Journey to the Soul of Ras Al Khaimah – Private

The Realm of the Qawasim

During this unique and diverse off-the-beaten-track 4x4 tour, your nature guide will help you discover the lesser-known and authentic corners of Ras Al Khaimah. Discover the mysterious Ghaf Forest on the edge of the desert, enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes peak of the Al Sawan camel racecourse, enjoy picnic and relaxation in a lush date plantation and follow a spectacular 4x4 mountain track to observe the 'Impressive geology of the Ruus' Al Jibal Mountains. This tour can be combined with a visit to the pearl farm in Al Rams. The tour is open to all ages and takes 7-8 hours. Pick up from your hotel in Ras al Khaimah or Dubai. Languages available: English, French, Spanish, Dutch Highlights: > Drive along a beautiful desert track along the last dunes of the Northern Rub Al Khali desert. >Make several photo stops in the dunes and learn about the desert vegetation > Explore the mysterious Ghaf tree forest and learn about the national tree of the Emirates > Get exclusive access to one of the royal racing camel stables > Drive around the Al Sawan camel racetrack! If lucky you will see a training session >Learn about camel racing logistics and try holding onto a robot jockey Get exclusive access to a lush Emirati date plantation > Settle down in this little paradise for a date tasting session and relaxation. > Visit the date factory shop for the best prices and quality dates > Begin the steep climb on an adventurous mountain track > Learn about the unique geology of the Ru’us Al Jibal mountain range > Visit an isolated mountain village where locals used to live > Have a break amidst ancient ruins reminiscing of a time long gone > Take the spectacular track back down and see Ras Al Khaimah from above

4x4 Off Road Adventure

We will take you into lesser known parts of Ras Al Khaimah through beautiful desert and off road tracks.

The more, the merrier!

Have some friends or other families who would like to join? Up to 4 vehicles can join our overland caravan!

Professional Guides

Our multilingual guides are well experienced and know the land by heart. They have been living in the Emirates for a long time, know the local partners and are fully licenced.

Worthwile picture time

Our Journey will bring you to amazing sightseeing locations and wildlife encounters. Be sure to bring your camera to take those memorable pictures!

#1 - Pick up from hotel

You Unveil Arabia expert tour guide will meet you at your hotel.

#2 - The Ghaf Forest

Along the Northern reaches of the Rub Al Khali desert we arrive in the largest tree forest of the UAE where we learn about how water and Ghaf trees have created the most fertile valley in the country

#3 - The Camels

We pass by camel farms and learn how these magnificent ships of the desert have adapted, on our way to the Camel race track

#4 - The Camel Racetrack

At the camel race track, we see how this activity is still one of the most important pass-times of the locals, and learn all about the logistics behind this prestigious sport.

#5 - The Date Farm

From the Camel track and the Ghaf forest, we go to one of the UAE’s lushest and greenest local farms. While date farming has been an ancient tradition here, modern irrigation methods and vegetable farming transformed this area since the 1950s.

#6 - The Mountains

We head further inland towards the mighty limestone Ruus Al Jibal Mountains and drive up an adventurous and spectacular mountain track. The impressive geology reveals how continents are colliding.

#7 - The View

From our picnic spot perched high on the mountain slopes, we take in the geography of Ras Al Khaimah. On clear days we can see all the elements that connect our Journey: the desert, the Ghaf forest and farms, the plains and canyons, the city of Ras Al Khaimah and in the distance the Arabian gulf.

#8 - The Sea

After a descent even more spectacular than the ascent, we enjoy a bit of smooth asphalt while the guide gives you more insight in the history of the Emirate. Shortly we arrive in the cosy but bustling fishing town of Al Rams and see the last element that defines life in Ras Al Khaimah: the sea.

#9 - The Pearls

We embark on a traditional Jalboot, used for centuries by pearl divers while our Emirati skipper sails us past the mangrove lagoons with its flamingos and many wading birds. We reach the Al Suwaidi Pearl farm and discover how harsh but poetically beautiful the life of the old pearl divers must have been.

#10 - The Sunset

We end our Journey to the Soul of Ras Al Khaimah back on shore. Optional: Watch the sun go down over the Arabian Gulf while enjoying well deserved drinks or dinner.

Adults

with different groups

495 AED/person

Drive your own vehicle
Full day tour
Water included
Historic Locations
Option : Pearl Farm (300 AED)

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Children

(-12 years old)

395 AED/person

Children activities
Half day tour
Water included
Historic Locations
Option : Pearl Farm (200 AED)

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Private Tour

you are our only client

3000 AED/car

Drive your own vehicle
Full day tour
Water included
Historic Locations
Option : Pearl Farm (300/200 AED)

BOOK THIS TOUR

Brilliant day! Joined the trip based on recommendations from other friends who had attended this earlier. Salua @ Unveil Arabia has a passion for what she does and hence goes the extra mile to not only take you through the journey but along the way get you in touch with the authentic Arabia - be it the landscape, flora and fauna or traditional culture and people. All you do the whole day is make memories from the journey! Very well done Salua!!

