Wednesday 17th January – Muscat, Oman 

• Arrive in Muscat, Oman at your convenience. An important international trading route since the first century, Muscat has been home to numerous civilizations and empires, from the Portuguese to African and Arab influences.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• We’ll head out to dinner for your first glimpse of Omani culture.
• Overnight at hotel

Thursday 18th January – Muscat – Wadis – Wahiba Sands

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and depart to visit Sultan Qaboos Mosque – one of the most impressive mosques in the world, and the grand mosque of Oman.
• You’ll then have the chance to meet with the women of the mosque’s Islamic Center. They’re famous for their tea and cookies, and we’ll have a tea break while getting to know them. 
• Depart for the famous wadis of Oman. Unlike the rest of the Gulf’s desert landscape, Oman has a plethora of breathtaking ravines and wadis, and water-filled valleys. 
• We’ll start our adventure at the Bimmah Sinkhole, a crystal-clear natural swimming pool. We’ll swim with locals at the sinkhole before delving into an Omani picnic feast. 

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head to Wadi Shab. This massive natural area includes a trek through the wadi’s winding ravines and swimming areas. We’ll trek for about a kilometre before swimming in the Wadi’s famous waters. 
• Begin making our way to the Wahiba Sands – capturing the imagination of travellers to Oman for centuries, this gorgeous orange-hued sands will be our home for the evening. 
• We’ll transfer to our luxury glamping accommodation at the Wahiba Sands via 4×4 – the desert camp consists of full-service beds and showers in traditional Omani tents. 
• After freshening up, we’ll join the desert camp for a communal dinner of Omani delicacies cooked by the camp’s chef using traditional Bedouin cooking techniques. 
• Join our hosts for a night of stargazing and drinks around the campfire.
• Overnight at Wahiba Sands

Friday 19th January – Nizwa – Misfat Al Abriyeen 

Morning

• Breakfast at camp and start your day by heading to the ancient city of Nizwa. Previously the capital of Oman, the city’s majestic architecture is nestled at the foothills of the Oman mountains. It is also the centre of Ibadi Islam, the unique form of Islam practiced by Omanis that is neither Sunni nor Shia. 
• We’ll have a tour of the Nizwa fort before having lunch at a local restaurant in the winding streets of Nizwa’s market. 

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head into the mountains for a walking tour of the ancient villages of Birkat al Mouz and Misfat Al Abriyeen. These ancient villages of mud houses located in Mountain-side oases showcase how Omanis lived before modernization. 
• We’ll then settle in for the night. Many of these mud houses have been renovated to be luxurious guest house hotels. We’ll stay in a traditional mud house hotel, and we’ll enjoy an Omani feast prepared by our hosts. 

Saturday 20th January – Misfat Al Abriyeen – Al Ain, UAE 

Morning

• After breakfast at our guesthouse, we’ll start the day early, as we begin our journey to the United Arab Emirates.
• We’ll drive through the winding mountains of Jebel Akhdar (also known as the green mountain). This mountain is said to be one of the favourite places of the late Princess Diana, who admired it for its breathtaking beauty. 
• On the way, we’ll stop at the prehistoric beehive tombs of Bat – this UNESCO world heritage site contains dozens of beehive shaped tombs that are more than 5000 years old. 

Afternoon

• Cross the border to the UAE, where we’ll have an Emirati lunch on the outskirts of the city of Al Ain.
• Al Ain is one of the oldest cities in the UAE, and it is the original home of the UAE’s ruling family, the Al Nahyans. It is also the city that best preserves the UAE’s culture and heritage. 
• After lunch, we’ll head to the Al Ain Camel Market. This is one of the few places where you can still see the importance of camels in Emirati culture, even today. Thousands of camels are bought, sold, and traded here each year. You’ll have the chance to mingle with locals and camel herders and to witness the purchase of famed Emirati camels (some of which sell for millions of dollars!)
• Head to the Al Ain Oasis for sunset. This impressive date palm Oasis is one of the largest in the middle east. It is also one of the first places where large-scale civilization became possible in the Gulf, as the oasis developed the Falah system of irrigation to make the otherwise inhospitable desert green. 
• In the evening, we’ll wander the streets of Al Ain. Unlike Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Al Ain still retains a very local feel of traditional Gulf villages.
• We’ll grab dinner at a local restaurant before heading out to experience the (small) nightlife scene that Al Ain has to offer.
• Overnight in Al Ain. 

