21 Day Arab Gulf States Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrival in Doha
  Today we arrive in Doha - welcome to Qatar!
  
  Doha is the capital of Qatar. It is a modern and rapidly developing city and, considering the money being poured into construction, Doha looks set to become one of the premier cities in the Gulf within a few years. Back in 1825, the city was founded under the name Al-Bidda. The name "Doha" came from the Arabic "ad-dawa," or "the big tree." The reference might be to a prominent tree that stood at the site where the original fishing village arose, on the eastern coast of the Qatar peninsula. Or it might have been derived from "dohat" -- Arabic for bay or gulf -- referring to the Doha Bay area.
  
  PLEASE NOTE that the meal plan indicated on each day of this itinerary may vary depending on internal logistics (such as local air schedules), which may result in your Tour Leader switching dinner for an included lunch if it makes more sense on that day.
  
  Overnight in Doha.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner, if required
• Day 2: 

  Qatar: Area Touring
  This morning we visit a camel race track to experience a living tradition. In Qatar, camels - the "ships of the desert" - are symbols of national pride and heritage. We witness their rigorous morning training routines and the use of robot jockeys, a revolutionary innovation introduced in 2004 that replaced child jockeys and transformed the sport. Though we're unlikely to witness an actual race, the training session provides fascinating immersion into Qatari culture.
  
  Qatar transformed from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearl diving into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, the country experienced a pivotal moment in 1995 when the current Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew his father in a bloodless coup. Today, oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
  
  Our day also includes the Modern Art Museum and the Qatar National Museum. We take a panoramic tour of cultural sites and stroll along the dhow harbour and seafront corniche, where the ever-expanding urban skyline rises dramatically from the waterfront.
  
  Overnight in Doha.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Doha, Qatar - Fly to Kuwait City, Kuwait
  Today we fly to Kuwait City. Flight time permitting, we may begin sightseeing upon arrival.
  
  Kuwait City sits on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, blending Western-style hotels and designer shopping malls with traditional Islamic architecture and street markets. The discovery of oil in 1938 transformed Kuwait from a pearling and trading port into one of the world's wealthiest nations. Oil revenues helped the city rebound spectacularly from the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraqi forces occupied Kuwait for seven months. The building boom that followed shows no signs of slowing - construction cranes dot the skyline as the city continues to reinvent itself.
  
  Despite rapid modernisation, Kuwait City maintains connections to its maritime past. Traditional dhows still dock in the harbour, and the fish market remains a centre of daily life. The city serves as both the economic and political capital, mixing exclusive modernity with traditional souks in a metropolis that has grown from a modest 18th-century fishing village into a gleaming Gulf city.
  
  Overnight in Kuwait City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Kuwait City: City Tour
  Today we explore Kuwait City, beginning at the Kuwait Towers, an iconic landmark completed in 1979. The towers have become the symbol of modern Kuwait, with the main tower featuring a rotating observation deck and restaurant offering 360-degree views of the city and Arabian Gulf.
  
  Our exploration of Kuwaiti culture continues at the Tareq Rajab Museum, a private collection that ranks among the finest in the Islamic world. The family's passion for preserving Islamic heritage is evident throughout the galleries, which showcase calligraphy, pottery, metalwork, glass, and intricate jade carvings. A separate small room displays early Qur'anic manuscripts dating to Islam's first three centuries, their faded scripts and illuminations revealing the evolution of Arabic calligraphy. The costume and textile galleries feature embroidered robes, ceremonial garments, and jewellery that span the breadth of the Islamic world from Morocco to Indonesia.
  
  At the Bayt Al Othman Museum, Kuwaiti life from past generations comes alive through a traditional complex of interconnected houses and courtyards. The museum recreates domestic scenes, workshops, and communal spaces, offering insights into how Kuwaitis lived before oil transformed their nation.
  
  We also visit the dhow harbour and fish market, where traditional wooden sailing vessels still dock alongside modern fishing boats - a reminder that Kuwait's relationship with the sea long predates its oil wealth.
  
  Overnight in Kuwait City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Kuwait City, Kuwait - Fly to Manama, Bahrain
  Today we fly from Kuwait to Bahrain and transfer to our hotel.
  
