Great location and beautiful view of the stars and the milky way. We even saw Saturn in the telescope. Christie our guide was super helpful and so much fun. I just believe the trip operators could be more organized in terms of making sure people know where the drop off is and the actual size of tents before booking.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Campfire games
- Transportation into the desert with 4x4 vehicles
- Dinner
- Camp setup (Chairs, lights, tents, mattresses, Fire pit & wood for bonfire)
- Breakfast
- Portable toilet with privacy tent
- Stop at Emirates Observatory
Excludes
- A sleeping bag with -5°C temperature rating is recommended
- Entry fee to Emirates Observatory
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Day 1
1
We will leave Dubai at 1pm and head on a beautiful 2-3 hours road trip to Al Quaa, a secluded Abu Dhabi spot that offers out-of-this-world views of the Milky way. We will enjoy stargazing at the darkest place in the UAE with stellar views of the galaxy, constellations, planets and shooting starts while enjoying cozy cold vibes with temperatures reaching 10 degrees. We will then have the usual best bbq in town, drinks, card games, music, have some melting marshmallows on camp fire and camp under the clear skies full of stars.
Day 2
2
In the morning, we will take a morning walk and watch the sunrise over the dunes. We will then return to camp for breakfast. Once we have finished breakfast and packing, we will leave for Dubai. 1:00 pm: Back to Dubai.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
I booked the private experience, as birthday gift for my partner. They took note of everything and surprised us, first upgrading the tent, and secondly with an amazing cake and balloons! The guide, Delano, was very attentive to our needs and made sure that everything was perfect. The stargazing with the astronomer Rashid was amazing, highly recommend. To mention also the special food prepared by the Usman and Rahman, delicius!!
Amazing experience of watching the Milky Way, very well organised and something off the bucket list.
What an experience! I booked this for my daughter as a birthday experience and it was quote possibly one of the most amazing experiences we have had. We made our own way to Al Quaa and met the rest of the group at the meeting point, where they took the whole group to the camp. We watched the sunset and as the desert was plunged into darkness, we saw the stars slowly appearing and eventually could make out the milky way with our eyes. Remember to take a phone tripod with you if you want to take photos - we took some amazing ones with just a phone and some simple editing. We were then taken to another point in the desert where we met with Rashid, a local astronomer who gave us a tour of the night sky, explained how the Bedouin tribes used the stars to navigate and also got the chance to view Saturn through a telescope. Our host Delano was very knowledgeable about the desert and introduced us to some of the local creepy crawlies. If you want a unique experience in the UAE I highly recommend Arabian Wanderers' and their Al Quaa trip. It was well organised and a genuinely fun experience.
It was a mesmerizing experience, I have had trips to mountains ,have gone to amazing beaches but this was a unique and amazing experience. Value for money is what I can say about admission fee. Co - travellers , tour guide and support staff everything was excellent.
What an incredible night at Al Quaa! Sarah, our guide, made the experience even more special with her warm hospitality and also great photo skills 😄. The stargazing was breathtaking, and we truly enjoyed every moment!
I have been fascinated by space my entire life, and this experience exceeded every expectation. From start to finish, the evening was perfectly organized. The highlight was Rashid, our guide, whose knowledge of the night sky was incredible. He walked us through the constellations, the meaning and history behind each star, and brought it all to life with fascinating stories. You could listen to him for hours. The conditions were magical too. We saw several shooting stars, and the Milky Way was clearly visible stretching across the sky, something you simply cannot experience in the city. What really made the night special, though, was the atmosphere. The group was full of friendly, like-minded people, and the whole evening felt welcoming and relaxed. If you have even a passing interest in astronomy, or just want a truly memorable evening in the desert, book this. I will absolutely be back.
