Desert Duality - UAE & Oman

DAY 1 Dubai (Arrival)

Arrival at Dubai airport. Meet & Greet by our representative. Transfer to your hotelby air-conditioned vehicle. Check-in& overnight in Dubai. Dinner at leisure.

DAY 2 Dubai (B,L,D)

Breakfast at your hotel. We will start with a briefing meeting to introduce the group and the guide and explain the trip.We will depart for a half-day guided tour of DUBAI. You will have the opportunity to discover the spectacular and lively metropolis of Dubai. The city, developed from a small fishing village at the Dubai Creek, nowadays presents itself as a glamorous metropolis in the Arabian Gulf. The distinctive skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls will impress every visitor. We start with the Atlantis Hotel located at the crescent of Palm Jumeirah After that, photo stop of Burj Al Arab Hotel and continue to the Jumeirah area, where we will have a photo stop of the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque of Jumeirah. Built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this stone structure is a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. We then proceed to Bastakyia, the old town district of Dubai. Learn everything about the local history and geography. We will visit the Al Shindagha Museum. Another highlight will follow: you will use the local water taxis, called “Abras”, to cross the Dubai Creek. Enjoy the spectacular view of the city while heading towards the district of Deira. Here you will be enchanted by the large variety of exotic spices in the famous Spice Souk. Take the chance to get a unique and affordable souvenir when you visit the adjacent Gold Souk. Lunch Buffet. In the afternoon, we will join a Desert Safari; after settling down in the 4WD vehicles, the jeeps will speed through the desert of the golden dunes. The dune bashing or desert driving continues with the thrill of going up and down the dunes provoking many shrieks and laughter full of excitement. The final leg of this program takes us to the main campsite. This will be the highlight of the trip. After witnessing a memorable sight – the true Arabian sunset with its glory and magic. A delicious Barbecue Dinner is prepared on open fires and a variety of beverages are available. The beat of the music increases as a Belly dancer starts dancing to the rhythm of the music. What better way to experience a true Arabian night than this. Overnight in Dubai

DAY 3 Dubai - Abu Dhabi (B,L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the tour in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UnitedArab Emirates. Thiscomprehensive tour is the ideal introduction to the UAE capitaland the island on which it stands. The name AbuDhabi means: “Father of theGazelle”. We will start at the famous Yas Island which houses the FORMULA 1 YAScircuit &the first attraction park of Ferrari in the world. An impressive attraction park,the largest covered air-conditionedpark in the world with a huge RED FERRARI signas a landmark. Then we will continue towards Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one ofthe largest Mosques in the world; able to accommodate more than 30,000 worshipers. The beautiful Mosque is completely cladded in marble and features intricate Islamic decoration andcarvings as well as extensivelandscaping. Then we will go towards Abu Dhabi downtown. Lunch in the city. After lunch, we will drive along the spectacular Corniche, past gleaming whitemosques, glass-clad offices and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip ofthe breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline. We will drive through the famous giant SaadiyatIsland 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 the Abrahamic Family House. In the late afternoonwe will visit the Louvre Museum, TheLouvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum, located in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Finally, we willcheck in at the hotel. Dinner & overnight in AbuDhabi.

DAY 4 Abu Dhabi - Al Ain (B,L,D )

Breakfast at your hotel. We leave Abu Dhabi in the morning to AL AIN. This morning, we will continue to Al Ain. Whichis located in the Hajjar Mountains, it is one of the oldest cities in theUAE, rich in traditions. For thousands of years,the oasis of Al Ain has been an important caravan stop on the ancient trade routes across Arabia. We continue toJebel Hafeetand will take a greatphoto stop. After that, we will have Lunch in the city. In the afternoon, we will visitthe camel market, the largest in the UAE. Then we will visit also the Jahili Fort, one of the largestcastles in Al Ain andthe best-in-class example of the Islamic military architecture locally. Then we will visit Al Ain Palace, which is one the most important cultural places in Al Ain city. It is a directtestimony to the period of rule of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin SultanAl Nahyan in Al Ain and his original place of residence there. The Palace is also the birthplace of HH Sheikh MohamadBinZayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Then we proceed to visitQasr AL Muwaiji, where you will learn everything about the history of thisregion. At the end of the afternoon, we will check in at the hotel. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight in AL AIN.

