Liwa Overnight Self Drive

This extraordinary two day self drive into the Empty Quarter is an experience you will treasure all your life. The sight of sand dunes towering up to hundreds of meters high as far as you can see is an image you will never forget. You will encounter no construction work, no pollution or traffic noise, only the desert as it has been for hundreds of years: the glowing sun, untouched sand dunes, herds of camels and the occasional Bedouin tent.

On the first morning, we will meet at a petrol station on our way to Abu Dhabi. After a short introduction we will head in a convoy to the car museum on the way to Hameem, where you will have the chance to see the world‘s largest car among the extraordinary collection of vehicles.

We will continue our drive to the point from where we will enter the Empty Quarter. After a safety briefing and some valuable driving tips from our experienced lead driver we will deflate the tires and head straight into the dunes.

During the first hour we are slowly getting used to the unusual terrain, practicing some basic driving manoeuvres. After stopping for a pick-nick lunch we will proceed to a more challenging area of this large sand dessert. On this first day you will have a chance to learn to handle all kind of dune patterns. Our lead driver will offer instructions and tips along the way, while our back up team is always close by in case you get stuck, need to get towed or have some technical problems with your car.

In the late afternoon we will arrive at our desert camp site which is located just about five kilometres from the border of Saudi Arabia. Here you can spend the last hours before sunset by relaxing on our camp ground, setting up your tent, wandering around the dunes or drive around for some more time.

After sunset we will all enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner.

After breakfast, we will head to some of the highest dunes of the desert and spend some hours driving up and down these mountains of sand. In the early afternoon we will reach Liwa, where we will stop for lunch before we make our way back to Dubai.

This drive is suitable for beginners as well as drivers who have some experience in driving in the desert but do not want to challenge the exceptionally high dunes of the Empty Quarter without an experienced backup team.

Explorer Tours will provide the following for this trip:

  • Experienced Leader for route planning and to lead the convoy
  • Introductory lessons on desert driving
  • Trained marshals for help and support
  • Lunch boxes, BBQ dinner and cooked breakfast
  • Lunch at Liwa Oasis on the second day
  • Soft drinks and water throughout the trip
  • Public Liability Insurance
Itinerary

Day 1:

8.00       Meet and Greet at Abu Dhabi road (Emarat petrol station-Jebel Ali)
8.30       Drive to Liwa
12.00     Short briefing and start the drive
13.00     Lunch boxes at Hameem
17.30     Finish the drive at the campsite
18.30     Camp set up and Camp fire
19.30     BBQ dinner

Day 2:

7.30      Break fast
8.30      Continue drive through the high sand dunes
13.30    Reach Liwa oasis  for lunch
15.00    Leave Liwa oasis and drive to Dubai
19.00    Reach Dubai


Kit list for participants
  1. Tent and sleeping bags for the overnight
  2. Portable air compressor
  3. Tyre pressure gauge
  4. Shovel
  5. Hat, sun glasses and sun cream
  6. Toilet roll, Napkins
  7. Sand shoes or trainer
  8. Change of cloths
  9. Mobile phone and car charger
  10. GPS (optional)


Check list for participants
  • Check engine oil, transmission oil, power steering oil  and break oil
  • Check all tyres and make sure they are in good condition
  • Make sure that there is no crack on the fan belt
  • Check radiator coolant and  make sure that there is no leak
  • Make sure that the spare wheel is in good condition
  • Jack and wheel spanner is in place

Price

Our rate for the above is 500/-Dhs (minimum 2 adults in car in a car), 500/-Dhs per head for additional passenger, 300/-Dhs per head for children.

Insurance

Explorer tours have public liability insurance for all our activities. Participants will be responsible for any insurance for their cars.

Breakdown and Recovery

Explorer Tours will provide assistance to tow the car to the nearest drivable road in case of breakdown.

Terms and Conditions

•    The client will be responsible for any additional insurance cover and Explorer Tours and its employees shall not be held responsible for any loss or injury caused during the tour/ package.
•    All rates are in AED (Dirham)
•    This quotation is valid for 30 days only.

Payment

Full payment in advance.
Payment is due no later than 14 days in advance. Payment can be made by cheque (payable to Explorer Tourism), cash or bank transfer:
Dubai Bank (WTC branch)
Account:Explorer TourismLLC
Account no: 0101031079210
Swift code: DBXEAEADXXX

Booking Procedure

Bookings and confirmation must be made in writing.

Cancellation Policy

No cancellation charges for 14 days notice before the event. 50% of the cost for less than 14 days notice up to 7 days before departure. Full charges for less than 7 days notice or no show.

Contact

Saif Poovanchery 050 6505360