Tour 16
Five Emirates, Coast to Coast
10 nights, 11 days
- Length
- 10 nights, 11 days
- Shape
- Dubai first, with a day excursion to Sharjah, then two nights each on Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, on the Fujairah coast and in the Ras Al Khaimah desert, and one last night in Dubai.
- Overnights
- Dubai 3, Abu Dhabi 2, Fujairah 2, Ras Al Khaimah 2, Dubai 1
Every itinerary runs at two paces. Full: three or four stops a day, most meals booked, early starts. Relaxed keeps the same length, the same hotels and the same arrival and departure, and books less into each day: one anchor per half day, later starts, lunch mostly at leisure, and a free afternoon or evening every second day. Either pace can run from the same booking, because the rooms do not change. What changes is tickets, meals and guide hours.
The program at a glance
- Day 1Arrival, DubaiDubai Marina hotel
- Day 2Old Dubai and SharjahDubai Marina hotel
- Day 3Modern DubaiDubai Marina hotel
- Day 4To Abu DhabiSaadiyat Island beach resort
- Day 5SaadiyatSaadiyat Island beach resort
- Day 6Across to the east coastFujairah beach resort
- Day 7The east coastFujairah beach resort
- Day 8The mountain road to Ras Al KhaimahRas Al Khaimah desert resort
- Day 9Jebel JaisRas Al Khaimah desert resort
- Day 10Back to DubaiDubai
- Day 11Departure
Five Emirates, Coast to Coast
Nights of days 1–3
Dubai Marina & JBR- Day 1Dubai Marina & JBR
Arrival, Dubai
Emirates arrival at Dubai International Airport, then the transfer to Dubai Marina. If the arrival time allows, an evening walk along the Marina and the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
- Day 2Dubai – Sharjah – Dubai – Dubai Marina & JBR
Old Dubai and Sharjah
The creek in the morning: an abra crossing, the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk and the Al Shindagha museum quarter. After lunch, north to Sharjah: the King Faisal Mosque, the Blue Souk and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. In season, Global Village in the evening.
The full day
Full-day coach and guide. Global Village admission included, in season.
- Day 3Dubai – Dubai Marina & JBR
Modern Dubai
The Burj Khalifa at levels 124 and 125 in the morning, then The Dubai Mall. Photo stops at the Museum of the Future and the Dubai Frame in the afternoon. In the evening a dhow cruise with dinner along Dubai Marina.
The full day
Full-day coach and guide. Burj Khalifa levels 124 and 125 and the dhow dinner cruise included.
Nights of days 4–5
Abu Dhabi- Day 4Abu Dhabi
To Abu Dhabi
The road to Abu Dhabi in the morning. Qasr Al Watan, the working presidential palace, then Heritage Village and the Founders Memorial. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the late afternoon light, which is when it photographs best, then Saadiyat for the night.
- Day 5Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat
The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District in the morning. The afternoon is free on the beach.
The full day
Half-day coach and guide.
Nights of days 6–7
Fujairah- Day 6Fujairah
Across to the east coast
A late breakfast, then the road east across the country to the Gulf of Oman, about three hours. Fujairah Fort in the late afternoon, then check-in on the coast.
- Day 7Fujairah
The east coast
Snoopy Island in the morning, snorkeling over the reef just off the beach. Al Bidyah Mosque after lunch, the oldest mosque in the country and still in use. The rest of the afternoon is free on the beach.
The full day
Half-day coach and guide.
Nights of days 8–9
Ras Al Khaimah- Day 8Ras Al Khaimah
The mountain road to Ras Al Khaimah
North along the coast to Dibba, then the Hajar mountain road west to Ras Al Khaimah and the desert resort, arriving in the afternoon. Falconry, archery or a walk into the dunes before sunset.
- Day 9Ras Al Khaimah
Jebel Jais
Up Jebel Jais in the morning, the highest peak in the country, where the temperature drops and the landscape stops looking like the Gulf at all. The zipline for anyone who wants it. Back to the resort for a free afternoon.
The full day
Half-day coach and guide.
Night of day 10
Dubai- Day 10Jumeirah – Dubai
Back to Dubai
South to Dubai, about an hour. Souk Madinat Jumeirah in the afternoon, with the Burj Al Arab standing behind it for the photograph everyone wants, and a farewell dinner on the last night.
- Day 11Dubai
Departure
Transfer to Dubai International Airport with your guide for the Emirates flight home.
What this itinerary does well
Best for
Groups flying Emirates round trip through Dubai, and incentive and repeat groups who want beaches, mountains and desert rather than theme parks.
Why it sells
It reaches five emirates and both coasts, the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and stays two nights in every place outside Dubai, so the group settles into each one instead of driving past it.
Send us the brief
Group size, target dates, preferred hotel tier and any non-negotiables are enough for us to start. A costed proposal follows within two working days.