Camel trekking in Abu Dhabi costs between AED 150 and AED 500 per person for a standard shared tour. Desert Holiday Tours offers a full camel trekking package including 1-hour riding, dune bashing, hotel pickup, and Arabic camp refreshments. Children receive discounted pricing.
Price is the first thing most travelers search for before booking anything. And with camel trekking in Abu Dhabi, the range you see online can be confusing — some listings show AED 150, others show AED 500, and a few go even higher. What explains the difference? What exactly are you getting at each price point? And is the cheapest option actually worth it?
This guide answers all of that honestly, using real market prices and the actual inclusions in Desert Holiday Tours' Camel Trekking Tour Abu Dhabi as the benchmark. No vague ranges, no marketing language. Just the actual numbers and what they mean for your experience.
01
What Does Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi Actually Cost?
The market price for a full camel trekking tour in Abu Dhabi — meaning a shared group package that includes hotel pickup, desert transfer, one hour of camel riding, and camp refreshments — sits between AED 150 and AED 450 per person in 2025–2026.
| Tier | Price Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | AED 150–200 | Short ride 20–30 min, basic transport, minimal camp |
| Mid-Range | AED 200–350 | Hotel pickup in 4x4, 30–60 min trekking, dune bashing, sandboarding, full camp with refreshments |
| Premium | AED 350–500+ | Private vehicle, smaller groups, extended trek, luxury camp inclusions |
- Budget end (AED 150–200 per person): Short camel rides of 20–30 minutes, usually without hotel pickup or with very basic shared transport. Camp experience minimal or absent. Suitable for travelers who want a quick photo opportunity on a camel, not a full desert experience.
- Mid-range (AED 200–350 per person): The most common tier for full camel trekking packages. Includes hotel pickup in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, 30 to 60 minutes of camel riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, and welcome refreshments at a Bedouin-style camp. This is the price point where the experience becomes genuinely complete.
- Premium end (AED 350–500+ per person): Private vehicle, smaller groups, extended trek duration, or luxury camp inclusions. Better suited for couples, families who want a private experience, or travelers who specifically don't want to share a vehicle with strangers.
02
What Is Included in Desert Holiday Tours' Camel Trekking Package?
Understanding cost means understanding what you are actually getting. Here is everything included in Desert Holiday Tours' camel trekking package — with nothing hidden:
| Inclusion | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup in 4x4 Land Cruiser | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1-hour open desert camel trek | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dune bashing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sandboarding & sand skiing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arabic costume photoshoot | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bedouin camp with Arabic coffee & dates | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water & soft drinks | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Private vehicle (exclusive group) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
- Round-trip hotel transfer in a 4x4 vehicle: Pickup from your hotel, mall, residence, Abu Dhabi Airport (Premier Inn hotel lobby), or port. Six guests share a Land Cruiser. You do not need to arrange any transport or navigate to the desert yourself.
- 1 full hour of camel trekking in the Al Khatim Desert: A full one-hour guided ride — not a 15-minute photo lap. The trek covers open desert terrain with views across the dunes. This is significantly longer than what many similarly priced packages offer.
- Dune bashing in the 4x4: Before or after the camel trek, your driver takes the Land Cruiser through the dunes. This alone is an experience many tour packages charge separately for.
- Sandboarding and sand skiing: Equipment provided at the camp. Most guests enjoy this more than they expected.
- Arabic costume photoshoot: Traditional Emirati dress available at the camp for photographs against the desert backdrop.
- Welcome refreshments at the Bedouin-style camp: Arabic coffee (gahwa), traditional tea, dates, and sweets. Water and soft drinks included throughout. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase separately.
Optional add-ons (not included in base price): Quad bike sessions are available for an additional charge at the camp.
The full experience — from hotel pickup to return drop-off — runs approximately 3 hours.
Desert Holiday Tours' full camel trekking package — 1-hour ride, dune bashing, hotel pickup, Bedouin camp — AED 299 per person.
03
Shared vs. Private Camel Trekking — What's the Price Difference?
One of the most common questions around camel trekking cost in Abu Dhabi is whether to book a shared group tour or a private experience. Here is an honest comparison:
| Features | Shared Tour | Private Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Up to 6 guests in a Land Cruiser | Exclusive vehicle for your group only |
| Cost | Lower per-person rate | Higher per-person, lower when split 4–6 ways |
| Best For | Solo travelers, couples, small groups | Families, special occasions, privacy preference |
| Trek Quality | Identical — same guide, same route, same camels | Identical — same guide, same route, same camels |
| Flexibility | Fixed schedule | More flexible departure time |
Shared Group Tour — Desert Holiday Tours Standard Package
Up to 6 guests share a Land Cruiser. You may travel with other tourists you haven't met before. The trek itself is still guided and fully personal — you are on your own camel, moving at the same pace as the group. This is the right choice for solo travelers, couples, small friend groups, and families who don't need exclusive vehicle access. The experience is identical in quality to a private tour in every meaningful way.
