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Ladies-only departures, sister rooming
Skyline glamour, a desert night and Oman's forts and wadis
Two Gulf countries in eight days, run at a slower and softer pace than our longer trips. This is the premium end of what we do — smaller group, better rooms, more free time — and the easiest halal logistics of any route we run. Desert dunes and Ottoman-free forts sit an hour apart; the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is one of the few mosques in the world built to be seen by everyone.
The route as we actually run it — including the quiet days, which are there on purpose.
Arrival and the modern city: the Burj Khalifa observation deck, Dubai Marina, the old souks across the creek and a desert safari with dinner under the stars.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — white marble, 82 domes and the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world — then the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the corniche.
Fly to Muscat. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Mutrah souk and the corniche, then a dhow cruise along the coast.
Nizwa fort and its Friday cattle market, the mountain terraces of Jebel Akhdar, and a swim in a wadi on the way back to Muscat.
The Gulf has the easiest halal logistics of any route we run. Every included meal is halal at Muslim-owned or halal-certified restaurants, and all hotels are alcohol-free environments.
Both grand mosques on this route welcome visitors and have dedicated prayer halls. Prayer times are on the daily schedule and the group stops at mosques along every drive.
Dates are guaranteed once four travellers are booked. Ask us about private departures on other dates.
Yes. We use alcohol-free hotels and no alcohol is served at any included meal or group event. Dubai has licensed venues; we simply do not go to them.
Summer in the Gulf is genuinely extreme, which is why departures run April–May and September–November rather than June–August.
Many nationalities get a visa on arrival or an e-visa. We send a checklist with your booking confirmation.