Oman & the UAE

B= Breakfast • L= Lunch • D= Dinner

Thursday, February 6, 2025: Depart home
Depart home on overnight flights to Dubai.

Friday, February 7: Arrive Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Arrive today at Dubai International Airport (DXB), clear customs and immigration, and meet your driver to transfer to our hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight—a chance to sample some of Dubai’s culinary sensations. Overnight at the 4-star Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio by Hilton for two nights.

Saturday, February 8: Abu Dhabi: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Heritage Village | Dubai | Welcome dinner
Take a day trip to explore nearby Abu Dhabi. The capital of the United Arab Emirates, the city of Abu Dhabi juts off from the mainland on an island in the Arabian Gulf. Founded as a simple pearl and fishing village, the city was transformed into a luxurious modern metropolis over the last several decades, fueled by massive wealth from oil exports and investments. But underneath the decadent façade, Abu Dhabi still maintains traces of its past, particularly evident at the old dhow harbors where fishing ships still deliver the daily catch, and in its people, who remain firmly rooted in Bedouin traditions of hospitality.

We explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened to high acclaim in 2017 and features a world-class collection of art and historical artifacts from around the globe, displaying not only local finds but also pieces on loan from the Musée d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, and Paris’ own cultural centerpiece, the Louvre Museum. The museum’s spacious and geometric building, designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, is a work of art in and of itself. Continue on to Qasr Al Hosn, which means “Palace Fort” in Arabic. The structure was built in 1761, making it the oldest in Abu Dhabi. It was originally built to watch over the only freshwater well on the island and was later adopted by the ruler of Abu Dhabi as his personal residence. The fort is now open to the public and houses a small museum. Also visit Heritage Village, an immersive time capsule with an old world souq (market), mosque, and camp exhibiting life in pre-modern UAE. Located on the Marina Mall Island, close to the city center, the traditional oasis village offers a glimpse at Abu Dhabi’s past. Guests can shop and watch artisans make pottery, blow glass, and weave fabric on a loom. The village is also home to the Emirates Heritage Club, which hosts workshops for making traditional crafts. Gather this evening for a festive welcome dinner hosted by your study leader. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 9: Dubai: Al Sufouh, Saruq al Hadid Museum | Al Ain
We start our day visiting Al Sufouh, located within view of the massive skyscrapers that make up modern Dubai’s skyline. This ancient site was a settlement approximately 4,000 years ago, when the Bronze Age Umm al Nar culture inhabited this area. They left behind a circular tomb, pottery shards, shells, and other remnants. We then explore the Saruq al Hadid Museum. The site of Saruq al Hadid was discovered in 2002 amidst the dunes of the UAE by the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as he flew his helicopter overhead. He spotted dark material covering the ground in an area that had not been inundated by the nearby dunes. Those dark fragments turned out to be waste material from ancient metallurgical processes. The Museum houses large quantities of Bronze Age ceramics, beads, metal wares, animal bones, and jewelry that were subsequently uncovered here. Depart Dubai and head across the desert to Al Ain, the UAE’s picturesque and historic “Garden City,” an oasis in the far east of the country near the Omani border. Check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Al Ain Rotana Hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, February 10: Al Ain: Rumailah Fort, Al Jahili Fort | Hili Archaeological Park
Spend today exploring Al Ain, where historic and cultural sites abound, including several on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Begin at Rumailah, home to both an early 20^th-century fort and a mound bearing testament to millennia of civilization. Many finds from the mound are similar to those found at the site of Saruq al Hadid, whose museum we visited yesterday. Also visit Al Jahili Fort, where a permanent exhibition is devoted to the 1940s journey from Salalah to Abu Dhabi taken by explorer, writer, and photographer Sir Wilfred Thesiger. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue on to the UNESCO-listed Hili Archaeological Park, well-known for Neolithic tombs and other structures. Gardens have been built up around the ruins, and the remnants of a sophisticated falaj irrigation system dating from the Iron Age can also be seen. Return to our hotel and gather later this evening for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 11: Bat & Al-Ayn Archaeological Sites, OMAN | Nizwa
This morning we set out for Oman in 4WD vehicles. Our first site visit in Oman is to the protohistoric archaeological complex of Bat and Al-Ayn, which represents one of the world’s most complete and well-preserved ensembles of settlements and necropolises from the 3^rd millennium B.C. They were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. After lunch at a local restaurant we continue on to Nizwa, an ancient oasis town that was once the medieval capital of Oman, where we check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Golden Tulip for four nights. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, February 12: Hasat bin Sult | Al Hamra | Misfat Al Abriyeen | Al Hamra: Bait Al Safah Museum | Nizwa
