Arabian Gulf Tour

November 17 - December 2, 2010

$4700 ppdo/land only

Nov 17: Arrival in Dubai
Arrive at Dubai Airport where our local representative will meet and assist with immigration formalities. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Nov 18: Dubai
After breakfast enjoy a tour of the city of Dubai, known international as a modern shoppers' paradise. We will visit the magnificent Jumeirah Mosque and one of the tallest buildings in the Middle East - the Dubai World Trade Center. We will also visit the Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort, and end the tour in the spice and gold souks. We will return to the hotel for lunch and some free time in the afternoon before departing for a dinner cruise on a dhow. Overnight in Dubai.

Nov 19: Dubai
After breakfast we will depart for a tour of Sharjah, the third largest of the Emirates. Sharjah has some of the most interesting architecture of the region, and has souks to rival those in Dubai. We will see the largest mosque in the U.A.E. and get a glimpse of the more traditional way of life in the region. Afterward, we will return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dubai.

Nov 20: Dubai - Bahrain
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Bahrain. GF 501 DXBBAH 810A 825A Upon our arrival at Bahrain Airport we will be met and assisted and then take a tour of Manama and the surrounding area. The tiny island state is the site of some of the oldest civilizations in the world. Bahrain is packed with archaeological digs, historical museums, dhow building yards and back-street souks. Our tour will include the Bahrain National Museum, a camel farm, the King Fahad Causeway, and Manama's Old Souq. Check in tour hotel for dinner and overnight.

Nov 21: Bahrain
After breakfast we will continue out sightseeing of Bahrain. Our tour today will include the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bait Al Quaran, the Sheihk Issa Bin Ali house, Al Jasra Handicraft center, Bahrain fort, the A'Ali potters, and the A'Ali royal burial mounds. Dinner and overnight in Manama.

Nov 22: Bahrain - Doha
After breakfast we will check out and transfer to the airport for our flight to Qatar GF 524 BAHDOH 130P 215P. Upon arrival we will be met and assisted and transfer to our hotel to check in. Later we will depart for a desert safari with BBQ dinner. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Nov 23: Doha
In the morning we will visit Al Shahaniya to see a fascinating private museum, an Oryx Farm and Qatar's camel racing track. Then we will go to the Equestrian Club to see some of the most beautiful purebred Arab horses. Enjoy a traditional Arabic lunch in the heart of Souq Waqif, then head off for a tour of Doha to see how this rapidly changing city is successfully blending the old and the new. Our afternoon will include a photo stop along the corniche and dhow harbor, a visit to the Islamic Cultural Center Fanar, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Souq Waqif and Falcon Shops. Dinner and overnight in Doha.

Nov 24: Doha-Muscat
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure to Muscat. WY 664 DOH-MCT 1240P 440P. Meet and assist and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight at the Muscat Holiday Hotel

Nov 25: Muscat
After breakfast, we will take you to Azaiba, where you will find the Grand Mosque, standing in stately grandeur. A visit to this beautiful piece of architecture is a must to all tourists (open for tourist from 8-11 am except Fridays. Dress code - Men and women should wear attire covering their arms and legs. Women should cover their heads with scarf). From here we will take you into the heart of a world that has not changed in generation. There is the bustling fish and vegetable souq where you can see the latest catch of fish and fresh vegetables & fruits from the farms. Capture the spirit of a bygone era. The Old Souq of Muttrah awaits you with sights, sounds and aroma. We will see the old city of Muscat and catch a glimpse of the old town through the eyes of bygone travellers who left their marks and images, collected and on display at the fine galleries and museums (Bait Al Zubair) in the heart of the Old Quarter. We'll take a photo stop at the Sultan's Palace flanked by the 16th Century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. After lunch, we will seek out the palaces of yesteryear from which sovereign lords surveyed their Kingdom at Nizwa. We travel via Fanjah where we take a photo stop to have a glimpse of an ancient and abandoned village. We pass through the Sumail Gap. At 170 kms, you reach Nizwa, the old capital of Oman. We visit the big round fort of the Yaruba dynasty. Check in at you hotel. Overnight at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.

