We had the best desert experience with Nooramin.
We were picked up at our hotel sharp at 2:30 PM, the appointed time, and, after picking up two more guests (total of six), headed off for our adventure. Traveling for about 30 minutes outside Dubai City, we stopped for gas to top off the very nice Toyota Land Cruiser— equipped with roll bars— then headed to the dunes. On the way, Nooramin gave us instructions related to dealing with sellers, sticking to the timetable and staying close to him, fair prices for photos and head scarves, don’t drink the water (he had a supply of bottled water for us)— very thorough!
First activity was driving quads or Polaris 1000 cc dune buggies in the desert— everyone upgraded to the dune buggies, which enabled us to drive through the desert with a guide who was on a quad. So much fun! After about 20 minutes, we arrived at a scenic location for photos and to switch drivers. There were locals with falcons offering photos with their birds, but Nooramin told us that falcon photos were included in our package (at the dinner show), which they were. A fellow with a nice camera took a few snaps of us in our dune buggy, so I expected to be offered an opportunity to buy those photos later (which I did, they were that good).
More dune buggy driving for another 20 minutes— this time, the guide used each pair of visitor’s iPhones to shoot video of us while following him— very cool video, amazing considering the guide was standing up on his quad, facing backwards, shooting excellent video, and keeping us on the path! Be sure to tip him at the end. I tipped $20 USD, which I think he earned. I did buy printed photos from a photographer for 60 AED, as the photos were terrifically composed and the paper high quality.
Afterwards was dune bashing! Hang on to the roll bars above your head, as Nooramin bashes around the dunes. I would occasionally see other Toyotas and a few Nissans doing the same— very cool sight! Nooramin does provide a plastic bag for each person and is very clear before the run to let him know if you aren’t feeling well, but no one in our group had any issues.
Once done, the next activity was sand boarding. Essentially, it’s a snowboard minus the boot attachments, but instead has straps at either end that you hold onto while sliding down the dune. Great opportunity for photos, as the sun was setting and the desert was lit up beautifully. We never felt rushed with Nouri; in fact, if you wanted a second run down the dune, you could go for it.
Lastly was the dinner and show, which was about a 20 minute drive from the sand boarding. The venue reminded me of a North African French fort you’d see in an old movie. Prior to entering, we got our camel ride, which lasted only a few minutes— all I needed— with photos taken by Nooramin with our iPhones. A young man came up to me at the end of the evening with a printed photo of my wife and I on the camel, but the iPhone photo Nooramin shot was better.
After the camel ride, Nooramin escorted us to our table, told us how the dinner “worked”— refreshments free, buffet dinner all you can eat, followed by: falcon photo opportunity, Tamouri cultural dance, belly dance, fire show, second belly dance. Nooramin recommended, since there were only four bathroom stalls for each side— men and women— to take care of business after the fire dance, as there would be a bathroom rush after the second belly dance show— of course, he was right!
Nooramin then drove us back to our respective pickup locations and we were back at around the appointed time of 9:30 PM. I honestly did not know what level of gratuity was expected, but tipped Nooramin $50 USD— he was professional, super knowledgeable, took excellent care of us, and all around fun person to share the experiences with.