As we travel in United Arab Emirates: December 2015

Al Qudra flamingo lake

Qudra flamingo lake view through food shade

Al qudra lake is wonderful place for family outing and overnight camping. it is not too far from the city but very quiet place to enjoy camping. Around 60 KM from Dubai. I have visited this place few times including 1 overnight stay. You can pitch your tent and around the lake to view moon and stars in dark night. Full moon is beautiful as well.

Flamingo lake is my best out of many lake over there. Dog lake is longest I think. One problem is toilet, if it is necessary then you may drive and come back up to T junction where the rest room available. One small super market and mosque you will find there too. Before heading from Arabian ranches towards Qudra road first round about rest room can be used as we have done.

It is for cycle riders but I have seen no one is saying not to use. Be sure you have enough water and food as you will not find any shop nearby.

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Reached to view sun set

Setting up camp

Moon raising at night

beautiful reflection on the lake

BBQ will be soon

We were too lucky to see egg under the tree

Overnight camping on Jebel Jais, November 2015

Jais mountain spectaculer view

At 1900 m, Jebel Jais is UAE’s tallest mountain. this is my second overnight stay in Jais mountain in a year. It is wonderful experience and love this place. Best place for overnight camping with family and friends. Take care of children from the edge where loose stones are after big parking lot,

Carry all necessary items with you like water, foods as There are no restaurants. Fill your car gas for return trip as there is no gas station on the mountain. following items must carry with you if planning for overnight stay. Enough tents, bed, table chairs, warm clothing’s. Fire wood for whole night. BBQ equipment’s. Torches, rechargeable lights etc.

Setting up tents before sun set

On the way

It is about 159 KM from Dubai through Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed road. Take right to Khuzam road from Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed road, tower link golf club will be at your left hand side, go straight to Lantern R/A (near Saqar and RAK Hospital). After the lantern round about you will find a small board sign with Jais mountain. Keep driving till you are close to the mountains. The roads are not clearly marked and you will definitely go over stretches of dirt roads some time. road is very nicely made 2 lane going up and 1 lane down.

Nice winding road, good views, drive I like on this road therefore I have visited this spot several times. I appreciate very much for this road work, one of my favorite driving place in UAE.

Be sure that you have reached before sun set to see spectacular sky view and enough time to choose camp site with washroom facilities. Thanks to RAK municipality for well maintain of free toilets on mountain. For your information now a days someone is selling tea on the last parking area.

BBQ going on

Camp site

Dinner time

Warming up time

Whole night young stars were driving cars on the mountain therefore we were not that much bored. Wonderful night sky was appeared with lots of stars. Late night moon was wonderful too. It was too cold at 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. many goats came at 5 a.m. for breakfast with us. We prepare our breakfast at 7 a.m. and wind up everything for bake home. Reached home at 11 a.m. and sleep whole day.