Seven Emirates Tour

Discover Dubai’s past as a small sea-trading and pearling centre on today’s privately guided tour. Visit the atmospheric gold and spice souqs, ride an Abra water taxi on Dubai Creek, enjoy the traditional Arabian architecture of Bastakiya, and view the historic Al Fahidi fort. An Emirati lunch will be shared at the Sheikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding. On returning to your hotel make photo-stops outside the Dubai Frame and Museum of the Future. The late afternoon will be at leisure.

Dubai is one of the fastest-growing, vibrant and modern cities in the world today. The vision of its ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the city’s metamorphosis in the space of a generation has been nothing short of spectacular. Start your privately guided tour at Dubai Marina, an awe-inspiring city-within-a-city, then after a photo-stop a the ‘7-stars’ Burj Al Arab Hotel, visit the Palm Jumeirah before continuing to Downtown Dubai, where you will take the lift to the 148th floor (At the Top SKY) of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building – for an unmatched bird’s-eye view of the city. This afternoon, step back in time and experience the emirate of Dubai as it was fifty years ago on a (Shared – Sapphire/Private – Diamond) heritage desert safari in a vintage 1950s Land Rover. Then, following dinner under the stars at a Bedouin-style camp set within royal land, return to your Dubai hotel.

Drive to Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital where your sightseeing will start by visiting the enormous Sheikh Zayed Mosque – an architectural masterpiece. Then, drive along the city’s beautiful skyscraper-lined corniche to the Founder’s Memorial – a monument dedicated to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the first President of the United Arab Emirates. After a photo stop at the opulent Emirates Palace hotel, you’ll continue to Saadiyat Island to view the magnificent Louvre Abu Dhabi. A visit to Yas Island – home to Ferrari World and the F1 Racecourse – will conclude the day’s sightseeing.

Drive through the Hajar mountains to Kalba where you will view the mangroves before to proceeding along the UAE’s east coast to Fujairah. Ruled by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, this is the only emirate with a coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman. On arrival, visit Fujairah’s imposing 16th-century fort and view the Al Bidya Mosque (the oldest mosque in the UAE) then continue to Sharjah on the Arabian Gulf.

Take a relaxing cruise through Ajman’s mangrove-lined creek and learn about the emirate’s past as a pearling centre. Ajman is the smallest of the UAE’s seven emirates and is ruled by the House of Al Nuaimi. Its territory is surrounded by neighbouring Sharjah – your next destination. Sharjah’s eponymous capital city is a centre of industry with a thriving cultural scene that is an activity promoted by the emirate’s sovereign ruler Sheikh Sultan III. On arrival, visit the Museum of Islamic Civilisations, stroll through the traditional coral-built houses in the beautifully restored old town and visit the Souq Al Arsa.

On today’s excursion, you’ll visit the UAE’s two most northerly emirates. Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) will be your first stop. Ruled by Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, UAQ retains the feel of the region before the discovery of oil. After exploring the fort/museum, continue into the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) to visit RAK’s modern capital where the ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi resides and ascend rugged Jebel Jais – the UAE highest peak (1,934m) – where you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views before returning to Sharjah.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Dubai International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.