I had a wonderful time on the Al Quaa stargazing tour with Arabian Wanderers. The whole experience was very well organized, but what really made the evening special was our tour guide, Delano. He was extremely friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable, and created such a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the trip. From the desert experience and bonfire to the stargazing and telescope session, everything was handled with great care and positive energy. Seeing the shooting stars under such a beautiful dark sky was unforgettable. It’s a unique UAE experience and definitely something I would recommend. Thank you, Arabian Wanderers and Delano, for making the evening so special!
Great experience. Value for Money. Batches are divided to accommodate max 25 people so that it is not very crowded
Huge thanks to Christie and the whole team for such an awesome weekend! 👏 Everything was really well organized, the activities ran so smoothly, and the food was absolutely on point (definitely no complaints there 😄). Thanks for all the hard work and effort that went into making it such a fun and memorable weekend. We really appreciated it and had a great time. Looking forward to the next one! 😊
I’m truly grateful to the entire team for their kindness, willingness to help, and genuine warmth. I absolutely loved the location, the food, and how well everything was organized. We were also lucky to have beautiful weather. Our guide was Sara, she is incredible. I’ll definitely be repeating this experience in the future. Thank you all!
As a single or couple. We loved our stay.
Nice barbecue food. Nice people Nice guide A bit too hot would love to have big fans.
Excellent trip, would recommend it and would definitely go again
Beautiful experience from beginning to end ☀️🌌 I recently joined a stargazing trip with [Arabian Wanderers] to Al Quaa Desert and honestly it turned into one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in the UAE excellent experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Everything was incredibly well organized, smooth, and professional from the transportation to the timing and overall coordination. The whole journey felt safe, comfortable, and stress-free, which allowed everyone to truly relax and enjoy the atmosphere. A special thank you to Abdullah for being such a wonderful host 🙌🏼✨ He made everyone feel welcome immediately, helped break the ice naturally, kept the group entertained and engaged throughout the trip, and did an amazing job keeping everything organized and running smoothly. The experience itself was magical: 🍴 Delicious and generous food 🔭 An amazing telescope and astronomy session under unbelievably clear skies 🌌 Beautiful amazing souls and amazing conversations, laughter, and peaceful energy surrounded by the stars I genuinely learned new things during the astronomy lecture and appreciated how passionate and interactive the whole experience was. Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for something unique, peaceful, meaningful, and different from the usual city routine. Thank you again to Arabian Wanderers for such a beautiful memory, and hopefully see you again in future adventures ✨I’ve always wanted to see the milkeyway worth coming all the way from Sharjah. — Afraa 🔭🤍⚜️⭐️🪽🤗
I had a very special experience with Claudio and his team. Perfect setup for watching milky way and a great staff to make sure your are comfortable and happy during all evening & night. claudio even stretched the time for us as the milky way appeared late at night. Organization had everything you may need. The food was above my expectation, everything was very tasty. Make sure you find a spot in Claudio’s team and enjoy the experience!
We had an absolutely unforgettable experience with Arabian Wanderers at Al Quaa. It truly felt like stepping into another world. Our guide, Claudio, was fantastic from start to finish — friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what he does. He made the whole experience feel effortless and special, especially for my children, who were completely captivated throughout the evening. The setting itself is breathtaking. The silence of the desert, the clarity of the sky, and the sheer number of stars are something you simply don’t experience in everyday life. We were incredibly lucky to visit during a meteor shower, and seeing five shooting stars made the night even more magical ✨ The whole setup was excellent — from the BBQ and camp atmosphere to the stargazing session. And on top of that, we came away with some truly stunning photographs that we’ll treasure for years to come. Most importantly, it was a weekend where real memories were made with my children — the kind you don’t forget. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for something unique, meaningful, and genuinely special in the UAE. 🌌
A must try experience for at least once in your life. Everything was organized. Thanks to Rizwan for keeping the good vibes all throughout the experience. The food was great! Delicious barbecue! Best Fatoush salad i had ever tasted.
