UAE's sites & activities

Kurban Tours has selected the most popular sites and activities in UAE:

Golf experience 

Both professional and amateur players will enjoy world-class golf at any of the UAE’s championship courses.

The Emirates Golf Club is renowned for its spectacular courses and the clubhouse. Its five lakes, the intricate Majlis course and the first grass course in the Middle East pose many challenges to players. Players can test their expertise against the natural contours of the desert in the Wadi course.

Nad Al Sheba Club’s floodlit, links-style, 18-hole, par 71 course is set in and around a camel and horse racetrack. The undulating hills, the deep pot bunkers and large lakes, are open to desert winds and call for accuracy as a measure of skill.

The Montgomerie has been designed by Colin Montgomerie in association with Desmond Muirhead and managed by Troon Golf. The par 72 golf course spans 200 acres, offers 7,308 yards of golf and features holes that vary from the classic to the truly original. The scale of this course is a sheer challenge to golfers of all levels.

The Al Badia Golf Course is at the heart of the Dubai Festival City project, overlooking the spectacular Dubai skyline. A well-sculpted 18-hole championship course, it incorporates eleven lakes, ponds and lush greens. The course promises a challenge for seasoned golfers. A boutique Golf Villa overlooks the golf course and provides executive services and facilities.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, spectacularly situated beside the Creek, invites you to pit your skills against water hazards, sand traps and tricky contours of its 18-hole, par 71 tropical course. Play continues long after dark on the floodlit 9-hole, par 3 course.

Uniquely sited around a mangrove reserve, the Tower Links Golf Club is an 18-hole,par 72 golf course and golf academy complete with driving range and short game facilities. The back-9 holes are floodlit, allowing for later tee-off times and cooler playing conditions throughout the summer. While the mangrove reserve provides a natural backdrop to the course, the greens and sandy expanses of this tourist-friendly course provide exceptional golfing challenges. The four tees of the course – professional, men, seniors and ladies provide opportunities for all standards of play. This club is located in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Desert Course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design is an 18-hole, par 72 true desert-style course, similar to those found in Palm Springs, California and Scottsdale, Arizona. Extending into the desert it creates an oasis effect throughout the Arabian Ranches. The front-9 and back-9 loops back to the clubhouse, makes it an ideal tournament course and a real test for all levels of golfers. The Spanish style clubhouse provides a spectacular view.

The exotically landscaped 9-hole Jebel Ali Golf Course offers superb views of the Arabian Gulf, with four tees offering different aspects of playability. Alternatively, just enjoy the floodlit driving range and putting green.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club offers a choice of either the par 72, 18-hole National course or the 18-hole Garden course with nine floodlit holes.

WILD WADI Adventure

Splash out at the wildest water park ever. Wild Wadi combines giant rock formations and tropical vegetation to create a dramatic visual re-creation of the mountain peaks and deep wadis of the Hajar Mountains.

Designed like an Arabian wadi (oasis), the park has an Arabian folklore theme and features some of the highest and fastest water rides outside of North America with 24 state of the art, high-adrenaline rides and slides. Rides for thrill seekers include Jumeirah Sceirah, a 108ft (33m) free-fall at 50 miles per hour (80km/hr), Master Blaster slides that are water roller coasters propelled uphill by high-powered jets, the white-knuckle ride at Rushdown Ravine or the high waves at Breakers Bay. For a more relaxing view of the park, jump into a hoop and float gently down Lazy River.

At Breakers Bay you’ll encounter one-and-a-half-meter-high waves. All will love the shallow pools, the cool water jets and mini slides and there are safety vests and professional lifeguards keeping constant vigil over them. Flood River creates sudden river rapids and unannounced surges and waves and is definitely for the daring, while Flow Riders™ offers the ultimate surfing experience.

An evening in a Bedouin camp

We will board our luxury 4x4 vehicles and afterwards we drive through the unique adventure of the desert to reach the camp in the middle of the desert.

Then we will feel the real experience of Arabia and Bedouin life. We will go through the dunes of the desert. We will experience the thrilling roller-coaster rides on the sand dunes and watch the beautiful sunset before arriving to the “BEDOUIN VILLAGE camp” –a place that is practically in the middle of nowhere and where you can have unique insights into the Bedouin life. Enjoy the different activities on site:

-Take a short camel ride: A desert without camels? No camels are for the desert what cars are for the city. Everyone will have to experience the ride … The animals are great; they have been well prepared so everyone can benefit of the ride. Camels are said to be God’s gift to Bedouins. People in the early days used the camels either for trading or for transporting goods from one place to another. Journeys were always done in groups known as caravans.

