Abu Dhabi & the Empty Quarter

Abu Dhabi · Liwa · 5 nights

Five nights from Abu Dhabi to Liwa, paced around the days that matter.

The Journey

Five nights across two stops: Abu Dhabi for three nights and Liwa for two. Every transfer between them is private and timed around the day's plan.

The days are built around Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Saadiyat; Edge of the Empty Quarter; and Qasr Al Watan, Corniche and Yas. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: sunrise over the Liwa dunes at the edge of the Rub' al Khali. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Sunrise over the Liwa dunes at the edge of the Rub' al Khali
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al Watan, Corniche and Yas, Abu Dhabi
Edge of the Empty Quarter, Liwa

Day by day

Your Itinerary

6 days

01
Day 1 · Abu Dhabi
Arrival in Abu Dhabi
Arrive at Zayed International, about 40 minutes by road to the corniche and transfer privately to your base. Time today to walk the corniche with the skyline across the water.
- Private transfer via Zayed International
- Walk the corniche with the skyline across the water
- Time to settle in before dinner
Meals:
D
02
Day 2 · Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Saadiyat
The Grand Mosque, which holds over 40,000 worshippers and requires modest dress and covered hair for women, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi under Jean Nouvel's dome.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Saadiyat beach
Meals:
BL
03
Day 3 · Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al Watan, Corniche and Yas
The presidential palace's public wings, the heritage village and corniche, and Yas Island's circuit and parks if you want them.
- Qasr Al Watan palace
- Corniche and Heritage Village
- Yas Island (optional)
Meals:
B
04
Day 4 · Liwa
Abu Dhabi to Liwa
Drive south from Abu Dhabi into the Rub' al Khali. On arrival, drive up Moreeb Dune for the sunset over the sand sea.
- Drive south from Abu Dhabi into the Rub' al Khali
- Drive up Moreeb Dune for the sunset over the sand sea
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:
B
05
Day 5 · Liwa
Edge of the Empty Quarter
Liwa sits on the rim of the Rub' al Khali, the largest continuous sand desert on earth, with dunes over 200 metres and the Moreeb slope used for hill climbs.
- Moreeb Dune
- Dune drive into the Empty Quarter
- Sunset from a high crest
Meals:
BLD
06
Day 6 · Liwa
Departure from Liwa
A sunrise over the dunes before the drive north. Private transfer to Abu Dhabi in good time for your onward flight.
- A sunrise over the dunes before the drive north
- Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
- Private departure transfer
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

How far is Liwa from Abu Dhabi?+

About two and a half to three hours by road. Your private transfer stops along the way.

When is the best time for the Empty Quarter?+

November to March. Summer temperatures in the dunes are extreme.

What should we wear at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?+

Loose clothing covering arms and legs; women also cover their hair. Abayas are available at the mosque if needed.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.