Arabian Peninsula: Qatar, Oman, and U.A.E.

Day 1: Welcome to Doha, Qatar
Arrival and transfer from Doha International Airport to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2: A Day of Arabian Discoveries in Doha
Start the day with an Arabic language lesson to learn some useful words and phrases that you can use while exploring the Arabian Peninsula, before joining our expert guide for a full day of sightseeing. Arabian horses have captured the hearts and imaginations of equestrians around the world for centuries. You will have a private tour of a local equestrian center to discover firsthand how magnificent these steeds are, prized for their alert spirit, endurance, and willingness to please. Lunch is a celebration of seafood and art, when you dine in the Katarawa Cultural Village, known for its art galleries. Head out to sea aboard a private dhow boat that delights you with a cruise of the bay, followed by a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art of Doha, designed by the famous architect, I. M. Pei. There you will see Islamic manuscripts, artifacts, and artwork from the 7th to 19th centuries, including ceramics, jewelry, and textiles. Later you will have a walking tour of the shops and restaurants at the labyrinthine Souk Waqif, meaning “standing market” in Arabic, before venturing out on your own for dinner. Return back to your hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Full-Day Desert Safari Tour
The tour starts with a drive towards the South of Qatar. Stop at the picturesque Sea Line Area. The professional 4×4 drivers will then deflate the tires to make the vehicle ready for dune bashing and take you on an exciting adventure over the amazing sand dunes of the Qatar desert. Visit Inland Sea to view the Saudi Mountains and enjoy swimming. Then proceed to our exclusive Desert Camp to enjoy desert volleyball, football, basketball, sand boarding, and more exciting activities. Relax in Bedouin-styled tents, carpeted with traditional seating. Restrooms, shower rooms, and safety equipment are also available in the camp. Enjoy Arabian Barbeque buffet lunch or dinner at the camp. Then head back to your hotel.

Day 4: Muscat, Oman
Fly to Muscat. Oman lies at the crossroads of three continents and four seas. Its strategic location at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula has led to a fascinating heritage of seafaring history that includes the legends of Sinbad the Sailor. Explore the sights, sounds, and perfumed smells of Muscat, the capital of Oman, on a guided city tour that takes you up to an overlook at Al Alam Palace, down to the picturesque waterfront corniche, and past the Royal Opera House to the private Bait Al Zubair Museum, housed in what was once the Zubair family home. Inside, see exhibits and artifacts that chronicle Oman’s culture, traditions, and heritage, from textiles and furniture to daggers and swords. After lunch, tour the Amouage Perfume Factory, where some of the Middle East’s best-known exotic perfumes and colognes are crafted. Along with traditional scents of frankincense and myrrh, more than 100 other ingredients are combined to create their signature fragrances. Return to hotel.

Day 5: Muscat – Nizwa
After breakfast, you will check out and proceed on an Oasis City Tour of Nizwa, which was once the capital of the Julanda Dynasty in the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Today it remains as the most popular tourist attraction, with its historical buildings and imposing fort. Visit the Nizwa Fort, with its enormous round tower built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Ya’aruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area, with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is only by means of a narrow, twisting staircase, barred by heavy wooden doors and studded with metal. From the top of the tower one can get a bird’s eye view of Nizwa. From here there is only a short walk to the Nizwa Souq, which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjar and ornately-designed silver jewelry. Proceed to the Jabrin Fort, stopping en route at Bahla for a photo of the Bahla Fort, now a World Heritage Site. Arrive at Jabrin to visit the castle, the finest of Oman’s castles built in the late 17th century, which became a seat of Omani learning. This castle has extremely well-planned layout. Most of the ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings with Islamic motifs. The view from the top of the castle is really mesmerizing. After such an eventful day return to the hotel.

Day 6: Muscat 
After breakfast check out and proceed to Muscat via mountain route. You will visit Al Hamra and thereafter continue the drive to Bilad Sayt, a tranquil hamlet at the foothills of the Jabel Akdhar Mountains. Enjoy the drive with spectacular views of Wadi Bani Auf along the way. Continue the drive to Muscat. Arrive at Muscat and check-in to your hotel.

Day 7: Departure to Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Fly this morning to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and the residence of the Federal National Council, Abu Dhabi. Enjoy your breakfast and depart for a full-day tour of Abu Dhabi. One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism. You will be mesmerized by the grandness of the new addition to Abu Dhabi’s skyline, the majestic Grand Mosque, the third-largest mosque in the world. We then visit the Cultural Foundation at the heart of the city next to the famous Union Square that gathers symbolic themes inspired by customs of the country. After lunch we will visit the Abu Dhabi Corniche and the Heritage Village, specially designed by the late HH Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan al Nahyan as a reminder of the past for the younger generations. Drive to the hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Full Day in Al Ain
After breakfast we depart for Al Ain, known as the “Garden City,” one of the oldest settlements in the region. It is a stunningly green city with an incredible number of public parks and numerous greenhouses. Al Ain is one of the agricultural centers of the Emirates and also a university town. It is also the birthplace of the President of the U.A.E. The Jimi and Hili Oases will provide us with a shaded walk through the palms of a date plantation, giving each visitor a restful and pleasant experience. Next, we will visit the Al Ain Palace Museum, the residence of the late ruler, Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Interesting displays, including a collection of family portraits, offer an insight into the way the royal family lived and entertained its guests. We then stop at the camel market before returning to Abu Dhabi for overnight.

Day 9: New Dubai Tour
Dubai is an amazing city and has become an exciting global tourism hub. It’s the second largest emirate and the most inhabited city of the U.A.E. Located southeast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is world famous for its modern architecture and beautiful landmarks. Start the tour with Souk Madinat, Atlantis, The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, and then take a glimpse of Mall of the Emirates and other examples of modern architecture along Sheik Zayed Road. Witness the majestic view of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and the famous Dubai Mall, where you will have an entrance to Burj Khalifa’s “At the Top,” one of the world’s tallest observation decks, located on the skyscraper’s 124th floor. After entering through Dubai Mall, enjoy a multi-media presentation about Dubai’s history and then zoom up to the observation deck by high-speed elevator to enjoy free time ogling the views. See Palm Jumeirah, enjoy a quick photo stop at the magnificent Jumeirah Mosque (open to non-Muslims), visit Dubai Marina, and then stop by Sunset Beach Road to capture the water’s sparkling color. As you are enjoying the scene under the hot sun, enjoy a nice view of Burj Al Arab, considered as the world’s only 7-star hotel. Continue to your hotel in Dubai.

Day 10: Old Dubai Tour
Today we will go on a sightseeing tour of Old Dubai. From your hotel, we will go to the Creek, where you can enjoy and photograph its enticing beauty before boarding your assigned service coach. Your guide will give instructions and educational information about the whole itinerary while passing by the city’s main points. First stop is Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi, where you will learn the traditional way of life in Dubai. The museum presents local antiquities and artifacts, which are as old as 3000 B.C. Then take a look at the fantastic buildings along Dubai Creek by Abra, an ancient local water taxi. The tour continues with a visit to the Spice Souk, a traditional market where fragrances and spices will capture your senses, and then on to the Gold Souk, where you can dazzle yourself with unlimited gold jewelry. Take your time roaming around the place for a short while. Back to your hotel for overnight.

Day 11: Free Day
Free day on your own. Optional tours are available.

Day 12: Departure
Breakfast and transfer to airport for departure.

Payment and Refund Policies

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Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

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Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.