Sea, Sand & Sail: Ultimate Luxury Traverse in Oman & the Emirates 13D12N

Upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, you will be greeted by representative and embark on a road transfer before a short scenic boat ride to your private island oasis, The Nurai Island Resort.

Unwind in your boutique resort soaking in the ocean views from your private pool villa complete with a terrace. Take a long stroll on the beach or indulge in the award-winning spa overlooking the ocean and unwind in the serene outdoor relaxation lounge. Venture on your personal bike and explore the island at your natural pace or take leisurely walks surrounded by lush greenery. For those in pursue of water adventure. Explore the Arabian Gulf by gliding on a jet ski or water ski through to stand up paddle, kayaking and fly fishing (activities at additional cost).

Come evening, be treated to a dining affair where the menu is filled with enrapturing and mouth-watering dishes ranging from casual to fine dining, served based on your taste and according to your standards. Dusk, Mexican Cantina, may be the right choice for you tonight.

Today, is dedicated to discovering highlights of the exceptional Arabian Jewel—Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates. Our first destination is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, after which we head to the Heritage Village to explore life before oil discovery.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at Abu Dhabi’s famed “7-star hotel”, Vendome, Emirates Palace. Afterwards, take gorgeous pictures of the Manhattan-esque skyline from the artificial ‘breakwater’ before journeying past the Corniche Road’s immaculate beaches and gardens. Drive past Etihad Square exhibiting valuable items from UAE’s history and culture, and stop at Central Souq for a chat with the locals at this charming souk, where you can haggle for everything, from gold to souvenirs.

Venture in a bustling traditional date market to find astonishing varieties of this beloved fruit before going to Saadiyat Island, a cultural hub and home to the beautiful Louvre Abu Dhabi. Cap off the day at the world’s first Ferrari World theme park situated on the nearby Yas Island, with opportunity to shop for fantastic souvenirs.

Note: The dress code is long loose trousers or long skirts reaching the ankles and long sleeves reaching the wrists, and ankles. Shoulders must be covered. No shorts for men, no tight or transparent clothing, and no visible tattoos. Women must bring a scarf to cover their heads.

Enjoy a delectable breakfast before transferring to your home for the next two nights at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa. This 5-star desert oasis is encircled by flourishing palm groves and is strictly for guests only and reminds you of a fortress. Covering 225 square kilometres, equating to 5% of Dubai’s land area, spend time unwinding in this serene desert oasis. Relax in your private pool villa boasting tranquil views of the golden dunes or laze by the outdoor lounge overlooking majestic mountain views and sweeping plains.

Venture on a one-hour wildlife drive on the search for the famed Arabian Oryx (Al Maha) and other indigenous fauna and flora. Take pictures of the wildlife, learn something new about their habitats and primitive way of life.

Come evening, be treated to a dinner affair at the resort’s restaurant, Al Diwaan showcasing dishes like a Bedouin platter, Omani prawn salad and Arabic coffee panna cotta, accompanied by a gorgeous view overlooking the golden dunes.

Begin the day with a lovely breakfast before embarking on a nature walk, where your guide will interpret the life diversity in the desert as well as informative and educational experience on all the desert wonders.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the resort and indulging in its amenities. Go for a relaxing swim in the shimmering water of the hotel’s infinity pool, and gaze out over the encompassing views across the scenic sand dunes. Venture to the Timeless spa and indulge in a full body massage.

For those in pursue of more adventure can indulge in some of the activities offered at the resort (at an additional cost). Go horse riding on the desert reserve landscape and be inspired by the enormity of this golden area. Ride out to the sunset on the back of a camel and enjoy sparkling champagne with snacks. Understand Arabia's obsession with falcons as guides teach you the character of each bird breed before setting them out to soar in the sky.

Savour a delightful breakfast before we transfer to the lovely city of Khasab, a port city in the exclave of Oman, northwest of Muscat.

You’ll stay at Atana Musandam, drawing inspiration from Omani villages and prioritizes hospitality. Unwind in its sun-covered pool and fjord-like inlets. Settle in your superior room and perhaps go for a relaxing swim to cool off before dinner. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Al Mawra is a treat. Indulge in local and international cuisine with a twist of tradition.