DAY 5 Al Ain - Sharjah - Dubai (B, L, D)

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, we will proceed towards. Dubai & Sharjah. We will reach after 2 hours and start a half-day Sharjah tour. This tour will take us to Sharjah, the cultural capital or known as the ‘Pearl of the Gulf”. You will pass by the King Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Emirates. Then we pass by the renovated Fort of Sharjah, the former residence of the ruling family. Then we continue to the Sharjah Heritage Museum which conserves and displays the rich traditional customs and culture of Sharjah as a source of pride and inspiration to Emiratis and visitors to the UAE. Begin a journey of discovery through Sharjah's rich and diverse heritage and explore traditions that have endured the test of time. You will see handcrafted works of art and objects that date back to a time when local people relied solely on fishing and pearling. Trace the development of education, currency and the early postal system. We will discover the traditional skills and crafts relating to jewellery, costumes, herbal medicines, music and folklore. After the visit, it’s now time to explore the colourful Souk Al Arsa, set up traditionally. You will also have an opportunity to discover local traditional shops in Souk Al Arsa. Lunch will be served in a very local restaurant where you will discover the real Bedouin meal of MANDI, a succulent recipe of meats or fish with marvellous spices from this part of the world. After the tour, we return to Dubai towards the “Dubai Mall” & Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower and the centrepiece of the Gulf region's most prestigious urban development to date. Burj Dubai will radiate out in a series of ellipses from the sky-breaking tower encompassing residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and the world's largest shopping mall “Dubai Mall”. Free time for shopping. With more than 1,200 stores and a host of world-class attractions; the Middle East region’s first Galeries Lafayette department store, France’s leading fashion house and one of the top 100 global retailers. The Dubai Mall is revolutionizing the modern shopping experience. With an impressive array of leisure pursuits, this is the ultimate, cutting-edge shopping experience. A range of adventure sports vies for attention alongside the romance of ice skating. The Dubai Mall is a place where a 21st-century gold souk is set off against a world-class aquarium. Step inside The Dubai Mall and experience a place like no other. A climb to Burj Khalifa will be proposed to all our guests (optional –to pre-book in advance), Dinner in the hotel. Overnight in DUBAI

DAY 6 Dubai - Musandam Cruise (Oman) - Dubai (B,L,D)

Breakfast at your hotel. Today, we will go for a cruise in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Musandam is a spot where the waters of the “Gulf of Oman” are the gateway to the natural sea treasures. The Musandam Peninsula is the northern-most part of Oman, it has one of the most rugged, isolated and beautiful coastlines in the world, the towering Hajar Mountains rise directly out of the sea creating spectacular fjords-like scenery, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop for the caves, bays and pebble beaches along the coast. The sheltered bays also offer a safe environment for snorkelers and non-divers to explore. Marine life in the Gulf of Oman is rich in diversity with fish, corals, turtles and invertebrates. We will take a dhow cruise trip in the fjords of Musandam that offers us an insight into this fantastic landscape and guarantees an ambience of peace and tranquillity. There is also a possibility of seeing Dolphins along the cruise. Lunch on board. This traditional type of dhow is equipped with comfortable seats, cushions and carpet. We will enjoy sea safaris, snorkelling, swimming, playing and more. (Note: Please carry your passport along with you, as it is required for Police Check). We will be back in Dubai at the end of the day to relax in the hotel after that long adventure day. Dinner in a hotel & overnight in Dubai.

DAY 7 Dubai - Sohar - Muscat (B,L,D)

After breakfast at your hotel, we will start our journey to Muscat by Bus crossing Oman throughthe UAE border. Lunch en route in Sohar. Orientation tour of Sohar the third largest city of OMAN. Stop at the SOHAR Mosque, a real architectural achievement. We will continue our route to Muscat which will reach at the end of the day passing Barka, and Seeb. Check in to Muscat Hotel & Dinner at the Hotel. Overnight stay at Muscat.