Private Tour — Available on Request
Your group has an exclusive vehicle. No other travelers join. The departure time may have more flexibility. The base price per head is naturally higher because the operating cost of the vehicle is divided between fewer people.
The honest calculation: For a group of 4–6 adults, the per-person cost of a private vehicle often works out similar to or only marginally higher than a shared tour when split between the group. If your party already fills a Land Cruiser, there is a genuine case for going private at minimal extra cost.
04
What Affects the Price of Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi?
Not all camel trekking packages are priced the same, and understanding why helps you judge value when comparing operators. Here are the factors that move the price up or down:
Duration of the Camel Ride
A 15-minute camel ride around a camp perimeter is a very different experience from a full one-hour guided trek across open desert. Many budget packages offer the former — you get on, walk in a circle, get off, take a photo. Desert Holiday Tours' package includes a genuine 1-hour open desert trek. When comparing prices, always check how long the camel ride itself actually lasts.
Vehicle Transfer Quality
Hotel pickup in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser shared between six guests is the standard in Abu Dhabi. Some cheaper operators use shared minibuses that collect from multiple hotels before heading to the desert, adding an hour of collection time before the experience begins. The pickup logistics matter to your total time investment.
Camp Inclusions
The quality and duration of the camp experience varies significantly between operators. At the budget end, the camp stop can be brief — a cup of tea and a quick photo before loading back into the vehicle. Desert Holiday Tours' camp experience includes Arabic coffee, tea, dates, sweets, sandboarding, Arabic costume photoshoot, and time to sit and experience the desert properly.
Season
Abu Dhabi's peak desert season runs from October to March. Some operators apply a modest premium during peak months, particularly around UAE National Day (December), Christmas, and New Year. Always confirm the price for your specific travel dates. See our full guide on the best time for camel trekking in Abu Dhabi for seasonal advice.
Group Size
Larger private groups reduce the per-head cost significantly. A private vehicle for 6 people often costs less per person than 6 individuals booking separately on shared tours from different operators. If you are traveling as a group, it is worth asking about group rates or private vehicle pricing directly.
05
Is Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi Worth the Price?
This is the more honest question that sits behind the cost search. People don't just want to know the number — they want to know whether it's worth it.
The answer, for most travelers, is clearly yes. A three-hour experience that includes a 4x4 desert drive, a full hour on a camel across open golden dunes, dune bashing, sandboarding, and a traditional Arabic camp arrival with coffee and sweets is a lot of value for the price range. The same components — private vehicle transfer, multiple activities, food and drink, guided expertise — would cost significantly more if booked individually.
More importantly, camel trekking is not a commodity experience. It is not something you can replicate at home, describe in advance, or fully understand from a photo. Most travelers who have done it say it belongs in a different category from other tourist activities.
At the price range Desert Holiday Tours offers, the experience is accessible to virtually every budget of traveler visiting Abu Dhabi. It is not a luxury-only activity. It is, for most people, one of the best-value things they do in the UAE.
06
Price by Tour Type — Which Package Suits You?
Desert Holiday Tours offers different desert experiences that include camel trekking as a core component. Here is how the costs and inclusions compare:
| Tour | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Camel Trekking Tour (standalone) | AED 299 | Camel trek as the main focus, ~3 hrs |
| Evening Desert Safari (incl. camel) | AED 199 | Full desert evening, BBQ dinner, live shows |
| Morning Desert Safari (incl. camel) | AED 149 | Cool early ride, back by midday |
| Sunrise Desert Safari (incl. camel) | AED 149 | Pre-dawn desert, most atmospheric |
| Overnight Desert Safari (incl. camel) | AED 349 | Sleep under stars, desert sunrise, full immersion |
- Camel Trekking Tour Abu Dhabi — The standalone camel trekking experience. Hotel pickup, 1-hour camel ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, Arabic costume photoshoot, camp refreshments. ~3 hours total. Best for travelers who want the camel trek as the main focus.
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi — Desert Holiday Tours' most popular full-day package. Includes camel ride, dune bashing, henna, BBQ camp dinner, belly dance and Tanoura show. Best for first-time visitors who want the complete desert experience in one outing. From AED 199.
- Morning Desert Safari Abu Dhabi — Earlier departure, desert in the cool morning air, back by midday. Good for families with young children or shoulder-season visitors. From AED 149.
- Sunrise Desert Safari Abu Dhabi — The earliest slot — in the desert as the sun breaks the horizon. Quietest, most atmospheric option. Includes camel riding. From AED 149.
- Overnight Desert Safari Abu Dhabi — The most complete desert experience. Overnight in Bedouin-style accommodation, camel trekking, camp dinner, stargazing, and a sunrise breakfast. From AED 349.
07
What Is Not Included — Be Clear Before You Book
Knowing what is not in the price is as important as knowing what is. For Desert Holiday Tours' camel trekking package, here is what sits outside the base price:
- Quad bike sessions: Available at the camp for an additional charge (AED 50 / 10 min, AED 150 / 30 min, AED 250 / 1 hour). Optional — the core experience is complete without it.