Today, visit the Khasab fort via Ras Al Khaimah along the scenic coastal road to Khasab, the local capital of Oman’s northernmost peninsula, Musandam. You will receive Visa assistance at Immigration on both borders.

Upon arrival at Khasab harbour, set sail on a traditional wooden Omani Dhow for a half-day cruise to the breathtaking fjords of Musandam. Musandam's Fjords are home to stunning 2000m mountains that culminate with the crystal clear waters and a diverse marine ecosystem, earning them the nickname "Norway of Arabia." Feel the waves of the ocean but be careful to not be too engulfed in its aura. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins who love to play.

Be treated for a luscious lunch featuring an immaculate variety of middle eastern dishes in Bait Al Qfil Restaurant. Continue you adventure on a private 4WD traversing picturesque views of Jebel Harim; the famous ‘Mountain of Women’, Khawr Najid; one of the largest lagoons in Musandam, Sayah and the fossils area.

Retreat back at your hotel for a delectable dinner before calling it a night.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before a transfer to the airport for your flight to Muscat (flight not included). Be greeted by a representative for your transfer to your beachfront home at the Jumeirah Muscat Bay. Unwind in this little oasis located in a secluded cove of Bandar Jissah between the Al Hajar Mountains and Gulf of Oman. Settle into your deluxe ocean room exuding an effortless blend of contemporary designs and Arabian touches, marvel at the breathtaking views across the Gulf of Oman.

Later, set out in the evening for a scenic tour of Muscat. Explore in comfort as you drive past the residential areas of Qurum and Al Khuwair before we make a stop at Qurum Beach, a popular and lovely beach in Oman. After spending some time there, continue to the Royal Opera House for Dinner at Al Angham Restaurant. Bask in the elegant decor showcasing the beautiful Omani culture and architecture as you delight in delectable traditional Omani dishes. After an elegant dinner, transfer back to your hotel.

Your guide will be waiting for a day uncovering the historic landmarks of Muscat city. Begin with a visit to the Grand Mosque, the most exquisite mosque in Oman. It consists of a main prayer hall, a ladies' prayer hall, covered passageways, a meeting hall, and a library which should contain up to 20,000 books. A distinctive feature of the main prayer hall is the hand-made Persian carpet consisting of 1,700 million knots, weighing 21 tons and made in a piece measuring 70 x 60 metres. It took 600 female weavers from the province of Khorasan in Iran 4 years to complete it from the design stage.

Note: Ladies visiting the mosque are required to cover their heads with scarves and not wear shorts, beachwear, or sleeveless outfits, as they are to be fully covered.

Next, uncover the contemporary National Museum, the biggest in the country. Marvel at the intricate details from the space to the lighting used to enhance the selective displays showcasing the heritage of Oman. It also houses the first fully-equipped Learning Centre in the Sultanate, the first conservation facility and an incorporated infrastructure for special needs, including some captions in Arabic Braille. It is also home to the first open storage concept.

Continue to Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin, the ruler of Oman. The palace’s architecture is awe-inspiring, owing to its design and location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (A brief photograph stop from outside only).

Explore Muttrah Souq, one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Walk in its maze-like alleyways with its myriad of goods, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted artefacts. A visit to this frenzied, lively hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience. Catch a whiff of Arabian perfumes and spices in the air. Come across Omani khanjars (daggers), antiques, traditional silver jewelry and other exciting souvenirs before unwinding back at the hotel.

Indulge in a delightful breakfast before uncovering Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most charming wadis in Oman.

Venture on a scenic drive to Wadi Bani Khalid through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, which provide a stunning view of the landscape below. Pass many picturesque villages nestled in the mountains. Here, the road tapers off to the wadi alongside a large, shallow pool surrounded by vegetation and ends at a village. At this point, we park our vehicles and continue on a short trek to the blue pools of the wadi. Enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature. It is approximately a 500-metre walk from the parking area to the pool.)

