Itinerary
- Day 1
Dubai Arrival
You'll arrive at Dubai International Airport and head to the 5-Star Indigo Downtown Hotel for check-in. There's no scheduled activities today, which gives you time to settle in and adjust to the time zone. Spend the afternoon however you like - relax by the pool, sit on the terrace, or walk around the neighborhood. In the evening, there's an optional meet and greet dinner if you'd like to join the group.
Optional Activities
- Explore the urban neighborhood
- Optional dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Dubai International Airport Dubai Canal The Dubai Mall Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary Jumeirah Beach - Day 2
Dubai City Tour
After breakfast, you'll join a local guide for a 5-hour city tour. The day includes walking through Al Bastakiya, the oldest residential area from the 19th century, then taking a traditional wooden Abra boat across Dubai Creek. You'll see Fort Al Fahidi and the Dubai Museum, browse the Gold Souk, and grab lunch at Dubai Mall before heading up to the 124th and 125th floors of Burj Khalifa. This evening ends with the Dubai Fountain light and water show.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dubai City Tour with local guide (5 hours)
- Abra boat ride across Dubai Creek to Al Bastakiya
- Fort Al Fahidi and Dubai Museum exploration
- Gold Souk visit
- Burj Khalifa climb - 124th and 125th Floor access (tickets including non-Prime)
- Dubai Fountain viewing
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Al Bastakiya maze-like streets
- Souvenir shopping at traditional souk
- Dining at Dubai Mall food and beverage outlets (over 200 options)
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo visit
- Ice Rink experience
- Waterfall exploration
Landmarks/POIs Al Bastakiya Dubai Creek Fort Al Fahidi Dubai Museum Gold Souk The Dubai Mall Burj Khalifa Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Dubai Fountain - Day 3
Dubai Marina and Jumeirah
This morning covers Dubai Marina with its mix of skyscrapers and restaurants along the waterfront. You'll ride a one-way monorail at The Palm and get a photo with Burj Al Arab, then drive through the upscale Jumeirah neighborhoods and visit Jumeirah Mosque. Next, you'll explore Madinat Jumeirah, which recreates ancient Arabian architecture, and its traditional souk. The afternoon's free for you to do whatever you want, and later you'll board a Dubai Canal Cruise that includes a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner onboard Dubai Canal Cruise)
Included Activities
- Dubai Marina guided city tour
- Palm Monorail experience (one-way)
- Atlantis the Palm photo stop
- Jumeirah Beach drive and photo opportunity
- Jumeirah Mosque drive-by
- Madinat Jumeirah exploration
- Souk Al Madinat shopping experience
- Dubai Canal Cruise with Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
- Photography at Marina Walk
- Dining at Madinat Jumeirah restaurants (25+ options)
Landmarks/POIs Dubai Marina The Palm Atlantis the Palm Jumeirah Beach Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Mosque Madinat Jumeirah Souk Al Madinat - Day 4
Dubai Frame and Miracle Garden
Start your day at the Dubai Frame, a 492-foot picture frame with a museum inside that shows how Dubai changed from a fishing village to a modern city. Take the elevator up to the viewing bridge with its glass floor and see the panoramic views from there. In the afternoon, head to Dubai Miracle Garden with over 45 million flowers in all kinds of designs. You'll have free time before heading to the New Year's dinner and fireworks viewing tonight.
Included Activities
- Dubai Frame museum visit
- Dubai Frame viewing bridge experience with glass-floored walkway
- Augmented reality exhibition on Dubai history and future
- Dubai Miracle Garden exploration
Optional Activities
- Photography throughout the day
- New Year's dinner
Landmarks/POIs Dubai Frame Dubai Miracle Garden - Day 5
Dubai Desert Safari and Bedouin Experience
Take it easy this morning with breakfast and time at the hotel pool to relax. Later in the afternoon, you'll drive into the Dubai Desert for dune bashing with rides over the golden sand dunes. You'll stop at the highest dune for views and sand-boarding if you want to try it. At the Bedouin campsite, ride camels, get henna tattoos, and have a barbecue dinner with belly dancer entertainment under the stars.
- Meals
- Dinner (Barbecue dinner at Bedouin campsite)
Included Activities
- Dune bashing experience
- Sand-boarding on highest dune
- Photo opportunity with falcons
- Bedouin campsite visit
- Camel ride
- Henna tattoo
- Barbecue dinner at Bedouin camp
- Belly dancer performance with Arabian music
Landmarks/POIs Dubai Desert - Day 6
Abu Dhabi
You'll drive about an hour to Abu Dhabi to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world's largest with room for 40,000 people, 82 domes, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. Then check out Union Square and the Corniche, followed by the Heritage and Diving Village that shows Dubai's history of pearl diving. After lunch at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, take an elevator up the Etihad Towers Observation Deck for views from 300 meters high, complete with a light snack and cake. Before heading back, stop for a photo at Yas Island and Ferrari.
- Meals
- Snack (Light snack including selected cake and choice of coffee or tea at Etihad Towers Observation Deck)
Included Activities
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visit
- Union Square visit
- Corniche drive
- Heritage and Diving Village exploration
- Etihad Towers Observation Deck visit (300 meters)
- Light snack with selected cake and coffee or tea
- Yas Island and Ferrari photo stop
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall
- Shopping at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall (hundreds of luxury shops and souvenir stores)
Landmarks/POIs Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Union Square Abu Dhabi Corniche Heritage and Diving Village Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House Abu Dhabi Marina Mall Etihad Towers Observation Deck Yas Island Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - Day 7
Yacht Charter and Global Village
After breakfast and a free morning to yourself, board a private yacht at 1pm from Dubai Marina. You'll cruise past Dubai's skyline, including views of Burj Al Arab and Atlantis. Lunch and beverages are included on the boat, and you'll have time to swim. In the evening, spend time at Global Village with 30+ pavilions representing 80 countries, featuring traditional products, handicrafts, live performances, concerts, and food from around the world.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch onboard private yacht)
Included Activities
- Private yacht charter from Dubai Marina
- Burj Al Arab viewing from water
- Atlantis viewing from water
- Yacht lunch and beverages
- Swimming time onboard
- Global Village visit
- Live shows and concerts at Global Village
- Pavilion exploration (80 countries represented)
Optional Activities
- Dining at Global Village restaurants featuring cuisines from every corner of the world
Landmarks/POIs Dubai Marina Burj Al Arab Atlantis the Palm Global Village - Day 8
Departure
It's time to say goodbye to your travel companions as the Dubai vacation wraps up. You'll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Landmarks/POIs Dubai International Airport
