Day 01: Arrive Doha (QATAR)

Arrive to the city that is becoming a capital of the region. At Doha we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Records indicate that the Qatar Peninsula was inhabited during the Stone Age, however there is little evidence of habitation between the most ancient times and now. Oil was struck in 1939 and the country features one of the largest natural gas fields in the world.    The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight: Swiss Bel Hotel, Doha (2 nights)

Day 02: Doha

We start with the WHS of Al Zubarah Archaeological Site*. The walled coastal town of Al Zubarah in the Gulf flourished as a pearling and trading centre in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, before it was destroyed in 1811 and abandoned in the early 1900s. Founded by merchants from Kuwait, Al Zubarah had trading links across the Indian Ocean, Arabia and Western Asia. A layer of sand blown from the desert has protected the remains of the site’s palaces, mosques, streets, courtyard houses, and fishermen’s huts; its harbor and double defensive walls, a canal, walls, and cemeteries. We will also visit the Camel Training and the Camel Racing Track at Shahaniya, the Sheikh Faisal Museum and the Barzan Tower.   If time permit, a stop will be made at the traditional Old Souq, where we walk around to see Arabian Falcons, the spice market, fabric and perfume stores, art galleries, traditional handicraft shops and many ethnic restaurants and Shisha-Cafés. (B, L)

Day 03: Doha/Kuwait (Flight) (KUWAIT)

A short flight takes us to Kuwait, a country that changed the face of the Middle East to what it is today.  Kuwait is an archetypical oil-rich state that was founded 300 years ago by the Al Sabah Family, whose descendants still rule the country. Kuwait means Òsmall fortress and this small settlement grew quickly; Ottomans and Persians influenced its history for nearly 200 years before it formally became a British Protectorate at the end of 19th century. The first oil wells were found in 1936. The 1950s and 1960s were the magical era of the oil boom. As we arrive we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: Kuwait

Kuwait is a cosmopolitan city-state with a population that has more non-Kuwaiti residents than locals. Our morning tour of Kuwait includes the Kuwait National Museum, Al Bader House, Sadu House, we will also be passing by the Liberation Tower, National Assembly House, Seif Palace, Jahra gate, the Fish Market, Kuwait Maritime Museum and enjoy a photo stop at the new dhow harbor and visit the Kuwait towers. (B, D)

Day 05: Kuwait/Bahrain (Flight) (BAHRAIN)

A short flight gets us to Bahrain International Airport, where we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Bahrain, meaning, two seas, is an island kingdom and was amongst the first emirates in the Gulf to discover and refine oil. The country is ruled by Sheikhs from the Khalifa family who expelled the Persians. From 1861 to 1971 Bahrain was a British protectorate.  Evening we take a taste of Lebanese cuisine at  – Zahle Restaurant. This Restaurant located in Gulf Hotel, serves Lebanese food and feature renowned Lebanese singers alongside time-honoured belly dancing routines. Belly dancer routine happens late night after 2230 hrs.

Overnight: Novotel Al Dana Resort, Bahrain (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 06: Bahrain

Our exploration of Bahrain starts with the Fateh Grand Mosque, the first in the region to open to tourists and a fine example of modern Bahraini architecture. At the Bahrain National Museum, we get the opportunity to see a wonderful collection of exhibits, from contemporary Bahraini paintings, sculptures and ceramics to scenes depicting life in the Dilmun civilization of 6000 years ago. The museum features a section of Arabic calligraphy, traditional trades and crafts displayed in a reconstruction of a typical souq of the 1930s.  We then explore some buildings in Muharraq City, which are part of the Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy*. The site is the last remaining complete example of the cultural tradition of pearling and the wealth between 2nd century to the 1930s. We will visit Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, which was the seat of the government from 1869 - 1932.  The house is designed in traditional style where the rooms are directly overlooking an open courtyard, with a wind tower, a feature of the traditional architecture in the Arabian Gulf region.  Afterward we enjoy Arab delicacies at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the famous Camel Farm. The 175 camels residing here are used for racing.  We continue our exploration of Qal’at al-Bahrain - Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun*, a UNESCO WHS. The typical tell testifies to the continuous human presence from about 2300 BC to the 16th century AD. About 25% of the site has been excavated, revealing structures of different types: residential, public, commercial, religious and military. The site was the capital of the Dilmun, one of the most important ancient civilizations of the region. (B, L)

Day 07: Bahrain/Muscat (Flight) (OMAN)

Transfer to airport for a flight to Muscat.  Marhaba! (Welcome) We arrive at Seeb International Airport and are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel.  Muscat, the capital of Oman is a unique blend of the ancient & the modern, Muscat is a beautiful clean city, which lies in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains, lulled by the Arabian Sea.  The city has undergone dramatic development in the past two or three decades, taking great pride in retaining its heritage & culture. Muscat in many ways is very similar to the East African island of Zanzibar as the latter was a colony of Oman. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight: Sheraton Oman Hotel, Muscat (3 nights) (B)

