Dubai’s Opulence & Oman’s Charm

Breakfast at the hotel.

This day in Abu Dhabi begins with a visit to the brand-new Abrahamic Houses, where you can learn more about the three great monotheistic religions and how they live together in the United Arab Emirates. Then on to the Louvre Museum (admission included for self-guided tours, maximum 25 people).

Continue along the Corniche, admiring the Abu Dhabi skyline and passing the Emirates Palace Hotel, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, with photo stop.

Free visit of Qasr Al Watan (admission included).

In the afternoon, visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at hotel /  check out

Departure for Al Ain, on the border with Oman. Al Ain is the second-largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011). With over 10,000 hectares of parks and gardens, it is known as the “garden” of the UAE.

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the camel market. Discover Al Jahili Fort and stroll among the palm trees of the oasis.

Then visit the former palace of Sultan Sheikh Zayed Bin Al Nahyan, the first ruler and founder of the United Arab Emirates.

Overnight stay 

Breakfast at hotel / Check out.

Transfer to the Oman border. Buses change at the Al Ain border around midday.

Visit Jibrin Castle, a large rectangular building with 5 storeys and 55 rooms. The castle is characterized by the inscriptions and frescoes that adorn its rooms. The ceilings are decorated with Islamic-style paintings and inscriptions. Its doors are also magnificently sculpted. A traditional irrigation system winds through the castle.

Enjoy a photo stop at the Unesco-listed Bahla Fort, built in the third millennium BC. Its southern façade is 112 m long, and its eastern façade is 114 m long. The 12 km-long Bahla fort wall, with its terraces for opening fire and guard houses, was built for defensive purposes.

Overnight stay 

Breakfast at hotel / Check out

Discover Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman, near the famous Nizwa Fort. The city is built along modern and traditional architectural lines. You’ll visit Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Arabi.

This fortress features numerous aisles and compartments, and is distinguished by a vast tower overlooking the souk. Here you can admire a superb view of the oasis.

You’ll then move on to the souk, a veritable institution for hundreds of years, home to many local products. Here you’ll find Omani daggers, silverware, copper, livestock, vegetables and local handicrafts.

Enjoy a stroll through the village of Birkat Al Mouz, one of the most famous ruined villages in the Sultanate of Oman, with its huge banana plantation and picturesque surroundings. Here you can admire the falaj, a traditional irrigation canal still in use today and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This short stop will take you back in time.

Arrival in the Wahiba Sands desert, a vast expanse of orange-hued dunes, some over 100m high.

This has been the Bedouin’s natural habitat for 7,000 years. Along the way, you’ll discover typical small villages, some of which will give you the impression that time has stood still (photo stops). Experience the unique atmosphere of the desert, and you may be lucky enough to visit the home of a Bedouin family. The women wear the burqa, representing local traditions. You can venture into the high dunes and admire the unforgettable desert sunset, while driving gently through the sand dunes to reach the camp. If you’re traveling by bus, you’ll be transferred by jeep to the camp.

Overnight Stay in Camp

Breakfast in camp /Check out

Arrival in the coastal town of Sur. You’ll visit the dhow (traditional boat) factory, which boasts a wide variety of sizes and models. Then a photo stop at the Al Ayjah lighthouse.

You’ll take a walk in Wadi Shab, where waterfalls cascade from the mountain tops to meet the brackish waters of the sea on its shores. This creates a unique environmental diversity, making it one of the most beautiful wadis in the sultanate.

Overnight stay

Breakfast at hotel / Check out.

This day visit Nizwa Souq. The main highlight in the Souq is the Cattle Auction that takes place every Friday. Auction is the traditional way of selling the cattle like sheep, goats, cows, and camels. These are brought by their owners from nearby villages. This is what cannot be missed if you are in Nizwa on Friday.

Then you visit Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, making it one of the most impressive forts in Oman Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view gives visitors a bird’s eye view all around Nizwa and the surrounding plains – a sure delight for all avid photographers!

The route down Wadi Bani Awf is one of Arabia’s greatest 4WD adventures and includes a visit to the village of Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village. Wadi Bani Awf covers a large area with several villages and lots of cool attractions worth visiting, including the famous Snake Canyon! The route through Wadi Bani Auf goes through beautiful scenery and connects to Balad Sayat in the Al Dakhiliya region by crossing the Hajar Mountains and offers some of the best off-road driving experience you can find in Oman.

The evening arrives in Muscat and drops off at Crowne Plaza Muscat.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast at your hotel.

Start the day with a visit to the magnificent mosque, built of sandstone and marble. Particularly famous for having the worlds largest one-piece handmade Persian carpet and the world’s largest chandelier, set in 24-carat gold.

You’ll then pass through the Ministry district, before visiting the Royal Opera House. You’ll continue with a photo stop at the Al Alam Palace, official residence of the Sultan. Next, you’ll admire the two Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Al Mirani, which frame Muscat’s harbour. Perched on the rocks, these forts overlook the sparkling blue waters of the Arabian Sea (visible from the outside only).

You’ll then head off to discover the Bait Al Zubair Museum. This private museum, located in Muscat’s old town, is renowned for its fine collection of traditional costumes, antique jewelry and weapons. The tour ends with the Matrah souk, one of the oldest markets in Oman. Now in its 200th year, you’ll appreciate the extent of its beauty and magic as you browse the stalls.

Overnight Stay

Breakfast

Hotel Check-out

Transfer back to the airport for your flight back home.