Day 01: Arrive Amman (JORDAN)

Ahlan Wasahlan (Welcome in Arabic). As we arrive Amman International Airport we are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Days Inn or Ramada Hotel, Amman (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Amman/Jerash/Amman

Morning tour of Amman, visiting the Roman Theater, the Citadel, the Archeology and the Folklore Museums, old and modern Amman, and one of the many art galleries in this capital city. Continue to Jerash (Gerasa of antiquity), the best preserved city of Roman times, to visit its theaters, temples, churches and colonnaded streets. (B, D)

Day 03: Amman/Desert Castles/Dead Sea/Amman

This morning head out to the vist the Desert Castles of Harraned, Qasar Amra and Azraq. Then drive down to the lowest spot on earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Late afternoon we return to Amman. Evening free to loiter through the different bazaars in Amman. (B, D)

Day 04: Amman/Umm ar Rassas/Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Kerak/Aqaba (Drive 263 kms/164 miles)

Before heading southwards along the Kings’ Highway to Aqaba, a stop will be made at Umm ar Rassas to see some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics. Next stop is Madaba, where lies the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley; then drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to Kerak to visit the Crusader Castle of (stop for optional lunch).
Overnight: Marina Plaza Hotel or Aqaba Gulf Hotel, Aqaba (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Aqaba/Wadi Rum (Drive 42 kms / 26 miles)

A brief tour of Aqaba before we head for Wadi Rum, the land of Lawrence of Arabia to embark on a two hours 4x4 jeep safari. This evening enjoy a BBQ dinner while star gazing.
Overnight: Jabal Rum Camp, Wadi Rum (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman (Drive 240 kms/149 miles)

A magnificent days ahead as we continue to the pink city of Petra to visit its many sites. This city was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Return to Amman.
Overnight: Days Inn or Ramada Hotel, Amman (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: Amman/Muscat (OMAN)

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Seeb International Airport Mucat.  Merhaba! (Welcome) We are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel.  Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Days Inn or Ramada Hotel, Amman (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Muscat

Today you can explore Muscat, the clean capital city. 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, however it has never lost its pride in its heritage & culture. You can start your tour with a visit to the Grand Mosque, which is an architectural marvel and is perhaps the new landmark of the city. You can continue your drive through the ministries area where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of Islamic architecture.

Notes:
- The Grand Mosque is open Sat to Thu 0800-1100 hrs only.
- Ladies visiting the Grand Mosque are required to cover their head with scarf and do not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless outfits as they are to be fully covered.
- Men visiting the Grand Mosque should wear long trousers.

A drive a drive along the corniche will take you to Old Muscat. You will visit "Sidab Women's Sewing Group" a non-profit community organization inspired and run by local women. The group helps women from this fishing village develop sewing skills, so that they can create handicrafts, which earn them an income. This visit is part of our keenness to support & promote tourism responsible in the country. The women's creations are colorful and reflect Omani culture and you can choose to buy whichever product you like from their humble gallery. Next stop is the magnificent Al Aalam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali. You can visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture. Then proceed to the most popular places of Muscat - enchanting Muttrah souq with its narrow covered alleys where the exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffees, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes fill the air. Explore the winding and zigzag alleys for a good bargain! Return to hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. (B, D)

Day 09: Muscat

Forts and castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks and together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points. It is estimated that there are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman. Your visit today would include a few of them, which are more remarkable & striking in their architecture & style. Drive towards Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. Nizwa was a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. Visit of the Nizwa fort and the Nizwa souq. The 17th century round fort and the souq famous for silver jewelry are the major attractions of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place only on every Friday. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. We now move on to Jabreen. Built as a defensive stronghold, the Jabreen is perhaps the finest of Omani castles. The castle has dungeons, passages, rooms and ceilings decorated with fine carvings & paintings. Your last visit would be at Bahla famous for its handmade pottery. Bahla is listed in UNESCOS world heritage sites; however the fort here is now under renovation and is not open to public. Drive back to Muscat. (B, D)

Day 10: Muscat/ (KUWAIT) (Flight)

Our next stop is Kuwait, the country that changed the face of the Middle East to what it is today. Kuwait is an archetypical oil-rich state that founded only 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 19 th century. The first oil wells were found in 1936. The 50's and 60's were the magical era of the oil boom. We will be welcomed and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.
Overnight: Swiss Bel Plaza Hotel, Kuwait (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: 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, you will also be passing by the Liberation Tower, National Assembly House, Seif Palace, Jahra gate, Fish market & photo stop at the new dhow harbor and lastly visit the Kuwait towers. (B, D)

Day 12: Kuwait/ (BAHRAIN) (Flight)

Our next destination is Bahrain; we are met and transferred to our hotel. Since the dawn of history, Bahrain was known as the Pearl of the Gulf as it has been a strategic trading post of the great trade routes linking the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia. It exudes old-world charm, courtesy and dignity as befits a nation whose history goes back more than 4000 years. Bahrain was the first place in the Arabian Gulf where oil was discovered in 1925 and it continues to enjoy oil wealth to this day. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.
Overnight: Novotel Al Dana Resort, Bahrain (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Bahrain