Day 08: Muscat

We start our tour of Muscat with a visit to the Grand Mosque, which is an architectural marvel. The mosque is open Sat to Thu 0800-1100 hrs only. Dressing code when visiting mosques throughout the Gulf region prohibits shorts, beach wear, and women are required to cover their head with scarf and avoid sleeveless outfits. Drive through the ministries area to see a number of modern buildings with touches of Islamic architecture. A drive along the Corniche takes us to Old Muscat.  Next we stop at the magnificent Al Aalam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos), which is flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali, followed by a visit of the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture.  Next stop will be the Royal Opera House before we proceed to explore the enchanting Muttrah Souq, with its narrow covered alleys where the exotic smells of spices, coffees, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes fill the air. The rest of the day is free at leisure. (B, D)

Day 09: Nizwa Excursion

There are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman.  Our visit today includes some the most remarkable and striking in terms of their architecture and style. We drive to Nizwa, Oman’s ancient capital, which was a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman.  We visit the 17th century round Nizwa Fort and the Nizwa Souq, famous for its displays of silver jewelry. On Fridays a popular cattle auction takes place and is an interesting sight to see. We continue to Jabreen, which was built as a defensive stronghold and is perhaps the finest of Omani castles, featuring dungeons, passages, rooms and ceilings decorated with fine carvings & paintings. Our day concludes at Bahla Fort*. The oasis of Bahla owes its prosperity to the Banu Nebhan, the dominant tribe in the area from the 12th to the end of the 15th century. The ruins of the immense fort, with its walls and towers of unbaked brick and its stone foundations, is a remarkable example of this type of fortification and attests to the power of the Banu Nebhan. We also see the Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman*, which is representative of some 3,000 such systems still in use in Oman. The origins of this system of irrigation dates back to AD 500, but archaeological evidence suggests that some sot of irrigation systems existed in this extremely arid area as early as 2500 BC. Using gravity, water is channeled from underground sources or springs to support agriculture and domestic use. The fair and effective management and sharing of water in villages and towns is still underpinned by mutual dependence and communal values guided by astronomical observations. Numerous watchtowers built to defend the water systems form part of the site reflecting the historic dependence of communities on the Aflaj system. (B, L)

Day 10: Muscat/Abu Dhabi (Flight)/Dubai (Drive) (UAE)

An early morning flight to Abu Dhabi the capital and richest of the emirates in the UAE. Upon arrival we visit the famous Sheik Zayed Mosque, the third biggest mosque in the world.  After a tour of this huge and beautiful marvel of architecture we proceed to the Bateen area where the palaces of the ruling family are located. We drive past these palaces and stop at the magnificent Emirates Palace Hotel to visit the Sadiyaat Exhibition.  We stop at the heritage village and enjoy a photo stop at the breathtaking Abu Dhabi Corniche and visit the traditional date market.   Afterwards we will be treated to a lunch stop at Caravan Sterling Restaurant before heading for Dubai.

Overnight: Ramada Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai (5 nights) (B, L)

Day 11: Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman/Fujairah/Dubai (Drive)

The UAE comprises of 7 Emirates. These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. These were independent sheikhdoms, which unified as the United Arab Emirates in December of 1971. Though a political union, the individual emirates still have their own kings and local rules. The Arab Sheikhdoms Tour will help us explore all the emirates. Our journey today takes us to the East Coast. We pass through the Al Dhaid agricultural areas, where the terrain changes from colorful desert landscape to spectacular mountain scenery. The coastline is scattered with small fishing villages as we visit the old village of Dibba with stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Continuing along the coastline, we arrive at the oldest and smallest mosque in the country, the Al Bidya Mosque, built in the 14th century. Driving through the port town of Khorfakhan we enjoy lunch at the Sandy Beach Hotel.  Afternoon we explore the 300-year old Fort of Fujairah and the fortress of Bithnah Oasis. The emirate of Sharjah is an exciting and lively city with colorful souks and restored traditional houses with walls made of sea coral.  We visit the Museum housed in the newly renovated Fort of Ajman and the Al Markazi Souk. We return to Dubai for an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 12: Dubai

Our morning tour of Dubai includes the Jumeirah Mosque, photo stops by the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa buildings and a drive on the palm to visit the Atlantis Aquarium. We pass the palaces of the ruling family of Dubai, visit the Museum, as well as the Spice and Gold Souqs. In the afternoon, we experience an exciting desert safari. We drive through the magnificent sand dunes to experience the thrill of dune bashing. After sunset we reach a campsite equipped with traditional carpets and pillows. Ladies may get henna designs, before the evening entertainment begins authentic Arabic music and belly dances, followed by a barbecue dinner served under the stars. We return to our hotel at night. (B, D)