DAY 8 MUSCAT (B, L, D)

Breakfast at your hotel. We will start with a briefing meeting at 9h30 am to introduce all the group and the guide and explain the trip. Afterwards, we start the tour of Muscat. Drive through the beautiful embassy quarter, to reach the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which has a remarkable architectural achievement. As a contemporary place of worship, it serves as a spiritual landmark for modern Oman, projecting the values and aspirations of the Omani people. As an edifice, it maintains a perfect balance between aesthetics, culture and deeply rooted Islamic tradition. After the visit to the mosque, we continued to the OPERA house to visit this marvellous edifice specially built by the Sultan Qaboos. Lunch will be served in a typical fish restaurant with the locals. After lunch, we will visit Old Muscat, surrounded by steep mountains and flanked by twin 16th-century forts ‘Jalali’ & ‘Mirani’ (Photo stop), and also see the Al Alam Palace, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ residence. We will then proceed to the Bait Al Zubair Museum. Bait Al Zubair is itself 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. Its carved doors open into a fortress-style reception. The museum includes traditional Omani weaponry, jewellery, costumes, domestic utensils and recreated urban and rural environments. Then drive through the scenic beauty of the corniche, stop at Muttrah - the main port & commercial centre, and explore the colourful historic souk. This is a real souk with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling all manner of textiles, jewellery, traditional Omani perfumes (bukhoor - made of frankincense), souvenirs and antiques. After that long tour, we will drive back to the hotel. Dinner is at a nice OMANI restaurant, where you will experience how OMANI’s eat and taste their cuisine enjoying the relaxing atmosphere that the OMANI people like. Overnight in Muscat.

DAY 9 Muscat - Sur- Wahiba (B,L,D)

After breakfast depart for a great adventure trip. We will drive through one of the most thrilling sections of Oman's 1,700 KM coastline. Visit the famous Sinkhole, a part of a collapsed mountain filled with sea water then continue driving on the graded road via Fins. Continue your journey to Wadi Shab where we will stop to admire the marvelous nature and maybe walk a bit in the WADI. Lunch in WADI Shab. We will then continue to Sur, a seafaring town and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. It is famous for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. After a short tour of Sur, we will continue the coastal road passing through high cliffs and small fishing villages. We will reach at the end of the afternoon 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. The quick changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba is also home to a few thousand Bedouins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. We will do some dune bashing as our experienced drivers show their skill on the dune drive which is a thrilling experience. Dinner in the camp with a real desert atmosphere & Overnight in Wahiba Sands.

DAY 10 Wahiba Sands - Nizwa (B, L, D)

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 and a chance to capture the scenic beauty with the cameras. We will walk in the wadi to investigate the surrounding area on foot. Departure to NIZWA around noon, we will stop on our way for lunch. After lunch, we will continue to Nizwa, a great city with a great history. On arrival in NIZWA after approximately 2- 3 hours, we will do a quick orientation of the city. The ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa was a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. The 17th-century souq famous for silver jewelleryis the major attraction of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place on every Friday. Built on a scold base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibration of 24 cannons. We will visit the SOUK and walk around discovering the old city. Check in the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in NIZWA.

DAY 11 Nizwa - Muscat - Departure (B,L)

After breakfast, we will continue the visit of Nizwa. Our first stop will be the charming ancestral village of BIRKAT AL MAWZ at the bottom of the GREEN mountain that we will see from a distance, 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 we visit the Jabrin castle, we will drive back towards Nizwa passing the JEBEL SHAMS that we will see only along the route part of the most famous Hajar mountains chain in OMAN. We will pass by the oldest small town of Oman Bahla with its fort (outside visit). We will stop at the palm groves at Al Hamra to see its Falaj system. we will stop on our way for lunch. After the visit, we will proceed to MUSCAT, the Capital. Evening transfer to Muscat Airport for the departure flight.