Thrills and Trails: Dune Bashing and Quad Biking in Ras Al Khaimah

Got any weekend or holiday plans?

If you’ve got your heart set on a desert adventure, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect destination. Its captivating desert trails offer up a thrilling blend of undulating dunes and rough terrain. And the only exciting way to truly experience the sweeping desert landscape is through a 4×4 vehicle or on a quad bike.

Which should you pick: dune bashing or quad biking in Ras Al Khaimah?

We’re thinking, why not indulge in both?

We list some of the best destinations for some golden and gripping desert escapes.

1. The Ritz-Carlton

Let’s start with something posh, shall we? And nothing oozes luxury quite like the Ritz-Carlton.

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is set in a nature reserve covering 1,235 acres. This luxury resort features intimate villas with their own pools and seating areas for moments of self-reflection as you look out into the desert. The resort also offers world-class dining and innovative spa treatments.

Amid the wild beauty of the desert, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for unique experiences. One of them will have you bracing for adrenaline on an all-terrain vehicle, or a quad bike.

Take a 90-minute quad biking tour of the Al Wadi Desert and experience the sensation of driving over sand dunes. Go fast, as fast as you can and revel in the clean and pure peacefulness of the desert. It’s just you, the dunes, and the roar of an all-terrain vehicle — and your loved ones, of course, because thrilling activities in Ras Al Khaimah are always better when shared.

The quad biking tour in Ras Al Khaimah includes a barbecue buffet dinner and a rousing show of belly dancing and Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance. Arabic coffee, tea, and dates will also be served in an Arabian tent, completing your desert adventure in style.

The best part about this entire desert experience is you get to sleep in one of the best hotels in Ras Al Khaimah.

2. Al Wadi Desert

When you’re looking for something more rugged in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert covers enough land that you don’t have to be booked at a hotel. You’ll find a number of tour operators organizing desert safaris in Al Wadi. These safaris usually include a must-do activity in the region: dune bashing.

Dune bashing in Ras Al Khaimah is an adventure every visitor and resident experiences. It combines two of the UAE’s passions: off-roading and communing with the desert. It is not just a weekend favorite (perhaps a national pastime even), but an electrifying way to recharge your batteries for another week at work. Plus, it’s just pure fun.

With a tour, you can dune bash behind the wheel or as a passenger.

3. Woodlands of Ras Al Khaimah Desert

Probably not as popular but still equally adventurous is the Woodlands of Ras Al Khaimah desert. It sits behind Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, which means you don’t need to venture too far out to enjoy some off-road adventures in the UAE.

The Woodlands is an unusual landscape that has left many bewildered but enchanted at the same time. It’s a barren desert with a few trees, until it rains and the whole land becomes carpeted in green.

So apart from some off-roading fun, you can find a picnic spot in the Woodlands and savor a lovely meal outdoors.

Your Quick Guide to Dune Bashing and Quad Biking in Ras Al Khaimah

Adventures out in the desert are best experienced when you’re well prepared. Both dune bashing and quad biking call for safety. That means wearing the required gear (for quad bikes, helmet and gloves) and strapping in your 4×4 vehicle (for dune bashing).

If you’re using your own offroading vehicle, do the necessary checks before driving out to Ras Al Khaimah. Make sure the brakes and airbags are working. Check your tires for cuts or bulges, and make sure they have the right pressure.

You’ll also want to prepare for emergencies in the desert. If you get stuck, you’ll need a pressure gauge, deflation tool, and a small shovel to get unstuck.

If you’re booking a tour, choose reputable and experienced tour operators. This will ensure they’ve done the safety checks for their vehicles, from all-terrain vehicles to 4×4 trucks.

You should also wear a comfortable outfit with protective accessories. For example, go for light, casual clothes with a hat or a scarf and sunglasses. Daytime desert temperatures can be sweltering and the evenings can be chilly, so try layers.

One other thing to be mindful of when you’re dune bashing or quad biking in Ras Al Khaimah is the wildlife. Steer clear and stay calm.

Whether you’re looking for a rip-roaring morning on a quad bike or an evening of luxury underneath the Arabian stars in a 4×4 vehicle, Ras Al Khaimah is the best destination for offroad fun in the UAE.

Check out more adventures and places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah today.