I recently joined a stargazing experience in the Abu Quaa desert, and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and memorable experiences I’ve had. The adventure leader was very professional and welcoming, making sure everyone felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the trip. One of the highlights was the guided stargazing session. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate, explaining planets, and interesting facts about the night sky in a very engaging way. The sky was cloudy otherwise It would have been more better. Everything was well organized, from transportation to the activities, and the leader ensured the experience felt both authentic and relaxing. It’s definitely an experience I would love to do again.
A beautiful stay in the desert with lovely people! The activities entertained everybody whether solo, together as a family, old or young! The food was delicious and the astronomy at night time was great, J would definitely recommend. I Thank you Rizwan and team!
The trip was very well organised. Food was great. Deepa who was the trip leader was really energetic and made the trip really fun throughout. Would love to go on more trips ahead.
I had a fantastic time on my first trip with Arabian wanderers! Elias was a great guide! It was my friends and I first time camping but he made sure we were comfortable and was very attentive with asking everyone if they needed anything. He was very friendly and chatty and helped the group to chat and bond together. The dinner and breakfast were both amazing! The tent was very comfortable and even comes with a mattress. The stargazing was very interesting and bob was very knowledgeable. Thank you for having us and will look into doing another Arabian wanderers trip soon! :)
Claudio was a great guide! Everything was efficiently planned.
Our Al Quaa Stargazing and Camping experience was truly wonderful and so thoughtfully organised. As first-time campers, we were a little unsure of what to expect, but everything was so well set up that it felt completely effortless. The tents were fully equipped and ready, so we did not have to worry about carrying any camping gear, which made the whole experience stress-free and enjoyable right from the start. The WhatsApp communication was clear and detailed, with accurate meeting point links and even a shared Google Drive folder for photos…. such a simple yet thoughtful touch. The entire setup felt safe and well managed, which made us feel comfortable throughout. The astronomer’s session was absolutely breathtaking… such a magical experience under the stars! It was definitely a highlight for us, and we are already planning to return during Milky Way season for another round of stargazing. The BBQ dinner was delicious, especially considering it was prepared in an outdoor desert setting… hats off to the cooks! They even arranged a charger for my dying phone, which was so kind and thoughtful. The karak, bonfire marshmallows, games, and sandboarding made the evening lively and full of fun. A special mention to Christie for being such an energetic and engaging ‘Adventure Leader’… she made sure both kids and adults were equally involved and having a great time. She literally went around searching for the perfect dune for sand-boarding! And of course, a big thank you to the driver for the thrilling dune bashing on the way back… it was the perfect adventurous ending!!! From sunset to sunrise, every single moment was enjoyable. Not once did my child ask for a screen… that’s how engaging the experience was! We will definitely be booking with you again soon.
Super evening, very well organised, highly recommend this trip. Claudio our guide was fab. It’s a great experience. Don’t hesitate to book.
It was a great experience, we went with Arabian wanderers and Claudio was our group lead. The trip was well managed and all the details were well communicated. Loved meeting great set of people and stargazing part was my fav!!
Great experience Very well organised Very helpful team lead Elias . We enjoyed it fully and I recommend
Truly amazing experience. Everything from the food to the company was great! Beautiful sunrise, sunset and starry sky. Claudio was a great guide even bringing his guitar to serenade around the fire. If everyone in the group agrees Arabia Wanderers is pet friendly. Our group loved dogs so our dog was able to join which made the experience perfect!
The trip to the Al Quaa Milky Way spot was a nice experience while visiting Dubai. Arabian Wanderers does a good job with the itinerary and organizing the trip. Unfortunately for us there was a full moon on this occasion which meant that you couldn’t see as many stars as we were hoping for. Also there was heavy fog in the morning so we never got to experience the sunrise in the desert. Besides that the evening was really nice with great camraderie among the participants and some really nice bbq by the fireplace. All in all it was an enjoyable and fun experience.
Wonderful trip, very nice spot, Deepa was very nice. Food was very good and tasty. Very well organized. Highly recommend.
