Geography Trip to Dubai

Your geography school trip to Dubai offers your students the opportunity to explore human geography and sustainability!

Dubai is a fascinating place to study elements of human geography unlike any other in the world. Learn how this small pearl fishing village rose rapidly following the discovery of oil, before finding out more about the rapid urbanisation of the desert.

Examine how the use and exploitation of natural resources has shaped and influenced this sprawling city with its unique and innovative developments.

And visit modern Dubai and see the contrast with the old town, before venturing into the desert. Your school geography group will also have the opportunity to witness how the sea and desert are being exploited to meet the ever-increasing demands of the Emirati.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Evening

Flight to Dubai

Day 2

Morning

Arrive in Dubai Panoramic city tour

Afternoon

Classic Dubai City Tour

Evening

Visit the Dubai Mall and see the Fountain Show

Day 3

Morning

Full-day tour to Abu Dhabi

Afternoon

Continue tour with a visit to Masdar City and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Evening

Evening dhow dinner cruise

Day 4

Morning

Visit Emirates Bio-Farm to learn about sustainable agriculture

Afternoon

Late afternoon - embark on an exciting evening of dune bashing in the desert

Evening

Traditional desert safari BBQ dinner

Day 5

Morning

Visit Al Hefaiyah Reserve to learn about water use in the Emirates

Evening

Free evening

Day 6

Morning

Return flight to the UK

Afternoon

Arrive back in the UK

4 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation
Detailed information pack
Free staff place ratio 1:10
Guide and transport throughout
Itinerary planning service
Return airport transfers in resort
Return flights from the UK

Curriculum

A Level

Urban growth and change
Environmental and social challenges
Sustainable urban development
Patterns of social inequality
Population and the environment - food production and security
Water insecurity
Impact of superpowers on the global economy
Consuming energy resources
Resource management systems
Hot desert systems and landscapes

GCSE

Urban growth and change
Management of urban resources
Gaps in global development
Sustainable tourism
Energy, food and water security
Impacts of food production on the environment

Accommodation

Golden Sands

The Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, in Bur Dubai, offers over 750 accommodation units in configurations of studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments. A perfect place for large groups!

Ibis Style Dubai Jumeirah

The Ibis Style Dubai Jumeirah is just 12km from Dubai International Airport and offers easy access to all of the city's main attractions. The hotel offers modern, comfortable accommodation, with all rooms boasting en-suite bathroom facilities. The hotel also offers a fully-equipped gym and temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool.

Tour highlights

Desert Safari

A desert safari is a completely unmissable experience during your school trip to Dubai. First, you’ll hop aboard 4x4s to enjoy some dune bashing, where your students will have the most unforgettable experience of what’s likely to be their first desert! You’ll stop to watch the sunset over the desert, before heading to a traditional Bedouin camp, where you’ll be welcomed with a fragrant Arabian coffee. You’ll then have the chance to ride a camel, before sitting down to a barbecue dinner with entertainment in the form of belly dancing!

Did you know?

The desert you’ll be exploring is the vast Arabian Desert, which covers much of the Arabian Peninsula and is the largest desert in Asia.

Dhow Cruise

Experience traditional Arabian hospitality on a dhow cruise along the seafront! This is one of the best ways to see Dubai, from its modern, luxury hotels to its more traditional architecture. The dhow is a sailing vessel used along coastal areas of the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean and was traditionally used to transport heavy items along the coast, including fruit and fresh water. On your cruise, you’ll not only enjoy the spectacular views of the city, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience Arabian hospitality, as you’ll be served dinner followed by fragrant Arabian coffee.

Did you know?

No-one’s quite sure of the origins of this iconic vessel. Some scholars believe it originated in India between 600 BC and 600 AD. Others believe it comes from Arabia.

Dubai City Tour

Take a tour of Dubai to gain a better idea of the city’s history, culture and traditions. You’ll see some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Burj Al Arab. The world’s only 7-star hotel stands on an artificial island and is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Compare this with the more relaxed vibe of the Majilis Ghorfat, the summerhouse of Sheikh Rahid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled the country for more than three decades. You’ll also explore magnificent mosques and busy souks, and extravagant palaces. A tour of the city is the perfect way to start your school trip to Dubai, ensuring that your students discover all it has to offer.

Did you know?

Dubai is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates and one of only two that holds a veto (the other being Abu Dhabi) in national politics.

Educational Activities

Abu Dhabi City Tour

Abu Dhabi is the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and capital of the largest emirate.

Desert Safari

The highlight of any visit to Dubai is undoubtedly this amazing tour.

Dhow Cruise

Your cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels offers an intriguingly different view of this amazing city – a

Dubai City Tour

A fascinating historical excursion; yourroute takes you from Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s landmark hotel, to Majlis Al Ghorfat, a magnificent

Dubai Museum

A visit to the Dubai museum is a must on every Dubai itinerary.

Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre

See a natural way of treating wastewater in the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates Bio Farm

Learn all about sustainable and organic farming in the United Arab Emirates.

Supporting you every step of the way

Creating your perfect trip

Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in the subject area and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a trip to suit your group’s needs and meet your learning objectives.

Launching your trip to parents and students

The next step is to get your trip approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. This is full of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the trip planning process.

After you’ve booked

Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start work on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your trip (freeing you up to do what you do best – teach).

Support while you’re away

From lost property to properly lost, we’ll always be on the end of the phone while you’re out on the trip. You’ll get a final info pack before you go, as well as access to all your trip documents via the Vamoos app.

After your trip

We’ll ask you for feedback, so we can improve our service. Let’s start planning your next trip too, so parents have plenty of time to pay (and so it’s less stressful for you). And don’t forget to head to our resources hub to continue the learning back in the classroom.