Sunday 21st January – Al Ain – Abu Dhabi

Morning

• We’ll start the morning with a drive-up Jebel Hafeet, the tallest mountain in the UAE. We’ll grab some traditional Emirati Karak tea while observing the views of the immense Emirati desert.
• Afterwards, we’ll head to the Al Ain Palace. Built in the 1930s, this palace was the birthplace of the UAE’s founder, Sheikh Zayed al Nahyan. It is an impressive Arabian-style fort, and it is also home to one of the most comprehensive museums capturing life in the UAE before the discovery of oil. One of our favourite sites in the UAE is the hundreds of photographs from famed British explorer Wilfred Thesiger that showcase the UAE in the 1940s and were the inspiration for his book Arabian Sands. 
• We’ll grab some Emirati street food for lunch before we start the journey to Abu Dhabi. 

Afternoon

• On the way, we’ll stop at one of the many desert camps in the UAE’s Empty Quarter. Here, we’ll join in the very popular Emirati sport of dune bashing in 4×4 vehicles before enjoying a dinner under the stars. Sandboarding and traditional henna tattoos are included for anyone who wants to try!
• We’ll continue our journey to Abu Dhabi.
• On the way, we’ll stop at the massive Sheikh Zayed Festival. Taking place every winter, this festival celebrates traditional Emirati culture in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed. It transforms an area in the desert into a massive Emirati-style carnival.  Few foreigners or expats attend the festival, so you’ll have the chance to mingle with thousands of locals. The festival is filled to the brim with men with falcons, traditional Emirati dances, and locals enjoying late-night picnics. 
• Around 11:00pm, we’ll witness the fusion of modern and traditional Emirati culture, as we watch one of the biggest drone shows in the world. Using thousands of drones, the festival lights up the sky with an audio-visual journey of Emirati national history. 
• After the show, we’ll head to our hotel in Abu Dhabi city for some much-deserved sleep. 

Monday 22nd January – Abu Dhabi

Morning

• We’ll start today a bit later, to accommodate for the long night of Emirati cultural celebrations taking place the day before. 
• After breakfast, we’ll head to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, which is known as it’s “cultural district”. 
• Once there, we’ll go on a guided tour of the newly-opened Abrahamic Family House. This beautifully designed complex situated an Islamic Mosque, Christian Church, and Jewish Synagogue within the same complex. It is the first Jewish synagogue built in the Arab World in hundreds of years, and it was built to celebrate the UAE’s 2019 “Year of Tolerance” and its recent establishment of diplomatic ties with the state of Israel. Beneath the religious sites, there is an audio-visual museum dedicated to exploring the common themes between the three Abrahamic religions. 
• Afterwards, you’ll have the option to check out the Lourve Abu Dhabi, which represents a multi-billion-dollar agreement with the Louvre Paris to open a sister museum in Abu Dhabi. Time permitting, we can also check out the cosmopolitan beach front of Mamsha Al-Saadiyat, filled with luxury coffee shops overlooking crystal clear blue waves. 

Afternoon

• or lunch, we’ll head to downtown Abu Dhabi. Here, you will witness a grittier side of the city, where millions of foreign workers live and make Abu Dhabi their home. Our guide will lead you on a tour of the best street food of Abu Dhabi where you’ll try budget cuisines made by migrants from around the world. 
• Head for a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, arguably the grandest Mosque in the world. 
• Continue to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, coined Abu Dhabi’s “island of fun”. It’s home to the Formula One Circuit as well as numerous theme parks. 
• We’ll get the chance to check out the formula one circuit ourselves by taking part in the Train Yas program. This free program, sponsored by the UAE government in order to promote healthy living, opens the Formula One circuit up in the evenings for free biking and walking. Bicycles and helmets are available free of charge, and you can try your hand at Formula One racing, bicycle style. Alternatively, the arena is open to explore to your heart’s content, and cafes are available if you prefer to observe with a cold iced drink. 
• After returning to the hotel, we’ll head out to check out Abu Dhabi’s nightlife scene. One of our guide Joelle’s favourite things about nightlife in Abu Dhabi is that women often drink for free, even at the fanciest of nightclubs. Due to the disproportionate number of men to women, all of Abu Dhabi’s bars and nightclubs have “ladies nights”, where women can partake in a variety of drink specials, often for completely free. 
• Overnight in Abu Dhabi

