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Emirates and Oman, 12 Days · Classic tour
From the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean
United Arab Emirates and Oman on a fascinating journey packed with contrasts
On this trip, you'll experience the contrasts of two unique countries. In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai will deliver avant-garde architecture, boats that sail along the creek and unforgettable sunsets in its desert; in Abu Dhabi, you'll fall in love with the beauty of the great Sheikh Zayed Mosque and marvel at the modernity of Yas Island, where the Formula 1 track is located; and in Al Ain, you'll delve into the history of one of the oldest cities in the country. And then in Oman, you'll soak up the tradition and timeless magic of places such as the fascinating Muscat; the stunning Wahiba Sands, where the desert dominates the landscape; and the ancient capital of Nizwa. Can you think of a better plan for your holidays?
Departure date
December 2024
From
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow...
Travel details
City of origin - Dubai
Departure with destination Dubai. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Check-in. Overnight stay.
Dubai
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a half-day guided tour. You'll have the opportunity to discover the spectacular and ever-vibrant city of Dubai. Built around a small fishing village in Dubai Creek, it is today a glamorous metropolis in the Persian Gulf. The characteristic skyscrapers and huge shopping centres will impress all visitors. You'll start with the Atlantis Hotel, located on the Palm Jumeirah crescent. After that, photo stop at the Burj Al Arab hotel and continue to the Jumeirah area, where you'll make a photo stop outside the impressive Grand Mosque of Jumeirah. Built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this all-stone structure is a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. Next stop will be Al Bastakiya, the old quarter of Dubai. You'll learn all about the local history and geography by visiting the Al Shindagha Museum. Then it's time to take a local water taxi known as an abra to cross Dubai Creek. Marvel at the spectacular views of the city as you head to Deira, where you'll get to see the vast array of exotic spices in the well-known Spice Souk. Grab the opportunity to pick up a unique and affordable souvenir when you visit the Gold Souk. Lunch. In the afternoon, you'll set off on a desert safari. You'll cross the spectacular and seemingly interminable desert in comfortable 4x4 vehicles. In the evening, you'll arrive at a traditional Bedouin camp where you'll be served a BBQ dinner at sunset and to the beat of traditional Arabic music... a truly unforgettable experience. At the end of the night, you'll be taken back to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Dubai - Abu Dhabi
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to Abu Dhabi. Arrival and sightseeing tour of one of the Persian Gulf's most modern metropolises, Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven states of the United Arab Emirates. Meaning Father of the Gazelle in Arabic, Abu Dhabi is also the capital of the UAE. To start, you'll visit the well-known Yas Island, home of the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit and the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park. This is an impressive amusement park, the largest air-conditioned indoor park in the world, with a huge red Ferrari sign as a point of reference. Then you'll continue with Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world capable of accommodating over 30,000 worshippers. This beautiful mosque is completely covered in marble and features intricate Islamic decoration and carvings as well as extensive landscaping. Next stop will be downtown Abu Dhabi. Lunch. In the afternoon, you'll be taken through the spectacular Corniche, passing next to gleaming white mosques, glass-clad offices and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline. Then will drive through the famous giant Saadiyat Island project where the museums are being built to complete the image of Abu Dhabi as a cultural city. We will also pass by the famous site of Abrahamic Family House. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Louvre Museum. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Abu Dhabi - Al Ain
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to visit Al Ain. This is one of the oldest cities in the United Arab Emirates and rich in traditions. For thousands of years, the Al Ain oasis was an important stop-off for caravans on the ancient trade routes through Arabia. You'll continue to Jebel Hafeet, where you'll make an excellent photo stop. Lunch. In the afternoon, you'll visit the camel market, the most important one in the United Arab Emirates. There'll also be a visit to Al Jahili Fort, one of the largest castles in Al Ain and a prime example of local Islamic military architecture. Then it's over to the Al Ain Palace, which is one of the most important cultural places in Al Ain. It is a direct testimony to the reign period of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Al Ain and his original place of residence there. Then you'll proceed to visit Qasr AL Muwaiji, where you'll learn everything about the history of this region. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Al Ain - Sharjah - Dubai
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, departure for Sharjah, the cultural capital known as the "Pearl of the Gulf", for a half-day guided tour. You'll pass by the King Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Emirates, and by the renovated Sharjah Fort, which is the former residence of the ruling family. Next, you'll continue to the Heritage Museum, which preserves and exhibits Sharjah's culture and rich traditional costumes as a source of pride and inspiration. You'll also see works of art and handcrafted objects that date back to a time when the local population relied solely on fishing and pearling and learn about traditional skills and crafts related to jewelry, costumes, herbal medicines, music and folklore. After this visit, it’s time to explore the colorful Al Arsa souk. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant to discover the real Bedouin meal of Mandi, a succulent recipe of meat or fish with spices. In the afternoon, you'll return to Dubai and head to the 'Dubai Mall' and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower and the centerpiece of the Gulf region's most prestigious urban development to date. Free time for shopping with the possibility of going up to the Burj Khalifa (not included, shall be pre-booked in advance). Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Dubai - Musandam (Oman) - Dubai
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll take a cruise through the waters of the Indian Ocean. The Musandam Peninsula lies in the northernmost part of Oman and boasts one of the world's most rugged, isolated and stunning coastlines. The imposing Hajar Mountains rise majestically from the shore, creating spectacular fjords and providing an impressive backdrop of caves, bays and beaches. The sheltered bays are also the ideal setting for snorkelling and scuba diving. The diversity of marine life in the Gulf of Oman includes fish, corals, turtles and invertebrates. You'll set off on a dhow to sail along the fjords of Musandam, marvelling at the fantastic views while fully at one with nature. Lunch on board. These traditional boats are fitted with comfortable seats, cushions and rugs. You'll enjoy the spectacular sea by diving, swimming, playing games, and much more. You'll return to Dubai at the end of the day to unwind at the hotel after a long day of adventures. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. Important: You must have your passport on you, as it's essential for immigration procedures.