Today we will explore Nizwa’s surrounding area by 4WD vehicles. Begin at Hasat bin Sult, also known as Coleman’s Rock, a large rock that is one of the most important sites of ancient art in Oman. Its sides are covered in inscriptions and depictions of humans, some of which may date back 5,000 years. Also visit nearby Al Hamra, a small mountainside town on the slopes of Jebel Shams, notable for the traditional architecture found both in the town and in surrounding villages. We continue on to the tiny village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, considered among the most beautiful villages in Oman, nestled in a wadi not far from Al Hamra. Its ancient falaj irrigation system and green terraces provide ample fruit and produce for the local inhabitants, the Al Abri tribe for which the village is named. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Bait Al Safah, a living history museum in a restored mudbrick house, where old Omani traditions such as weaving are demonstrated. Return to our hotel in Nizwa and then gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Thursday, February 13: Bahla: Bahla Fort, Friday Mosque (exterior only), Castle of Jabrin | Salut Fort | Nizwa
We head out again today by 4WD vehicles to the oasis of Bahla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an immense fort that was recently restored and opened to visitors. Its oldest parts were built as early as 500 B.C. Also view the exterior of the 14^th-century Bahla Friday Mosque, one of the most important sites in the town. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the nearby 17^th-century Castle of Jabrin. The Omani have done an excellent job of restoring this site, and it provides a good sense of medieval Oman, with displays inside of various household items and furnishings, plus spectacular, hand-painted ceilings and beautifully-executed woodcarvings. Drive to Salut Fort, considered one of Oman’s oldest forts. Since 2004, archaeological excavations have identified key Bronze and Iron Age sites in the area surrounding Salut. Schedule permitting, also visit the new Salut Museum. Return to our hotel in Nizwa and then gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Friday, February 14: Nizwa walking tour: Friday Market, Nizwa Fort, Al Aqr | Samail | Manal | Nizwa
This morning we rise early to experience the Nizwa Friday market, whose animal souk is an opportunity to witness Oman’s traditional manner of selling livestock. From here we visit Nizwa’s souk, which specializes in finely-crafted metalwork, and then visit the 17^th-century Nizwa Fort, which for 300 years was the primary seat of the Imamate, serving as a combination palace, seat of government, and prison. Take a 15-minute walk to Nizwa’s atmospheric old town, Al Aqr, where we will spend some time exploring the alleyways and shops and see (from the outside only) the Shawadhna Grand Mosque, dating back to the 7^th century—one of the oldest mosques in Oman (and the world). After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive to Samail village, which was home to Mazin bin Ghaduba, companion of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Omani to embrace Islam. He built the town’s first mosque in the 7^th century and, as a result, there are now around 300 mosques in the valley. Located on a hill just next to the main road is the massive Samail Hosn (Castle of Samail), with high walls; heavy, dark, wooden doors; and inner buildings made from traditional mud bricks. Visit the nearby Tomb of Mazin bin Ghaduba, an open-air tomb with mosaic tiles in traditional Islamic colors, and then drive to Nizwa by way of the village of Manal, where we stop to view the exterior of the Ibadi Mosque. Dinner is at our hotel this evening. (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 15: Birkat Al Mouz | Ibra | Wahiba Sands | Bedouin family visit
Depart Nizwa this morning in 4WD vehicles and drive to the lovely village of Birkat Al Mouz, which provides a superb example of the falaj traditional irrigation system (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman”). Walk through date and banana plantations and admire the mud-brick homes, many of which are being abandoned as people move into concrete structures outside of the village. Continue on to Ibra, one of the oldest cities in Oman and once a center of trade, religion, education, and art. After lunch we drive to Wahiba Sands, a 6,000-square-mile desert where the ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. We experience Bedouin life by visiting with a family of Omani Bedouins and learning a bit about their lives and livelihoods. Traditionally nomadic herders, the Bedouins of Oman take great pride in passing on their cultural traditions and expertise in the harshest of deserts to new generations and visitors alike. Check-in to our accommodations at Oman’s only luxury desert camp, spectacularly situated on ten acres amidst the dunes of the Wahiba Sands, and then gather for dinner. Our resort offers comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned deluxe rooms. Overnight at the remote, 5-star Desert Nights Camp in Deluxe Rooms. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 16: Sur | Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Depart camp this morning for Sur, where we learn about the town’s shipbuilding traditions. Many of the trading fleets of Omani ships were built at Sur, whose boatyards are still active today. We will have the opportunity to see them at work, using traditional methods: without plans and with only simple tools (adze, bow drill, saw, and hammer). Also visit the bustling fish market and see the catch of the day, and view from the outside the historic wooden fishing vessel (dhow) Fatah Al Khair. Built in 1951, the vessel has been carefully restored and is part of a dry land open-air museum, together with other, smaller, traditional vessels.

