Liwa and Empty Quarter guides

Practical guides to the LIWA Oasis in Abu Dhabi: Liwa International Festival, Tal Moreeb Dune, quad and buggy rides, and how to get there.

Quad riders on a dune above the Liwa festival area, Abu Dhabi

Liwa International Festival 2026–27: dates, location, tickets and what to do

Liwa International Festival runs 11 December 2026 – 2 January 2027 at Tal Moreeb Dune, Abu Dhabi. Dates, free entry, what's on and how to ride the dunes.

Three buggies parked on an orange dune in the LIWA Oasis desert

Liwa Oasis: a practical guide to the edge of the Empty Quarter

Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi: where it is, how to get there, when to go, Tal Moreeb Dune, quad and buggy rides, camel farms, festivals and where to stay.

Four quad bikes under the Liwa Moreeb Dune gate on the road to Tal Moreeb

Tal Moreeb: the giant dune of Liwa, with height, location and how to see it

Tal Moreeb (Tel Moreeb) is about 300 metres high with a slope of over 50 degrees. Where it is, how to get there, the hill climb and what to do nearby.

Quad and buggy rides at Liwa Festival: two-hour guided tours

Two-hour guided quad and buggy rides at Liwa International Festival, three departures a day. Group size, what is included and where to find the stand.

Can-Am Maverick X3 buggy on a dune crest in the LIWA Oasis, Abu Dhabi

Desert buggy tour in Liwa: what to expect, step by step

How a buggy expedition in the LIWA Oasis works: schedule, route, experience needed, what to wear, what is included, price and how many days to choose.

Two riders on CFMOTO quad bikes on an orange dune in the LIWA Oasis

Desert quad tour in Liwa: what to expect, and quad or buggy?

How a quad expedition in the LIWA Oasis works: schedule, experience needed, what to wear, what is included, price per rider, and how to choose between a quad and a buggy.

How to get to Liwa Festival from Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Liwa is about 230 km from Abu Dhabi and 330 km from Dubai. Drive times, the road to Tal Moreeb, taxis and when to stay overnight.

Liwa festival area lit up at night, seen from a dune

Moreeb Hill Climb: what it is and how to watch it at Liwa Festival

The Moreeb Hill Climb is the finale of Liwa International Festival: cars race up Tal Moreeb Dune. What to expect, past schedule and tips for watching.

One day at Liwa Festival: a simple plan with a dune ride

A one-day plan for Liwa International Festival: a morning or afternoon quad or buggy ride, time in Liwa Village and an evening at the dune.

Where to stay for Liwa Festival: hotels, desert resorts and camps

Where to stay near Liwa International Festival: hotels in the Liwa area, desert resorts and camps. Book early, because rooms are limited in festival weeks.

Best time to visit Liwa Oasis: weather and temperatures by month

What open climate data says about Liwa and the Abu Dhabi region month by month: heat, cool season, rain and wind, with sources.

How many days do you need in Liwa? One, two or three days compared

How long to stay in Liwa Oasis: what a 1-, 2- and 3-day quad or buggy expedition includes, riding distances, prices and who each suits.

Quad rider in helmet and goggles on a dune in the LIWA Oasis, Abu Dhabi

What to wear and bring on a desert buggy or quad tour in Liwa

What is provided on a guided buggy or quad tour in Liwa (helmet, goggles, gloves, water), what to wear, and what to bring. No storage for personal belongings.

Shymbulak Resort Hotel at the Shymbulak ski resort

Where to Stay Near Shymbulak and Medeu: 4 Options

Four places to stay on the road from Medeu to Shymbulak ski resort near Almaty: a hotel by the lifts, SarySai cabins, Medeu Camp tents and cabins, and the Nero & Bianca chalets. Prices, what's included, how to book.