Day 13: Dubai/Al Ain/Dubai (Drive)

Today we visit the Cultural Sites of Al Ain* a WHS, which constitute a serial property that testifies to sedentary human occupation of a desert region since the Neolithic period with vestiges of many prehistoric cultures. Remarkable vestiges in the property include circular stone tombs (ca 2500 B.C.), wells and a wide range of adobe constructions: residential buildings, towers, palaces and administrative buildings.  Today’s excursion includes visits to Jebel Hafit, the nation’s tallest mountain offering the commanding views of the city, Al Jahili Fort and the famed Camel Market.  We will be treated to a lunch stop at a local restaurant before returning to Dubai. (B, L)

Day 14: Dubai/Umm Al Quwain/Ras Al Khaiman/Dubai (Drive)

We start early in the morning we visit the Emirates of Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, including visits of the Ras Al Khaimah Museum, the old city, the fish market, the abandoned old village of Jazirat Al Hamrah and the Museum of Um al Quwain, located in a historic fort and return back to our hotel in Dubai. Evening we bid farewell to the Sheikhdoms in traditional style with farewell dinner on a Dhow. The dhow cruises the shoreline showing us the fascinating lights of Dubai creek with a Music and Tanura Dance show. (B, D)

Day 15: Depart Dubai

After witnessing the lifestyles of the rich desert people of these remarkable sheikdoms, we are transferred to the airport for our departure. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

N/A

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

Travelers Testimonials

Mark N of CA, USA 

Arab Sheikdoms: One Bestway traveller shares his experience touring the Arab states.

Last October, Mark F. Nelson, a well-known and well-travelled lawyer in Laguna Beach, California, took Bestway Tours & Safari’s Arab Sheikdoms tour.  This unique journey provides a rare glimpse into five of the Arab states along the Persian Gulf, including Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Mark was so thrilled with the experience that he wanted to share his story with other Bestway travellers. Here’s what he had to say about his once-in-a-lifetime adventure:

Bestway: Can you tell us about your personal travel experience and what you try to get from each tour?

Mark: I agree with Medieval Moroccan traveler and scholar Ibn Battutah: “Traveling gives you home in thousand strange places, then leaves you a stranger in your own land . . . it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

When are we the most alive and present? For me, those feelings often peak as I travel and experience new people, cultures and beliefs. Each journey rearranges the building blocks in my mind, creating a kaleidoscope of new patterns and synapses. Because I hunger for that evolution, I am now traveling about six months each year. I have been fortunate to visit all seven continents and over 105 nations. My dream is to explore every country in the world.

Bestway: What was your reason for selecting the Arab Sheikhdom tour?

Mark: The Bestway Tours & Safaris Arab Sheikdom tour in October 2016 took me to five vibrant countries that I had never seen before: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates including all its seven Emirates. Bestway was the only company I found that combined all those countries into one sensible and reasonably-priced itinerary.

The Gulf States have played a critical role in world history, both past and present. I have visited and admired many Muslim countries, but I wanted to see daily life in the Gulf nations, which pairs great wealth and deep conviction to Islam. This area is framed by the white sands of the Arabian Desert and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Bestway: Considering that this tour goes through five countries and all the Emirates in the UAE, how was the tour handling coordinated?

Mark: As an intrepid traveler, I optimize my experience by engaging local guides and companies to handle day-to-day logistics. In my visit to the Gulf countries, Bestway Tours and Safari arranged all hotels, flights, ground transportation and other details. Bestway’s agents spoke excellent English, promptly responded to all my questions and were always available by phone and email. I appreciated that Bestway assigned a particular journey manager, Chi Pham, to help me through the entire process. Working directly with Chi was far more efficient than having to speak to a new agent for assistance with each issue. Mahmood Poonja, Bestway’s Chief Explorer, even called me to ensure that everything went smoothly. When I asked Mr. Poonja if he was the owner of Bestway, he said, “actually the company owns me because it is my entire life.” Now that’s dedication.

For nearly two months before arriving on the Arab Sheikdom Tour, I traveled in rougher areas of the Middle East. Once I joined the Bestway tour, I felt like I could take a big breath and relax—I was treated to first class accommodations, air-conditioned vehicles and exquisite food. With Bestway’s help, this otherwise-complex journey felt like a magic carpet ride: all I had to do was step out of my luxury hotel and greet my friendly guide, who then handed me a cool bottle of water, settled me into a comfortable seat and whisked me from one amazing adventure after another.

Bestway: Guides are the ones who can make or break a tour. What was your experience of the different guides?

