Emirates National Auto Museum
An optional stop at the Rainbow Sheikh's private car collection. Entry is not included.
A full day crossing into the Empty Quarter
Short Abu Dhabi itineraries rarely go this far. The Liwa day tour is built for travellers who want to see the Rub' al Khali properly in a single day rather than a taste of dunes close to the city. The drive out takes you past the Emirates National Auto Museum, a private collection of rare and record-breaking vehicles including the rainbow-coloured Mercedes fleet that gave the late Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan his nickname, the Rainbow Sheikh, and the world's largest pickup truck. Entry costs 50 AED, with children under 10 free, and is not included in the tour price, but stopping outside for photographs is.
From there the road runs on to the edge of the Empty Quarter, where the tour transfers into a Toyota Land Cruiser for the sand crossing itself. Expect roughly 60 to 65 km of dune driving with your guide, stopping for photographs, a camel farm visit, Arabic coffee and dates, and sandboarding at the summit of Moreeb Dune above the Liwa Oasis.
Most of the round trip, roughly 200 to 250 km, is spent inside the vehicle with regular stops built in. It is not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with severe back pain, and self driving is not part of this tour. Guests who want to be behind the wheel should look at the self drive dune experience instead.
Which Liwa experience suits you
Use this comparison to choose between a guided day trip, supervised self driving and an overnight desert stay.
| Liwa Day Tour | Self Drive Adventure | Overnight Camping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Guided, single day | You drive, supervised | Guided, overnight |
| Empty Quarter crossing | Yes, 60 to 65 km | Yes, Moreeb Dune focus | Yes, plus camp |
| Liwa Oasis and sandboarding | Yes | Optional | Yes |
| Overnight camp | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | First-time visitors and photographers | Confident off-road drivers | Stargazing and longer stays |
Your day, pickup to drop-off
Timings are indicative and may shift slightly with traffic and desert conditions.
Hotel pickup in Abu Dhabi
Your guide collects you from your Abu Dhabi hotel or an agreed meeting point.
Emirates National Auto Museum
An optional photo stop at the Rainbow Sheikh's car collection. Entry is 50 AED, with children under 10 free, and is not included.
Empty Quarter dune drive
Transfer into a Toyota Land Cruiser for roughly 60 to 65 km of guided dune driving into the Rub' al Khali.
Liwa Oasis and Moreeb Dune
Sandboarding and a photo stop at the summit of one of the world's tallest dunes, overlooking the Liwa Oasis.
Camel farm, coffee and dates
A stop at a local camel farm followed by Arabic coffee and dates with your guide.
Fort and castle visit
A short stop at one of Liwa's historic forts, subject to timing on the day.
Drop-off in Abu Dhabi
Return to your hotel or agreed point. The duration can be extended on request.
What is included, and what is not
Included
- Private 4x4 pick-up with an experienced Liwa dune-driving guide
- Bottled water on board
- Nature desert drive and desert crossing, covering 60 to 65 km
- Photo stops throughout the day
- Camel farm visit
- Liwa Oasis visit
- Soft drinks, Arabic coffee, dates and tea
- Sandboarding, available on request when booking
- Fort and castle visits, if time permits
Not included
- Emirates National Auto Museum entry ticket, 50 AED, with children under 10 free
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner; a takeaway package can be arranged on request
- Alcoholic drinks; see Liwa Sunset Champagne
- Self driving; see Liwa Self Drive Adventure
- Qasr Al Sarab visit; tea or lunch reservations can be arranged
Who this tour suits
This is a long day of off-road driving best suited to travellers in good health who want to see the Empty Quarter properly rather than a short taste of the dunes. It is not recommended for:
- Travellers who are pregnant
- Those with severe back pain
- Anyone sensitive to off-road driving
- Guests who want to stay overnight in the desert, who are better suited to the Liwa overnight camping tour
- Travellers on short layovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, given the full-day length and distance
Have a date in mind?
Tell us your date and group size and we will confirm the pickup time and hold your place on the Liwa Day Tour.
WhatsApp our team
Liwa day tour FAQs
It is 1690 AED per 4x4 vehicle, covering up to 4 adults or a family combination of adults and children. For groups needing more than one vehicle, contact bookings@arabiers.com or WhatsApp +971 58 879 8139 for a group rate.
A private 4x4 with an experienced Liwa dune driving guide, the 60 to 65 km desert crossing, the Liwa Oasis visit, a camel farm stop, Arabic coffee and dates, soft drinks and water, and sandboarding on request. Meals, the auto museum entry ticket and alcoholic drinks are not included.
Yes, it is a stop on the route to Liwa. The entry ticket is 50 AED, with children under 10 free, and is not included in the tour price but can be added on request.
No. A professional Liwa dune driving guide drives throughout. If you want to drive yourself under supervision, see our Liwa self drive adventure.
No, this is a single-day tour with drop-off back in Abu Dhabi around 6 to 7 pm. For an overnight stay in the desert, see our Liwa overnight camping tour.
A full refund is given when the booking is cancelled at least 24 hours before the tour. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time are not eligible for a refund.
It is not recommended for pregnant travellers, those with severe back pain, or anyone sensitive to off-road driving, given the length of the desert crossing. Guests wanting to stay overnight or on a short layover in the UAE should also consider a different tour.
No. The price is per 4x4 vehicle regardless of how many people travel, up to 4 adults or a family combination, so solo travellers and couples pay the same as a full car of four. Some other Liwa operators require a minimum of two to four guests before they confirm a booking; Arabiers does not.