Zeeshan A

April 2021

Excellent and beautiful hiking in Fujairah We took part in an organized (intermediate) hiking trip in Fujairah. Unveil Arabia was just excellent with professional and prepared guides. A unique experience overal. Well done Salua, Koen and Kim.

Jan_Ottenbourg

March 2021

Our family loved going off the beaten path on this tour of the UAE! Salua and Konrad have created a totally different experience of this region, and it's a fantastic opportunity to learn about the geology and culture of the various Emirates. They are very knowledgeable and take you to places you wouldn't typically go. They also paid attention to all the details to keep us feeling safe and comfortable (even within a larger group of a few families/couples) both in terms of Covid precautions and making sure we had good food and rest stops. I'm looking forward to more Unveil Arabia experiences so we can learn and enjoy more!

Ambika A

March 2021

Fun team building activity with work colleagues. The tour guide was very professional and helped us every step of the way. It was difficult but rewarding. Would definitely recommend!!

Gina H

March 2021

Fun with family and friends. We did an amazing tour with friends during a full day and never had one dull moment. Visiting places we never imagined they would exist in the UAE. And all this under the excellent, professional and witty guidance of Salua. Don’t miss this!

Olivier Six

March 2021

Amazing tour with professional guides Living for 14 years in the Emirates, I was pretty excited to learn a lot of things about the geology, the landscapes and the nature. We drove through 5 Emirates in one day, with frequent stops, a little hike, had lunch at an amazing picnic spot, we passed mountain and desert, drove through a wadi, all in one day. Nice guides, giving the tour a personal touch. Even children, young and old, are kept busy during the drive with quizzes and little projects. Highly recommended ! You will not regret.

Els Van Acoleyen

December 2020

Great Tour. We went in the hot summer together with our teenage kids. Salua and her lovely husband just started with this tour and due to corona it was a very safe and great opportunity to join in our own car. Salua and Tim are a lovely couple that love to share their knowledge and love for the uae. Its a great tour to get to know the uae and even for expats you will be surprised that uae has so much different nature and culture to offer.

Shirley V

March 2021

Super concept for a day trip. They’ll take you on a tour through the UAE, everybody safely in his own car, hence in his own bubble. With walkies, they explain and tell stories about all the things you encounter. I live here for a couple of years already and they managed to teach me a few things and bring me to a few places I didn’t know. We did the trip with our kids and they prepared a quiz to keep them motivated. Salua was a super host. The trip is worthwhile. You can combine it with a stay over on the east coast.

Frank S

October 2020

Traveled as a couple. Worth to ride. It was a lovely time to see cultural, natural and unique side of the emirates. Thanks to Salua who is really dedicated to her work, enjoyable, full of love and fun. Definetly recommended. Read less

Osman

Feburary 2021

Excellent. Review of: Full-Day Guided Self-Drive Journey to the Heart of the Emirates Friendly and knowledgeable organizers, with respect to environment and guest. An enjoyable experience!

Panayiotis

November 2020

Traveled with friends. Genuine Bespoke and Exciting. I am an expat in the UAE and have been living here for 2.5 years but have NEVER experienced this country like this before. It was absolutely breathtaking! Also, the tour guides were so knowledgeable about the land and the culture and it was easy to tell that they had not only “done their homework” but TRULY enjoyed the experience with us. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone looking for a bespoke, genuine, thrilling, and enriching experience in the UAE.

Delma Iris

February 2021

Hidden Gems: a discovery tour. We booked this tour in January 2021 for our family that visited the UAE and we also joined the tour, despite having lived here for more than 10 years. Unveil Arabia and the team (I believe Salwa and Tim were the names of our guides) are extremely knowledgeable and professional. We visited places that we would otherwise have never seen. If you enjoy amazing landscapes and want to visit places that you would normally never have the chance to see, I highly recommend this self drive tour throughout the Emirates. Our family found this tour to be the highlight of their 7 day stay in Dubai. Thanks Salwa and Tim!

Rita Y

February 2021

+1 Traveled with family. Seeing the Emirates differently, even after living 15 years in Dubai. Thanks ! Excellent tour to get out of Dubai and discover the various landscapes of the UAE ! Driving my own car was a big plus for me ! Lots of creativity to keep the kids busy ! I highly recommend for people that want to get out of the city but don't know where to start !

Patrice de WERGIFOSSE

November 2020

from 495 AED /adult

Half Day - Public Tour

The Ras Al Khaimah Camel Race Track and Date Farm Experience

The realm of the Qawasim!

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Full Day

Journey to the Heart of the Emirates

Off the beaten track across the Emirates!

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Full Day