Mark: Bestway arranged for me to have a different local guide in each country. Each guide was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, reliable and punctual. The guides really listened to my particular interests and then tailored the experiences to my preferences even when that involved lingering longer than originally planned at museums, mosques and mountains.

For example, in Bahrain, my guide and I shared a day that stays vivid in my memory. In the morning, we visited the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, which offers a very personal presentation on Islam. Then we walked through the Bahrain National Museum, which depicts local cultures over 6,000 years old. Transitioning from history to the present moment, we went next to the King’s Camel Farm, which has about 175 camels, and some of them nuzzled my arms. We ended the day at the Bahrain Fort, which dates back to 2300 BC. As the sun set, my guide Lunghei surprised me by singing a folk song about the goodness of people who remain constant in life. The soft music wrapped around me like a warm blanket in the cooling night air of another unforgettable day.

On another occasion, I learned a life lesson from my guide, Jacob while we were driving through the deserts of Oman. He shared a local parable about a father and son, wherein the father tells the boy that he can play in the valley and caves while the father goes to the market. As the child is playing, he makes a sound that echoes along the rock walls. Having never heard an echo before, the boy calls out, “Who’s there?” A voice chimes back, “Who’s there?” The boy then gets worried and yells, “Go away!” The voice responds, “Go away!” Then the young man threatens, “I’m going to hit you with my staff!” The voice bellows back, “I’m going to hit you with my staff!” When the father returns, he finds that his son is very angry and scared and the father asks what is wrong. His son sobs that someone was telling him to go away and threatening to hit him with a staff. The father smiles wisely, teaches his son about the echo and then calls out “I love you.” And the voice softly answers, “I love you.” The father puts his arm around his son and turns toward home saying, “And that is how life is.”

Bestway: What were some of the highlights of your journey?

Mark: The Gulf States feature some of the most modern and wealthy cities in the world. Doha in Qatar has the highest income per capita on earth, while Dubai offers Palm Island, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in the shape of a ship’s sail, which claims to be the most luxurious hotel on earth, and towering Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Despite these attractions, the greatest highlight of these Sheikdoms for me was the endless Arabian Desert. From flowing sand dunes to the hard-baked scrabble dotted with Acacia trees and salt bushes, deserts framed the cities, dominated the landscapes and transformed the soul. Perhaps I felt a special resonance with the Gulf deserts because, as a boy, I hiked and camped with my father and grandfather in the vast deserts of the western United States. Outside Dubai, I was in heaven during a late-afternoon jeep safari drifting through mountain-high pink sand dunes. That adventure concluded with a camel ride, Bedouin meal and cultural show complete with belly dancers under a night sky of infinite stars.

My growing feelings of fascination with the desert crystalized as I walked the stone corridors of the Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain and encountered an inspiring display of photographs and quotes by the British explorer, Wilfred Thesiger, also known as “Mubarak bin London” which is Arabic for “the blessed one from London.”

Thesiger’s words spoke to my soul: “In the desert I had found a freedom unattainable in civilization; a life unhampered by possessions, since everything that was not a necessity was an encumbrance. I had found too, a comradeship inherent in the circumstances, and the belief that tranquility was to be found there.”

In that museum, I encountered a black and white photo that instantly became a new favorite. It depicts a Bedouin wearing a turban and dressed in a white flowing thobe stretching to his wrists and ankles. A rifle is slung on his shoulder and a saluki hunting dog is by his side. Both are facing away from the camera and staring out at the Hamra sand dunes, which stretch to the horizon like waves in the sea. When I saw this image, a feeling surged within my chest, “That’s what I want out of life.”

Bestway: Would you recommend this tour to others?

Mark: I would highly recommend Bestway’s Arab Sheikhdom tour to everyone who is looking for new lands to explore and has an interest in the Gulf States’ amazing architecture, delicious food, ancient culture and magnificent deserts. Although I’ve been to many Muslim countries,I have never experienced more informative presentations for westerners about Islam than are available from friendly English-speaking hosts at Al Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai, the Spiral Mosque Islamic Cultural Center in Doha and the Fateh Grand Mosque in Bahrain.

Of course, if you like luxury, entertainment, food and shopping, the Gulf States have it all. You can buy anything from footwear to falcons in the narrow alleys of Doha’s Souq Waqif market. And you can ice skate, snow ski and scuba dive in the comfort of Dubai’s air-conditioned shopping malls.

The tour was busy but not exhausting. The itinerary was appropriate for nearly all adult ages. Anyone with reasonable stamina and mobility should be just fine.

Just be aware that if you visit the Arab Sheikhdoms, you may be forever transformed. Thesiger’s words about desert life capture this transformation perfectly: “No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return, weak or insistent according to his nature. For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate climate can match.”

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