet up and down the dunes in style.
 
Some tours also come with the chance to have a buffet dinner and barbecue, with vegetarian food also available upon request. Add even more luxury to proceedings with a bottle of bubbly at a surcharge, with unlimited soft drinks, teas and Arabic coffee too. This choice is well-suited to larger groups with each 4x4 able to take a party of six with ease.
 

A more relaxed affair can be found in the form of deep sea fishing. Intense excitement is still to be had when you feel a bite, and there’s nothing like the feeling of reeling in a humdinger of a fish. While you can do this excursion throughout the world, we bet it won’t be as luxurious as in Dubai. Forget small fishing boats and stale sandwiches. Departing from Dubai Marina, you’ll be aboard a yacht and if you get peckish, there’s a barbecue onboard. Some charters even let you cook your catch, with two crew members and all equipment included.
 
Within the waters of the Arabian Gulf you’re able to catch king fish, barracuda, groupers, snappers and much more. The marine life is as diverse as Dubai itself, and boy does this experience prove it! Most tours last for up to four hours, with an extra hour available upon request at an additional cost. This choice is also fantastic for those here on business wanting to unwind to the lullaby of the gentle waves.
 

Located in the Hajar Mountains, the exclave of Hatta is one of Dubai’s best kept secrets. Forget the desert and bright lights of the city, your holiday just got scenic. Get your walking boots, lightweight clothing and sunscreen, fasten your seatbelt in your 4x4 and let’s start adventuring.
 
The day trip will start with a spectacular drive through the Hajar Mountains before pitstopping at Hatta Dam. The colours are rich, the air is clean, and the memories are unforgettable. You’ll then change four wheels for two legs as you embark on a tranquil walk through the lush vegetation to Hatta Hill Park. An optional picnic greets you, and what better way to boost your energy levels then with a little relaxation under the palm trees?
 
Hatta Heritage Village is a great way to finish off the tour, with a street market as well as a carpet and pottery shop to wander through. Various tours have optional extras, with quad biking, camel rides and the chance to dine at a four-star restaurant in one of the hotels, too.
 

You wouldn’t think that the Middle Eastern heat would lend itself to snowsports, but the indoor venue of Ski Dubai is one of the most popular attractions in the emirate. Found in one of the largest malls in the world, Mall of the Emirates, here you can race down the slopes in between dashing around the shops.
 
The 22,500-square metre venue has plenty of things to do. The piece de resistance is the 85-metre mountain that has five varying slopes in terms of steepness and difficulty. Lessons are available for beginners and those wanting to perfect their skills, with the site also being home to the world’s first indoor black diamond run measuring at 400-metres in length.
 
Since opening in 2005, Ski Dubai has seen many happy locals and tourists alike, and if you fancy including the whole family, the Sky Park play area is ideal. Here there are sledding and toboggan runs, an ice body slide, climbing towers, giant snowball zorbs and an ice cave to explore. What’s more, there’s also a penguin enclosure found here with encounters able to be booked in advance.
 
However, for the best views we recommend the snow bullet zip line which takes you 16-metres above the ground. Dart from one end to the other waving at your family and friends below, as you take in the arctic conditions that you never would have thought possible in Dubai.