Disastrous Experience with Tour Company
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- Fast performance
- Great battery life
- Good customer support
- Easy to use
- Affordable
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- Poorly organized excursions
- Unprofessional guides
- Expensive taxi rides
- Limited information
- Disappointing experience
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Editor's Summary
We had a disastrous experience with a tour company in Abu Dhabi. The excursions were poorly organized, and the guides were unprofessional. We spent a lot of money on taxi rides and shopping, and we did not get the information we were promised. If you are planning to visit the Emirates, do not use this tour company.
Our Disastrous Experience
We visited Abu Dhabi from August 1st to 12th, 2024.
Initial Issues
Upon arrival, we were not contacted by the tour representative, and we had to reach out to them to arrange for a hotel guide. The meeting was scheduled for the next day.
The Excursion
We were offered two excursions: one to Abu Dhabi and another to Dubai, both inclusive. We paid $350 for the two of us and were told to wait for August 6th for the Abu Dhabi excursion and August 9th for the Dubai excursion.
However, on August 5th at 9:00 PM, we were informed that the excursion had been postponed to August 11th due to technical issues.
Abu Dhabi Excursion
The Abu Dhabi excursion was a disaster. We spent 1.5 hours traveling without a guide, in silence.
The program included:
Visiting a museum (not the museum itself, but the area outside, which was not included in the excursion)Visiting a palm island to see the view from the 52nd floor (175 dirhams per person, which we had to pay on the spot)Visiting a local covered market (free entry)Taking a 30-minute boat ride and having lunchVisiting the Dubai Mall and watching the fountains at the Burj Khalifa (free entry)Shopping for 3 hours (climbing the Burj Khalifa was not included in the excursion)Returning to Abu Dhabi in 1.5 hours without a guideThe information provided by the guide during the bus rides was on the level of a 5th-grade student.
From 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM, we spent $90 per person shopping.
Dubai Excursion
We were picked up from the hotel at 9:30 AM.
We arrived at the Louvre at 11:30 AM (we live in Abu Dhabi, and it would take a maximum of 20 minutes by taxi, and the tickets were given to us before entry)
There was no guided tour of the Louvre - we spent an hour walking around and waited in the bus.
We visited the date market - we had 15 minutes in the shop and then got back on the bus.
We had lunch at the hotel for 40 minutes.
We visited the presidential palace - we were given tickets and spent an hour walking around the palace and waiting in the bus (no guided tour).
We visited the mosque - we spent an hour walking around, and there was no guided tour (tickets were given to us at the entrance).
The cost per person was $85.
Our conclusion: expensive taxi rides to the main tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi without any information.
Expert Opinion
If you find yourself in the Emirates with this tour company, do not take any of their excursions. The hotel guide was unorganized and uninterested in her work, and the excursion guide, Taran, was a rude and unprofessional person. You can visit all the locations mentioned in these offers on your own using a taxi (Uber works) and buy tickets separately. You will have a much more enjoyable and informative experience, and you will save your money.
Featured FAQ
What happened during the Abu Dhabi excursion?We spent 1.5 hours traveling without a guide, in silence. The program included visiting a museum, a palm island, a local covered market, a boat ride, and shopping.
What happened during the Dubai excursion?We were picked up from the hotel and taken to the Louvre, the date market, the presidential palace, and the mosque. We had lunch at the hotel and spent a lot of time shopping.
Why was the excursion postponed?The excursion was postponed due to technical issues, and we were informed of the new date at 9:00 PM on August 5th.
How much did the excursions cost?The Abu Dhabi excursion cost $350 for the two of us, and the Dubai excursion cost $85 per person.
What was the quality of the guides?The hotel guide was unorganized and uninterested in her work, and the excursion guide, Taran, was a rude and unprofessional person.
Can I visit the locations on my own?Yes, you can visit the locations on your own using a taxi (Uber works) and buy tickets separately. You will have a much more enjoyable and informative experience, and you will save your money.