-Around the fire, dress in traditional Bedouin robe, sip the aromatic Arabic coffee or tea and try the hubbly-bubbly and henna painting around a fortune teller : A special activity for the most lazy. A memorable experience and great pictures of this “A la mode” way of life in the middle of the desert.

-Watch the falcon show: A unique experience. Falcons are being the pride of the Emiratis. Many people devote fortunes raising falcons and many competitions are being organized just for falcons.

-Experience Sand surfing:  Sand surfing, using a snowboard, on the silken dunes of the UAE is an experience you’ll recall for years after you are back home. If the sheer downhill slide sends your adrenaline racing, the climb back up the sandy slope could prove an ordeal if you aren’t your physical fittest. Sand surfing has become the favorite of sport lovers both for its innovativeness and safety, as a fall only means a soft and warm embrace of the sand. With practice you become less conscious of the sport itself and begin to enjoy the wind in your face as you speed down

 Or just simply laze on the pillows or wander around the camp.

A delicious BBQ dinner will be served with Middle Eastern specialties cooked on the site. Chicken, lamb, shish Kebab, Hummus, Taboule …. And many other famous   a belly dancer performs right after dinner and you are invited to join fun on the dance floor before winding up this full-day adventure.

East Coast Tour

This explored jewel of Arabia is a destination waiting to be discovered. The Hajar Mountains are rising majestically on the way east and you will see valleys running down the sea. All the way you can spot ancient forts and castles and little palm groves, which are spending shadow to the cattle.

The tour begins with a drive through the lush oasis of Al Dhaid, renowned for its fruit and vegetable plantations. Then onto Masafi, and the picturesque Hajar mountains before reaching the village of Dibba, for a wander around the small port. The drive continues along the coast, through fishing villages. During your lunch break enjoy a relaxing swim in the Indian Ocean. We will stop at the Badiya Mosque, UAE’s oldest place of worship. It is also known as the “Ottoman Mosque”, which shows a unique design with four small domes held up by a massive central pillar

 

Safari TO HATTA

We will drive in our 4x4 vehicles to the 200 year old village of Hatta-which is located in the rough Hajar Mountains. After an early departure, we proceed along the road until we reach the mountains. There you will have an adventurous drive trough the rocky landscape, an hour or so of rough driving can be rewarded by scenes of great and unexpected beauty as we pass big and small Wadis and we cross lush landscape, which is surrounding the small settlements and villages deep in the mountains. We will explore the Wadis and dry river beds, which are flooded after winter rains from the Hajar Mountains.

A swim in one of those Wadis will give you nice refreshment in the winter month. Later you can take a visit to the restored 16^th century Hatta Fort, before getting your lunch in this exceptional scenery. Then will enter the desert to experience some of its exciting activities, we will drive over the dunes ,then we will:

-Experience Sand surfing:  Sand surfing, using a snowboard, on the silken dunes of the UAE is an experience you’ll recall for years after you are back home. If the sheer downhill slide sends your adrenaline racing, the climb back up the sandy slope could prove an ordeal if you aren’t your physical fittest. Sand surfing has become the favorite of sport lovers both for its innovativeness and safety, as a fall only means a soft and warm embrace of the sand. With practice you become less conscious of the sport itself and begin to enjoy the wind in your face as you speed down

Or

-Experience Quads in the Desert: For the first time in Dubai, you will experience the most exiting Desert Tour on a two seated Quad Bikes. Cross the undulating sand dunes and enjoy the breathtaking view from the top of the dunes. Our experienced desert leader will lead you through. If you cannot drive the Quad Bike you can sit with the driver and enjoy the ride.

Wear long pants, and expect to get dirty. Wear good shoes, no sandals. Protective equipment is included.

Afterwards,on the way back to Dubai we stop at one of those popular street markets, where you can find local carpets and potteries.

Tour of SHARJAH

Explore Sharjah’s rich cultural heritage with a walking tour of this intriguing city. Our tour begins with a photo opportunity at Mohammed Al Qassimi Mosque followed by a stroll along the creek, past the colorful dhows laden with goods from Iran.

