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Day 1-2: Meet in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With our knowledgable guide stroll through the old souk (open air market), then continue by water taxi to the spice and gold souks. 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 3: Sharjah - Ajman - Al Fujayrah
Enjoy a relaxed day visiting three Emirates with your small group and see the engaging museums, boisterous souks, inspiring mosques and enjoyable casual strolls down pretty waterfronts.
Day 4-6: Oman: Sohar - Muscat
The tour group then crosses the border into Sohar, a quiet seaside town before a short drive takes us to Muscat. Explore the seaside residential area of Qurum, and the Bait Al Zubair Museum (noted for its extensive collection of ancient weapons) including the new galleries in the 3-storey 'Bait Al Oud' wing exhibiting rare prints, maps, charts, photographs and furniture. Our small group tour then enjoys a scenic drive along the Corniche waterfront on our way to the charming ancient Muttrah souk. 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: Quriyat - Tiwi - Fins Beach - Sur
Early morning sees our intrepid tourist group visit 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 8: 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 9-10: Nizwa
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. Our guide takes us through the oasis city of Nizwa, then we visit the old walled town of Al Hamara, the mountain village of Masfah, and then the Bahla and Jabrin Forts.
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Day 11: Al Ain - Abu Dhabi - Dubai
The group gest an early morning start with a visit to the animal market, and then the colorful local soukwhich is renowned for its intricately hand-carved "Khanjar" and ornately designed silver jewelry. Then a drive to Al Ain to visit the national museum, Al Ain Palace Museum, Souk Al Mawashi and the camel market. The tour then continues to Abu Dhabi for overnight.
Day 12: Abu Dhabi - Dubai
A full day touring Abu Dhabi's many highlights.
PLEASE NOTE:
At this time the Yemen portion of the tour is Not Operating.
Day 13-14: Sana'a, Yemen
Our guide takes us on a walking tour in the old city of Sana'a, including many ancient structures such as the 'Bab al-Yaman' entry gate. Soak up the atmosphere of the medieval souk before the tour drives through the Green Valley, a fertile, pleasant valley of small villages and clan-walled orchards. Our small group then visits Kawkaban (a village built on an inaccessible mountainside), and tours the UNESCO listed city of Shibam (its 16th century vertical buildings leading to the nickname "the Manhattan of the Desert"), and finally the well preserved town of Thula.
Day 15: Manakha - al Hajjrah - Hodeidahi
Enjoy a typical Yemeni lunch while you are entertained with folkloric dances. Then visit Al-Hoteib, the famous pilgrimage center for the Dawoudi Bohra (Ismaili Muslims of India).
Day 16-17: Taiz
Enroute to Taiz the tour goup visits Bait Al Faqih(the 18th century coffee-trading center) and Zabid which is a UNESCO world heritage site for its Great Mosque and the ancient Zabid University. In Yafrus, visit the mosque and tomb of Ahmed Bin Alwan, a 16th century Sufi (Islamic mystic). Continue to Saber Mountain for a great view of Taiz City before exploring Taiz itself.
Day 18: Sana'a-Depart
See the great mosque of Jiblah with its column prayer hall and the finely decorated tomb of the Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi. Visit the old town portion of Ibb (sometimes called the green city), and on to Sana'a while enjoying the wide vistas that can be seen from the slopes of Sumarah Mountain.
Day 18: Depart
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