I didn’t expect anything special—just to watch the stars. I was very happy with all the organization related to the camping experience: the fireplace, communication, calm atmosphere, and overall experience. The guide, Christie, was sympathetic, polite, and very caring. Nothing was stressful, and I truly felt relaxed and well looked after. As a sport manager I could have seen her professionalism. I also liked the food—very tasty, simple, and sufficient for everyone. What I really enjoyed was the car ride. I would recommend adding blankets and organizing more desert rides for those who wish to participate. It might also be nice to include more activities for people who prefer moving and interacting through active experiences rather than just sitting and talking.
Last weekend, I had one of the most magical, memorable, and soul touching experiences of my life with Arabian Wanderers, and I honestly do not even know where to begin. My best friend booked this trip as a birthday surprise for me, and what a gift it turned out to be. We went stargazing at Al Quaa, Abu Dhabi, known as the darkest spot in the UAE, and from the very first second, everything was incredibly well organized. From the meeting point, we were smoothly picked up and driven to the campsite. There was never a moment of confusion or waiting around. The entire journey felt seamless, professional, and thoughtfully planned. When we arrived at the campsite, we were assigned our tent right away, and to our delight, there were already snacks waiting for us. Popcorn, tea, coffee, nuts, all the good comfort snacks you could ask for. There were plenty of chairs around the fireplace, creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our camp had around 20 people, and it was an amazing mix of nationalities. There were Chinese, British, Irish, Dutch, Polish, and myself, an Indonesian from Kazakhstan. This beautiful diversity made the experience even more special and fun. Our lead guide, Elias, truly deserves a special mention. He was absolutely fantastic, funny, engaging, warm, and incredibly knowledgeable. From explaining how everything works at the camp, including the outdoor toilet, to making sure everyone felt comfortable and included, his communication skills were outstanding. He had us laughing from the start and instantly created such a relaxed and joyful vibe. We honestly felt so lucky to have him as our camp leader. Alongside him was Rizwan, who was equally cool, fun, and supportive. Together, they made the group feel like a little family. As the sky started to darken, Elias and Rizwan organized group games to help everyone bond. We were split into five groups and had to introduce our teammates to the rest, and the creativity was hilarious. Some people even made up fake life stories, apparently one of them was a crime book writer. It was not the case. We also played Werewolf, which was incredibly fun and had everyone laughing nonstop. The energy was amazing, and I had an absolute blast. Dinner was ready early, and it was delicious and comforting after a long evening. There was chicken, mutton, and salads. Simple, satisfying, and perfectly timed. After dinner, we gathered around the fireplace to toast marshmallows together. Sitting around the fire, sharing stories, laughing, and getting to know each other better felt so special and human. One of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. Later, we walked deeper into the desert for the highlight of the night, stargazing. There, we met Bob, the astronomer. He had incredible equipment, including a massive telescope and digital telescopes that were mind blowing to use for the first time. Bob explained fascinating facts about the universe, stars, and planets in such an engaging and educational way. It was not only beautiful, but truly enriching. When we walked back to the camp, the sky put on the most breathtaking show I have ever seen. Hundreds of meteor showers filled the sky. I counted up to 50 and then completely lost track. I ended up lying down, staring up, completely speechless, just absorbing the vast beauty of the universe. It was hands down the most beautiful stargazing experience of my entire life. My friend and I stayed awake until 5 in the morning, sitting by the fire with Elias and Rizwan, keeping warm as the desert grew colder. We shared deep conversations, learned more about stars, photography, and the universe. It felt peaceful, meaningful, and surreal. In the morning, breakfast was already prepared. There were hot drinks, bread, sausages, paratha, and more. Waking up in the desert like that was such a unique experience. Saying goodbye to everyone was genuinely emotional. Even though it was just one night, the memories felt so deep and lasting. I honestly wished it could have been longer. The journey back was just as pleasant, thanks to Iftihar and Yakoub, our drivers, who were incredibly polite and professional. Overall, this experience was more than 10 out of 10. It was meaningful, beautifully organized, warm, educational, and unforgettable. I truly believe everyone should experience something like this at least once in their life. I will absolutely recommend Arabian Wanderers to everyone I know in the UAE, and I cannot wait to do this again. Thank you so, so much to the entire team for creating such a magical experience. ✨🌌
We had an overnight stargazing experience in the desert, and it was truly amazing—something you usually only see in movies. The guides - Elias and Rizwan made the experience even better with their professionalism, responsibility, and great sense of fun. They ensured everything ran smoothly and safely while keeping the atmosphere enjoyable. The group was wonderful, the organization was excellent, and overall, everything went perfectly. It was an unforgettable experience, and we would highly recommend it.
