Overview
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; Arabic: الإمارات العربية المتحدة al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyyah al-Muttaḥidah), sometimes simply called the Emirates (Arabic: الإمارات al-ʾImārāt), is a country in Western Asia at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north. The sovereign constitutional monarchy is federation of seven emirates consisting of Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Their boundaries are complex, with numerous enclaves within the various emirates.Each emirate is governed by a ruler; together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the rulers serves as the President of the United Arab Emirates. In 2013, the UAE’s population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million are Emirati citizens and 7.8 million are expatriates
Dubai established in 1954 by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. In 2001, the municipality embarked on an e-government project to provide 40 of its city services online through its web portal. Dubai (Arabic: بلدية دبي) is the municipal body with jurisdiction over city services and the upkeep of facilities in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It comes under the Government of Dubai.
Abu Dhabi, (US: /ˈɑːbuː ˈdɑːbi/, UK: /ˈæbuː/; Arabic: أَبُو ظَبِي Abū Ẓabī Arabic pronunciation: [ɐˈbuˈðˤɑbi]) is the capital and the second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (after Dubai). It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is the largest of the UAE’s seven emirates. The city of Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the Central West coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. As of 2019, Abu Dhabi’s urban area had an estimated population of 1.45 million, out of 2.9 million in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as of 2016.
Abu Dhabi houses local and federal government offices and is the home of the United Arab Emirates Government and the Supreme Petroleum Council. The city is home to the President of the UAE, who is a member of the Al Nahyan family. Abu Dhabi’s rapid development and urbanization, coupled with the massive oil and gas reserves and production and relatively high average income, have transformed it into a large, developed metropolis. It is the country’s center of politics and industry, and a major culture and commerce center. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400 billion UAE economy.
Meet group at airport- Washington International Airport – Dulles, VA.
Depart U.S.A for Dubai, UAE
Upon arrival at the Dubai International Airport, clear customs and pick up your luggage at the designated carousel. The group will be greeted by our local guide holding a paging board with CAPITOL HILL TRAVELERS on it, follow the guide to be transferred to the hotel for check in for the next 7 nights.
The rest of your day at leisure.
Tonight at 7:30pm, you’ll be picked up and transfer to Dubai Creekside for your evening Dhow Dinner Cruise on sharing basis. The dinner cruise is the most popular of the dhow cruises in Dubai. What could be more romantic than a dinner aboard a dhow as its slips silently along Dubai Creek by moonlight? You cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels offers an intriguingly different view of this amazing city. You will see the splendid architecture of Dubai such as the Sheikh Saeed's house, the birthplace of Sheikh Rashid and the Heritage village, reminiscent of days gone by.
Return to hotel at approx. 10:30 pm; overnight in Dubai
Time subject to change.
Overnight HOTEL, Dubai.
Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your own leisure.
Between 3:00-3:30pm, board your 4x4 land cruiser (6 pax per jeep on sharing basis) and head out towards the desert.
At the entrance of the desert your driver deflates the wheels of the 4X4 and then the fun starts. Dune bashing has become known as a fun experience – you will feel the thrill of desert driving as your professional driver takes you up and down on golden dunes. A beautiful desert sunset stop is also included and then drive to the Bedouin Camp where you are greeted with a traditional cup of Arabic coffee and have the opportunity to try riding a camel before it is time to settle down for your barbeque dinner. Later on in the evening enjoy the Tanura dance and a belly dancer that will enchant you with her dances, a truly magical night!
At 8:30pm, we drive back to hotel and overnight
Overnight HOTEL, Dubai.
Time subject to change.
Breakfast at the hotel and day at own leisure.
Tentative Afternoon Excursion.(TBD)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
The group will be picked up at approx. 09:00 am to experience the old part of Dubai.
Our tour begins at the Old part of Dubai. Start at the creek side to witness the beautiful skyline of Dubai and a walking tour in the Bastakiah area. Step back in time and enjoy the atmosphere of Bastakiah, one of the oldest traditional Emirati neighborhoods set in Bur Dubai. Next drop at the entrance of Dubai Museum, which depicts the traditional and developmental history of Dubai. After the museum, the group will transfer to the Abra station (water taxi) to transfer to the Spice souk. Walking further the group will discover a great selection of authentic spices, incense and traditional perfumes. The big entrance of the Gold souk welcomes you to see for yourself why Dubai is called the City of Gold and this is just the beginning. It is a good opportunity to bargain and purchase some personal gold and diamonds and free time to shop on own (1hr).
At approx. 1:30 pm group will return to the hotel for free time at leisure.
Subject to change.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Group will be picked up from the hotel at approx. 09:00 am for a Modern Dubai City Tour w/ Burj Khalifa visit.
Discover the modernism of Dubai. You can feel this spectacular journey come to life when you visit the picturesque iconic structures of Dubai. We pass by Jumeirah Mosque and then stop for a photo opportunity along Jumeirah Coastline with stunning views of Burj Al Arab, the world’s luxury hotel. Next, we’ll visit Madinat Souk, which combines traditional Middle Eastern shopping culture of stands, barrows and stalls with a mix of boutique brands, souvenir gift shops, luxury fashion and jewelry. Our tour will continue to visit one of new Dubai’s most prestigious areas- Dubai Marina with its high-class boutiques, restaurants and many sky scrapers. We will then drive on the largest man-made Island "The Palm Jumeirah" where we will have a photo stop opposite the luxurious Atlantis the Palm Hotel: a magnificent oceanic tribute to a mythological age.
Next we will head to Dubai Mall and visit the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifah. No building in modern history has aroused so much curiosity and intrigue as has Burj Khalifa. Your ‘At The Top’, Burj Khalifa visit will answer all your questions from your vantage point on level 124 of the world’s tallest building. The group will also have some free time at Dubai Mall.
Early breakfast at the hotel.
At 8:00am, transfer with your English-speaking guide to visit the Capital City of UAE; Abu Dhabi, also known as the Arabian Jewel. Starting from Dubai, you will travel past the world’s largest man-made port at Jebel Ali and onward for a two-hour drive along a coastal desert road lined with acacia trees, to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. Here, you can enjoy modern interpretations of traditional Arabian architecture in the many skyscrapers, villas and palaces that line the Riviera-style Corniche. We first stop for a guided tour to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is considered the premiere architectural treasure of contemporary UAE society – and one of the largest in the world. Then drive through the Corniche road with a photo stop at the breakwater and from outside the Emirates Palace. Then we visit the Heritage Village, a reconstructed traditional “oasis”. Here, journey to the past and experience life in Abu Dhabi before oil revenues altered the landscape. We’ll experience different aspects of desert life attractively displayed in the open-air museum, along with workshops, where craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills and women sit weaving and spinning.
At 2:00 PM, enjoy a buffet lunch including water and soft drinks at Le Vendome Restaurant in Emirates Palace
After lunch, we drive to Saadiyat Island to visit the Louvre Museum. Wishing to make their country a top cultural destination, internationally recognized for art, education, and culture, the leaders of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi launched the development of this major, universal art museum, which opened its doors on November 11, 2017. By developing tourism, education, and services, they aim to prepare for the post-oil age. Abu Dhabi called on French expertise to help them successfully bring the Arab world’s first universal museum to life. (Free time inside for 1.5 hrs)
Before heading back to Dubai we will drive to Yas Island for a photo stop from outside the Yas Circuit and Ferrari World Theme park then drive back to Dubai for approximate 2hrs and transfer to the hotel.
(B,L)
Time subject to change.
Breakfast at the hotel and day at own leisure.
In the evening, check out of the hotel and transfer by private coach to the airport for your flight home.
