This prior tour program is currently sold out and we are no longer accepting bookings. To see the current tour program including new dates, click here.
Dubai has been called the ultimate playground of the rich and famous. From Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Traveler and others in the know, everyone involved in travel today considers Dubai to be the hottest new destination around.
Local Emirati child
Dubai is bigger, grander, more lavish (and considerably more expensive) than any place we've ever been. The world's most expensive hotel, the Burj Al Arab, that universally recognized sailboat-shaped architectural wonder whose room rate exceeds $1500 per night, is located in Dubai. The world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai, is rising in the middle of town, and that's just for starters. An entire series of man-made islands, in the shape of palm fronds and another series in the shape of the entire world, are being created off the shore line, complete with gorgeous private villas and luxury hotels and resorts. And you definitely won't find more luxury hotels and enticing duty-free shopping anywhere. This little gem, whose metamorphosis from sleepy desert enclave to futuristic metropolis has happened in just the past 35 years, is surrounded by sand - miles and miles of sand - with rippling dunes that are perfect for 4 x 4 adventures, camel riding and even intimate dining under the stars.
There is absolutely nothing like Dubai in the world, but you don't have to be rich and famous to enjoy this amazing destination for yourself. In true Friendly Planet style, your 6 day visit to Dubai includes airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, transfers and city tour. And all of this will cost you less than a similar visit to Las Vegas.
But don't wait to reserve your place. Space is definitely limited, and at these prices, it will surely sell out fast!
Detailed Itinerary
The Jumeirah Mosque
Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Dubai begins this morning as you check in for your wide-body jet flight via Emirates Airlines, voted one of the world's 5 best.
Day 2: Arrive Dubai. Arrival this morning where our representatives will be there to assist you through visa and customs formalities and take you to your waiting guide and touring coach. Begin your tour at the Jumeirah Mosque. A prominent feature in the Dubai cityspace, the Jumeirah Mosque is an spectacular display of modern Islamic architecture.
Spice souk merchants
Next stop is the Bastakiya district, where traditional courtyard houses, with characteristic wind towers that cleverly catch the breezes to cool the houses, line the narrow alleys. Many of the houses in this picturesque area of Dubai, previously home to the city's merchants, have been lovingly restored by proud locals who wish to preserve the unique ambience of the district.
Continue to the Dubai Museum, housed in the massive, restored Al Fahidi Fort. Inside, lifelike dioramas offer a fascinating view of life in Dubai before the discovery of oil. You'll learn the importance of the date palm to the desert culture, the maritime traditions of fishing and pearl-diving and boat building and much more. Take a walk through the bustling, exotic souks, where you'll find beautiful and bargain-priced textiles, spices and gold.
Water taxi
The highlight of your city tour is a chance to take one of Dubai's most reliable and inexpensive forms of transportation, the Abra Water taxi. Your touring coach will be waiting as you disembark from your water taxi to take you to your deluxe hotel to check in and relax. Your tour manager will conduct a short orientation meeting at your hotel to review the activities available during the next few days. You will have an opportunity to arrange optional tours if you wish, or spend your time in Dubai wandering on your own.
Hyatt Regency Dubai (B)
Burj Dubai construction
Day 3: Dubai. Today is yours at leisure to explore Dubai and all it has to offer. Your deluxe hotel is located in the heart of this bustling city, within walking distance to one of Dubai's most popular commercial districts. Be sure to check out the Burj Dubai, which will be the tallest building in the world once it is completed. From your hotel, watch this historic tower take shape as it rises high into the blue sky. There is construction taking place in every part of Dubai, and it is all impressive to see. But no building is quite as amazing as this rising tower, which at its present level (136 floors) is already the world's 9th tallest building. This miracle of international cooperation and coordination will house a luxury Armani hotel, offices of some of the world's most successful companies, and for a lucky few, residences that are as high as the clouds and as luxurious as you can find anywhere in the world.
Wild Wadi
Take time to visit the Mall of the Emirates, where you'll have a chance to don ski jacket, boots, gloves and hat and take to the indoor ski slopes. The temperature here is a cool, 32 degrees while outside, it might be 100! Or, if you are in the mood for adventure, enjoy an optional desert safari tour, where you'll discover the vastness and stark beauty of the sand dunes which surround Dubai city ($76 per person). (B)
The Burj Al-Arab
Day 4: Dubai. Enjoy another full day at leisure in Dubai. Today's optional excursion features a tour of Modern Dubai. This tour is a bonanza of visual extravagance that shows the face of modern Dubai- the city of innovation.
Allow your camera to capture the opulence of Burj Al Arab, the tallest hotel built from the sea. Drive past the unique Palm Island and zip through the trendy Dubai Marina, Internet City and Media City. Conclude your tour with a visit Emirates Hills, a picturesque venue of posh villas and lush greenery, and the renowned Gold and Diamond Park ($31 per person).