This afternoon we continue driving to Ras Al Jinz, a fishing village on the eastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula. Ras Al Jinz Beach is world renowned as a nesting place for the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), and this is the only official place where the public can watch the nesting process of these amazing sea giants. The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, an eco-tourism project, was established in 2008 to help conserve the fascinating and amazing nesting processes of these giants of the marine turtle world. In 2017 a renovated museum was opened, and its displays document some of the surrounding archaeological sites that date back 6,000 years. Excavations have uncovered the remains of some of Oman’s ancient wooden boats and, in 1982, the discovery of a Bronze Age potsherd from northwestern India. After dinner, a guide will take us to try to see female turtles return to their beach to lay eggs. (Please note that the main nesting season is June through August and, at other times of the year, there may not be turtles every night.) Overnight at the 3-star Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (Eco Tents). (B,L,D)

Monday, February 17: Qalhat | Muscat
This morning we set out for Qalhat (pending its reopening), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose ruins are the remnants of what was once a major trading port on the Gulf of Oman. The city’s heyday was from the 11^th to the 15^th centuries, and the Bibi Maryam Mausoleum is the largest standing structure still remaining on the site but there are also ancient tombstones, the outline of a mosque, a cistern, and other ruins to explore. (Please note that at the time of writing the site of Qalhat was closed for restoration and preservation work.) We continue on to Muscat, where we check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Hormuz Garden by Radisson hotel for three nights. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 18: Muscat: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, Bait Al Zubair Museum, National Museum of Oman, Mutrah Souq
Spend a full day exploring Muscat, Oman’s capital and largest city with a population of over 1.5 million. Meaning “safe anchorage” in the local dialect of Arabic, Muscat was for centuries a crucial port for sea trade between the East and West, conquered in turn by the Persians, the Portuguese, and the Ottoman Empire. The combination of historic souqs, traditional whitewashed architecture, and old-school hospitality give it arguably the most charm and character of any capital on the Arabian Peninsula. Begin today’s explorations at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, whose construction was completed in 2001 and features a central dome and a towering central minaret flanked by four smaller minarets. Travelers are welcome to enter the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, but are advised to wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, and a headscarf for women. Next we visit the Royal Opera House, the country’s premier venue for the musical and cultural arts, which officially opened in 2011. Enjoy a short tour of the opera house and view its very fine collection of rare instruments. Also explore the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which houses a formerly private archaeological collection including ancient Omani weaponry, household items, tools, traditional clothing and jewelry, artwork, and more.

