
Journey to the Heart of the Emirates
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Journey to the Heart of the Emirates worth booking?
Journey to the Heart of the Emirates is a 7-hour experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from AED 2,995 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (21)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- AED 2,995 per person
On this unique 4x4 adventure you will get to see the diverse and lesser-known interior of the Emirates in a way that very few visitors to the country do. Your nature guide will lead the way (and communicate with the convoy using walkie talkies) while you head towards the East along lesser-known routes and adventurous offroad trails. Multiple visits and short walks along the way will give you a deeper insight into the geography, nature, and rural life of the Emirates, known to most for its large cities Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What you get
About this experience
On this unique 4x4 adventure you will get to see the diverse and lesser-known interior of the Emirates in a way that very few visitors to the country do. Your nature guide will lead the way (and communicate with the convoy using walkie talkies) while you head towards the East along lesser-known routes and adventurous offroad trails. Multiple visits and short walks along the way will give you a deeper insight into the geography, nature, and rural life of the Emirates, known to most for its large cities Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Use of walkie talkie
- Private specialized tour guide
- Tea and coffee
- Guiding in English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Arabic or Norwegian
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Dubai
The Journey will start in Dubai, where the outskirts gradually make way for desert towns. At the edge of the Emirate we visit a local mint and date farm.
Pass by without stopping
Nazwa
Visit a date andmint farm on the edge of the desert
20 minutes here
After admiring the national tree of the Emirates - the Ghaf tree - we venture into an ancient river bed where we see how climate change shaped the landscape, how plant life has adapted and how fossils can still be found in the ancient limestone rocks amidst the desert. Intimate camel encounters highly likely!
45 minutes here
Al Madam
The Journey continues to the East along across a vast alluvial plain dotted with acacia trees reminiscent of the African savannah. We learn how ancient rivers have transported volcanic rock from the Hajar to form still visible remnants of river banks. More camel encounters assured here, and if we are lucky we will spot some feral donkeys!
45 minutes here
Wind your way through the magnificent wadi Showkah and stop for picnic in a lush tropical farm. See the falaj irrigation system enjoy a moment of pure relaxation in nature. Those who want can make a 1-2 km walk through the wadi bed. See ancient ruins bearing witness to an age long gone. At the end of the wadi we head back to the highway and to Dubai
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Dubai
We will pick you up at any location within Dubai
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will pick you up at any location within Dubai
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- no, ar, en, fr, nl, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Unveil Arabia
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Journey to the Heart of the Emirates. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Journey to the Heart of the Emirates - One to recommend
We participated in the Journey to the Heart of the Emirates. It was a fantastic journey, great professionalism in the planning of the trip, day planning was very well balanced with options to stop during the trip whenever was best for us. We visited a mint farm and date plantation where we got some fresh mint for the after lunch tea break! Great! We got excellent explanation about all of the different landscapes, from the Hajar Mountains, the similar African Savannah landscape, wadi visit and a great picnic at a tropical fruit and date farm! Koen was a fantastic guide and we have enjoyed every single minute of our day-trip! Thanks for the great experience, one to recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Curated Private Tours
My husband and I booked Unveil Arabia for two days of private tours. The first was to Abu Dhabi and the other was their Heart of the emirates tour. We could not have been happier! From the zoom call we had in advance of our trip, to the communication after we had arrived in Dubai, this team of professionals were so great! They listened to our interests and planned tours which were customized to our desires. In particular, I wanted to interact with camels, but didn’t want to RIDE a camel (as I believe the ridden camels are often overworked and not treated well). Unveil Arabia arranged a wonderful visit to a camel farm where they were well-treated, friendly and healthy. This is just one example of the curated tour experience they will coordinate for you. Lastly, they helped arrange a dinner reservation for us to experience Dubai Fountain show, and we had the best seat in the house! You will not find a better, or more thorough tour company. Book Unveil Arabia, you will be glad you did!
via Tripadvisor
Discovering an another part of the Emirates
We took a full day journey to the Heart of the Emirates.Not self drive...but guided by Patrice. We spent a wonderful day,discovering desert ,mointains ans wahdi with all the explanations we needed,given by Patrice.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your feedback! We are happy you spent a great day exploring the UAE with us.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour deep in UAE
Excelent tour deep in UAE. Koenrad is enthusiastic & very knowledgeable. Total relaxation away from hectic DXB. Highly recommended
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended
A fantastic trip to the heart of the Emirates. A must when you’re staying in Dubai. Konrad is a very knowledgable and friendly guide and ready to answer all our questions. We enjoyed immensely visiting the desert, mountains and local farms and can highly recommend this adventure.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- AED 2,995 to AED 8,995
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Journey to the Heart of the Emirates: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dubai.
How much does Journey to the Heart of the Emirates cost?
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Prices start at AED 2,995 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dubai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Journey to the Heart of the Emirates take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dubai is not rushed.
Is Journey to the Heart of the Emirates worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dubai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Journey to the Heart of the Emirates suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dubai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dubai and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Journey to the Heart of the Emirates start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dubai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
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On Outty we rank every Dubai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp, Dubai: Red Dunes Safari, Quad, Camel, Dune Bash, BBQ & Shows, Dubai Evening Desert Safari Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; Use of walkie talkie; Private specialized tour guide; and Tea and coffee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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We will pick you up at any location within Dubai Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Journey to the Heart of the Emirates offered in?
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It is offered in Norwegian, Arabic, English, French, Dutch and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Journey to the Heart of the Emirates wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Journey to the Heart of the Emirates if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Journey to the Heart of the Emirates?
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Across 21 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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