First time experience of metero shower, that's was great time. We stayed for overnight. They prepared nice food and supplement.
Our stargazing trip to Al Quaa was truly unforgettable an experience our family will treasure forever. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully organised and completely family-friendly. While the setup was intentionally simple, it was absolutely perfect and had everything we needed, allowing us to fully enjoy the magic of the desert and the night sky. Watching the stars during a meteor shower made the adventure even more special. We laughed, learned, and created core family memories that we’ll be talking about for years to come. It was the kind of experience that brings everyone together and reminds you how special shared moments can be. A huge thank you to Christie, who was exceptional throughout. She catered to all our needs with warmth and care, was incredibly friendly and accommodating, and maintained a professional yet fun atmosphere the entire time. Her energy kept the camp upbeat, relaxed, and engaging for everyone adults and children alike. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough, especially if you can plan it around a meteor shower. A truly magical adventure under the stars! ✨
We had a fantastic stargazing experience with Arabian Wanderers at Al Quaa. The whole evening was great fun and our guide, Christie, was excellent—knowledgeable, friendly, and made the night really enjoyable for everyone. Seeing the stars out there was truly special. One small tip for future visitors: the last stretch of the road is definitely not suitable for standard cars. It might be fine in a 4x4, but a normal car will struggle, so it’s worth planning ahead. Overall, highly recommended!
This was a really well organised trip. Christy and the team were fabulous! The star gazing was led by a passionate, knowledgeable guy- it was a really special experience! The camp was beautiful and the food was good! I would highly recommend this trip to everyone!
The trip was organized with meticulous detail from updates of where to meet to excellent food, games and stay. I must add - Deepa was an excellent host. The astronomy session they had set up for us was an experience in itself starting with the night walk in the desert to seeing Jupiter and it's moons, Saturn and the craters on the moon. The milky way wasn't visible due to the moon being bright but it was an enlightening session to know about Beetle Juice and the 7 sisters that has now got us curious about what's beyond the sky we see with the naked eye. Top it off with a beautiful sunrise while sitting and sipping tea atop one of the higher peaks and there's no going wrong. Already planning our next adventure with them :)
I had a great experience camping in the Abu Dhabi desert for my first time, solo with Arabian Wanderers. Christie - our camp leader - was great and curated an unforgettable experience which ran professionally and smoothly. Everything was provided for, and it was super easy to join in. The campsite was comfortably located in a quiet area within the rolling dunes of Arabia! I was lucky enough to see planets Saturn and Jupiter through a telescope during a session provided by an astrologist, which was entertaining for everyone there. The morning sunrise over the desert was even complete with a camel caravan! It's definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone!
