Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
02 July 2024 | 13 min read
The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is one of the luxurious resorts in Abu Dhabi .This is located 200 kilometers away from Abu Dhabi city. This hotel is a go-to for tourists because of its outdoor palm swimming pool, the restaurants located within Qasr al Sarab.This resort is ideal if you are planning an adventure in the Empty Quarter. Arabiers also offers private Liwa desert safari tours making it easier to explore the stunning landscapes. It is easy to transfer to Qasr Al Sarab from here easily. In this guide, you will learn everything that concerns a comfortable transfer to the resort of Qasr Al Sarab.
What is Qasr Al Sarab & Why Do You Need To Go?Only a select few establishments stand out for their breathtaking views and excellent services while also showcasing exquisite heritage and Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort is one of them. Due to the immense golden sand dunes, the Qasr Al Sarab is one of the best Instagrammed hotels in the world.
This hotel receives more attention because of its location in the largest sand desert in the world. According to most Qasr al Sarab reviews, the service, the view and the decoration have made this place a highly popular destination within the Emirate.
The stunning Qasr al Sarab by Anantara Resort sits within the Rub’ al Khali, also referred to as the Empty Quarter Desert – the most expansive sand desert in the whole world. Given its situatedness and services, it is considered one of the most remarkable establishments in the UAE and has even been labeled as the most Instagrammable hotel in the world.
The activities Qasr Al Sarab offers include walks in the undulating dunes at sunrise, international or traditional Emirati cuisine al-fresco, and indulgence in a desert rose infused luxury hammam treatment.
The resort organizes shows of traditional Saluki hunting with falcons and dances performed by trained Arabian Salukis as a celebration of a millennium-old tradition of the Emiratis. Falcons for the UAE represent beauty and majesty in a different form due to their powerful physiques and unusual characteristics.
They also played a very important role in the Bedouin culture, whereby one was used to hunt them for food.
In getting to Qasr Al Sarab, you have plenty of options including the Al Ghazal taxi services, a private limousine company or a tour operator. As for taxis, the price range is from 350 – 450 AED while a private taxi can cost anywhere from 500 – 800 AED.
Return transfers to Abu Dhabi can be problematic which means you may need to consult with the hotel concierge or book the transfer in advance. To speak to the Arabseries team, simply make arrangements with them because they can easily bring 7 seater cars such as Honda Odyssey, Toyota Highlander or even the Toyota Previa for an extra 490 AED. Ensure to analyze all options before settling for one.
The trekking that is designed to start from Abu Dhabi takes you to the western portion of the city .You can find the mesmerizing Rub’ al Khali or the Empty Quarter here. You can also drive around under the star gazing sky. The tranquility and serene vibe is guaranteed here.
There are a lot of things to see and Liwa desert safari tours to enjoy. Arabiers carefully craft desert safari tours that will enable you to soak in the beauty of the Empty Quarter.Arabiers can help you arrange transfers from the hotel to other locations.
Liwa Desert Trekking is one of the best activities a tourist can do. The trekking starts from Abu Dhabi and takes you to the city's western part. Here you will find the mesmerizing Rub' al Khali. It is also known as the Empty Quarter in Liwa. You can see the serenity and quietness here, along with the largest continuous sand mass in the world. You can also go star-gazing and drive around in the desert.
Empty Quarter is one of the best places for you to camp at . One of the most common things to do in Liwa includes spending a night camping in this area of deserted dunes. Your experience at the Empty Quarter will give you a reason to come here again. Go on a desert excursion where you'll get to visit the tallest dunes anywhere in the world. You will also get to see some local Liwa camels, do some natural desert drive in a 4×4 with roller protection, and have overnight camping open in the desert environment. This will introduce you into the life of the desert for you to witness breathtaking desert sunsets and sunrises on the horizon.
Take a moment to imagine yourself at the top of a sand dune, miles away from the cacophony of life. There’s warm sand supporting your back, while the setting sun casts an orange hue over the world. You can book the Liwa sunset champagne tour if this is your idea of fun. This will give you an evening of fun at the biggest Sandhill in the Empty Quarter. This tour package also includes a camel fart visit and the Liwa Fort visit. There is also the option of adding lunch or Qasr Al Sarab dinner to this trip . It is an exquisite resort located in the middle of Liwa desert.
Here you can challenge the highest sand dunes in the world. There’s an enormous sense of satisfaction that comes along with an adrenaline high. This is something that lies on the other end of working with Arabiers Liwa safari guides. You can also discover other aspects of the Liwa region .Make sure you still get to see the majestic desert sunset and indulge in lunch or dinner at Qasr Al Sarab for a complete experience.
The desert safaris in Liwa starts by going to the UAE National Car Museum before proceeding to Liwa. The museum exhibits a unique collection of all-terrain vehicles, antique vehicles from the US, and a vast array of Mercedes Benz automobiles. You can also view the biggest truck in the world. Even the world's largest truck can be seen here. This place came into popularity with one episode of Top Gear. The fans of this program know the location very well.