  Frequently called the Pearl of the Arabian Gulf, Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 low-lying islands located in the heart of the Gulf, and offering a blend of ancient and modern. This is a place where modern skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodiments of Islamic art, culture and architecture. Rich in history, Bahrain was once part of the ancient civilization of Dilmun and served as an important link in trade routes between Sumeria and the Indus Valley as long as 5,000 years ago.
  
  Manama is Bahrain's modern capital, and is dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. Today much land, including the diplomatic area, has been reclaimed from the sea.
  
  Overnight in Manama.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Bahrain: Area Tour
  Today we explore this tiny island state, beginning at the Bahrain National Museum where exhibits trace the region's development from the ancient Dilmun civilisation through successive eras. Reconstructed burial mounds, Arabic calligraphy, and illuminated Korans reveal different periods of Bahrain's layered history.
  
  We visit Bahrain Fort, where archaeological excavations have revealed settlements dating to 2800 BC. Layer upon layer of fortified communities were built here across four millennia, each civilisation building atop the ruins of its predecessors. The current fort structure dates to the early 16th century when Portugal controlled these islands and built defences against Ottoman expansion - hence its alternate name, the Portuguese Fort.
  
  At the Al Fatih Grand Mosque, Bahrain's largest place of worship, we admire the building's scale and architectural details. On Muharraq Island we explore Shaikh Isa House, once home to the Amir's great-grandfather. Traditional architecture is on full display here - intricate wall carvings, latticed windows, and most notably the wind tower rising 5-6 metres above the roofline. Open on all four sides, this ingenious structure catches breezes and funnels them down into the rooms below while allowing hot air to escape, creating natural air conditioning in the sweltering Gulf climate.
  
  We tour the Old Souk near Bab al-Bahrain, where narrow lanes preserve the traditional division of trades - goldsmiths clustered in one area, spice merchants in another, textile sellers in a third. Though the surrounding city has modernised, the souk's layout and rhythms remain rooted in centuries-old patterns.
  
  Time permitting, we visit the A'ali Burial Mounds.
  
  Overnight in Manama.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Manama, Bahrain - Fly to Abu Dhabi, UAE
  In order to sample some of Bahrain's past, we will make a visit to the A'ali Burial Mounds. This is the site of what may be the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world, with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000 BC and AD 600.
  
  We will also visit the pottery makers at A'ali village. This time-honoured industry has been handed down from generation to generation. The clay used for pottery, which is the centre of the industry in Bahrain today, is made from a blend of two types of clay. These are combined to create the optimum blend for their products, which range from traditional bread ovens to water pipes, plant pots, and moneyboxes. Kilns are frequently located inside the surrounding burial mounds, and the smoke given off can sometimes be seen from a distance as you approach the village.
  
  We will also visit Jasra House, built by Sheik Hamad in 1907 and the birthplace of the present Amir in 1933. We will drive out along the Bahrain -- Saudi Causeway, the symbolic and actual link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
  
  This evening we fly to Abu Dhabi, largest of the Emirates and its ultra-modern capital on the Arabian Gulf.
  
  Overnight in Abu Dhabi.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  Abu Dhabi: City Touring - Al-Ain
  This morning we tour Abu Dhabi. Founded in the late 18th century, the city exploded with oil wealth in the 1960s and was entirely rebuilt. Almost no buildings predate the oil boom, yet Abu Dhabi's citizens take pride in their city's futuristic architecture - an interpretation of Islamic designs crafted in glass, steel, and marble.
  
  We see the waterfront corniche and visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi's most iconic landmark. Completed in 2007 after 11 years of construction, the mosque features 82 white domes visible for kilometres across the flat coastal plain. Greek and Italian marble covers the exterior, while the interior is decorated with Islamic calligraphy and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets.
  
  We also visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, result of an unprecedented cultural collaboration between France and the UAE. The museum's striking dome - appearing to float above the galleries - filters sunlight through intricate geometric patterns, creating a "rain of light" effect inspired by traditional Arabic architecture. Inside, galleries present ancient and contemporary works from civilisations across the globe, emphasising cultural connections rather than geographical divisions.
  
  Later we continue to Al-Ain, the "Garden City," crossing the desert to this oasis city cradled by the Hajar Mountains on the Omani border.
  