Amazing experience, really well but together schedule with a great host who was very good at getting the group talking to each other. Transportation good , food good , activities good. Would highly recommend
I just want to express my sincere gratitude for everything that contributed to an incredible weekend at Al Quaa, celebrating my friends birthday with friends this past weekend, especially the ones behind such a memorable trip! - Elias- I understand this may have been Elias’ first time leading - he was excited, enthusiastic, caring, and made every single person feel welcome. - Deepa was part of another group, but I met her at the Dubai pickup location, and she went around warmly introducing herself to everyone, and assisted with bringing me the cake ice box that I needed in holding my cake. She wasn’t even part of our group, and she led a helping hand- she’s also very very cool, obviously. - Rizwan- I don’t know where to begin. I had reached out to Arabian wanderers a while back about concern for a birthday cake I wanted to bring to the desert for my friends birthday and was told I can use the fridge, but day of, I learned there were many participants and the fridge may be full, which to be honest - upset me. I realized maybe I should have reached out again to confirm closer to the date, but I was upset that the cake would melt and be destroyed and my friend wouldn’t be able to get a surprise moment I planned. Arabian Wanderers had Rizwan contact me and he asked details about cake size and confidently said he would figure it out and that - he did. He told me Elias would have an ice box ready for me to bring with us and it would be no issue. That’s the ice box Deepa handed over and then Elias gently tucked onto the bus, discreetly, without my friend (who was sitting right there) noticing. When we arrived, he also discreetly removed the cake ice box and I didn’t see it at all until I asked for it after dinner. It was so smooth (impressive, as the cake and the ice box was not small). Elias helped with the lights and surprise birthday cake appearance while Rizwan was helping the group with the fire and roasting, helping me distract my friend, helping me record this beautiful moment - everyone had such a great time. Rizwan, Elias and the cooks/helpers were asking what I needed next and helped with cutting and serving the cake slices to all. They helped tuck the cake away, saving for us to return to Dubai the next day. Honestly, I know it may have been a stressful weekend with so many group participants and ensuring timely running of schedules, so the fact that they made me, and my friends, feel so taken care of and for this moment, this cake, to be such a priority, it’s not something that I take lightly. I am so beyond impressed with how every single member handles any situation with grace, patience, care and a positive demeanor. I think sometimes we look at positions or days as jobs/ tasks completed successfully or unsuccessfully and forget that it takes a lot for something minute like a cake to be handled with no issues. Everyone on my instagram stories have marveled at how a cake that large lasted in the desert. This is my second time seeing Rizwan oversee a new leader on one of these overnight trips, and he is a special individual - very special. He genuinely just wants everyone to be happy and goes above and beyond to make sure he can get that extra smile of satisfaction from all. Elias is following the same path and it brought me joy.
An amazing night under the stars. Beautiful sunset and subset in the Arabian desert. Loved this trip..Incredible organization and professionalism. Thank you, Deepa for your care and hospitality!
It was an amazing experience! I have also already been on the Jebel Jais trip with Arabian Wanderers and had to go for another one! And will go on another trip with them in the future inshallah as well. I went solo to both but would say Jebel Jais was more solo traveller friendly as Al Quaa naturally attracts more couples that are looking for some romantic star gazing. Nevertheless, super well organized, had a great time, thank you ✨✨✨
The stargazing trip at Al Quaa was amazing. Everything was very well arranged and our guide Rizwan Ali was very friendly and helpful. The stargazing session was very interesting. Thanks a lot to all the staff of Arabian Wanderers
My experience was awesome, the trip is really interesting and enjoyable, i had so much fun, starting from the bus which was v comfy to the activities that were carefully chosen to ensure making the best out of each moment. The guides were super fun and welcoming, everything was in place and the food was perfect as if we were in a restaurant not in the middle of the desert.
Al Quaa one of the darkest places in the UAE where you can witness as well as experience the marvelous side of vast universe in front of your eyes and the peace you would feel there was pure bliss ! I have booked with Arabian wanderers , everything seemed stress free and comfortable and the trip guide Mr. Rizwan was arranging everything from delicious food , fun games, interactive astronomy sessions and much more. Overall the trip was fantastic and looking forward to more trips with them.
I wasn't sure at first if we were too old at over 50, because the pictures on the internet usually only show young people. The group was totally mixed. It was a wonderful experience with great food and a clear starry night.
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