A morning alternative to the standard evening safari, and a more varied one: this trip pairs desert driving with the mountains of Hatta. It starts with a drive inland to the Mleiha desert in Sharjah for dune bashing and sandboarding across golden sand broken by rock outcrops. The 4x4 stops at Fossil Rock, a limestone ridge that carries marine fossils from the period when this desert lay under a sea, and at the wind-carved formation known as Camel Rock. The route then climbs into the Hajar mountains to a working honey bee garden in Hatta, where guides explain hive management and the local honey varieties, and continues to Heritage Village and Hatta Dam, where turquoise water sits between bare brown mountains. A light snack is provided and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout. Please note the tour is not suitable for children under four. Wear closed shoes, bring a hat and sunglasses, and expect to be back in Dubai by mid-afternoon.