  Overnight in Al-Ain.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Al-Ain: City Tour - Dubai
  Al-Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, and it has the country's highest number of Emirati nationals. Al-Ain has been inhabited for over 4,000 years; these early cultures built "beehive" tombs for their dead and engaged in hunting and gathering in the area. The oasis provided water for early farms until the modern age. Today Al-Ain is a popular vacation destination, away from the humidty of the coast, and enjoyed by the Emirati and expatriates looking for a break from the hubub of Dubai.
  
  Today in Al-Ain, we discover its history and see its Bronze Age relics, picture-postcard Al Jahili Fort, former royal palace, two museums, and "falaj" irrigation channels. A tour inside the Al Ain Palace Museum, once the residence of the late ruler Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reveals an insight into their family and lifestyle. We continue to Dubai.
  
  Overnight in Dubai.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 10: 

  Dubai: City Tour
  Today we tour Dubai, the city of superlatives. Home to the world's tallest building, largest shopping mall, and iconic Palm Islands, Dubai has transformed its skyline with ambitious architecture that pushes engineering boundaries.
  
  We visit Bastakiya (Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood), dating to the 1890s. Built by Persian merchants drawn to Dubai's trading opportunities, the district was nearly demolished during Dubai's building boom but was preserved in the 1990s. Walking these narrow lanes reveals traditional architecture from before air conditioning - wind towers rising above courtyard houses, their open sides catching breezes and channelling them into rooms below.
  
  A ride on a traditional abra boat crosses Dubai Creek, the natural inlet that defined the city's original settlement and trading patterns. From the water, the contrast becomes clear - modern glass towers on one bank, older low-rise buildings on the other. We disembark at the souks, where spice merchants and gold dealers continue centuries-old trading traditions despite the surrounding modernisation.
  
  After photo stops at Jumeirah Mosque and a drive across Palm Jumeirah - the palm-shaped artificial island - we enjoy lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Here we taste traditional Emirati cuisine while learning about local customs and Emirati culture in an interactive setting hosted by local guides.
  
  A highlight is our visit to the observation deck on level 124 of Burj Khalifa. At 828 metres, the tower stands more than twice the height of the Empire State Building, offering views that stretch to the desert horizon.
  
  Overnight in Dubai.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Day 11: 

  Dubai - Sharjah - Ras Al-Khaimah - Ajman, UAE - Khasab, Oman
  From Dubai we travel north to Sharjah, the third-largest emirate. Spread along the Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah maintains a more conservative character than Dubai, with stronger emphasis on cultural preservation and Islamic heritage.
  
  We visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, where galleries trace Islamic contributions to science, navigation, architecture, and the arts across fourteen centuries. We continue through Ajman, the UAE's smallest emirate, pausing at Souk Al Arsa, one of the UAE's oldest markets. The restored souk recreates traditional commercial life from 200 years ago.
  
  We travel north into Ras Al-Khaimah before crossing into Oman (have your passports handy). A panoramic coastal road follows the Gulf and Straits of Hormuz to Khasab, capital of Musandam Governorate - the "Norway of Arabia." The Musandam Peninsula is completely separated from mainland Oman by UAE territory. Limestone mountains rise directly from the sea, creating fjord-like inlets along this sparsely populated peninsula inhabited primarily by the Shihuh tribe, whose villages are often accessible only by boat.
  
  On arrival we tour Khasab Fort, a Portuguese structure restored as a museum. We may also see prehistoric rock carvings in the neighbouring village of Qadah (timing permitting, this visit may occur tomorrow).
  
  Overnight in Khasab.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 12: 

  Musandam Peninsula: Dhow Cruise
  Mountains dominate the Musandam landscape, rising straight from the sea to create a fjord-like coastline unique in the region. This coastal zone, along with offshore islands and inlets, supports diverse wildlife including seabirds, dolphins, and whales.
  
  After boarding our traditional Omani dhow pierside, we cruise toward Musandam's longest and most dramatic fjord. Calm turquoise waters contrast with creamy limestone cliffs as we pass small fishing villages and perhaps encounter dolphins. The dhow anchors near Telegraph Island, where a British telegraph relay station operated in the 1860s as part of a cable linking London to India. Here you can swim (bring your suit) or relax on deck with refreshments while admiring mountains rising over 600 metres (2,000 feet) in the distance.
  
  Lunch is served on board as we continue our leisurely cruise back to Khasab.
  