Our tour of this Sheikdom includes Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain National Museum, Sheik Issa Bin Ali House, Al Jasra handicraft centre, burial mounds, A'Ali potters, Bahrain Fort, a camel farm, King Fahad Causeway, the very first oil well of the country and lastly the Tree of Life. (B, D)

Day 14: Bahrain/Doha (QATAR) (Flight)

In the morning we take a short flight to Doha, the capital of Qatar. We are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Qatar was a relatively unknown country until recently. 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 has one of the largest natural gas fields in the world. The afternoon tour begins with a drive along the beautiful Doha Corniche and visit the old Dhow Harbor. Pass by the Camel and sheep market. The next stop is at the Gold Souq for some beautiful jewels in silver and gold hand-crafted by skilled artisans. Drive past the Asian Games stadium and Aspire and Villagio with its huge shopping complex and restaurants. The last stop will be at the traditional Old Souq. Walk around the souq with its quaint architecture; see the Arabian Falcon, spice market, fabric and perfume stores, art galleries, and traditional handicraft shops. A good place for souvenirs hunting and shopping for traditional gifts!! Many ethnic restaurants and Shisha-Café's offering the popular Hubbly Bubbly and ethnic cuisine line the cobblestone streets.
Overnight: Holiday Villa Hotel, Doha (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 15: Doha

A 4-wheel drive car will pick you up from your hotel and head towards the South of Qatar for a stop at the picturesque Sea Line Beach Resort. The professional 4x4 driver will then deflate the tires to make the vehicle ready for Dune bashing and take you on an exciting adventure over the sand dunes of the Qatar desert. You will then arrive at the beautiful Desert campsite facing the Inland sea and beautiful beach, unique to Qatar. Enjoy a swim in the inland sea. Relax and sunbathe, play volleyball, go sand-boarding on the dunes or just lie on the beach and enjoy the tranquility of the desert, sea and beach. A professional chef will prepare a BBQ meal (soft drinks & water included). Relax in the Bedouin style tents, carpeted with traditional seating. Showers and bathrooms are available at the camp. (B, D)

Day 16: Doha/Abu Dhabi (UAE) (Flight)/Dubai (Drive)

Early this morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to the richest of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, where your will be welcomed and head out for a visit of Sheik Zayed Mosque, which is the third biggest mosque in the world. We later proceed around the bateen area where the palaces of the ruling family are located driving past them we stop at the magnificent Emirates Palace Hotel and visit the Sadiyaat Exhition. Next stop is a visit to the heritage village and have a photo stop of the breathtaking Abu Dhabi Corniche. We later drive to the cultural round about and visit the date market. Before sunset we proceed for Dubai to check into the hotel.
Overnight: Flora Grand Hotel, Dubai (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 17: Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman

Our morning city tour of Dubai includes the Jumeirah Mosque Jumeirah beach stop By Burj AL Arab, a drive on the palm visit the Atlantis Aquarium and proceed to Burj Khaliffa for a photo stop. Visiting the observation gallery (optional - cost extra), view pass the palaces of the ruling family of Dubai, visit the Museum, as well as the Spice and Gold Souqs and drive to the Emirate of Ajman, where we will visit the Ajman Museum. Our next stop is the Emirate of Sharjah, including a visit to the Islamic Museum and stop at Souq al Masqoof. We then make a short visit to the Bird & Animal Market, photo stop at the Pearl Monument and the King Faizal Mosque, the Al Arsah Souq (Blue Souq or the central souq) and back to the hotel in Dubai. (B, D)

Day 18: Fujairah

Our next two days will be spent in discovering the remaining Emirates and Sheikdoms in the UAE. We start with a full day tour to the East Coast, which includes visit to the Arabian Wild Life discovery center, Dibba Al Husin, Bidya Mosque, which is the oldest mosque of the UAE, Khorfakkan Beach stop. Visit the Fujeirah Museum, photo stop at Fujeirah Fort and yet another stop at Wadi Ham where the Al Bitnah Fort is located. Photo stop at the breeding grounds of the turtles of Kalba before returning back to Dubai. (B, D)

Day 19: Umm Al Quwain/Ras Al Khaimah

In the morning we visit the last of the Emirates, Umm Al Quwain & Ras Al Khaimah. This includes the well-preserved Ras Al Khaimah Museum, followed by a visit to the old city, the fish market. Visit the abandon old village of Jazirat AL Hamrah and the next stop is visit to the Museum of Um al Quwain, which is located in a historic fort and return back to the hotel in Dubai. (B, D)

Day 20: Dubai/Depart

After witnessing the lifestyles of the rich desert people of these magic sheikdoms, we bid farewell as we take our departure flight from the majestic Dubai Airport. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

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.

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