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Day 1-3: Meet in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Start your immersive cultural tour of the Arabian Peninsula with a stroll through the old souk (open air market) to the pier where we board a water taxi crossing the river to the bustling traditional spice souk and then a glimpse past the rather modern gold souk. Wander around Shindaga waterfront and visit the Heritage and Diving Villages and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (residence of a former ruler of Dubai). Visit the fascinating underground Dubai Museum with its insights into traditional life, antiques and ancient artifacts. Marvel at the famous 7-star Burj al Arab hotel and catch a glimpse of some of Dubai’s breathtaking architectural and engineering projects such as the Dubai Marina, Dubailand, Dubai Autodrome and the International City.
Day 4: Sharjah - Ajman - Ras Al Kalmath-Kasab
A full day visiting three of the United Arab Emirates with our tour group. See engaging museums, inspiring mosques and soak up the ambiance of authentic old Middle Eastern towns. Enjoy dramatic scenery up to the mountaineous border with Oman's spectacular Musandam Peninsula.
Day 5: Oman: Kasab
Enjoy the beauty and quaintness of this old town and its natural harbor. A tour of Kasab Fort, harbor, old souq and nearby villages. Boat ride on a traditional Omani dhow.
Day 6: Muscat
A one hour flight to Muscat. Explore the seaside residential area of Qurum, and the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a walking tour of Surbal-Lawatiya-the walled district of the Lawati tribe. Our small group tour then enjoys a scenic drive along the Corniche waterfront to charming ancient Muttrah (old city) and its souq, probably the oldest in Oman. We'll continue through the old city to the Al Alam Palace, an architectural marvel for both its design and location between the twin forts of Jalali and Mirani.
Day 7-8: Muscat-Salalah
Morning short flight to Salalah. The town is a colorful subtropical city with an interesting ethnic mix. Tour including a visit to the Frankincense Museum and the archaeological site of Al-Balid, a UNESCO site, Khor Rawri - ancient port and traditional fishing village Taqua. Return to Muscat Day 8 evening.
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Day 9: Quriyat - Tiwi - Fins Beach - Sur
Early morning visit to the Grand Mosque in Muscat before embarking on our soft adventure excursion along the coastline to Sur. We'll visit the large fishing village of Quriyat, enjoy picnic lunch on the beautiful white sands of Fins Beach before we meander in Tiwi, a sleepy picturesque fishing village with pastel colored houses. After dinner, we go to Ras al-Junayz to see the wild turtles nesting ground (Sept-Nov tours only).
Day 10: Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba Sands
Our local guide starts us with a tour of Sur, then takes us to relax at Wadi Bani Khalid, a desert oasis with clear, green spring-water pools. From there we continue to Wahiba Sands, the great desert of Oman. Wahiba Sands is home to the traditional Bedouins. Our small group visits a Bedouin tribal family in their dwelling before enjoying the accommodations at Desert Nights Deluxe Camp.
Day 11: Jabal Akhdar (Jabal Shams)
An early morning drive brings the tour to the quaint village of Sinaw to see the camel market. Here we’ll see a true slice of traditional life. Afterwards we proceed to the beautiful Jabal Akhdar Mountains.
Day 12: Nizwa
We depart for the oasis city of Nizwa, stopping enroute to visit the old walled town of Al Hamara, the mountain village of Masfah. In Nizwa we visit the Bahla and Jabrin Forts and the traditional souk.
Day 13: Nizwa-Al Ain-Abu Dhabi
Early morning animal market in Nizwa (pending confirmation). We cross the border back into UAE and tour the intriguing border town Al Ain and its fascinating national museum, Al Ain Palace and possible animal market. We continue to Abu Dhabi, the second largest of the United Arab Emirates.
Day 14: Abu Dhabi - Dubai
A full day touring Abu Dhabi's many highlights. Evening return to Dubai.
Day 15: Depart
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