- Alcoholic beverages: Water and soft drinks are included. Alcohol is available for purchase at the camp.
- Personal expenses: Any shopping, extras, or purchases made at the camp are at your own cost.
- Gratuities: Tips for guides and drivers are at your discretion and are not included or expected.
08
How to Book and What to Expect After Booking
Desert Holiday Tours recommends booking at least 48 hours in advance to confirm your preferred slot and arrange pickup details. For peak-season dates in December and January, booking 5–7 days ahead is sensible as popular sunset slots fill quickly.
After booking, you will receive confirmation with your pickup time and location. For hotel pickup, wait in the lobby at the scheduled time. For mall pickup, wait near the main entrance. The Land Cruiser holds up to 6 passengers on a shared basis.
On-the-Day Preparation
- Have a light meal before departure — not on a completely empty stomach, but avoid eating heavily in the 2–3 hours before.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that covers your legs and arms.
- Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
- In winter months (October–March), pack a jacket for the camp experience after sunset.
Children under five years of age are not permitted to ride the camels. All children participate under parental supervision. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with serious heart, back, or neck conditions.
09
Frequently Asked Questions About Camel Trekking Cost in Abu Dhabi
How much does camel trekking cost in Abu Dhabi?
A full camel trekking package in Abu Dhabi — including hotel pickup, 1-hour guided ride, dune bashing, and camp refreshments — typically costs between AED 150 and AED 450 per person depending on the operator and inclusions. Desert Holiday Tours offers a complete package in the mid-range tier with one of the longest ride durations available at the price point.
Is there a separate price for children?
Yes. Desert Holiday Tours offers child pricing for the camel trekking tour. Children under five years of age are not permitted to ride the camels. Contact Desert Holiday Tours directly or check the Camel Trekking Tour Abu Dhabi page for current child rates.
Are there any hidden costs?
The base package price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the camel trek, dune bashing, sandboarding, Arabic costume photoshoot, and welcome refreshments. Optional extras — quad biking and alcoholic beverages — carry additional charges and are clearly communicated before and during the tour. There are no surprise fees.
Is the camel trekking price per person or per group?
Per person. Hotel pickup is on a shared basis with up to 6 guests per Land Cruiser. If you want a private vehicle for your group, contact Desert Holiday Tours to discuss private booking pricing.
Does the price include hotel pickup?
Yes. Desert Holiday Tours picks up from all Abu Dhabi city hotels, malls, residences, the Airport (Airport Premier Inn hotel lobby), and the port. Return drop-off is included. You do not need to arrange or pay for separate transport.
Is a cheaper camel ride worth it compared to a full package?
A standalone short camel ride (15–20 minutes, no hotel transfer, no camp) costs significantly less but delivers a very different experience. You get on the camel, do a brief loop, and leave. The full Desert Holiday Tours package gives you 1 hour of open desert trekking, a genuine dune bashing session, sandboarding, and time at the camp with authentic Arabic hospitality. For most travelers, the full package is the better investment by a significant margin.
How much should I budget for the whole experience including extras?
Budget the base tour price plus AED 50–100 per person if you want to add quad biking. Bring some cash or card for any personal purchases. Gratuities are optional. Overall, most travelers find the total spend well within expectations for the quality and duration of what they experience.
10
The Bottom Line on Camel Trekking Cost in Abu Dhabi
Camel trekking in Abu Dhabi is not expensive. For a three-hour experience that includes hotel door-to-door transfer, a full one-hour guided ride across open desert, dune bashing, sandboarding, and an authentic Bedouin camp welcome — the price-to-experience ratio is among the best of any activity the city offers.
The confusion around pricing comes from the wide variation in what different packages actually include. A AED 150 ride around a camp perimeter and a full AED 350 desert package with 1-hour trekking are both technically "camel trekking in Abu Dhabi," but they are very different experiences. The number matters less than knowing what the number gets you.
Desert Holiday Tours' Camel Trekking Tour Abu Dhabi is priced at the mid-range and delivers at the top of what that range can offer — in terms of ride duration, inclusions, transfer quality, and the camp experience that follows the trek.
Hotel pickup from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Experienced guides. One full hour in the desert. Morning and sunset slots available.
11
Explore More Desert Experiences
Want to combine your camel trek with more of the desert? These tours include camel riding as part of a larger experience:
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi - Includes camel riding, dune bashing, BBQ dinner, and live entertainment. The most complete desert evening. From AED 199.
- Sunrise Desert Safari Abu Dhabi - Camel trekking at first light — the most atmospheric and peaceful slot available. From AED 149.
- Overnight Desert Safari Abu Dhabi - Sleep under the Arabian stars. The most immersive desert experience. From AED 349.
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi - All Packages - Browse every desert experience and find the right fit for your budget and itinerary.