Tuesday 23rd January – Abu Dhabi – Doha, Qatar 

Morning

• Group A members: tour concludes. YPT is able to recommend post-tour accommodation or advice for ongoing flights.
• Others continue on to board an early morning flight to Doha, Qatar. You’ll have the chance to see Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which is like a city in itself. 
• Transfer to our hotel to drop off bags.
• Group B members: Meet inside the lobby of our hotel at 10:00am.
• Visit the Qatar National Museum – we’re we’ll explore the history and culture of this small nation.
• For lunch, we’ll head to Souq Waqif. Arguably the best and most authentic souq (market) in the Gulf, we’ll grab street food from a local vendor and will get to know the vendors whose families have lived and worked at Souq Waqif for generations. 
• Overnight in Doha 

Afternoon

• Dead to the Bin Jalmood Museum – this museum tackles the Gulf’s history of slavery in an unflinching way that is otherwise unheard of in other GCC countries. We’ll learn about the Arab system of slavery, hear from Qataris who realized that their own grandparents were slaves, and learn about Qatar’s issue of modern-day slavery. 
• Visit the Qatar Foundation to meet with experts in Qatari international policy. Through massive financial investments, the Qatar Foundation’s goal is to make the Gulf the international hub for knowledge and political influence. 
• For dinner, we’ll head to the artificial island known as the pearl. Here, we’ll rub shoulders with Qatar’s uber-rich as we watch sunset over the French-Riviera inspired Yacht Harbor. 
• Overnight in Doha.

Wednesday 24th January – Doha – Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia 

Morning

• We’ll start our morning with a Qatari brunch. We’ll get the chance to meet with a local Qatari family and experience the legendary gulf hospitality as we feast on traditional Qatari breakfast and lunch foods.
• Depart Qatar and begin the drive to Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. This small city is home to both the world’s largest desert oasis and nearly one million Saudis that live in the Al-Ahsa region. Unlike other cities in KSA, Al Hofuf is still an off-the-beaten track destination for foreign tourists, and you’ll get the chance to meet with many curious and excited locals. 
• Explore the UNESCO site of the Al Qarah Mountain – the mountain’s caves were home to numerous pre-modern civilizations, who lived in the cool conditions of the mountain’s ravines and caves. Here, you will see the ways in which the Saudi government is attempting to promote tourism after hundreds of years of prohibiting it. For most Saudis, exploring areas that were inhabited before the founding of Islam was unthinkable, for Saudi’s Wahibanism branch of Islam had previously stated that visiting pagan sites was sinful. Today, Al Qarah Mountain is home to numerous signs and religious explanations, detailing to local Saudis that it is okay to study pre-Islamic civilizations, as long as you do not seek to emulate their pagan religion. 
• Visit the Saudi Friendship Association- started by young people in Saudi Arabia who had studied abroad, this association seeks to foster dialogue between young Saudis and foreigners. Over Saudi coffee and dates, we’ll get the chance to talk with young Saudis about everything from their option of gender roles to the modernization of the Saudi state. We may even get some complementary Saudi Arabian gifts! 

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Al-Hofuf souq. This market is one of the best-preserved traditional Saudi cities. We’ll get the chance to haggle with local vendors and even meet local women who still produce Saudi handicrafts. 
• Explore Al-Ahsa Oasis, the largest date palm oasis in the world. You’ll enjoy wandering through the oasis, where we’ll grab some refreshments and some of the freshest dates you’ll ever try. 
• In the evening, we’ll transfer to a nearby homestay in the Oasis to unwind under the palm trees with traditional Saudi hospitality. 

Thursday 25th January – Al Hofuf – Riyadh

Morning

• We’ll start our morning early with the drive to the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
• Begin your tour of Riyadh in the northwest part of the city at the historic district of Al Turaif – the former capital city of the Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. It was also the original home of the Saudi royal family.
• Visit the top of Kingdom Tower – a 99-story (302.3 meters) skyscraper overlooking Riyadh. It is the world’s third tallest building with a hole after the Shanghai World Financial Center. Below is one of the most popular malls in the country where we’ll have lunch.

