Middle East Expedition: 6 Gulf countries: Qatar - Oman - Kuwait - Bahrain - Saudi Arabia - UAE

Middle East Expedition:

6 Gulf countries: Qatar - Oman - Kuwait - Bahrain - Saudi Arabia - UAE (optional)

Tour dates: October 11 - October 24, 2024, February 25 - March 9, 2025

Route: Doha - Muscat - Kuwait - Manama - Riyadh - Jeddah – Al Ulya – Dubai (optional)

Duration: 14 days/13 nights

Our Telegram channel with all the news and updates on Expeditions

https://t.me/KalipsoUkraine

Tour cost 3950 USD per person in a double room + domestic and international air tickets 

Tour program

On the eve of the flight from Ukraine to Qatar

Independent transfer (or ordering a transfer) from the airport to the hotel, rest before the start of the program.

1 day. Qatar, Doha

Arrival in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Today we are waiting for:

• Souq Waqif - the local market, which is the oldest market in the capital and the main tourist destination. He is over 100 years old!!! In this market you can buy souvenirs, local sweets, spices, coffee and Arabic oil perfumes. We will see camels, horses and visit the falconry market.
• Cornish – drive along the Quay from the market to the new Doha with a stop for a photo.
• Qatar is an ethnic "village" where the grace of the past meets the splendor of the future. The buildings and structures in the "village" are arranged and constructed to reflect the country's cultural and architectural heritage. In the "village" you can see the Greek-style amphitheater for 5000 seats, built of marble, look at the blue mosque and pigeon towers and more.

Lunch at one of the oriental restaurants.

• Pearl Isle of Pearl - an artificial bulk island, which is saturated with luxury. Here you can see the little Venice of Qatar, the promenade with yachts, chic boutiques, restaurants and luxury car shops.
• After lunch we will visit the National Museum and in the evening we will take a traditional Dhow boat ride.  

Free time. 

Day 2 Doha - Muscat (Oman)

We continue our tour of Qatar. We leave the countryside and go to the camel racing hippodrome. If you’re lucky and there’s a race, good; if not, let’s get acquainted with the camels and the conditions of the race. Next, we will go to the private collection of Sheikh Faisal - an incredible collection of wealth. Next we will visit the Al Shaqab Arabian Horse Club and the National Library of Qatar. 

Departure from Qatar in Oman, in the capital Muscat. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.

3 day. Muscat (Oman)

Today we have tour of the capital of Oman - the beautiful city of Muscat:

• visit Sultan Qaboos Cathedral Mosque;
• famous perfume factory"Amouage";
• Royal Opera House;
• Oriental Market Matry;
• Palace of the Sultan of Al Alam;
• Portuguese fortresses Al Mirani and Al Jibali.

4 day. Muscat (Oman)

Today we have a field trip to Wadi Shaab - a beautiful canyon with pools filled with azure fresh water.

In the morning we leave the hotel towards the city of Sur along the mighty mountains and the East coast. The road to Wadi Shaab will take about 2 hours (170 km).

Having reached the place, we will cross by boat to the opposite shore and walk along the canyon (about 40 minutes). After 40 minutes of trekking we will be at the wadi (fresh water pools). Here we can swim and sunbathe. We will go and swim to the cave with the waterfall. On the way back from Wadi Shaab, we will stop at the Bimma karst lake and then drive back to Muscat.

Day 5 Muscat – Kuwait City (Kuwait)

We have some free time before the flight to Kuwait, so we will go shopping in one of the best shopping centers in Oman, after which we will walk around the city, we can visit the beach.  

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will drive to the airport. 

In the evening  flight to Kuwait. Transfer to the hotel. 

Day 6. Kuwait - Manama (Bahrain)

This mysterious Kuwait. FROMtoday we will see the main Mosque, the Emir's Old Cief Palace, the Tarek Rajab Museum, the skyscrapers of Kuwait Towers and Al-Hamra, we will visit the National Museum and take a look at the musical fountain.

Flight from Kuwait to Bahrain. 

Day 7. Manama, Bahrain 

Today is the peak day of our trip, we will take part in an incredible world-class show - Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix. But in the morning we will still see the city (only in the spring tour, the autumn tour conducts a program along the excursion route on this day). 

Day 8. Manama - Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) 

Today we take a break from Formula 1 and watch Bahrain.

Al-Fatih Mosque - one of the largest mosques in the world, capable of simultaneously accommodating more than 7,000 believers. The mosque is the largest temple and the most famous landmark of Bahrain. The dome of the mosque is made of fiberglass and weighs 60 tons - this is the largest structure of this material in the world! The chandelier was made to order in Austria, the floor was made of Italian marble, and the doors were made of Indian teak wood. The magnificent interiors of the mosque are available to tourists on all days except Fridays and holidays.