Dubai - Sohar - Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start our journey to Muscat by bus crossing Oman thru UAE border. Lunch en route in Sohar and orientation tour of the third largest city of Oman. Stop at the Sohar Mosque, a real architectural achievement. We will continue our route to Muscat that will reach at the end of a day passing Barka and Seeb. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel. The tour of Muscat will begin at 9.30 am with the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which has become the new symbol of the city. After this visit, we will continue to the Opera house to visit this marvelous building specially built by Sultan Qaboos. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit Old Muscat, surrounded by steep mountains and flanked by twin 16th century forts ‘Jalali’ & ‘Mirani’. We will also see the Al Alam Palace, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ residence. We will then proceed to Bait Al Zubair Museum, which preserves a part of Muscat's heritage. Sheikh Al Zubair, who served three former Sultans, founded the house in 1914 and his son Mohammad Al Zubair opened it as a museum in 1998. Then, drive through the scenic beauty of the corniche with a stop at Muttrah, the main port and commercial center where we will be able to explore its colorful historic souk with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling all manner of textiles, jewelry, traditional Omani perfumes and antiques. After this long tour, we will drive back to the hotel. Dinner is at a traditional Omani restaurant. Overnight stay.
Muscat - Şūr - Wahiba Sands
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will drive through one of the most thrilling sections of Oman's 1,700 km coastline, visiting the famous Sinkhole, a part of a collapsed mountain filled with seawater. Then, we will continue our journey to Wadi Shab, where we will stop to admire the marvelous nature and, maybe, walk a bit in the Wadi. Lunch. We will then continue to Şūr, a sea-faring town and a bustling trading port famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and its shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. After a quick tour of Şūr, we will continue across the coastal road passing through high cliffs and small fishing villages. At the end of the afternoon, we will reach the desert of Wahiba Sands, one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. We will board 4x4 vehicles and start the adventure in the desert. The vast, ever-shifting dunes support an astonishing variety of wildlife and host different kinds of flora and fauna. Arrival at the camp and dinner. Overnight stay.
Wahiba Sands - Nizwa
After breakfast, we will enjoy for the last time the desert and its secrets, before we board our 4x4 to return to normal civilization. We will then depart to Wadi Bani Khalid, a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains. We will enjoy an incredible view. We will walk in the wadi to investigate the surrounding area on foot. Departure to Nizwa around noon. Lunch en route. Arrival in Nizwa, a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. Quick orientation of the city and visit to its 17th-century souk, famous for the silver jewelry, not to mention the popular and interesting cattle auction, which takes place every Friday. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Nizwa - Muscat - City of origin
After breakfast, we will continue to visit Nizwa. Our first stop will be the charming ancestral village of Birkat Al Mawz, located at the bottom of the green mountain, Jebel Akhdar. Then we will proceed to the Jabreen Fort. The Jabreen Castle, built-in the 17th century, is one of the finest of its kind. Its magnificent plasterwork, the carved doors and the painted wooden beams of the ceilings make this castle amazingly different. After visiting the Jabrin Castle, we will drive back towards Nizwa via the Jebel Shams, which we will only be able to see along the most famous part of the Hajar mountain range route in Oman. We will pass by the oldest small towns of Oman: Bahla with its fort (exterior visit) and the palm groves at Al Hamra with its Falaj system. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will proceed to Muscat, the Capital. Evening transfer to the airport. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.
City of origin
Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
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Transfers according to the itinerary.
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Regular tours mentioned in the itinerary, not stated as optional.
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English-speaking local guides.
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Diet: 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners.
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Insolvency protection.
Your trip doesn't include
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Visa to enter in United Arab Emirates.
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Tips for the guide and driver (we suggest USD 3 per person per day for the guide and USD 2 per person per day for the driver).
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Local tourist taxes (to be paid directly at the hotel, between USD 4 and USD 6 per night per room in Dubai and Abu Dhabi).
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Electronic Visa to enter in Oman.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Category A
Novotel Bur Dubai
Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai
Category B
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
19Th Street, Oud Metha Area, Dubai
Excellent
9
Important remarks
- As per new security regulations, all passengers visiting United Arab Emirates (organised or otherwise) must carry an identification at all times: either an original passport or a photocopy of it is sufficient.
- United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country and the month of Ramadan is of major significance to its residents. During Ramadan, entertainment and alcohol will be restricted in most of the country. The sale of alcohol will be restricted in many places, although some establishments will offer alcohol for sale to tourists. During this period, local businesses may also have shorter opening hours.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- Oman is a Muslim country and the month of Ramadan is of major significance to its residents. During Ramadan, entertainment and alcohol will be restricted in most of the country. The sale of alcohol will be restricted in many places, although some establishments will offer alcohol for sale to tourists. During this period, local businesses may also have shorter opening hours.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.