Crossroads of the Indian Ocean & Arabian Gulf
This tour is in the final planning stages. To be notified when the tour brochure is ready and receive advance information, contact us at 1-800-748-6262 or email aia@studytours.org.
Delve into the fascinating ancient and historical monuments, and the cultural and geographical diversity, of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the company of seasoned study leader Trevor Marchand. Our custom-designed itinerary illuminates how influential geography has been on the UAE and Oman, and how their maritime histories have linked them to elsewhere in Arabia and as far afield as Africa and southern Asia.
Begin with three full days in the UAE. Still a little fishing village as of the 18th century, Dubai was a center of pearl exports until the 1930s. Similarly, Abu Dhabi was founded as a simple pearl and fishing village. After the discovery of oil in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai became one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and Abu Dhabi was transformed into a luxurious modern metropolis and the capital of the UAE. But this region was settled many centuries earlier, and we will observe how the old and the new co-exist in intriguing ways.
We will spend the balance of our time exploring Oman which, for centuries, dominated the Indian Ocean’s commerce. Indeed, Oman dominated the trade routes from Moorish Spain to Canton (modern-day Guangzhou, China); her ships and seafarers sailed into harbors worldwide, and her merchants traded in the commodities of civilization, such as frankincense, myrrh, silk, gold, spices, and coffee. Today, the country takes pride in sharing its rich history with visitors, as demonstrated in its world-class museums.
Altogether we will learn about the cultures, art, architecture, and history of this captivating region while sampling its great geographical diversity, from spectacular deserts and wadis to pristine coastlines, including a reserve for the endangered green sea turtle.
Highlights
- Visits to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Oman’s aflaj irrigation systems,the protohistoric archaeological complex of Bat and Al-Ayn, the immense fort at the oasis of Bahla, the medieval trade city of Qalhat (pending re-opening), and the Land of Frankincense; and the UAE’s Hili Archaeological Park, part of the“Cultural Sites of Al Ain” listing
- A full day to explore archaeological sites around the futuristic city of Dubai, including the 4,000-year-old site of Al Sufouh
- A full day in and around Abu Dhabi, where we visit the incredible new Louvre Abu Dhabi and the 18th-century Qasar Al Hosn, the oldest fort in Abu Dhabi
- A sensible touring pace in Oman, with four nights in theancient oasis town of Nizwa, three nights in Oman’s capital city of Muscat, three nights in Salalah, and just two single-night stays at special properties along the way
- Hasat bin Sult (a.k.a. Coleman’s Rock), site of Oman’s most significant rock art
- Nizwa’s lively Friday Market, whose animal souk is an opportunity to witness the country’s traditional manner of selling livestock
- A visit with a Bedouin family and an overnight at a lovely desert camp with luxurious, Bedouin-style tents in Wahiba Sands, a 6,000-square-mile desert
- Sur, where many of the trading fleets of Omani ships were built
- Muscat, with its recently-opened National Museum of Oman and the Bait Al Zubair Museum, which houses an interesting archaeological collection
- Visits in and around Salalah, including excursions to Sumhuram Archaeological Park, once an important conduit for the international frankincense trade network, and the 5,000-year-old fortress of Ubar
- A maximum of just sixteen travelers, plus a dedicated local guide/tour manager and Professor Marchand
- An optional, two-night, pre-tour extension in Doha, Qatar, including excellent museums, an evening cruise in traditional wooden dhows, and more
Tour Prices per person (17 nights)
TBD
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability). With fewer than 10 participants a small group surcharge may be applied.
To reserve your space using the online form, click here.
For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).