Muharraq Island is the second largest island in the Bahrain archipelago.

• We will visit the Palace of Sheikh Isa bin Ali. Representatives of the royal dynasty and high-ranking guests from other countries lived in a large house with four courtyards, carved wooden doors and plaster ceilings. Today it is a museum.
• House of Sheikh Ibrahim - (Center for Culture and Research). Outwardly, this is a traditional old house built in the middle of the 19th century. Inside is a modern center of culture and research with a large hall for 300 people, which hosts cultural, sociological and political forums.
• House Kurar - the house of embroidery with gold thread. A museum created to preserve the unique Bahraini art of Kurar embroidery. The center helps artisans in the production and marketing of finished products.

Along the way - photo stop opposite the World Trade Center. 

Next visit Bazaar Bab Al Bahrain.

After shopping, we will have lunch in a traditional restaurant.

Departure for the second part of the tour. We are watching Fort Kalat al Bahrain - an artificial hill created from cultural layers superimposed on each other. It was erected from 2300 BC until the 18th century AD. Various peoples took part in the construction process - both the Persians and the Portuguese built their fortresses here. Archaeological excavations are underway on the hill. To date, about a quarter of the surface of the structure has been excavated, and a lot of buildings have already been discovered, very different - from residential buildings to religious buildings, there are military barracks and public institutions here.

visit royal camel farm. The farm with five hundred camels belongs to the uncle of the current king of Bahrain. Animals can be fed, stroked, photographed, and if you're lucky, you can see little camels.

The Tree of Life is a giant lone acacia that grows in Bahrain in the middle of the desert, far from water sources. The tree is located on top of a sand hill and is over 400 years old. Scientists can’t understand where the plant takes moisture: it is assumed that it has long roots reaching groundwater, but this has not yet been proven. Locals believe that the tree grows exactly where the Garden of Eden grew thousands of years ago.

In the evening flight to Jeddah. 

Day 9 Jeddah. 

Today we have a full tour of Jeddah: the historical center of Jeddah, the waterfront, the flagpole of Jeddah (the highest in the world until 2014), the Fahd Fountain, the open-air sculpture museum.  

Day 10 Jeddah - Al Ulya.  

Morning shopping and walking around the city with a guide, lunch at a local restaurant and after lunch flight to Al Ulya. Today we are waiting for a majestic UNESCO site, one of the brightest monuments of Saudi Arabia and the entire East. According to the plan, we have an inspection of three objects (Hejra, Dadan, Ekmah), later a rock - an elephant and an old market.

Day 11 Al Ulya. 

Full day in Al Ula. The most significant sites of Al Uli and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Day 12 Al Ulya - Riyadh 

Free morning in Al Ula. In the afternoon flight to Riyadh. 

Day 13 March 8. Riyadh 

Tour of Riyadh: National Museum, Masmak Fortress, Royal Palace, the most important and beautiful places in the capital of Saudi Arabia that are worth a true traveler.

Day 14 9th of March. Er Riyadh. Flight to Ukraine.

Half a day we are still in the capital of Saudi Arabia. 

Departure to Ukraine or continuation of the tour to the UAE (optional for an additional fee). 

Tour price based on double occupancy: 3950 USD/person in a double room.

Surcharge for single accommodation - 920 USD/person

Our Telegram channel with all the news and updates on Expeditions

https://t.me/KalipsoUkraine

In cost tour come int:

• accommodation in hotels according to the program of the whole tour with breakfast;
• transfers from / to airports;
• excursion service according to the program of the whole tour with entrance tickets;
  
• English speakers guides in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Russian speakers throughout the rest of the route
• escort from Kyiv.

The price does not include:

• international air travel;
• domestic flights;
• Formula 1 tickets;
• lunches and dinners not included in the program;
• visas and visa fees;
• tips;
• personal expenses.

Domestic flights (6 flights) and railway tickets (1 transfer):  

• Europe - Doha, Riyadh - Europe 
• Doha — Muscat
• Muscat — Kuwait 

• Kuwait - Bahrain 

• Bahrain — Jeddah

• Jeddah - Al Ulya 

• Al Ulya - Riyadh 

Visas: 

• Qatar - without visas;
• Oman - e-visa, cost $15;
• Kuwait - upon arrival;
• Bahrain - e-visa;
• Saudi Arabia - $150 online
• UAE - without visas.

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