  Overnight in Khasab.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 13: 

  Khasab, Oman: Mountain Safari - Fly to Muscat, Oman
  We have an early start today, departing by 4-wheel drive vehicle (closed and air-conditioned) for an excursion through some of Oman's most dramatic scenery. Driving partially on winding mountain roads, we head to Jebel Harim (Mountain of Women), the highest peak on the Musandam Peninsula at 1,910 metres (6,260 feet). During the journey we pass terraced mountain villages, acacia forests, and wadis (dry riverbeds).
  
  After about an hour, we stop at Sayah, a Bedouin village at 900 metres (3,000 feet) elevation. Surrounded by palm groves, Sayah is one of the peninsula's most picturesque villages. From Jebel Harim's summit, grand panoramas reveal the peninsula's geography - mountains plunging to the sea on one side, the Arabian Gulf stretching to the horizon on the other. The return drive takes us past Khawr Najid, a viewpoint overlooking the Indian Ocean, before stopping at Al Khalidya Nature Park.
  
  We then fly to Muscat. Most of Oman's 3 million people live in or around the capital. Cultivation in the Batinah region is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip where about half of Oman's cultivated land supports dense palm groves sheltering limes, bananas, pomegranates, figs, mangoes, and vegetables. Fishing remains important here.
  
  Muscat is not one town but three separate towns - Muscat, Mutrah, and Ruwi - plus several associated settlements separated by the mountainous, indented coast. Time permitting, we may accomplish some sightseeing upon arrival.
  
  Overnight in Muscat.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 14: 

  Muscat: Area Tour
  Oman's position on the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean and its isolation from the rest of Arabia have given the country an outward orientation. Trade with India and Africa has been conducted for thousands of years. During the age of European empires, Oman developed strong ties to Britain. Sharing the mountainous south coast of the Arabian Peninsula with Yemen, Oman shares features with its western neighbour, including aspects of dress and architecture. In ancient times this area was where frankincense was grown and exported.
  
  Today we visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, completed in 2001. The mosque accommodates 20,000 worshippers and features a single-piece Persian carpet in the main prayer hall - one of the world's largest - and a Swarovski crystal chandelier.
  
  After lunch we visit the Old Palace Area and the National Museum, opened in 2016. The museum presents Omani heritage through 14 galleries covering prehistory, maritime history, arms and armour, currency, and traditional crafts. Displays include ancient frankincense burners, medieval manuscripts, and traditional silver jewellery.
  
  Overnight in Muscat.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 15: 

  Muscat - Qariyat - Sur
  Today we depart Muscat by road to the Bimmah Sinkhole, a giant depression where seawater has merged with fresh. Two flights of steps descend to a dazzling pool of blue and green water. After a lunch break at the sinkhole, we continue past Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi. This region preserves the atmosphere of traditional Oman before oil wealth. Towns here prospered centuries ago on trade with Africa and Zanzibar flowing through the port of Sur. Fine houses and forts were built, many still standing today behind modern buildings.
  
  Most of Oman's desert is flat gravel plain, but the Wahiba features huge ridges of orange sand dunes separated by valleys. The few Bedouin who still live here breed fine camels. Oman is not principally a land of sand deserts but rather dramatic areas of dry, jagged mountains with narrow river valleys (wadis) between. Evidence of Oman's tribal past is everywhere, with ruined forts commanding important vantage points. Much of Oman remains hidden in remote valleys, creating a feeling of self-imposed isolation at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
  
  Overnight in Sur.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 16: 

  Sur - Wahiba Desert Camp
  Sur's historical importance is based on dhow building, the wooden sailing vessels used to sail to India and other countries. We may visit the dhow-building yard if activity permits (unfortunately, very few dhows are built here in recent times). Sur was an important port in ancient times but flourished when Oman traded extensively with East Africa. Merchants here made fortunes from trade in slaves and cloves, using profits to build elaborate houses. We learn of Sur's history and its role in shipbuilding.
  
  Later we transfer to 4x4 vehicles for our desert camp experience. Our camp sits within the golden sands of Wahiba Sands. Gas is used for cooking and refrigeration; paraffin lamps and candles provide light. The camp offers a peaceful place to experience authentic desert nights.
  
