Middle East

Itinerary

• Days 1-4: Muscat (Oman), Ras al Jinz

  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
  • Stop at spectacular wadis (gorges) and pristine beaches as you drive along Oman’s coastline
  • Watch sea turtles serenely emerge from the Arabian Sea to nest at the Ras al Jinz Reserve
• Days 5-6: Sur, Wahiba Sands, Ibra, 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
  • Experience the vast beauty and limitless stars of the desert at night, while bedding down in a well-appointed, air-conditioned chalet
  • Stop at a weekly women’s market in Ibra
  • 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 7-9: Al Hamra, Nizwa, Bat & Wadi al Ayn

  From Jebel Akhdar continue your exploration of Oman’s interior. Settle in for two nights in Al Hamra, a date palm-studded village near history-rich Nizwa. This welcoming and traditional area is dedicated to heritage. Explore forts and castles and wander the souq and Friday livestock market in Nizwa. Head back to Muscat via the UNESCO-listed and millennia-old beehive-shaped tombs at Bat and Wadi al Ayn.

  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
  • Explore Oman’s deep history at the 5,000-year-old UNESCO-listed tombs at Bat and Wadi al Ayn
• Days 10-12: Salalah

  Head to Salalah in Oman’s remote Dhofar Governorate to explore souqs filled with tropical fruit and to learn about the important role the frankincense trade has played here for millennia. Venture out of the city to view the peaks and wadis of the Dhofar Mountains, a unique area sheltering a range of rare flora and fauna, watered by annual monsoon rains and mists.

  HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore two UNESCO-listed sites related to the ancient frankincense trade: Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Land of Frankincense
  • Marvel at the rugged but comparatively lush scenery, unique to Dhofar, at Wadi Darbat, Ayn Razat Spring, and the Tawi Attair and Tayq Sinkholes
  • Shop for tropical fruit or frankincense at Salalah’s Haffa Souq or at the fruit plantations that dot the city
• Optional Post-tour, Days 1-4: Dubai (UAE), Abu Dhabi

  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, take a day trip to Abu Dhabi. 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.

  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
  • 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