After an independent lunch we tour the National Museum of Oman, whose 14 galleries focus on ethnography, maritime history, the traditional Omani falaj irrigation system, Islam, prehistory, and weapons. End the day on the picturesque corniche of Mutrah, which has long been a center of commerce in Oman, and whose nearby souq is one of the oldest and largest historical marketplaces in Oman. Today it is a great place to observe a bustling local marketplace and also find souvenirs such as traditional Omani daggers and textiles. Dinner is on your own. (B)

Wednesday, February 19: Al Hazm Fort | Wadi Bani Awf | Balad Sayt | Muscat
Take a day trip into the mountains southwest of Muscat via 4WD vehicles, stopping along the way at the impressive, 18^th-century Al Hazm Fort. A unique feature of this structure is that its ceilings are supported by columns instead of traditional wooden beams. Continue on to Wadi Bani Awf, a spectacularly scenic area located in the Al Hajar Mountains just below Oman’s highest peak, Jebel Shams. Expansive views, craggy mountains, and deep canyons are the highlights here. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to the small mountain village of Balad Sayt, where the terrain allows for the formation of rain clouds which in turn allow for a bit more greenery and agriculture than elsewhere in the country. Return to Muscat, where dinner is on your own. (B,L)

Thursday, February 20: Fly to Salalah | Salalah: Al Husn Palace (exterior only), Haffah Souq | Al Baleed Archaeological Park | Museum of the Frankincense Land | Mughsail Beach | Salalah
Check-out of our hotel and take a short, morning flight to Salalah. Greenery is much more abundant in Salalah than elsewhere in Oman, and the air feels tropical for much of the year. Begin our exploration of the city at Al Husn Palace, which we may view from the exterior only. One of the most recognizable symbols of Salalah, the palace is closed to the public but one can stop for a photo of the exterior with its iconic gate and clock tower view. Explore the Haffah Souq, one of the city’s best fruit and vegetable markets, where vendors sell very locally grown tropical produce including bananas, coconuts, papayas, mangos, and more. Continue on to Al Baleed Archaeological Park, the Dhofar region’s main settlement from the 8^th to 16^th centuries. This region is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Land of Frankincense.” After a visit to the Al Baleed Museum we visit the Museum of the Frankincense Land, which chronicles human settlement in the area since 2000 B.C. with an emphasis on maritime trade and traditions. Continue on to Mughsail Beach, 30 miles west of Salalah. Its cliffs and rocks, which are beautiful year-round, trap fog during the khareef (monsoon season, June to September) and create a verdant scene wildly different from the rest of Oman. Noteworthy are the blowholes along the beach, which are powered by waves but set far enough back from the water that they almost seem to be geysers. Return to Salalah where we freshen up at our hotel before gathering for dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah for three nights. (B,D)

Friday, February 21: Taqah | Sumhuram Archaeological Park | Muhammad bin Ali’s Tomb | Wadi Darbat | Salalah
Today we explore sites to the east of Salalah, along the coast, traveling by 4WD vehicles. We tour the 19^th-century Taqah Castle, located on the beach in the village of Taqah. The castle was converted into a museum in 1994 and features exhibits on both local history and ethnography. Continue on to Sumhuram Archaeological Park, site of what was once one of the major ports of southern Arabia and an important conduit for the international frankincense trade network. Also visit the nearby museum. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the twin-domed, 12^th-century Tomb of Mohamed bin Ali (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), a fine example of medieval Omani architecture. We end our day with the idyllic scenery of Wadi Darbat, which turns a lush green after the annual khareef rains and fogs. Water courses down the channels, tumbling over small waterfalls into beautiful blue pools. Camels often frequent the area, with the juxtaposition of a desert animal amidst lush vegetation and water making for an odd (but very photogenic) sight. Return to Salalah, where dinner is on your own. (B,L)

