I build journeys around what a place actually is.
Not the postcard version. The version with food, custom, and people in it.
Hey guys! I'm Hijaaz Jalaldeen, and I live in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. I was born in Sri Lanka — a country rich in culture and even richer in food — so I've always been drawn to a destination's culture and its kitchen table.
Living in Abu Dhabi now, I spend my time digging into the layers of this city and turning what I find into information that actually helps people connect with it. Not a script. Not a checklist. A perspective they didn't have when they landed. My favorite part of being a guide is handing someone a new way of seeing a place they thought they already understood.
I'm the founder of Recreative Global, built around one idea: a tour should leave you with a story, not just a photo. From dune bashing at golden hour to lying back under a sky thick with stars, every trip is designed to feel personal — grounded in real culture, real safety, and real care for the people and land we move through.
Inside the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
One place that lets you in on an age-old custom still running strong among the Bedouin and original Emirati tribes is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. You've probably heard about it — but visiting is a different thing entirely. Falconry is the sport of training falcons and honing their hunting skills so they can be used as hunters, and this hospital is the first of its kind.
A guided tour is a must. You'll watch a falcon receive a pedicure, learn the history of falconry, and understand a falcon's physiology before watching them fly free in the open-flight aviary — then walk through the tools room, where every piece of falconry equipment is laid out and explained. They even issue falcon passports. How cool is that?
And then the part I love most: holding a falcon in your arms, close enough to see its majesty for yourself. That's the kind of moment you end up telling your grandkids about.
- Real, not rehearsed
- Every route is built to connect you with the actual soul of the UAE — not a version staged for tourists.
- Full transparency
- You know what you're booking, what it costs, and how you're kept safe — before, during, and after.
- Respect for the land
- Deep regard for local culture, communities, and the environments we're lucky enough to move through.
"Hijaaz's team gave us one of the most unforgettable desert experiences in the UAE. Everything was smooth, exciting, and full of personal touches."
"What sets Hijaaz apart is his genuine passion and attention to detail. You can feel that he truly cares about every guest."
Ready for a UAE trip that isn't a checklist? Tell me what you're after and I'll build the route around it.
hello@hijaaz.xyzor call +971 50 392 9621