Big Five Presents United Arab Emirates & Oman UAE & Oman offer an unexpected cornucopia of contrasts that when taken together mean an unforgettable vacation experience. From the dazzling gem of sophistication that is Dubai, to the cosmopolitan capital city of Abu Dhabi, to Umm al-Qaiwain’s long sweeps of beautiful beaches, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has quickly become a star in the realm of luxury destinations. Seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah – joined together in 1971 to form a constitutional federation. Although most of the country is desert, it still offers vividly contrasting landscapes, from the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world, to lush oases, rocky mountains and fertile plains. UAE occupies a large sweep of land along the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with Qatar to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and Oman to the north and east. The capital and the largest city of the federation, Abu Dhabi, is located in the emirate of the same name. Although UAE is known widely for its oil, wealth, shopping and sophistication, the country also has a quieter side that can be experienced in the desert of the Bedouin or the centuries-old neighborhoods, mosques and markets of Dubai. The cultural capital of the country is Sharjah, where visitors gain a glimpse of the past and discover opportunities for authentic interactions with people from fish markets to date souqs. The Sultanate of Oman on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula shares a border with the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. Oman is rich in history with about 500 forts, castles and towers in various architectural styles. Like UAE, it offers a wealth of experiences related to both the desert and the sea, and souqs can be found in many of the towns throughout the country. UAE and Oman make perfect partners for an Arabian adventure. 145 Suggested Itinerary area providing much of the local produce found throughout the region. It is known for its colorful marble. Of interest are the old waterfront, dhow boat building and the Day 1: Abu Dhabi, UAE archaeological site of Mowaih. The capital and second largest city in the UAE is the center of politics, industry, commerce and culture. Al Ain: A legendary stop for Bedu caravans en route to Oman, this oasis town has Day 2: Abu Dhabi much historical significance. Over 4,000 years old, Al Ain sights include Al Nahyan The city is home to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island, the sporting Fort, a famous camel market, and the Al Ain National Museum. There is also a and concert venue, and part of the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert state-of-the-art go kart facility. in the world. Day 3: Abu Dhabi / Dubai Dubai: A gem of sophistication between the desert and the Arabian Gulf, Dubai has Dubai is internationally known for its nearly endless array of shopping venues. come to epitomize the very concept of luxury. It boasts extraordinary hotels, amazing Day 4: Dubai beach resorts and entertainments that include an indoor snow skiing complex and all The emirate is also home to an active artists’ colony, Al Quoz, and historic souqs manner of water sports. There is also a strong cultural heritage found in its centuries-old including traditional sites of Gold and Spice Souqs, neighborhoods, mosques and markets. Dubai is famous for its nearly endless array of Day 5: Dubai / Sharjah / Ajman / Umm Al Quwain / Ras Al Khaimah shopping venues, from the most upscale boutiques to the frenetic lanes of local souqs. Experience five of the emirates in one day, including the cultural heart in Sharjah, The artist colony of Bastakiya and the up-and-coming art in the industrial area of and Ajman, the smallest of the seven emirates; and Umm Al Quwain. Al Quoz offer a taste of Dubai that most visitors miss. Other sights include the Sudanese, Day 6: Ras Al Khaimah Yemeni, and Somali Quarters, Gold and Spice souqs, Jumeirah Mosque and the world’s A beautiful stretch of coastline and desert with unique wildlife welcome all who visit tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Ras Al Khaimah, an ideal destination to relax and end a vacation. Day 7: Ras Al Khaimah / Dubai / Depart Fujairah: The only emirate located on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah is dominated by the Hajjar Mountains and pristine beaches. Fujairah’s Heritage Village depicts traditional life here. Fujairah Fort was the first fort built in UAE. Fujairah is also home to the oldest Custom Options mosque in the UAE, built in 1446 of mud and bricks. Al Bidyah Mosque has four domes, unlike other similar mosques, which have between seven and twelve, and lacks a Al Ain (day trip) minaret. Almost entirely in the mountains, it has a higher than average yearly rainfall, This city is a legendary stop for Bedu caravans en route to Oman. It is an oasis town allowing farmers to produce one crop every year. with a famous camel market. It has archaeological sites showing human settlement over thousands of years. Liwa Oasis & The Empty Quarter: Also called Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter is the largest continuous body of sand in the world. It spreads across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Fujairah (2 days) Oman and Yemen. Nomads inhabit parts of the Empty Quarter at various times of year. Fujairah is dominated by the Hajjar Mountains and pristine beaches. Its heritage village The very northern edge of the Empty Quarter is accessible from the Liwa Oasis, depicts traditional life. It has the first fort built in the UAE, which dominates the coastline. a historic oasis town. It is possible to drive to Tal Mireb, the tallest dune in the country. Rub Al Khali is eerily beautiful. Liwa Oasis (2 days) Liwa Oasis rests in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s western Al Gharbia region, where adventure options include mountain biking, desert and camel trekking and falconry. Oman (5 days) Muscat is the gateway to Oman, an ancient capital with souqs, Portuguese Forts, and impressive geological coastline seen nowhere else. Nizwa is the birthplace of Islam. Discover traditional Bedu life and help track green sea turtles in the Ras Al Jinz Sea Turtle Reserve. About The UAE & Oman Abu Dhabi: This is the capital and second largest city in the UAE. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis, center of politics, and home to the Emirati royal family. Modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation of Bedu, the Bani Yas, in the late 18th century. Into the mid-20th century, the economy of Abu Dhabi was mainly sustained by camel herding, date farming, fishing, and pearl diving. Today, the UAE’s large hydrocarbon wealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, and Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources – 95 percent of the oil and six percent of gas. One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively worked to diversify its economy with tourism investments. The new Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is inspiring, while the sporting and auto attractions of Yas Island are enticing. Another of Abu Dhabi’s main draws is the Empty Quarter and the historic Liwa Oasis. A visit to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is a fascinating experience. Ajman: Located near the cities of Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates. It encompasses some interesting sites. One of the main attractions is the long expanse of powdery white sand beach, stretching for almost 20 miles along the Persian Gulf Coast. Its 18th-century fort, now a museum, displays collections of old manuscripts, artifacts relating to traditional life in Ajman and old weapons. This port city manages to retain a certain charm the other emirates lack, mostly due to its small size. The section called Masfout is an important agricultural 146 Oman: Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, and is a good base to explore the country. Archaeological remains in Oman have been discovered dating back to Best Time To Go the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, and are the oldest signs of human settlement in In general, October to March is the best time to go. There may be the area. Known since the early first century as an important trading port between differences between the emirates, but this time of year, temperatures the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as range from 26°C / 78.8°F during the day to 15°C / 59°F at night. foreign powers such as the Persians and the Portuguese Empire at various points in But it can rise over 40°C / 104°F in the peak of the summer. The its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat’s influence extended coastlines do experience cooling sea breezes. In Fujarah, due to its as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, mountains, the winter period also coincides with the rainy season Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians, Balochs and and although by no means guaranteed, this is when Fujairah Gujaratis. Oman has beaches, wadis with lush oases of palm trees, and forts and experiences the bulk of its precipitation. castles to explore. Activities include sand skiing in the desert, scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking, surfing, sailing, cave exploration, bird watching and camel races.