Jebel Jais Mountain Peak Escape (RAK)

Jebel Jais is the highest mountain in the UAE, and the road up it is an attraction in its own right: some thirty kilometres of engineered hairpins climbing from the plain to well above the heat. From Dubai it is two hours north, and the climb itself is best taken slowly, with stops wherever the view insists.

At the top, the Viewing Deck Park looks out over ridge after ridge of the Hajar range, and lunch is at 1484 by Puro, named for its height in metres and among the highest restaurants in the country. For anyone who wants more, your driver can drop you at the base camp of the Jebel Jais zipline, booked and paid for separately with its operator. The descent is unhurried, and you are back in Dubai by half past five.

The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person: the Kia Carnival seats seven, and every other car listed below carries its own price for this day. Pickup and drop-off at your Dubai hotel are included; lunch and any zipline booking are paid separately.

Every operator we subcontract holds the permits, insurance and safety record we would demand of ourselves, checked before we put our name near them. You get the adrenaline; the paperwork was our job.

Practicalities, handled: your driver's WhatsApp arrives the evening before with the exact pickup time; the vehicle carries chilled water and chargers; timings flex on the day if a flight, a nap or a whim demands it. Free cancellation up to seven days before; rescheduling always free, and you can pay on the day.