Saturday, February 22: Tomb of Job | Wadi Dawkah | Hanun | Ubar | Rub al Khali | Salalah | Farewell dinner
Our touring today will focus on areas inland from Salalah, beginning with the Tomb of Job. It is not particularly remarkable in terms of architecture or beauty, however it is among the most important religious and pilgrimage sites in the Dhofar Governorate, making it a great place to learn more about local religious practices and to see (and meet) pilgrims. Continue on to Wadi Dawkah, which is part of the “Land of Frankincense” UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frankincense trees still grow here, as they have for millennia. The specific tree that yields frankincense is Boswellia sacra, and several varieties are grown in the area. Frankincense is obtained by tapping the trees for the sap, which dries into frankincense. Nearby is Hanun, a depot along the frankincense routes, and 5^th-century B.C. triliths (groups of three stones perched together to form a steep pyramid). After lunch at a local restaurant we explore the ruins of Ubar, in the modern-day Omani village of Shisr. Arabic tradition says that Ubar disappeared into the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, and excavations have shown that there once was a fort there that partially collapsed into a sinkhole, and the ruins were part of the incense trade. Part of the fort still stands on the edge of the sinkhole, and a tunnel has been built to the underground section. Our last visit of the day is to Rub al Khali (the “Empty Quarter”), a large sand desert that takes up most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The entire desert is about a million square miles (about 40,000 square miles larger than France), thought to be the largest uninterrupted desert on Earth, and is one of the driest and most sparsely populated places on Earth. Return to Salalah, and gather this evening for our farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 23: Fly to Muscat | Fly home OR Overnight in Muscat
Transfer to the Salalah airport this morning for our group flight to Muscat International Airport (MCT), where you will connect with independent flights homeward. Those whose flights do not depart until tomorrow may check-in to our hotel in Muscat, with the balance of today at leisure. Overnight at the 4-star Hormuz Garden by Radisson. (B)

Monday, February 24: Fly home
Transfer to Muscat International Airport (MCT) in time for your flights homeward. (B)

Optional Pre-Tour extension to Qatar (2 nights)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025: Depart home
Depart home on overnight flights to Doha.

Wednesday, February 5: Arrive Doha, QATAR
Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport (DOH), you will clear customs and immigration, meet your driver, and be transferred to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time, gather for dinner this evening. Overnight at the 5-star Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli for two nights. (D)

Thursday, February 6: Doha: Doha Corniche, National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif
Set out this morning for a full day, in-depth exploration of Doha. Begin at the Doha Corniche, a beautiful walkway and road that stretches over four miles along the city’s curved waterfront. Here we explore the National Museum of Qatar, housed in a spectacular, desert rose-shaped building that was designed by architect Jean Nouvel. The museum’s collections focus on three primary themes: Qatar’s natural history, the cultural history of the local Bedouins and tribes, and the modern nation-state’s history and oil and gas industries. Continue on to the iconic Museum of Islamic Art, built on an artificial island near the traditional dhow harbor. The museum’s stunning architecture is influenced by ancient Islamic styles, featuring a uniquely modern design highlighting geometric patterns. At 91 years of age the esteemed architect I. M. Pei was coaxed out of retirement to design the museum. Its collections consist of 1,400 years of Islamic art, rare manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, and artifacts originating in Spain, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, India, the Arab world, and Central Asia.

This afternoon we explore the Katara Cultural Village, a large architectural complex that opened in 2010. While modern, the complex’s buildings celebrate traditional Qatari architecture and decor. A beautiful turquoise- and indigo-tiled mosque is also located on site, as are the offices of many Qatari cultural and professional organizations. End the day at the Souq Waqif, a sprawling market in central Doha, which is the city’s premier destination for shopping. One can find textiles, traditional clothing, spices, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more. Dinner is on your own. (B)

Friday, February 7: Fly to Dubai, UAE
Transfer to Hamad International Airport (DOH) for your independent flight to Dubai (suggested flight time TBD) to begin the main tour. (B)