Nov 26: Nizwa / Bahla / Jabrin / Nizwa
After breakfast, we start our tour with a stop at Tanuf on our way to Bahla. Walk amongst the ruins of Tanuf and study the use of loam with which the town was built. Tanuf is famous for its mineral water springs. Further on is Bahla, the oldest recorded region of civilization in Oman. There is a huge loam fort, which is at present under renovation. Because of its cultural importance, the town is listed in UNESCO's list of heritage monuments. Bahla is also known as the pottery capital of Oman. From here it is a short distance to the mighty bastion of Jabrin and the crown seat of the Yaruba Dynasty. Later we back track and head towards the geological wonders at Al Hoota Cave, a formation of stalactites and stalagmites are a real beauty. We will stop at Misfat Al Abrein, a picturesque village strapped on to the side of a mountain. As you walk around this beautiful village where time has come to a standstill, you will be moved by the simplicity and friendliness of the people. Return to back to you hotel. After a time of relaxation and dinner at the hotel we take a stroll through the beautifully illuminated down town. The town is still a bustling center for crafts and the silver souq is the best in Oman. Feel free to mingle with the crowd and let the Omani ambience take hold of you. Overnight at Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.

Nov 27: Nizwa / Wahiba
After breakfast, we will start our day with a drive to the thriving oasis of Mudharib. From here head to the Golden undulating sand of the Wahiba. We will visit some Bedouin settlement and experience the life style and the Bedouin hospitality. Later check-in at the Desert Nights Camp. Indulge in some dune bashing around the camp. After a time of relaxation in the tranquility of the desert, we will head up to one of the dunes to watch the sunset with refreshments. The sight is as if the desert swallows the sun. Later head back to the camp for dinner. Dinner and overnight at Safari Desert Camp.

Nov 28: Wahiba / Wadi Bani Khalid / Ras Al Hadd
After breakfast, you can go on a short camel ride around the camp vicinities (Provided by the camp). Leave the camp and head into the mountains looking for that long lost "Shangri-La", Wadi Bani Khalid. Here we will find an oasis of clear running waters and verdant plant life, a veritable heaven on earth. Later we will drive to Sur, the old East African Port. Pass through a typical Omani village before proceeding to Ras Al Hadd. Check-In at the Ras Al Hadd Hotel. After dinner we go to the beach to observe the nesting habits of the green sea turtles. Overnight at Ras Al Hadd Hotel

Nov 29: Ras Al Hadd / Costal Road / Muscat
After breakfast, we head towards the coastal road via. First stop is at "Qalhat" where you will find the Tomb of Bibi Miriam, the only building left standing after the town was razed by the Portuguese in 1503. From here we proceed to *Wadi Shab for some sightseeing in a beautiful wadi system. Take a hike up one of Oman's scenic wadis. At the end of Wadi Shab there is a swim through the famous keyhole into the secluded world thrilling of fantasy. Enjoy a picnic lunch after a swim at Wadi Shab. We then drive on to "Fins Beach", the white sandy beach. From here visit "Bimah sinkhole", a geological formation of the karst topography and a scenic wonder, before we pass through some spectacular mountain scenery up the coast as we make our way back to Muscat. Overnight at the Muscat Holiday Hotel. Please note that the wadi is strewn with rocks and pebbles which makes walking difficult. Advisable to wear sturdy walking shoes.

Nov 30: Muscat - Al Ain
We will have breakfast at the hotel before checking out and departing for the oasis town of Al-Ain. Al-Ain is the main town in the Buraimi Oasis, which straddles the border between Abu Dhabi and Oman. We will check in to our hotel for overnight.

Dec 1: Al Ain - Abu Dhabi
After breakfast we will check out of the hotel and then take a half day tour of Al Ain. We will visit the Al-Ain Museum to see exhibits on life in the region before oil, Bedouin jewelry, weaponry, musical instruments and the interior of a Bedouin tent. Al-Ain has a bustling livestock market that attracts Beduoin and townspeople from all over southern U.A.E. and we may be able to see some lively trading going on. There are also several forts in the area that we can explore. Afterwards we will drive to Abu Dhabi for overnight.

Dec 2: Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your final departure.

Included:

• Accommodation in 4* hotels sharing double room on half board (breakfast and dinner)
• Air-conditioned motor-coach, or 4x4 vehicles as appropriate for terrain
• English-speaking guides throughout (driver/guides in Oman)
• All applicable entrance fees for tours and sites on the itinerary
• Tips and porterage of luggage at hotels
• Taxes and services
• Visa

Not Included:

• Air fare
• Personal expenses such as room service, mini-bar charges, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
• Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary
• Refreshments, alcoholic beverages, snacks, etc., en route or during meals
• Tips for guides and drivers (we usually recommend $4 for the driver and $7 for the guide-all per person per day)
• Trip insurance

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