What‘s Included

Meeting and Pickup

What To Expect

Reviews

• Mismanaged weather and disappointing experience

  Alexander W,

  Mar 10, 2024

  - Viator

  1.00

  My other half and I did this dune bashing morning tour on Saturday 9th March 2024. This was our second tour in the region having done a wonderful full day tour in Muscat to the Wadis a few days prior. Before the dune bashing tour, we became aware that there would be rain in the forecast. Unfortunate but we cannot change the weather. We reached out to the operator the day before to ask about alternative options in case of inclement weather. We were assured by the tour operator it will not affect the experience. Given our lack of expertise in dune bashing, we took this at face value and decided not to postpone. In hindsight this was a mistake, especially after the emergency text messages sent by dubai emergency alert system to all phones in the area… The tour started fine and driver was punctual. However once reaching the destination we had to persevere through a 1hr rain shower under a covered quad bike storage after having 5min to take photos with the camels. Once the rain had subsided we were able to get back to the SUV and proceed with letting air out the tires for the dune tour. During this time there was a bit of waiting around not knowing the next steps as rain continued to be on and off, we would have appreciated more communication here. After this stop was complete we continued with the dune bashing which was not at all as advertised. The sand was very hard and limited the ability to do anything but a leisurely off-road journey. The extreme dune bashing was the main reason we booked this tour and it was disappointing this was not delivered when we were promised the weather will not affect the experience. Once leaving the dunes, we noticed most other other tour operators located in same area appeared to be closed. We concluded that cancelling the tour should have been the obvious decision to any tour operator with experience. Sensing our disappointment, the guide offered a complimentary tour for next time (which we would have to come back to Dubai to do as we only have 2 fully booked days here), but this hardly begins to cover the wasted time which could have easily been avoided from proper decision making by management before the tour. As it stands, we are disappointed and think the only appropriate remediation is in fact a full refund. We appreciate we were unlucky with weather but strongly feel the situation was mismanaged from the beginning. We have no doubt this would have been a fun time if not for weather with the various activities available so there are redeeming qualities but the weather does not excuse the management for our experience in our view.