There is no lack of adventure by day, and by night, you'll have your choice of literally dozens of gourmet restaurants, bars and night clubs offering every possible type of entertainment. Your local guide will be glad to make recommendations for local dining and entertainment venues. (B)
Henna artist
Day 5: Dubai/Depart this evening. Take advantage of this last day to visit the souks where you'll find everything from exotic spices, silk and cashmere pashminas, lavish gold, silver and diamond jewelry. Stroll the malls to find duty-free electronics, or consider stopping for a henna "tattoo" as a memento of your Dubai visit. While the tattoo will wear away in a few weeks time, your memories of this amazing place will stay with you forever.
Palm Island
Before you depart, we recommend an optional dinner cruise by dhow boat on the Dubai Creek ($63 per person). You'll enjoy a gourmet menu with options to please everyone and a wine list that features choices from many worldwide wine regions. Live entertainment and best of all, a magnificent view of both sides of Dubai Creek illuminated by night, add to the charm of this wonderful way to end your stay in Dubai. You'll be just in time to disembark from your dhow boat and then transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA. Or, continue your vacation with a special Cairo extension.
(Passengers taking the Cairo extension will have the optional Dhow dinner cruise on Day 4). (B)
Day 6: Arrive USA. Your return flight departs after midnight and arrives at JFK International Airport in New York later this morning.
Important Note:September departures of this program will occur during Ramadan. During this time, most restaurants will be closed from sunrise until sunset. However, your hotel restaurant will be open during the day for lunch. In the evening, all restaurants will be open as normal.
Special Optional Tours Package
$145/person if pre-booked
To take full advantage of your visit to Dubai, we offer a discounted package of the most popular optional tours featured on our tour. These are not "seat in coach" tours that pick up passengers in various hotels. All the optional tours are operated for Friendly Planet groups only. (A minimum of 6 passengers is required for optional tours to operate).
Optional Tours Package includes:
- Half day desert safari (Day 3)
- Half day Modern Dubai, including Burj Al Arab (Day 4)
- Dhow dinner cruise (Day 5) (Passengers taking the Cairo extension will have the Dhow dinner cruise on Day 4).
The special package price of $145 per person is available when booked and prepaid prior to departure. If you don't want to book the entire package, individual optional tours will be available once you arrive in Dubai. (When booked individually in Dubai, these tours cost $170).
Cairo Flash Extension
Another way to stretch your airfare on this program is to add an extension to Cairo, where three deluxe nights, daily breakfast, transfers, a full day of touring of Cairo's most important sites and an array of fascinating and inexpensive optional tours are available. If you've been dreaming of seeing the Pyramids of Giza for yourself, this is an opportunity not to be missed!
Day 5: Dubai/Cairo. Enjoy the morning in Dubai to continue your exploration, shop for last-minute treasures, or get the henna. This afternoon, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representatives will assist you with passport and customs formalities and escort you to your hotel. After a short briefing, enjoy the evening at leisure. Sofitel El Gezirah or Cairo Marriott Hotel (B)
The Sphinx at Giza, Egypt
Day 6: Cairo. After breakfast, board your touring coach for a full day of touring, beginning at the most famous of all sites, the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren. These monuments have stood for 46 centuries and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, possibly the most visited monuments of Egypt. The Sphinx, a feline character with the body of a lion and the face of Khufu (Cheops in Greek) is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and even today its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Cairo where you'll visit The Citadel, built in the 12th century and offering magnificent views of Islamic Cairo, Old Cairo and the Egyptian Museum. This world-famous museum houses the world's greatest collections of Egyptian artifacts, with more than 136,000 artifacts from every period of pre-Islamic Egyptian history as well as the Mummy Museum containing the petrified remains of some of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs. (B,L)
Egyptian vendor
Day 7: Cairo. Enjoy the day at leisure. There is plenty to see and do in Cairo, including a visit to the world-famous Khan El Khalili bazaars, where the sites, sounds, spices and exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware and other treasures are waiting for your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices. Your tour manager will gladly recommend other places where you can shop and explore independently, or, take advantage of several optional tours that will be offered to you. (B)
Day 8: Cairo/Evening Departure. One final day to explore Cairo, either on your own or on optional tours. Later this afternoon, transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA via Dubai. (B)
Day 9: Arrive USA. Your adventure to Dubai and Cairo ends this morning as you arrive at JFK International Airport in New York.
Destination FAQs
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Dubai, click here.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Egypt, click here.
Excellent trip - friendly, knowledgeble tour guides, beautiful hotels, close attention to details. It was a terific experience.
— Ruth Trump, Schenectady, NY
I took your Treasures of Thailand trip with a friend and had a wonderful time. We had a great, local guide (Jerry) who made the trip so much fun by introducing us to many native fruits and treats. The accommodations were great all along our route. The Thailand people were so warm and friendly--I would definitely go back. I was also impressed with China Airlines. A great value for the buck!
— Gwen Coxon, Santa Barbara, CA
We were recently on a tour of yours to Thailand, and I just want to commend you for providing us with a great tour. It was wonderful, interesting, stimulating, and well done. But I want to single out our Tour Director for praise. He was constantly seeking out interesting things of particular interest to our group. He was amusing, thoughtful, and resourceful.
— Joanne Weston, Baldwinsville, NY
