United Arab Emirates

Trip Itinerary

• Day 1

  Welcome to Dubai!

  Arrive In Dubai International Airport (most of us will have to depart on the eve of Jan 9th)

  Transfer to your hotel for check in (after 1500Hrs). Check in to Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  On your own

  Lunch

  On your own

  Dinner

  On your own

• Day 2

  Walking tour of ancient Arabian buildings, mosques, homes, and artifacts

  Heritage city tour of Dubai

  Guests will be transported from their hotel to Dubai’s historical neighbourhoods of Bastikiya and Al Fahidi.  The experience will include a walking tour of ancient Arabian buildings, mosques, homes, and artifacts. This will be followed by an Abra (water taxi) ride across the Dubai Creek, where the group will get to shop at Dubai’s traditional Gold & Spice Souq.

  Dubai Frame Entry

  The UAE’s latest cultural landmark, Dubai Frame is an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of Old and New Dubai, while serving as a metaphorical bridge connecting the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. Offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, Dubai Frame celebrates the story of Dubai from its early establishment to its ambitious plans for future development. The rest of the day will include leisure at the hotel.

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

  Lunch

  SMCCU (Traditional Emirati Lunch)

  Dinner

  On your own

• Day 3

  Visit the top of the world's tallest building

  Modern City Tour of Dubai.

  Guests will have the opportunity explore Dubai’s most vibrant and awe-inspiring structures along Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina, JBR, and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Retail experiences will be available at Souq Madinat Jumeirah, a unique recreation of an ancient Souq filled with boutique stores. Guests will have a Photo stop opportunity at Burj Al Arab and Atlantis The Palm.

  Dubai Mall for Burj Khalifa At The Top Prime Slot Entry.

  Located on Level 124 of the world’s tallest tower, At The Top, Burj Khalifa gives you a captivating panorama of Dubai, a view you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the city.

  • Enjoy an uninterrupted bird’s eye view of various parts of the city, from the famous Sheikh Zayed Road and its rows of skyscrapers, the charming old structures up to the glistening coastal waters.
  • The golden sunset is the most magical hour of any day. What more when you can watch the sun descend below the horizon from a view so high up in the sky? At The Top’s observation deck is the perfect spot to view this sunset spectacle.
  • As you hop on the lift that will take you to the observatory, you will be treated to a multimedia presentation that showcases Dubai’s history and the record-breaking story of the Burj Khalifa.
  • Being an essential highlight of every traveller’s UAE itinerary, At The Top tickets sell out fast. Be sure to secure your slot as soon as you can.

  Afterwards, enjoy 2-3 hours of free time for shopping followed by the Dubai Mall fountain show. Transfer back to your hotel provided for overnight stay

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

  Lunch

  4-star Hotel Restaurant

• Day 4

  Experience a 4x4 Desert Safari Adventure

  You have never really been to the Middle East until you’ve done the signature Desert Safari. Nothing beats a first-hand experience of coasting through the sand dunes of the great Arabia.

  • A luxury 4x4 vehicle will be sent to pick you up from your hotel and take you straight to the desert.
  • Brace yourself for an hour-long, exhilarating dune-bashing experience.
  • Step out of the vehicle and soak in the grandeur of the golden desert sunset. Remember to take photos.
  • Test your balance and try sandboarding. Sliding down a slope of sand can truly be lots of fun!
  • Grab the opportunity to ride a camel.
  • Feast on a sumptuous BBQ dinner buffet at the authentic Bedouin camp, where you will also be treated to live cultural entertainment.
  • Drop by the henna tattoo painting booth and get inked with a traditional Arabic design.

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

  Lunch

  On your own

  Dinner

  Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner

• Day 5

  Road Trip to the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi

  Hop on a road trip to the UAE’s capital in the morning and get ready for the marvellous sights of Abu Dhabi.

  Visit the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque

  • Explore the majesty of the world-famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Then sneak a peek into the relaxed modern city life in the capital as you are driven along the Corniche.
  • Marvel at the opulent Emirates Palace and grab the chance to have your photos taken in front of its royal façade. Right up next will be the Heritage Village, a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village that features the desert way of life.
  • Finally, you’ll be heading for your last stop, the Yas Mall of Yas Island. The island is home to popular attractions like the Ferrari World, so you can certainly take some snaps right outside the iconic theme park.

  Louvre Museum and Qasr Al Watan

  Qasr Al Watan is more than a palace, it is a unique testament to the spirit of the United Arab Emirates’ people and its leaders. The Palace invites the world to share our culture, knowledge and inspiring journey. Qasr Al Watan is more than just a palace, it is an enriching interactive journey in a contemporary setting that reveals and reflects on governance, knowledge and craftsmanship.

  Optional

  Ferrari World Roof Walking & Ferrari World Zip Line

  Transfer back to the hotel in Dubai will be provided at the end of the day.

  

  Location

  Abu Dhabi, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

  Lunch

  4-Star Restaurant

• Day 6

  Tour the 'Pearl of the Gulf" then hit the Slopes at Ski Dubai

  Morning Sharjah City tour

  Explore Sharjah city, the capital of Dubai’s neighbouring emirate of Sharjah, on this 4.5-hour tour from Dubai. Sharjah is sometimes called the ‘Pearl of the Gulf,’ and boasts a beautifully restored Old Town of heritage areas, museums, and souks. Visit premier sights such as Sharjah Fort, originally built in 1820; see the grandiose King Faisal Mosque; and learn about local life through the ages at the Sharjah Heritage Museum. Lastly, scout out traditional handicrafts and other goodies at two colourful Sharjah markets —the Souq Al Arsah and Souq Al Markazi.

  After lunch, enjoy some leisurely shopping at the Mall of the Emirates.

  Optional: Visit to Ski Dubai for the Slope Session (Skiing in the mall)
  Picture this: it’s 45°C (113°F) outside, and you’re wearing gloves and a hat and riding a chairlift through a faux alpine winter wonderland. Skiing in the desert? No problem. In Dubai, that is. Ski Dubai has delighted everyone from slope-starved expats to curious tourists and snow virgins since opening in 2005 as the first indoor ski park in the Middle East

  

  Location

  Sharjah City, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

• Day 7

  Soar over the Arabian Gulf on the world's longest zip line!

  Optional: Day Trip to Ras Al Khaimah for Jabel Jaiz Zip line

  Jais Flight is the longest zipline in the world. Soar across jagged mountain peaks and swoop through deep ravines at hair-raising speeds of up to 160 kmph. Three minutes of adrenaline-pumping adventure at 1680 metres above the Arabian Gulf will leave you with a once-in-a-lifetime sense of superhero magic.

  The fastest flight section takes you to a 9-tonne glass-bottomed Insta-worthy platform that resembles a hovering bird of prey suspended 80 metres above the ground. From here, your final flight will be the much shorter and relatively sedate 1km zipline that finally takes you to terra firma at the foot of the mountains.

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

  Dinner

  Farewell dinner at Al Dawaar revolving restaurant

• Day 8

  Farewell, Dubai!

  Check out from the hotel by 1200Hrs. Transfer to the airport is provided.

  

  Location

  Dubai, UAE

  Accommodations

  Meals

  Breakfast

  At the hotel

Trip Leader:

Michele Holbrook

Michele is celebrating 40 years in the travel industry. She started as a tour guide with Ambassadair Travel Club and has continued to work with group travel throughout her career. Michele grew up in Hawaii and spent time in Europe growing up. Since then she has worked on all sides of the travel industry.

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