Cross over to the Iranian market before our next stop at the creative Art’s House, followed by the Old Souk - part of Sharjah’s original settlement, offering a rich variety of spices, nuts, dates, household goods and the shisha. We continue along streets lined with exotic perfumes and ethnic garments to reach Sharjah Art Museum.

Next we stop by the ancient Al Hisn Fort and the nearby Al Arsah Souk where you can browse through souvenir shops. Leaving the souk we visit some old homes of local people, which are now renovated and exhibit traditional jewelers, costumes and cosmetics, giving you a glimpse of the local way of life in the past. Your coach meets you at this point to bring you back to your hotel.

Deep Sea Fishing

For those of you interested in the deep blue sea, we take you deep sea fishing. Departure is from the is from the creek of Dubai or from the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The fishing trip lasts for about 4 hours. The crew is well experienced in the gulf waters and sport fishing. The Coast craft  is equipped with 4 trawling fishing rods & 8 bottom Fishing lines. Bait for fishing is also provided.

 

DUBAI and the FUTURE

The vision for Dubai takes shape as new developments come to fruition

This tour gives you the chance to view the most developing city in the planet: The Dubai of tomorrow. We will visit the head offices ongoing unparalleled projects:

Dubai Festival City: This project will be completed in 2011, a true waterfront city offering shopping, living, leisure and working opportunities. Stretching 4 km along the historic Creek, Dubai Festival City is a blend of land and water distinguished by canals, waterfalls, pools and fountains.

Business Bay: will be completed in 2007, it 's a new commercial and business cluster that will be located along a new extension of the Dubai Creek. Covering 64 million square feet, the new initiative will provide a highly conducive environment and infrastructure for business from around the world to establish their local, regional and international headquarters.

Dubai Marina: will be completed in 2008,it is amongst the world's largest master planned waterfront development of its kind, a "city within a city" able to accommodate over 150000.

Dubai Healthcare city: This project will be completed in 2010 as a part of Dubai's 2010 strategic vision; the 1.8 billion Healthcare City will transform Dubai into a global hub for specialized healthcare and a center for medical education and research.

Dubai Waterfront: it's an unprecedented 81 million metres square of mixed-use landmark development, bigger than Manhattan and Beirut. It will serve as the gateway to the Arabian Canal and is located on the last remaining coastal waterfront in the Emirates. It will feature 100 different waterfront developments and over 150 master planned communities and investment opportunities.

The Palm Island: it involves the creation of the world's largest three manmade islands known as The Palm, Jumeirah 2007, The Palm , Jebel Ali 2008 and The Palm, Deira 2009. Located just off the coast of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the three palm tree shaped islands are expected to contribute to the city's position as a premier global tourist destination.

The World: a group of 300 islands in the shape of the world map is also breaking ground above the waves with potential for investors to develop exclusive resorts, with again a 2008/9 timeframe for opening.

Dubai Exhibition City: To be completed in phases by 2020, the three-million square metres Exhibition City, within the Jebel Ali Airport City, will be the world's largest in terms of display space, halls and offices. It will have facilities including hotels, restaurants, residential apartments, ect…

Burj Dubai: In 2008, The Burj will be the world's tallest tower and the centerpiece of the Gulf region's most prestigious urban development to date. Burj Dubai will radiate out in a series of ellipses from the skybreaking tower encompassing residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and the world's largest shopping mall.

But undoubtedly, the biggie will be Dubailand, with an estimated investment of more than 18 billion. Divided into six themed worlds and comprising over 200 individual projects, Dubailand will feature state-of-the-art sporting facilities, theme parks, eco-tourism resorts, museums, galleries, spas and stunning shopping and recreation venues.

Dubai Sports city: will be completed in 2008, it encompasses an area of 50 million square feet and is situated within the mega Dubailand project. It will bring together a unique combination of sports, lifestyle, leisure entertainment, commerce and enterprise.

Dubai Pearl Development: Surrounded by Dubai's dynamic Technology and Media Free Zone, renowned for its innovation, opportunity and prosperity, the Dubai Pearl Development offers a convenient address for living and business.

We will see models of these astonishing projects, receive a full presentation, have the chance to see prototype models of accommodation and find out more about the exiting business future of the Emirates with a trip to Internet and Media City. We will of course add more stops as this city reaches the future constantly.

