Dubai Excursions

Excursions can only be offered as part of a full package booked through Voyana Holidays.

A fascinating historical excursion. Our route takes us to the magnificent Jumeirah mosque; past modern palaces sprawled along the coast. In Bastakia we stop for a while to admire the old wind-tower houses built by wealthy merchants. Close by, stands the 150-year old Al Fahidi Fort. Here, the Dubai Museum records the city's past as an important pearl diving and trading centre. We continue our journey by Abra - local water taxi. As we cross the Creek we see the modern metropolis with its splendid architecture dwarfing the bustling alleys of our next destination, the gold and spice souks.

What could be more romantic than dinner aboard a Dhow as it sails silently along Dubai Creek by moonlight? Our cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels offers an intriguingly different view of the city. We see old Dhows moored alongside modern luxury yachts and the spectacular modern architecture of Dubai's skyline. Dinner and aromatic Arabic coffee is included, a taste of true Arabian hospitality.

Explore Sharjah's rich cultural heritage with a walking tour of this fascinating city. Our tour begins with a photo opportunity at Mohammed Al Quassimi Mosque followed by a stroll along the creek, past the colourful dhows laden with goods from Iran. Cross over the modern Al Majarrah Souk, a shopping centre popular with the local citizens, and then on to the Iranian market. Our next stop is the creative Art's House, followed by the Old Souk - part of Sharjah's original settlement, offering a rich variety of spices, nuts, dates, household goods and the shisha. We continue along streets lined with exotic perfumes and ethnic garments to reach Sharjah Art Museum. Next we stop by the ancient Al Hisn Fort and the nearby Al Arsah Souk where you can browse through souvenir shops. Leaving the souk we visit some old homes of local people, which are now renovated and exhibit traditional jewellery, costumes and cosmetics, giving you a glimpse of the local way of life in the past. Your coach meets you at this point to bring you back to your hotel. During the summer months you will be transferred by coach to some points on this trip. ** This tour can also be combined with a cruise aboard MV Danat Dubai. For details, please refer to Voyage Arabesque.

This exciting excursion combines a leisurely cruise aboard the luxurious MV Danat Dubai catamaran and a walking tour of Sharjah. Depart Dubai and cruise along the colourful coast to the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah. En route take in spectacular views of Dubai's coastline from the air-conditioned comfort of the lower deck or from the breezy sun deck above. Sail along the Creek past traditional wooden dhows, the Gold Souk, the Heritage Village and the Dubai Ruler's office. Enter the blue Gulf waters, sailing towards the distinctive Sharjah skyline faintly visible in the distance. Enjoy hospitality on board the MV Danat Dubai with complimentary welcome beverages and light snacks. You may join the Captain at the helm and pick up a few tips on how to navigate a 34-meters catamaran. Disembark at Sharjah for a cultural walking tour to explore the myriad images of Arabia. A veritable treasures trove awaits heritage explorers as you walk through Sharjah's souks - old and new, Sharjah Art Museum and historical areas, the Al Hisn Fort and traditional houses showcasing the rich past of Arabia. This combination tour includes pick-up and transfer from your hotel to MV Danat Dubai and transfer back to hotels in Dubai by coach. For details on the walking tour, please refer to Images of Arabia.

This fascinating tour takes you to Sharjah and Ajman. En route to Ajman's enchanting museum - housed in an ancient fort and giving intriguing insights into lifestyles before the changes brought by oil - you pass Sharjah's spectacular King Faisal Mosque, Al Ittihad Monument and the Ruler's palace. The return journey includes stops at Majarrah Souk with its intricate mosaics and golden dome; 150-year old Al Naboodah House, vividly recalling the way of life of a wealthy pearl trading family; Al Arsah Souk and the Blue Souk, where more than 600 shops sell carpets, gold, silver, antiques, perfumes, clothes and many other temptations. Return to Dubai in time for lunch.