  Our accommodation is in well-equipped huts (called Barasti) with comfortable beds and private bath facilities. Our huts are basic but cosy, offering an atmospheric way to enjoy desert life and learn about local culture. Activities include sunset viewing, musical entertainment, and stargazing.
  
  Overnight at Wahiba Desert Camp.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 17: 

  Wahiba - Ibra - Jabreen Castle - Nizwa
  We recommend an early wake-up to observe sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast we depart toward Nizwa, the main town of the interior province.
  
  En route we experience the inland side of Oman's mountainous backbone, where sands meet farmlands and border towns mark the transition between nomadic and settled peoples. In Oman's oasis villages, desert and agricultural economies have mingled for ages. Living within and along the sands are approximately 3,000 pastoralist Bedouins from different tribes, primarily herding goats and camels.
  
  Forts and castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks, historically used as defensive bastions or lookout points. An estimated 500 forts, castles, and towers dot Oman. Today we visit several remarkable examples, including Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 13th century.
  
  We continue to Jabreen Castle, built as a defensive stronghold and perhaps the finest of Omani castles. Dungeons, passages, and rooms feature carvings and paintings. The castle is distinguished by inscriptions and frescoes adorning its rooms; ceilings are decorated with Islamic-era style inscriptions and beautifully carved doors. We also explore the village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, where we see its fascinating agricultural terraces and falaj watering system.
  
  At some point during our time in Nizwa, we visit the Oman Across Ages Museum, opened in March 2023. This state-of-the-art museum uses cutting-edge technology to trace Oman's history from prehistoric times to the modern era through artifacts, traditional clothing, and historical documents.
  
  Overnight in Nizwa.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 18: 

  Nizwa: Jebel Shams Mountains
  Today we venture to Jebel Shams, often called the "Grand Canyon of Oman." As Oman's highest peak at 3,009 metres (9,872 feet), it offers breathtaking panoramas. We delve deeper into the Western Hajar Mountains, exploring the village of Al Hamra. Here we wander through date plantations, admire ruins of ancient houses, and absorb serene mountain scenery.
  
  Our journey continues to Wadi Ghul, a dramatic canyon carved by centuries of erosion. As we ascend the winding road, we encounter small villages nestled amid towering cliffs. A highlight is a hike to the abandoned village of As Sab, following an ancient donkey path along the edge of Wadi an Nakhar. We enjoy panoramic views of the canyon and distant Al Hamra.
  
  We conclude our day back in Nizwa.
  
  Overnight in Nizwa.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 19: 

  Nizwa - Bilad Sait - Muscat - Fly to Salalah
  Today we continue by 4X4 through breathtaking mountain scenery. Terraced farming and mountain villages line our route, with great views especially of Bilad Sait Village. These mountain areas are where Omani honey is produced. Beekeeping has been practised here since ancient times, and specialist beekeepers of northern Oman have developed great skill in obtaining honey and propagating bee colonies sustainably. Our guide takes us to one of the beekeepers to observe this traditional practice.
  
  Upon reaching the main road, we continue to Muscat along the fertile Batinah coast with its beaches, forts, fishing villages, and places famous for camel racing. This evening we fly from Muscat to Salalah, the second-largest town in Oman. Salalah is isolated far in the southeast, close to the Yemeni border. The setting is magnificent - Salalah faces the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean, backed by hills.
  
  Overnight in Salalah.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 20: 

  Salalah Area
  This morning we tour Salalah including the archaeological site of Sumhuram. In pre-Christian times this tiny area was one of three centres producing frankincense, one of the ancient world's most prized commodities. The frankincense tree grows only in this specific region. Demand was enormous in the Mediterranean world, where it was burned in huge quantities during religious rites in temples throughout the Roman Empire. Frankincense is gum dried from the sap of a special tree. We visit Sumhuram, the port at the beginning of the Incense Route.
  
  We finish at the traditional boat-building village of Taqah and the so-called "Queen of Sheba's Palace," a whitewashed fort overlooking the sea. You'll have a chance to shop for frankincense at the market in Salalah.
  
  Overnight in Salalah.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 21: 

  Departure
  Departure from Salalah.
  
  PLEASE NOTE that many international flights from Salalah depart in the late evening; if you are on such a flight, we are able to offer special hotel day room rates until 6pm (talk to your tour consultant).
  
  RHLAH S'IDAH / BON VOYAGE!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.