UAE Explorer: The Complete Journey

Arrival at Dubai airport. Meet & Greet by our representative. Transfer to your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle. Check-in and overnight in Dubai. Dinner at leisure.

Breakfast at your hotel. We will start with a briefing meeting at 9:30 am to introduce the group and the guide, and explain the trip. We will depart for a half-day guided tour of Dubai. Discover the spectacular and lively metropolis of Dubai, which developed from a small fishing village at Dubai Creek into a glamorous city at the Arabian Gulf. The distinctive skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls will impress every visitor. We start with Atlantis Hotel located on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah. After that, a photo stop at Burj Al Arab hotel and continue to the Jumeirah area, where we will have a photo stop at the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque of Jumeirah, built in the medieval Fatimid tradition. This stone structure is a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. We then proceed to Bastakyia, the old town district of Dubai, to learn about the local history and geography. We will visit the Al Shindagha Museum. Another highlight will follow: crossing the Dubai Creek using local water taxis called “Abras.” Enjoy the spectacular view of the city while heading towards the district of Deira. Here, you will be enchanted by the large variety of exotic spices in the famous Spice Souk. Take the chance to get a unique and affordable souvenir at the adjacent Gold Souk. Lunch Buffet. In the afternoon, we will join a Desert Safari. After settling down in the 4WD vehicles, the jeeps will speed through the golden sand dunes. The dune bashing or desert driving continues with the thrill of going up and down the dunes, provoking many shrieks and laughter full of excitement. The final leg of this program takes us to the main camp site, the highlight of the trip. After witnessing a memorable sight – the true Arabian sunset with its glory and magic – a delicious Barbecue Dinner is prepared on open fires, with a variety of beverages available. The beat of the music increases as a belly dancer starts dancing to the rhythm. Overnight in Dubai.

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the tour to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. This comprehensive tour is the ideal introduction to the UAE capital and the island on which it stands. The name Abu Dhabi means “Father of the Gazelle.” We will start at the famous Yas Island, which houses the FORMULA 1 YAS circuit and the first Ferrari attraction park in the world. An impressive attraction park, the largest covered air-conditioned park in the world with a huge RED FERRARI sign as a landmark. Then we will continue towards Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, able to accommodate more than 30,000 worshipers. The beautiful mosque is completely clad in marble and features intricate Islamic decoration and carvings, as well as extensive landscaping. We will then head towards Abu Dhabi downtown. Lunch in the city. After lunch, we will drive along the spectacular Corniche, past gleaming white mosques, glass-clad offices, and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline. Next, we will drive through the famous giant Saadiyat Island project where the museums are being built to complete the image of Abu Dhabi as a cultural city. We will also pass by the famous site of Abrahamic Family House. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Louvre Museum, an art and civilization museum located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Finally, we will check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Abu Dhabi.

Breakfast at your hotel. We leave Abu Dhabi in the morning to Al Ain, which is located on the Hajjar Mountains. It is one of the oldest cities in the UAE, rich in traditions. For thousands of years, the oasis of Al Ain has been an important caravan stop on the ancient trade routes across Arabia. We continue to Jebel Hafeet for a great photo stop. After that, we will have lunch in the city. In the afternoon, we will visit the camel market, the largest in the UAE. Then we will visit the Jahili Fort, one of the largest castles in Al Ain and a best-in-class example of local Islamic military architecture. Next, we will visit Al Ain Palace, one of the most important cultural places in Al Ain city. It is a direct testimony to the period of rule of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Al Ain and his original place of residence there. The palace is also the birthplace of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. We then proceed to visit Qasr Al Muwaiji, where you will learn everything about the history of this region. At the end of the afternoon, we will check in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Al Ain.

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning we will proceed towards Dubai and Sharjah. After 2 hours, we will start a half-day tour of Sharjah, the cultural capital, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. You will pass by the King Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Emirates. Then we pass by the renovated Fort of Sharjah, former residence of the ruling family. Next, we continue to the Sharjah Heritage Museum, which conserves and displays the rich traditional customs and culture of Sharjah, as a source of pride and inspiration to Emiratis and to visitors to the UAE. Begin a journey of discovery through Sharjah's rich and diverse heritage and explore traditions that have endured the test of time. You will see handcrafted works of art and objects that date back to a time when local people relied solely on fishing and pearling. Trace the development of education, currency, and the early postal system. We will discover the traditional skills and crafts relating to jewelry, costumes, herbal medicines, music, and folklore. After the visit, it’s time to explore the colorful Souk Al Arsa, set up in a traditional way. You will also have an opportunity to discover local traditional shops in Souk Al Arsa. Lunch will be served in a very local restaurant where you will discover the real Bedouin meal of Mandi, a succulent recipe of meats or fish with marvelous spices from this part of the world. After the tour, we return to Dubai towards the “Dubai Mall” and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower and the centerpiece of the Gulf region's most prestigious urban development to date. Burj Khalifa will radiate out in a series of ellipses from the sky-breaking tower encompassing residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment, and the world's largest shopping mall, “Dubai Mall”. Free time for shopping. With more than 1,200 stores and a host of world-class attractions; the Middle East region’s first Galeries Lafayette department store, France’s leading fashion house, and one of the top 100 global retailers, the Dubai Mall is revolutionizing the modern shopping experience. With an impressive array of leisure pursuits, this is the ultimate, cutting-edge shopping experience. A range of adventure sports vies for attention alongside the romance of ice-skating. The Dubai Mall is a place where a 21st-century gold souk is set off against a world-class aquarium. Step inside The Dubai Mall and experience a place like no other. A climb to Burj Khalifa will be proposed to all our guests (optional – to pre-book in advance). Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Dubai.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today, we will go for a cruise in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Musandam is a spot where the waters of the “Gulf of Oman” are the gateway to natural sea treasures. The Musandam Peninsula is the northern-most part of Oman, it has one of the most rugged, isolated, and beautiful coastlines in the world, where the towering Hajar Mountains rise directly out of the sea creating spectacular fjord-like scenery, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop for the caves, bays, and pebble beaches along the coast. The sheltered bays offer a safe environment for snorkelers and non-divers to explore. The marine life of the Gulf of Oman is rich in diversity with fish, corals, turtles, and invertebrates. We will take a dhow cruise trip in the fjords of Musandam that offers us an insight into this fantastic landscape, guaranteeing an ambience of peace and tranquility. There is also a possibility of seeing dolphins along the cruise. Lunch on board. This traditional type of dhow is equipped with comfortable seats, cushions, and carpet. We will enjoy sea safaris, snorkeling, swimming, playing, and more. (Note: Please carry your passport with you, as it is required for a police check). We will return to Dubai at the end of the day to relax in the hotel after that long adventure day. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Dubai.

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of tours we offer in Dubai. Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to Dubai airport.