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

A riding day is about 80 km and takes 5 to 7 hours, including stops.

• 10:00: briefing. The guide explains the route, the signals and how to ride on sand.
• 10:30: departure. The group rides in a convoy behind the guide-instructor.
• On the route: a camel farm, a natural oasis and lunch. The first day's route is medium level; later routes move to big, steep dunes with long loose descents.
• Around 17:30: back at the hotel.

The expeditions use the CFMOTO CFORCE 850, an all-terrain quad that the operator describes as Dakar-proven. Each quad has one rider and no passengers, for safety. The tour is meant for confident riders.

• The rider should be at least 150 cm tall and have experience of driving a car or a quad.
• A driving licence is not required.
• The first route teaches you to ride on sand and to ride safely in a convoy.
• The expedition is not suitable for people with chronic heart, vascular or nervous-system conditions.

High boots, trousers and a long-sleeve shirt are mandatory. A helmet, gloves and goggles are provided.

• A professional guide-instructor for the whole route
• The quad, with fuel for the route and servicing afterwards
• Gloves, helmet and goggles
• Technical support: a RAM 4x4 support vehicle and a mechanic with tools and spares, with evacuation if needed
• An assistance point on the route: karak tea, dates, fruit, snacks, water and soft drinks
• Lunch on the route

• Transfer from Dubai or Abu Dhabi (the team can arrange it)
• Accommodation. Western Hotel Liwa is recommended and can be booked for you.
• Dinners at the hotel
• Life insurance. Personal accident insurance is recommended.
• Advanced protective equipment
• A refundable $450 equipment deposit, returned after the expedition
• Repairs for damage caused by the rider, charged at authorised dealer prices

Prices below were checked on 22 October 2026 and are for the expedition only, per rider. See the tour pages for the current price.

• 1 riding day (a 3-day trip with arrival and departure): AED 2,900, about $790 per rider.
• 2 riding days (a 4-day trip): AED 5,200, about $1,420 per rider.
• 3 riding days: AED 6,600, about $1,800 per rider. The days get harder: about 80, 100 and 120 km.

On a quad every guest rides alone. A buggy (a Can-Am Maverick X3) seats two, so a couple or a parent and child can share one vehicle. Choose a quad if everyone in your group wants to ride; choose a buggy if one of you prefers to be a passenger.

On a one-day trip the price works out the same for two people: two quads cost AED 5,800 (2 × 2,900), exactly the price of one buggy. On a two-day trip two quads cost AED 10,400 (2 × 5,200) against AED 11,600 for a buggy. On a three-day trip two quads cost AED 13,200 against AED 17,600 for a buggy.

Liwa is about 230 km from Abu Dhabi (around two hours) and 330 km from Dubai (around three hours). Most guests arrive the evening before, check in at the hotel and start at 10:00 the next day. The expedition season runs from October to May, and in a sandstorm or other bad weather the ride is rescheduled.