From Dubai, we travel past the world's largest man-made port at Jebel Ali and onward for a two-hour drive through coastal desert scenery, studded with acacia trees. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and many of its striking examples of modern architecture show intriguing interpretations of Islamic themes captured in today's materials. Shimmering skyscrapers, villas and palaces line our route along the Riviera-style Corniche with its blue Gulf waters and enticing offshore islands. In this city of dramatic contrasts, we visit the Heritage village and look at the ancient, renovated Al Husn Fort, before visiting the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. We see the old dhow yard and charming Batinah harbour. On our return journey we drive past Sports City, the biggest soccer stadium in the Middle East. An engrossing view of an emirate that is so like Dubai and yet so different. Some of the attractions and the order in which they are visited may change during the Holy Month of Ramadan. *Lunch not included in the tour price.

A charming desert oasis that has been a stop on the caravan trail since time immemorial. Today, Al Ain has become a garden city and also boasts a university. The road from Dubai takes us through spectacular desert scenery. We stop at the archaeological digs at Hili which date back some 5000 years, before proceeding to the oasis town of Buraimi. Here we stroll through the oasis with its ancient irrigation system and saunter through the quaint minuscule souk. We visit Al Ain's museum next to the old fortress, and after lunch*, stop by the Al Ain Palace Museum. The palace was the residence of the current ruler Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan from 1927 until the early 70's. It is divided into two sections: Sheikh Zayed's or the men's section, and Sheikha Fatima's or the women's sections. Both sections consist of a number of majlis, each one used for a different purpose. Interesting displays, including a collection of family portraits, offer an insight into the way the Royal family lived and entertained. We then stop at the traditional camel market before returning to Dubai. *Lunch not included in the tour price.

Drive through multi-hued desert landscape to the oasis of Dhaid before journeying through spectacular mountain scenery. Just before Masafi, you can shop at the local crafts, pottery and carpet market. Continue to Dibba, a picturesque fishing village, and then to Bidiyah Mosque, the oldest and smallest in United Arab Emirates, before following the coast to Fujairah. Lunch is by the Indian Ocean. Stop by the town's 300-year old fort before exploring the village of Fujairah, abandoned when mountain dwellers moved away from oil exploration to start a fishing village. Our last stop is Bithnah oasis where you may photograph (from a distance) the impressive fort still guarding the mountain pass, before returning to Dubai. *Lunch not included in the tour price.

A magical evening in the desert. Leaving Dubai in the afternoon our drive takes us into the vast red dunes of Murgham. We stop to photograph camels resting at their camp and, at dusk, pause to watch the sun set over the immense solitude of the desert before continuing on to our Bedu encampment. You have the chance to take a camel ride before enjoying a feast of barbecued meats, baked potatoes, fresh salad and Arabic sweets. Why not sit back and try a Shisha (Hubbly Bubbly) pipe whilst watching the belly dancer swaying to the rhythms of traditional Arab music?

Mountain Safari to Wadi Hatta - Drive along a motorway cutting a swathe through the rolling desert and its changing hues. Then the real adventure begins as you turn into the Hajar Mountains where canyons line the route. Then follow the bumpy trails of the wadis, where in winter you stop for a swim in one of the deep mountain pools. Now on to Hatta Fort Hotel, voted one of the worlds most beautiful resort hotels, where you stop for lunch (not included). On the return journey to Dubai you will pause by the biggest roller coaster dunes to admire the silent vastness of the desert.

We depart from Dubai in the morning and drive towards the East Coast of the United Arab Emirates, stopping at a pottery market by the oasis town of Masafi. We continue to the shores of the Indian Ocean, where an optional stop may be made at the colourful vegetable market in the tranquil fishing village of Dibba

Our off-road adventure through the steep passes of the rugged Hajar range starts here. For the next two hours the journey takes us through a wild landscape of dramatic canyons, deep gorges and rocky valleys. Amidst these impressive natural sights lie small mud-walled villages where crops are cultivated. After pausing for a picnic lunch, our safari continues through the wadis to Ras Al Khaimah. The day's journey takes us through four of the UAE's emirates before we return to Dubai by late afternoon.

Excursions can only be offered as part of a full package booked through Voyana Holidays.