More, bigger, better – developments in Dubai will continue to roll off the dream machine.

Dinner Cruise Tour

Enjoy a 360-degree view of Dubai Creek from the sleek, all-glass, Seine designed Al Minsaf boat, which offers a sophisticated, world-class cruising experience.

This enchanting two-and-a-half hour dinner cruise combines the best of sightseeing, fine dining and live music for entertainment. On board you have a 6,000-square-foot window to Dubai’s creek side view, a rich contrast of traditional architecture and modern skyscrapers. Cruise past Sheikh Saeed’s House, the landmark National Bank of Dubai and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce buildings. Watch cargo-laden trading vessels or wooden dhows and Abras “ Water taxis” ferrying passengers across the Creek. Savor a fine selection of food, freshly prepared in the state-of- the-art kitchen on the lower deck, Beverages may be purchased on board. The dress code is either smart casual or national dress.

Helicopter ride 

A thrilling and exciting way to view Dubai’s scintillating sites. Fly for a panoramic birds eye view. See the sparkling oceans, pristine beaches and magnificent sand dunes from up above. This experience is sure to leave you breathless.

The ideal view of Dubai is …from the sky! The Helicopter takes off near “City Centre Shopping Mall”, and flies over the Dubai Marine Beach Hotel, shows in its integrity and magnificence. On the way back a different aspect of the city will appear when flying over flying over Sheikh Zayed Road the skyline of the modern Dubai. The contrast of different styles of Dubai will be even clearer when overlooking the life over the creek before landing.

 

Understanding Islam Tour

An opportunity to visit one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Dubai. Generally, non-Muslims are not permitted to enter a mosque; however staff of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) has been given special permission to conduct information sessions within the Jumeirah Grand Mosque as they strive to bring different cultures closer together by promoting mutual understanding and acceptance. The Jumeirah Grand Mosque is the first and only mosque in the United Arab Emirates to open its doors to non-Muslims. It has been doing this since 1998 under the supervision of the SMCCU Director, Abdullah bin Essa Al Serkal, a prominent UAE National.

  The Jumeirah Grand Mosque was built by order of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the late ruler of Dubai. Construction of the mosque began in 1975 and was completed in 1978. The mosque was built in the Islamic Fatimy style, with one large central dome, four smaller domes and two minarets. The mosque has the capacity to house 1,200 people for prayer.

This unique tour will enable participants to learn about the ‘five pillars’ of Islam, the Emirati culture and its traditions. The last part of the visit is dedicated to a Question & Answer session in which guests are encouraged to ask any questions they may have relating to Islam and the Arab culture in a free and open forum. Participants are reminded that a special dress code applies.  Men must wear long trousers.  Women must have their heads, arms and legs covered when in a mosque.  For those who do not have a head covering, scarves will be provided.

Night in the Desert -Camel Caravan

Today will give you the experience of traveling in the former Bedouin times. Camels are said to be God’s gift to Bedouins. People in the early days used the camels either for trading or for transporting goods from one place to another. Journeys were always done in groups known as caravans. Camels endure the strong winds of the desert; therefore they are also named as the “ships of the desert “.Their ability and strength to go far distances for a long time without food and water made these wonderful creatures so valuable and a part of the Arabic tradition.

With a 4x4 car you will reach the Bedouin village camp, from where the camel caravan is departing. Board on the “ship of the desert” and enjoy a unique journey trough the fascinating desert. From the top of the camel you will have wonderful views around. After a while the caravan will stop in the middle of the desert and the transported tea, coffee and small sweets will be served to you.

Afterwards…You arrive to our camp in the middle of the desert. A tent will be built up for you in the desert and you can experience how the Bedouins prepare their dinner in the desert. Enjoy this simple natural way of life in the middle of nowhere, far from any civilization, electricity or facility of our modern lives. After this traditional dinner you can listen to the old Bedouin stories around a warm fire. A unique experience!

Later sleep under the desert stars. In the morning a small breakfast will be served to you, before the camels are bringing you back to the Bedouin camp.

After refreshment the 4x4 cars bring you back to Dubai.

