Sandboarding is a fun sport. Not many know that such a sport exists. I am sure that most of you would have gone skiing or snowboarding during some time in your life. Sandboarding is pretty much similar to that. Instead of doing it on snow, you will be doing it on sand. But the experience is very different. For thouse of you who were not able to get into SkiDubai, you could try this out as this is a fun and cheaper alternative.

To start off with, snowboarding is longer because the slopes are pretty huge so you can probably snowboard for a lot of time. But since sandboarding involves only sand dunes, it will probably last for much lesser time, but it is loads of fun.

Usually, the sandboarding activities are coupled with the dune bashing sessions. The usual schedule that is followed is that the tourists are first taken for dune bashing, followed by sandboarding, followed by camel rides, followed by the visit to desert camp/belly dancing/dinner at camp. So most probably, you will be sandboarding in the evening, which is good because it would be terrible to do it during day time ( man! the sand is hot during the day ). But by evening, it cools down a lot and this is probably the best time to sandboard.

But you had better ensure that you are in top shape because you wont have ski lifts like the ones you have on ski slopes. So everytime you get down, you have to walk back atop the dune, which is not an easy task. Trekking to the top of a sand dune is probably one of the more exhausting activities that you would be doing in Dubai. So everytime you want to get back on to your board and ride that dune, remember that you will have to walk back right to the top of the dune. This is probably why many people do not prefer to go sandboarding and this is exactly why it has not gained the poularity that it should have gained.

The whole session will probably last for around 30 minutes and it costs around 20-25 USD. The session is definitely worth the money and I'd definitely recommed this to anyone travelling to Dubai. So are you fit and game enough to ski on the mean Dubai dunes??

Desert Safari : Dune Bashing



A Road In Dubai, during Lean Hours



Aerial View Of The Palm Island



Base View Of Sheikh Zayed Road



Another Stunning View Of Towering Dubai Skyscrapers On Sheikh Zayed Road



Burj-Al-Arab: Aerial View


Sheikh Zayed Road : Aerial View



Dubai From A Different Angle



Dubai Airport: Swanky Ain't It?



Dubai Creek: As Seen from Bur Dubai

'Wild' is the only word that I can use to describe this awesome activity that is unique to Dubai. The desert safari is Dubai's version of a roller coaster on solid land and not in the air. This is definitely one of the most fun things that I have ever done.

The desert Safari starts off with an off-terrain vehicle picking you up from your hotel and taking you to campsite situated about 15 minutes into the desert, off the main highway. The first leg of the safari involves a really wild dune bashing ride through the huge sand dunes of the Dubai desert.
That is when you realise the true potential of these 4 X 4 vehicles. It is an activity that is gaining popularity in the Middle East.
After the first leg, I was dropped off at the desert camp. The desert camp is beautiul. It consists of a large seating area and a stage in the middle for the belly dancing show. There are other activities inside the camp like henna painting, glass painting and other traditional Arab art activities. It is a welcome respite from the maddening Dubai lifestyle. There is absolute calm over the desert and one can just lie down there all night long starring into the starry sky. Later, after sunset, Dinner begins. The dinner spread is paradise! Kebabs come right off the grill and onto your plate. Hot food served in the cold desert surroundings. Tastes better than most of the food than I have tasted before.

This is followed by the belly dancing show. This has to be one of the most difficult dancing techniques ever. Truly spectacular performance by the young woman. The belly dancing session saw several people get up from their seats and dance on the stage. Or if you want to stay away from all the limelight, you can just lie back on the sand next to the fire and smoke your sheesha. Sheesha served here is of very good quality. Many visitors stay overnight in these camps and this allows you to truly experience the desert. I stayed in a small hut in the desert camp. It runs entirely on solar energy and there is usually no pwer supply after 11 pm. So it is just you, your rug and the desert sand. Dont miss out on this. Before the morning sun came up, I managed to climb to the top of a very tall sand dune with my naked feet and watch the sunrise over the horizon.
It was a glorious sight.I was speechless.
So make sure to go on the desert safari when you visit Dubai as it gives you a true taste of Dubai.