Wonders of Arabia

 AY 1 – DUBAI
Upon arrival in Dubai, you will be met by a Ya’lla Tours USA representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

DAY 2 – DUBAI
Learn about Emirati culture with a traditional breakfast at Shiekh Mohamed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU)**, a non-profit organization formed by Shiekh Mohamed Bin Rashid, housed in a typical wind-tower house in the heart of the old Bastakia area. An Emirati guide will accompany you for an open discussion about the local traditions and religion.

After breakfast, take a walking tour in Bastakia - visit the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort and then cross the creek by Abras (water Taxi ) to the spice souk. Continue walking to Al Ahmadiya School, established in 1912 as the first school in Dubai. Then stop at the gold souk, where you’ll have a chance to practice your bargaining skills.

Next, we’ll drive to the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifah. Take the At The Top tour, a multi-media presentation on the history of Dubai as well as the story of this incredible building. Begin in the reception area and end on the observation deck on the 124th floor. Continue to the world’s most prestigious hotel, Burj Al Arab, for a photo stop. Then drive on the beach road past Madinat Jumeirah Resort to Jumeirah Palm Island, the man-made island built in the shape of a palm tree and home to residential buildings, villas and luxury resorts. Our last stop will be in downtown Dubai to see the world's largest musical fountain.
Overnight at your hotel in Dubai.

DAY 3 – DUBAI
Visit the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club for a tour of the stables and breakfast at the club house.

Afterwards, we’ll drive to Jebel Ali for a 40-minute seaplane tour over the wonders of Dubai.

In the afternoon, tour a variety of art galleries showing Arabic, Islamic, Persian and Middle East influenced art.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 – DUBAI
Diamond category - Sail around the Palm Jumeirah on a private yacht and have lunch at the marina. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze categories - After a free morning, take a shuttle to the Dubai International Marina around 1pm. Board a catamaran for a 3-4 hour cruise tour of the gulf. Cruise around Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and the World Islands. On board, enjoy a BBQ lunch. Return to the marina and transfer back to your hotel by shuttle.

DAY 5 – ARABIAN DESERT
DIAMOND CATEGORY ONLY
Leave Dubai and drive to Al Maha Desert Resort for check-in and lunch. After lunch, choose two of the following activities:

• Wild Life Drive
• Nature Reserve Walk
• Archery
• Falconry
• Horseback Riding
• Camel Trekking

DAY 5 – ARABIAN DESERT (continued)
BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD, PLATINUM
After a morning at leisure, head to the desert for a thrilling "Dune Bashing" ride in a 4X4 vehicle with a professional driver.
Continue to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort for check-in. Dine under the stars at the resort's Hadheerah Restaurant, where Arabian culture is captured in the lively entertainment and mouth-watering Arabic cuisine.

DAY 6 – ABU DHABI
Drive to Al Ain, the Garden City of the UAE and one of its oldest settlements. A green city with an incredible number of public parks, it is also the birthplace of H.H. Shiekh Zayed, the former president of the UAE. Visit Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, the residence of Sheikh Zayed and his family 1937-1966. Then visit Al Ain National Museum, which houses ancient artifacts discovered in and around the city, ancient Arabic manuscripts and royal treasures.
Stop at the traditional camel market, a great chance to have a close-up look at these “ships of the desert.” 
The last stop on our tour today is the Hili Archaeological Garden, a combination public garden and excavation site of a Bronze Age settlement, with some discoveries over 4,000 years old. Continue to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, for overnight.

DAY 7 – ABU DHABI
Our first stop today is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital for some insight into the tradition of falconry. Visit the examination room to observe falcons having routine procedures, like pedicures and feather repair. In the aviary, where the birds fly freely, you'll have a chance to interact with them. Then head to Saadiyat Island and the new Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. In 2007, France and Abu Dhabi came together to open the Louvre of Abu Dhabi to represent the dynamic nature of the contemporary Arab world.
The museum is designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, inspired by Abu Dhabi’s location between land and sea, as well as its traditional Arab architecture. Your ticket will allow you to visit the galleries, the exhibitions, the children museums and the public spaces under the dome. After free time for lunch, enjoy the views from the observation floor of Etihad Towers, an architectural icon of Abu Dhabi. Finally, visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and an architectural treasure of contemporary UAE society. Overnight in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

DAY 8 – Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

**The Sheikh Mohamed Center for Cultual Understanding is closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If your visit to Dubai falls on one of these days, a substitute visit will be arranged.