Liwa has many more activities available for all. These will make your trip more interesting. Here are some activities you should try for a comprehensive experience in qasr al sarab desert.
Liwa Oasis is situated at the northern edge of the Empty Quarter. It is a vast desert that spans 650,000 square kilometers in the Middle East. It has barely been touched by humans . This has beautiful sand dunes. The Bani Yas tribe once settled here. Liwa is now famous for being among the biggest palm tree oases in the Middle East, thanks to its underground freshwater resources. Liwa has been renowned for its dates and their cultivation. This is a complete industry sector in the UAE. The contrasting view of the palm trees against the endless Empty Quarter dunes is a spectacular view. It is best for BBQs , picnics and even lunch gatherings.
The highest sand dune in the UAE is Tel Moreeb. It is one of the major dune hills in the world. Its Arabic name translates into "scary mountain" in English. This is rather expected of a mountain believed to have a very difficult climb. Its peak requires much effort. The reward is a very stunning view of the continuous panorama of desert landscape that is absolutely breathtaking. If you are an adventure enthusiast, then this is definitely a place to be seen.
When one imaginatively thinks of deserts, camels always come to mind. But in Liwa Oasis, there is a different subtype of camel known as the Liwa camel. While driving to Moreeb Dune on the Liwa desert, you can probably see one of the many Bedouin managed camel farms and observe these camels for free. Unlike the camels from Abu Dhabi, Liwa camels are Saudi originated, have black multicolored fur and are more sophisticated in nature. If luck is on your side, you may see herds of black camels crossing the red sand of Liwa desert. If you get a chance to speak to anyone working here, you will get more insights about this.
Liwa Oasis was enclosed with several forts to protect it against invading tribes. One of most famous ones is Dhafeer Fort and this one looks like a sand castle which is very unique. Even though the place has little historical importance, its strongest attraction is the terrace view. The stairs lead to the sand dunes which gives an endless surrounding view.
The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is one of the most sought after five-star hotels offering luxurious desert stays in the United Arab Emirates. It has won several awards for outstanding service and facilities.
Due to this reason, it is better to plan to get a good deal, and it is even better to check with us so that we can secure you a better Qasr al sarab desert resort price. To answer the question "When to book Qasr Al Sarab?" We must first consider the qasr al sarab weather, which is the same as the Liwa weather.
Liwa is a city experiencing only two seasons: summer and winter with rare rain occurring for 23 days throughout the year. During the summer, it experiences predominant hot temperatures ranging to 41 C / 106 F. Even during winter, it has a daytime temperature as high as 31 C / 88 F. In UAE, the peak summer season starts from June to September and the winter season is from November to May. For people who are planning to visit Liwa for holidaying and sightseeing, it is recommended to plan the trip during the winter season, as the temperatures are relatively pleasant.
As the desert sand is very dry, moisture takes longer to heat up than in air . This explains how deserts warm quicker in the morning and cool down faster in the late afternoon. Because of this the desert safaris in Liwa are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening during summer. The air in the desert is extremely dry due to the lack of water vapor. The desert sand doesn’t hold heat that well. This makes the temperatures as high as 7 degrees Celsius lower at night compared to the coast.
It would be very expensive to make a Qasr Al Sarab booking or a reservation for transfers during the Liwa festival period. Following are some major and popular events that are held every year in Liwa. If you want to join any of the Liwa festivals then book in advance.
This sports festival is one of the most unique spectacles in the UAE attracting countless athletes and spectators across the globe. The festival takes place every year along camel racing tracks in Liwa in the first week of January and lasts for nine days. It has the main intention of propagating modern sports and traditions of the emirates.
Different events include horse riding and endurance racing, as well as Al-Yola and Al-Azi which are more traditional Emirati competitions. Moreover, plays and musical performances will further enrich the festival along with the popular souk that sells original and hypotonic traditional food items.
The most adventurous parts of the Festival are explored with the biking and car mountain races. Theserest on top of Moreeb Dune. It is 300 meters tall and has an astonishing 50-degree incline.
This festival revolves around the merriments of the area's most respected and cherished asset. It allows the participants to savor the predominant local tastes . It also allows one to appreciate the importance of the dates in the life of the Emiratis. It is certainly a wonderful way to experience the feel of the place.
Events at the festival will include traditional dances, poetry, and even music, along with hawking, camel racing, and other associated sports. That is how the famous Ratab fruit and the date palm trees are woven into the Emiratis' past. Liwa's date festival is one of the most significant days of the year for companies and individuals .
Speciality for ones that are focused on the business of the Emirati date palm. Make this your opportunity to mark 2025 as one of the years in which you go on a Liwa Tour through Arabiers.
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