Middle East

UAE & Oman: Culture & Contrast in the Middle East

Duration

Price

From $8,095

Trip Type

Small Group

Group Size

Max 16

Activity Level

1 2 3 4 5

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Mosques to Markets & Skyscrapers to Sand Dunes

Overview

Welcome to the United Arab Emirates and Oman—neighboring countries of the eastern Arabian Peninsula where deeply rooted traditional culture and futuristic splendor exist in remarkable, sometimes surreal harmony. This tour starts with the opulence and bravado of Dubai, a city bent on having the biggest and best of everything, and then introduces you to the region’s more time-honored attractions, from the charming port city of Muscat to the brilliant night sky over Wahiba Sands. Along the way you’ll get to know the region’s gregarious people and have one-of-a-kind experiences—from sharing a meal with an expert in Emirati culture, to meeting a Bedouin family in the dunes of Oman, to exploring remote villages and forts in the Al Hajar Mountains.

Extend your adventure with an optional small group post-tour to the Dhofar Governate of Oman. The regional capital Salalah sits along the coast of the Arabian Sea with Dhofar Mountains rising behind. These mountains trap fog and drizzle during the summer monsoons, creating a unique microclimate.

Travels to: UAE, Oman

Map

Itinerary

Days 1-3: Dubai (UAE), Sharjah
Touch down in Dubai and begin exploring this city of superlatives. Spend time in the Al Fahidi Historical District, home to Persian-inspired windcatchers. Enjoy lunch and learn from an expert on local culture at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Head across the Dubai Creek on an abra boat and stroll through the souqs on the opposite side. You’ll ascend to the observation deck of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Finally, a day trip to Sharjah, the UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World, provides a deep dive into traditional culture on the Arabian Peninsula.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross the historic Dubai Creek in a local abra boat
- Have lunch in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, where locals share traditional food and provide insights into Emirati culture
- Take the 2,717-foot elevator ride to the Burj Khalifa observation deck and then step out to spectacular 360-degree views
- Explore the traditional gold, spice, and produce markets (souqs) of Dubai and Sharjah
Days 4-5: Abu Dhabi, Al Ain
Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi—the UAE’s capital—has transformed itself over the past half-century into a thriving, cosmopolitan city. Touring here includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. You’ll refuel with a 24-carat-gold-sprinkled cappuccino at a luxurious hotel, the Emirates Palace. Heading out of the UAE and into Oman, stop off at the historic oasis city of Al Ain, home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy the exceptional art of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, including pieces on loan from Paris’s Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou, as well as works from the museum’s own collection
- Marvel at the striking mix of modern and traditional design at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE and the only one in Abu Dhabi open to non-Muslims
- Drink a cappuccino sprinkled with 24-carat-gold dust at the luxurious Emirates Palace
- Stroll the picturesque “Garden City” of Al Ain, a former caravan oasis and birthplace of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, whose palace is now a museum
Days 6-8: Muscat (Oman), Sur
Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a major port city that has long been a conduit between the Arabian Peninsula to the rest of the world. Less glitzy but more charming than Dubai, Muscat is known for its historic bazaars, traditional whitewashed architecture, and old-school Arabian hospitality. Among your stops here are the Mutrah Souq, the National Museum of Oman, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Learn more about the role of women in modern Omani society at a local sewing cooperative. A drive along the water takes you to Wadi Tiwi, a deep gorge that’s among Oman’s most beautiful natural sights, and the coastal town of Sur, from where you’ll go on a turtle-watching expedition at Ras Al Jinz Reserve.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Take in the timeless Arabian vistas of old Muscat and the handicraft-filled Mutrah souq
- Explore the history and heritage of Oman at the well-curated National Museum, with exhibits focusing on the country’s maritime history, currency, irrigation systems, Islam, and much more
- Learn about the role of women in modern Omani society at the Sidab Women’s Sewing Cooperative
- Drive past spectacular wadis (gorges) and pristine beaches en route to Sur
- Watch sea turtles serenely emerge from the Arabian Sea to nest at the Ras al Jinz Reserve
Days 9-11: Sur, Wahiba Sands, Jebel Akhdar
Finish off the coastal section of the tour by watching traditional dhows being built in the Sur shipyard, followed by a visit to the Sur Maritime Museum. Then head inland for an exhilarating drive into Wahiba Sands, where you’ll meet Bedouins who call the desert home. The next day, travel into the Al Hajar Mountains to Jebel Akhdar, which means “Green Mountain” in Arabic. Take in spectacular views, meet locals, and hike through timeless villages.

HIGHLIGHTS
- See how traditional Omani dhows are constructed at Sur’s shipyard, and learn more about the maritime history of the area at a local museum
- Chat with a Bedouin family and learn about their culture and traditions amidst the stark and boundless Wahiba Sand Dunes
- Experiencing the vast beauty and limitless stars of the desert at night, while bedding down in a well-appointed, air-conditioned chalet
- Hike between villages on the slopes of Jebel Akhdar in the Al Hajar Mountains, one of the most rugged and spectacular landscapes on the Arabian Peninsula
Days 12-14: Al Hamra, Nizwa, Muscat
From Jebel Akhdar continue your exploration of Oman’s interior, settling in for two nights in Al Hamra, a date palm-studded village near history-rich Nizwa. This welcoming and traditional area is as dedicated to heritage as Dubai is to modernity. Explore forts and castles and wander the souq and livestock market in Nizwa. Eschewing the highway, return to Muscat by way of a scenic and very remote stretch of mountains, including some time on unpaved roads. Enjoy a final night in the city before departure the following morning.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn about the history of the Nizwa Imamate as you explore its historical capital
- Wander the ramparts and corridors of the Ya’rubid Jibreen Castle, surrounded by date palms in the desert near Bahla and Nizwa
- Marvel at the hustle and bustle of the souq and Friday livestock market in Nizwa
- Get a taste of Oman before the oil boom on remote mountain backroads linking the Al Hamra with the capital Muscat

Detailed Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Small group tour – max 16 travelers

Land tour price, per person. Based on double occupancy and minimum group size of 6 travelers.

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What's Included

Activity Level

Level 3: Medium

Gallery

1/20 Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa.
2/20 A view of Al Jalali Fort in Muscat, Oman Oman Tourist Board
3/20 Making rope.
4/20 Getting henna applied for a wedding.
5/20 Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
6/20 A corridor within the Al Alam Palace in Muscat. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
7/20 Men in Omani kuma caps. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
8/20 Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
9/20 A delicious sampling of food found in Ajman, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
10/20 Preparing a net in Ajman, UAE. Kamila Sleboda, courtesy of Desert Adventures
11/20 Windy day at a beach in Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
12/20 Architectural details of the Bin Ali Tomb near Salalah, Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
13/20 Man wearing a traditional khanjar dagger in Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
14/20 Ships pulled up to shore in Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
15/20 Fortified walls of Jibreen Castle in Oman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
16/20 View of Dubai Marina on a foggy day in Dubai. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
17/20 Traditional falconry outside Dubai, UAE. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
18/20 The Ajman Museum in Ajman. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
19/20 Oman's UNESCO-listed Bahla Fort. Courtesy of Desert Adventures
20/20 Arabian oryx, or white oryx, found outside Abu Dhabi, UAE. Courtesy of Desert Adventures