Liwa 2 days camping tours from Abu Dhabi

Full Day Liwa Explorer with overnight camping- (LWA-IND-2)

Distance (one way):     220 km from Abu Dhabi (350 km from Dubai

Timings (From October To May)

10:00 – 12:00 next day  (24-26 hours) …..From Abu Dhabi (Millenium Central Mafraq Hotel)

Highlights:   Oasis towns, Date Farm, Date shop, Old Forts, Desert Landscape, Salt Lakes “Sabkha”, Camel farm, Sand rose and “Sand Avalanche”, Sunset, Dinner BBQ, B’fst, Sunrise

The Ultimate camping experience in Arabia! Liwa has very little light pollution and the sky is 90% clear all year. During the winter months (November to March) the average day temperature is max. 30 degrees Celsius and the average at night is 18-20 degrees Celsius. For those who have never camped in a desert, we promise them a comfortable and unique experience, we provide clean sheets, sleeping bags, soft mattresses, pillows and basic washing facilities.

We start our journey from the Millenium Central Mafraq hotel in Abu Dhabi following the main highway (E11) towards the borders of Saudi Arabia. A quick stop at Tarif Petrol station (some 100 km to the west)  after which we drive another 140 km passing some magnificent desert landscape where you will see the change in sand colors (from white to dark orange). The drive will take us to Madinat Zayed (The capital city of Al Gharbia Region) famous for it’s oil refineries and Solar power plant. Will visit a small local market selling all sorts of goods catered to the local population. Our guide will escort you for lunch in one of the best local restaurant serving ” Mandi ” specialty).  After lunch we continue our drive through local villages and witness the date palm plantations before reaching the main center “Mezaira’a”,  where you will have the chance to stroll around the scattered little shops selling a myriad of goods.  A visit to the date shop is a must, where you will have the opportuniy to savor many kinds of local dates and see the various products originating from this wonderfull fruit. Another interesting sight will be the old Liwa Fort settled at the foot of a “Green Dune” and surrounded by Date Palm Plantations.

The Desert Advneture will now begin, Tires will be defalted and seat belts buckled up, the ride over the dunes is a lifetime experience and your guide will navigate his path like a “sidewinder”.  On your way you will be able to visit a  Camel Farm where our guide can explain all about this marvellous beats!  Meanwhile you can witness the bygone life  of the Bedus and marvel at their beloved beasts  how they survived this harsh environment with such scarce food and water.

Our adventure will take off from here into the vast sea of sand and we will climb the steepest of sand dunes and roll down in a ‘roller coaster’ style, the adrenaline level will gradually increase and the drive will get more and more exciting , especially when you start hearing the sound of “Sand Avalanche“, a very unique experience which can only be experienced in the sand dunes of Liwa area. We will pass numerous desert reserves and if lucky, we might spot some of the rare and indigenous species of Arabia; the Arabian gazelle, which used to roam the desert in the past and were threatened to the extinction. Thanks to the effort of HH. Sheikh Zayed, who, succeeded in re-introducing and protecting them.

Just before heading back to the main road, we will have another stop to show you the “Sand Roses“, which are basically a form of crystallized gypsum forming under the salt flats called “Sabkhas” and have different shapes which looks much like a rose flower with open petals.

CAMPING EXPERIENCE

We will arrive at our secluded camping place some 60 minutes before sunset. Take off your shoes and climb to the top of the sand dune to see the spectacular Sunset and watch how it disappears in the horizon. Meanwhile, your guide will cook you a sumptuous dinner BBQ and serve you a local tea with mint and local dates. Sit back and relax while gazing at the breathtaking Night Sky. Take a virtual journey into the Milky Way and get prepared for your first lesson in astronomy! If this is not enough then prepare your wish for the next shooting star! Your tent will be ready with comfortable mattresses and soft pillows helping you to a dep sleep. Wake up early and watch the sun rising in the endless horizon, while your guide will serve you a light Breakfast. Once we pack all our belongings, (make sure to check before leaving) we will be driving back to Liwa town, and just before we  hit the tarmac , we will have one last stop to show you the unique “Sand Roses“, which are basically a form of crystallized gypsum forming under the salt flats called “Sabkhas” and have different shapes which looks much like a rose flower with open petals. Thus, we come to the end of our tour, hoping you had enjoyed this “fairy tale”!

Above excursion includes the following:

• Above rates include all service charges
• Pickup locations  from Abu Dhabi (Millenium Central Mafraq Hotel  +971-2-659 6666
• Other pickup locations can be requested at an additional fee of (90 Dhs / 25 USD) per passengers (for two ways)
• Lunch will be served at a local Arabic Restaurant (set local dish + water/soft drink)
• Dinner will include 3 types of meat, 3 types of salads, rice, bread, tea & dates
• Breakfast includes (Bread & Butter, Jam, Yogurt, Juice, Milk, Tea/Coffee, Fresh Fruits, Arabic Pastry, Honey, Cheese, Eggs)
• We carry a maximum of 6 adults per 4×4
• All tours are conducted with multi-lingual professional guides
• Rates are valid from September 1st to May 30
• Transfers are carried out by our fleet of middle class vehicles, 4×4 and mini buses, depending on the total number of participants

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