Afternoon

• Visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia – first opened in 1999, the design of this museum was inspired by the form and colours of the sand dunes of the “Red Sands” located outside Riyadh. The museum showcases 14 pre-Islamic Arabian kingdoms that had existed in the Arabian Peninsula from 5 BC till 700 AD. It also includes a unification hall which shows the establishment of modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud after he captured Riyadh. A hand written Quran is also in display.
• In the evening, we’ll head to the Janadriyah Festival. Jandiriyah is the oldest and biggest Saudi Festival. First started in 1985, it was the country’s first attempt at creating an outlet for Saudis to “let their hair down” so to speak, and it centres around a 2-week festival of culture and heritage. We’ll mingle with thousands of locals, watch Saudi cultural displays, and taste the Saudi version of carnival street food. 
• Overnight in Riyadh 

Friday 26th January – Riyadh 

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and we’ll begin the day by exploring Al Masmak Fortress – Surrounded by sand, this clay and mud-brick fort is one of the most iconic landmarks of Saudi. Built in 1865, this massive fortress represents the empire. It was the site of a daring 1902 raid by Ibn Saud – during which a spear was hurled towards the main gate with such force that the head of the spear is still lodged inside.
• We’re in walking distance to Al Zal Souq – located in the old part of the city, this market has a plethora of little shops arranged in rows along narrow streets selling carpets, gold, silver, souvenirs, antiques, traditional clothes, accessories and even furniture. Most of the shop owners here speak English and welcome good hagglers.
• On the way we’ll pass by Deera Square – most commonly known as Chop Chop Square by foreigners. This’ll be explained to you on the site.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Al Qaria Al Najdya for a scrumptious traditional Saudi feast
• Begin our drive out to the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) – this unique spot earnt its name as it offers stunning viewpoints from the top of the 300-meter-high cliffs overlooking the surrounding plains. These cliffs were forged as a result of the tectonic movement of the Arabian plate due to the spread of the Red Sea rift located 1000 kilometres to the west.
• Return back to Riyadh for dinner in town and overnight at hotel

Saturday 27th January– Riyadh – Manama, Bahrain

Morning

• We’ll start the morning early with the long (5.5 hour) drive to the neighbouring Kingdom of Bahrain. 
• Before reaching the capital city of Manama, we’ll explore the ancient Dilmun burial mounds – this UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to the Dilmun and the Umm al-Nar culture which from 4000 years ago
• We’ll enjoy lunch at a local hole-in-the-wall Bahraini restaurant before continuing to Manama. 

Afternoon

• Afterwards, we can see the Tree of Life – this tree stands unique in the desert, covered in graffiti, and the size of it makes an impressive sight amongst the oil wells and desert, especially considering it doesn’t have an obvious water source!
• After a long day of adventuring, we’ll see the sunset from the top of the Qala’at al-Bahrain, the Bahrain Fort. Built on Dilmun settlements over 3000 years old, it was built during the 14th century but has since been renovated. The fort is located just outside of Manama and offers stunning views of the area.
• Dinner in town at Bahrain Block 338
• Bahrain is one of the only places in the region where both pork and alcohol is permitted, and we’ll go out to rub shoulders with Saudi holiday-makers and expats alike. 
• Overnight in Manama

Sunday 28th January – Manama – Dammam, Saudi

Morning

• In the morning, we’ll head to the Manama port for some hands-on pearl diving. As the only remaining country that practices pearl diving in the gulf, we’ll get to try our hands at the centuries-old craft. Whether you want to snorkel, or simply relax on the boat, each person will be able to harvest up to 60 oysters. Any pearls that you find are yours to keep, and we’ll get them appraised at the souq later in the day. 
• Lunch at the 1950s Haji’s Café

Afternoon

• Explore Manama Souq – the largest bazaar in the city. Here, you can also arrange to have any pearls that you’ve found transformed into a jewellery keepsake at the Manama Gold Souq. We’ll also taste the famous Bahraini Halwa Sweet. 
• In the evening, we’ll head back across the bridge to Saudi Arabia, where we will stay in the coastal city of Dammam. 
• We’ll grab dinner in Dammam before heading to explore the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. This futuristic museum is dedicated to showcasing Saudi King Abudulaziz’s vision for the modernization of the Saudi Kingdom and its role in impacting modern world culture. 
• Overnight in Dammam 