Afterwards, back to the camp and you will be brought back by 4x4 to Dubai…

 

Tour of DUBAI

Dubai is a city that provides a new setting at every turn, richly mixing together the old and the new. Proceed past modern palaces sprawled along the coast, to the magnificient Jumeirah Mosque, an architectural landmark. Then stop to admire the old wind tower houses built by wealthy merchants in Bastakia. Close by, stands the 15 year old Al Fahidi Fort. Here, the Dubai Museum records the city's past as an important pearl diving and trading center. Then head off to the old city center area. Stop at the brilliantly illuminated “Gold Souk” where more than 200 shops display dazzling jewelry, varying from traditional to latest designs. Go through the “Spice Market” where you will find perfumes, incense and delicious foods piles in sacks awaiting your attention. At the “Antique Market”, you can buy coffee pots, Arabian chests, daggers, Bedouin jewelry and carvings at excellent prices.. An imaginative way of seeing Dubai is to take a tour of the creek by traditional wooden boat called 'Abra'. Most of the major landmarks can be seen from the waterway.

STABLE TOUR AT THE POLO CLUB

Launched officially in April 2006, the Dubai Polo and Equestrain Club has already become the heart of equestrian activity amongst residents in Dubai as well as visitors to the city. The Club hosts local and international Polo events at two Polo fields and a practice field.

The riding, show jumping and dressage arenas take place in sandplast areanas considered to be the best in the region.

There are 336 air-conditioned stables and an international standard exercise track where the horses are kept in top form. The Club House, designed as a distinctive Spanish ‘hacienda’, provides Members and guests with a wide variety of prestigious of dining, leisure, business and entertainment options.

Guests will have the chance to watch the horses on their normal routine (i.e. washing, cleaning, feeding, walking over etc..), visit the stables and take a tour in the Club with a guide. Breakfast is served at the terrace facing the riding arena.

SKI in the Desert & Shopping tour

SHOPPING AT THE MALL OF THE EMIRATES

Dubai has a well deserved reputation as the craziest place on Earth. You will discover the only Alpine skiing slope with real snow in the middle of the desert.

Yes it is unique!

It is located at the Emirates Mall.

The “Emirates Mall” the largest mall in the UAE today: The Mall of the Emirates is a shopping mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is currently the largest shopping mall in the Middle East, although the Dubai Mall, which is currently under construction by Emaar, will assume this status upon completion. ""Mall of the Emirates"" contains approximately 2.4 million square feet of shops and the entire mall forms a total of approximately 6.5 million square feet. In a global perspective, the World's largest shopping mall, the South China Mall in Dongguan-China, contains approximately 7.1 million square feet of shopping space in a complex that totals approximately 9.6 million square feet.

Although it features the usual amenities for a mall (a fourteen-screen movie theater, a gaming arena, a typical slew of stores, and a soon-to-be-completed dramatic theater), its biggest claim to fame is the Middle East's first indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai. With the ski area, one of the largest in the world, the Mall of the Emirates seeks to differentiate itself from the dozen or so other newly completed malls in Dubai and the surrounding emirates. The mall officially opened in late November, 2005 with the inauguration of the ski area, although it had already been in operation for several weeks. It is located in the Al Barsha area of Dubai.

 

ABU DHABI Tour

This comprehensive tour is the ideal introduction to the UAE capital and the island on which it stands. Departing early morning, we include a visit to the fishing harbor and the dhow yard, where these sturdy vessels are still built in the traditional way, before continuing to the Heritage Village, which houses a small museum and depicts the traditional daily activities of the Arab community prior to the discovery of oil. 

In this city of dramatic contrasts, we look at the ancient, renovated Al Husn Fort and the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. From here we drive along the spectacular Corniche, the beautiful Volcano Fountain, past gleaming white mosques, glass-clad offices and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline.

 

AL AIN Tour

The road from Abu Dhabi takes you through rolling desert before reaching Al Ain, dramatically situated at 100 Km from Abu dhabi, against the mountain backdrop of the 1300-metre-high Jebel Hafit. For thousands of years the oasis of Al Ain has been an important caravan stop on the ancient trade routes across Arabia. Our first visit will be to the museum with interesting displays depicting local traditions, culture and the Bedouin lifestyle, as well as exhibits from the 2,500-year-old Mesopotamian burial site nearby.

 

The tour continues to the camel market and then on to Mahda Oasis to see the 2,000-year-old Falaj system feeding the date gardens. We stop for lunch, before continuing to Al Ain Palace Museum, the old residential complex of the late Sheikh Zayed, and then return to Abu Dhabi.