Spend time soaking in the beauty of the Wadi, before a journey to Wahiba Sands. Arrive at the edge of the desert, where the tyres will be deflated before we enter the desert. Venture on a thrilling drive over the serene dunes and arrive at Desert Nights Camp, the only luxury desert camp in Oman, and your home for the night. Relax in the Omani styled majlis where fresh Omani dates and traditional arabic coffee await.

The Desert Nights Camp made of Bedouin-style tents is an exclusive 5-star oasis that immerses you in the Arabian world as soon as you arrive. It is furnished with Omani-style decor, with the red dunes creating a stunning backdrop.

In the evening, embark on a thrilling drive and bash over dunes to the sunset point to soak in front row seats to a stunning sunset. Drift into magical nights and feast on traditional Omani fare in the flickering glow of the campfire.

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast out in the serene desert before a journey to Nizwa. Visit Nizwa Souq, where the main highlight is the Cattle Auction that takes place every Friday. The Auction is the traditional way of selling cattle like sheep, goats, cows, and camels; their owners bring them from nearby villages. You cannot afford to miss if you are in Nizwa on Friday.

Venture into the spectacular New Souq that has been carefully designed using Omani architecture and chic Islamic arches. The air-conditioned halls of this souq are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, huge stacks of dates and freshly caught fish. It remains the best place to buy traditional silver “Khanjars” (hand-carved Omani daggers) and Bedouin jewelry, where silver is sold by weight.

Marvel at the Nizwa Fort with its enormous Circular Cannon Town, making it an exceptional fort in Oman. The massive rower was erected on a solid rock base and designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a breathtaking scenic view gives you a bird’s eye view all around the surrounding plains - a sure delight for all photography enthusiasts!

You’ll stay at one of the world’s highest luxury resorts, The Anantara Jabal Akhdar Hotel, iconic for the canyon view platform where Princess Diana once stood. A desert oasis situated at the edge of a canyon and is 2000 metres above sea level, bask in spectacular panoramas of the craggy Hajar Mountains. Unwind in spa and hammam rituals, stargaze from the viewing platform where Princess Diana once stood or simply soak in the infinity pool overlooking dramatic canyon vistas.

Tonight, delve into a delicious dinner showcasing Arabia’s exotic dishes to Italian and vibrant Asian delights with views over the serene Green Mountain.

Enjoy breakfast and a morning of leisure before we visit Jebel Akhdar. In Arabic, Jebel Akhdar means green mountains. This area on the Sayq plateau is famous for gardens, farms and terrace plantations. On your way there, make a stop at Birkat Al Mouz, an old village famous for its ruins, large banana plantation, and that it houses the old Falaj irrigation system.

Leaving Birkat Al Mouz, climb up to Jabal Akhdar Mountain, where you uncover Wadi Bani Habib to see one of the remote villages and plantations. At first glance, the village looks pretty put-together for an abandoned village. However, you will notice that isn’t the case on a closer look with its collapsed rooves, crumbled walls and missing doors. The village is empty and just waiting to be explored. Follow your guide as they take you through the terrace gardens to view this awe-inspiring location.

Retreat back at your hotel and simply unwind.

Enjoy breakfast before a scenic mountain drive to Jabreen Castle, designed to imitate the most charming grand European palaces of the 1600s. Be captivated by the beautiful decorative inscriptions, frescoes and impressive carvings - an authentic expression of Omani craftsmanship. In the Sun and Moon Room, reserved for important guests, admire the sublime Islamic calligraphy, brilliant eye drawings and rows of adorned windows.

Continue to Bahla, famed for its enormous ancient fort with towers of unbaked bricks. An exceptional example of this type of fortification that sits adjacent to the Friday Mosque with its decoratively sculpted prayer niche dominating the neighbouring mud brick settlement and palm grove.

Later, journey back to Misfat Al Abreen, a village built on rocks and surrounded by lush green plantations of date palms and a falaj for irrigation. Embark on a drive to Muscat where you’ll stay at Jumeirah Muscat Bay.

Today marks the end of 13 days of pure luxury and adventure. Enjoy breakfast and a morning of leisure at the hotel. Transfer to Muscat International Airport for your onward journey and look back just one more time at your time in this magnificent location.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.