Monday 29th January– Bahrain to Kuwait City, Kuwait

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll start the 4.5-hour drive to Kuwait City, stopping for lunch on the way
• On the way to Kuwait City, we’ll see Kuwait’s massive oil city, where dozens of oil refineries work non-stop to prepare Kuwait’s oil for export. Even though Kuwaiti citizens only number around one million people, the country is home to 7% of the world’s entire oil supply. 
• On the way, we’ll get the chance to see the area of Sulaibiya, a massive informal housing settlement which is home to Kuwait’s 300,000 stateless people. Most of these people were part of nomadic tribes that are of Iraqi descent. Most have lived on Kuwaiti territory for more than 60 years, but since the aftermath of the Iraqi invasion, they have been ineligible to receive any citizenship or documentation from the government. 

Afternoon

• For dinner, we’ll join our YPT guide Joelle’s in-laws for a traditional Bedouin feast cooked in the desert. 
• We will stay in one of their winter camps that they set up. Even though all Kuwaitis are given homes by the government in Kuwait City, many Kuwaitis still set up full-scale living accommodations in the desert during the winter months, which they refer to as “desert chalets”. The “chalets’ however, are in true style of Kuwaiti luxury, and come with showers and comfortable bedding. We’ll also get the chance to chat with young Kuwaitis and learn about their lives and understanding of their countries.

Tuesday 30th January – Kuwait City 

Morning

• Our first stop of the day is Kuwait’s Grand Mosque – a dress code is required for women visiting which can be borrowed from the gatehouse. This enormous mosque is fairly unique in the region for its Andalusian architectural influence.
• Visit Sadu House – a traditional Bedouin Kuwaiti house and culture
• Visit the National Museum which houses the knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula, the geography, history and civilization.
• Stop by the Al-Qalalif Diwaniyah – the most important craft and profession in Kuwait of the past, manufacturing wooden sailing ships. This was taught down by generations. With over 450 members, most of whom are elderly.
• Lunch in the city

Afternoon

• Visit the must-see museum of Kuwait, which is not for the faint-hearted, the Al-Qurain Martyrs House which depicts the Iraqi invasion during the Gulf War. One of the documents on display is an official order found in an Iraqi vehicle instructing troops to “burn and destroy all homes on which there were slogans hostile to our leadership.”
• Make a special visit to the Ahmad Al Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition – named after Kuwait’s 10th ruler from 1921 to 1950, it was during his reign that the birth of Kuwait’s oil industry began. The exhibition explains and shows in great detail the formation of oil, to its discovery and all of the ways that oil products are produced today.
• Watch the sunset from the top of Kuwait Towers with great views over the city
• Visit the old Souq Al Mubarakeya – one of the oldest souqs in Kuwait, and was the centre of trade prior to the discovery of oil.
• Explore Kuwait’s central fish market and Dhow Harbour
• Dinner in town
• Overnight at hotel

Wednesday 31st January – Failaka Island

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and pick up in our private transport to the ferry dock
• 9:00am departure on ferry for an hour cruising along the harbour front of Kuwait before reaching the forgotten Failaka island
• Visit the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Palace – the eleventh ruler of Kuwait, built out of sea rocks and mud. Portraits of all the former rulers of Kuwait are displayed in the majestic foyer.
• We’ll then head to the location where the Failaka battle took place
• Explore around an old resort on the island damaged during the war and completely abandoned
• We’ll have lunch on the island at a nearby cafe

Afternoon

• Visit what remains of the former Bank al Watani – one of the most war damaged yet standing buildings on the island
• Head to the tank graveyard. Discarded Soviet tanks, APCs, artilleries, military trucks and vehicles left behind by Saddam’s military.
• Drop by the heritage village to see how villagers lived on the island before the invasion
• Board the 4:00pm ferry back to mainland and dropped off at hotel
• After a chance to refresh, we’ll head out for dinner at Kuwait’s Avenues Mall. It’s not only the largest mall in the world, but it’s also an architectural site to see. Built in four sections, one of its sections is modelled after a European high street, where you can walk endlessly in an airconditioned “outdoors” 
• Overnight at hotel

Thursday 1st February – Kuwait City 

• After breakfast in the hotel, the tour concludes. YPT can arrange additional activities in Kuwait, such as diving or fishing in the Kuwaiti sea, for those who are interested. 
• YPT is also able to recommend post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.

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