The Best Unique Experiences In Dubai

There are so many different things to try in Dubai that the choice can sometimes feel overwhelming. Culture Trip’s curated list of unique tours and experiences will take you to the very heart of the desert city.

Dubai is a city of extremes. One minute you could be parasailing along the sunny beachfront of Jumeirah, the next you could be face-to-face with penguins in sub-zero temperatures. One thing’s for sure, you won’t get bored here.

2. Ski Dubai Penguin Experience

Admission

Meet the penguins at Ski Dubai during this 40-minute penguin experience. At the state-of-the-art indoor centre in Dubai, change into the provided thermal wear, enter the sub-zero penguin zone, and watch a video about the Gentoo and King penguins that live here. Then, meet two or more of the wonderful birds under supervision from the trained staff. Watch the penguins playing around their pool, and diving into the water at the underwater viewing area.

4. Dubai Desert Dinner with Traditional Show

Tours

Are you looking to try a desert adventure without a dune bashing session? In a small group, you will be driven across the red sand dunes to our campsite where you will try the traditional shisha (a common term for hookah), enjoy a camel ride, and receive a henna tattoo. While at the campsite, you will be able to watch the sunset as it descends over the dunes. Enjoy a sumptuous barbecue with an international buffet and a wonderful traditional Tanoura and a belly dancing show.

6. Dubai Sunrise Camel Trek with Breakfast

Activities

Ride through the dunes of the Dubai desert on camelback and roam around the sands enjoying the sunrise views over the golden landscape. Then, enjoy an ancient Arabic-style light breakfast in a Bedouin camp.

7. Heritage Morning Falconry and Wildlife Desert Safari

Activities

As an integral part of desert life in Arabia, falconry goes back more than 2,000 years ago and is still extremely important to the heritage of Dubai. This is a unique opportunity to observe the world’s best-trained falcons and other birds of prey in an authentic setting in a Royal desert retreat. During this interactive experience, our professional falconers will guide you through both ancient and modern training techniques.After this spectacular experience, enjoy a delicious breakfast in our authentic desert camps before embarking on an adventurous wildlife drive in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the UAE’s first and largest national park. You will get to spot and learn about some of the iconic desert dwellers such as the Arabian oryx from the comfort of a luxury Range Rover or vintage Land Rover, depending on which tour option you choose.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.