Top hiking tours and operators in the UAE
When people think of the UAE, what often comes to mind is a skyline of majestic skyscrapers, larger than life malls and epically huge theme parks. However, along with these popular attractions, you’ll also find epic mountain ranges, stunning wildlife, glistening lakes, and a multitude of other gifts from nature. There are several adventure and tourism companies offering a range of hiking tours in the UAE for those who want to explore the country’s treasure chest of natural wonders.
These trips will allow you to go on adventurous journeys, exploring and immersing yourself in breathtaking landscapes. Let’s find out about the popular hiking tour companies in the UAE and what they have to offer.
TOP HIKING TOURS IN THE UAE
What follows is a list of the country’s popular and professional trekking tour operators and some of the hiking tours in the UAE they provide:
EXPLORER TOURS
Located in Business Bay, Explorer Tours is a top-notch tourism company offering hiking tours in the UAE. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned hiker, Explorer Tours has a suitable package for everyone.
The company offers two types of courses: Beginner Trek and Intermediate Trek. The Beginner’s Package includes scenic routes across the Northern Hajjar Mountains, whereas, Intermediate Trekking and Hiking Package takes participants across Wadi Showka in RAK.
The journey begins at Oasis Mall exactly at 7:00 am. The participants reach the hike-starting destination at around 10:00 am. After a briefing on safety tips and guidelines, the participants begin their hiking adventure. The exciting tour concludes at about 6:30 pm when the group arrives back at the mall.
Both packages are approximately 11 hours long and include a minimum of two people. Fruit juice and water are included in the packages. All participants are required to sign a disclaimer form.
- Explorer Tours package cost: AED 300 onwards for both packages
- Location: Office 412, The Metropolis Tower, Al Abraj Street, Business Bay
- Contact: +971-4-564-9959
ABSOLUTE ADVENTURES
Absolute Adventures offers several types of hiking and trekking tours across the UAE. One of their popular tours is the ‘All Along the Watchtowers Hike’ in Wadi Helo in Sharjah.
Wadi Helo or Sweet Valley in Sharjah is a hotspot for hikers. Included in the World Heritage Sites, the tour goes through some of the oldest habited areas in the region, many of which are amongst the most notable archaeological sites in the UAE. Hikers will come across several archaeological digs discovered over the decades.
The Absolute Adventure hike package includes a tour of Wadi Helo. The hike starts at 08:30 am at the Wadi Helo entrance, also called the Meeting Point Link, and ends at around 02:15 pm. It takes approximately three hours to complete the trip and you depart for your hotel at around 05:30 pm.
The hike passes through several ancient graveyards, mosques and buildings, including the majestic house Eissa Al Thabbahi that was constructed in 1900. A minimum of two people can be part of the hike. It is suitable for both beginners and intermediate hikers. The tour starts with an uphill hike to the small watchtowers that protected the wadi in days long past.
Absolute Adventure offers a wide range of treks and hiking tours in the UAE across many different wadis. You can visit the official website for more information.
- Adventure.ae package cost: AED 430 onwards
- Location: Adventure.ae Dubai Silicon Oasis Sit Tower 606
- Contact: +971-4-392-6463
UAE TREKKERS
UAE Trekkers have a range of hiking tours in the United Arab Emirates. UAE Trekkers is a licensed tour operator with hiking and trekking packages for Liwa, Showka Mountains, Hatta and wadis in Ras Al Khaimah.
The company offers hiking tours for families, private hiking tours and other level-based tours. Beginners should start with the level 1 tour and advance further as they gain more experience. The Showka Dam Loop tour that covers 10.5 kilometres takes approximately three hours to complete.
UAE Trekkers also offers corporate team building hikes and treks. Visit the official website for more information on the hiking type, number of people, location and duration of the tour.
- UAE Trekkers package cost: AED 250 per person onwards
- Contact: +971-55-886-2327 | +971-55-616-2327
ADVENTURATI OUTDOORS
Adventurati Outdoors in Ras Al Khaimah offers different hiking tours in the UAE. The company is offering a hiking tour of Jebel Jais on weekdays with a private group, while weekend packages are also available. The hike is limited to 10 people in total.
Stairway to heaven is one of the highest mountains in the UAE and now there’s a chance to go hiking there. The Jebel Jais hiking tour starts at the bottom of the mountain and takes participants on a rustic route with unique rock formations. The track is relatively easy making it suitable for healthy first-timers. The hikers will experience old settlements, fascinating wildlife, sidr trees and scenic views of the mountains.
Adventurati Outdoors has a special ladies-only hiking trip as well. Visit the official website to pick a tour that suits you.
- Adventurati Outdoor packages: AED 495 onwards
- Location: Office 049 – Al Fulaya Plaza, Ras Al Khaimah
- Contact: +971-50-280-3662
DUBAI HIKING.ORG
Dubaihiking.org offers different tours for varied experience levels. According to the official website of the company, there are several packages to choose from that include hiking in the mountains and different wadis across the UAE.
The Wadi Lasal hiking tour by Dubaihiking.org includes a hike on flat terrain suitable for first-timers. However, you can always opt for the uphill track in the wadi after gaining some hiking and trekking experience.
Wadi Lasal, also called Wadi Mafi in Sharjah, is one of the top hiking trails in the UAE, suitable for amateur to intermediate hikers. The trail is approximately 10 kilometres long and takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete.
- Dubaihiking.org packages: Please visit the official website for costs and contact information.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GOING ON A HIKE
Hiking is an adventure that almost anyone can be a part of. There are several companies offering hiking tours and they usually have an expert to guide you. But there are some things worth considering before going on a hike in the UAE wadis, mountains, or other landscapes:
- Following the instructions are key to the group’s safety.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes for the hike. A cap and sunglasses are excellent for protecting your eyes.
- If you don’t have a backpack, some tour operators offer a backpack on rent with essentials such as water, first aid kit, snacks and other items depending on the difficulty level of your hike.
- Make sure that you’re fit and healthy before embarking on a hiking trip in the UAE. Some of the hikes are challenging and you may require additional training.
- Beginners should choose short hikes first to gain some experience.
- Speak to your tour guide about the necessary paperwork needed before going on a hike that may involve crossing over to Oman.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO HIKING IN THE UAE?
The ideal time to go hiking or trekking in the UAE is from November to February, the cooler months.
DO I NEED TO TAKE A TOUR GUIDE ON HIKING TRIP?
If you’re new to the wadis and mountains in the UAE, it’s essential to book a trip with a professional agency. Some trails may need permits and licences that you might not have. If you don’t wish to be a part of the paid tour, free trails are also available for more experienced hikers.
That concludes our guide to the hiking tours worth taking in the majestic UAE. There are several natural wonders in the country, including these beautiful mountains in the UAE, that offer a range of activities for nature buffs and explorers. You can also be a part of an outdoor camping trip at these popular campsites in the UAE.
