Our Itinerary
The Spice of Dubai & The Smoke of Muscat.
For our 8th signature experience, we’re reaching back into the ancestry of spice and scent, to the end point of one of the most legendary Spice Roads. Starting in the U.A.E., we’ll discover the glamour and spice of Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s skylines, scents and cuisine before heading to the region’s home of the fabled frankincense on the streets of Muscat & Nizwa.
See, taste and explore it all.
Unless specified, all of the below is included in our rate, to include our flight from Dubai to Muscat. Though confirmed, this itinerary is subject to change - a final itinerary will be sent to confirmed travelers only.
Day One.
Monday, August 26th
The Grand Arrival
Arrive at Dubai International Airport where you will be greeted at your arrival gate by your personal Marharba Airport Concierge. They will whisk you through with a fast-tracked immigration process, help with your bags and guidance to our drivers who will take you to the ultra-exclusive Palm Island and your first hotel, the Atlantis The Royal.
After check-in, the day is yours to rest, explore and discover the UAE’s newest marvel of a hotel.
Day Two.
Tuesday, August 27th
Our Grand Welcome
Wake up to views of the Persian Gulf from your bed or balcony.
After breakfast, we will meet in the lobby to head out to our first event, our Shisha & Champagne Welcome Brunch at White Beach at the neighboring Atlantis, The Palm hotel.
After some stylish debauchery, we will head back to our hotel to freshen up and rest before we head to The Dubai Marina for a casual Welcome Dinner aboard the Alexandra, the award-winning floating restaurant on a modernized ‘dhow’ vessel. Sip wine and experience UAE style barbecue while taking in the sights of old and new Dubai from the creek.
Afterwards, we’ll head back to the hotel where you can grab a nightcap at one of our hotel’s lounges, bars or take it up a notch at Ling Ling.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch/Lunch, Dinner
Day Three.
Wednesday,
August 28th
Souks & Senses
After breakfast with all the views, we’ll meet in the lobby for a day in Dubai meant to spark the senses.
We will start in Old Dubai in the Souks. Specifically the Perfume, Gold and Spice Souks where our guides will take us through the one of the world’s premiere shopping destinations for fine goods you will not get anywhere else. Barter for your new favorite gold bangles, discover a spice your tongue has never tasted and indulge in the perfumes that make the Middle East famous for their head-turning scents.
After all that, we’ll head to the iconic Dubai Mall for more retail therapy and lunch at the stylish Logma for some modern Khaleeji cuisine. From there you can opt to stay in the mall and explore or head back to the hotel with our transportation. As an optional add-on, you can join our guides for a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower to see the city from their observation deck. Cost is $75 per person.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Four.
Thursday,
August 29th
Abu Dhabi Discovery
After another breakfast overlooking the Persian Gulf, we’ll head downstairs for a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
We’ll start at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the third biggest in the world. From there, we’ll proceed to the waterfront Corniche Road and stop for pictures at Al Bateen, where the palaces of the Royal Family are located. Then, after a lunch at the ‘straight out of a Wes Anderson Film’ Royal Rose Hotel before we head back for the ride to Dubai.
The evening is yours to make, explore of the many Michelin starred restaurants in Dubai, including the one in our hotel, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Five.
Friday, August 30th
A Luxe Oasis
Wake up to views of the Persian Gulf from your bed or balcony and take your time, the morning and early afternoon are yours to make. Explore the spa, head out for another trip to the souks, discover more of the hotel for lunch or just chill, the early day is yours.
In the late afternoon we will convene and head to the Arabian Desert for a desert safari, Parlour style.
Once we arrive to the Platinum Heritage Desert Camp, we’ll have a chance to see their collection of vintage 1960’s Land Rovers for pictures. Then we’ll climb into our own fleet of comfortable, late-model Range Rover SUVs and embark on a nature drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to learn about the land and visit their Bird Sanctuary. At sunset we will convene again for a group portrait among the dunes, and then enjoy a falconry show with canapés and refreshments before riding our camels to our private desert oasis for dinner with live entertainment under the stars.
After our night in the desert we’ll head back to the hotel to rest and prepare for another day of discovery.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day Six.
Saturday, August 31st
From Spice to Smoke
After breakfast, we’ll check out and make our way back to the Dubai International Airport to head to Muscat, Oman. Our ground guides will be there to ensure a smooth check-in process before you explore the airport for last-minute souvenirs or relax in the lounge*. After landing in Muscat, we will be fast-tracked through immigration and to our bags with their airport concierge team before heading to meet our Omani guides aboard our luxury coach that will take us to the Shangri-La Al Husn to check-in.
Included Meals: Breakfast.
Lounge available for those with Priority Pass or Credit Card access only.
Day Seven.
Sunday,
September 1st
Dreaming in Muscat
After breakfast overlooking the Gulf of Oman, the day is yours to create. Take advantage of our exclusive spa discount on all the services you like, spend the day on Al Husn’s private, adults-only beach with their legendary beachside service, or head out to discover the Muttrah Souk of Muscat for some famed Omani silver and oud or frankincense after a lazy morning in bed. It’s your day to make.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day Eight.
Monday,
September 2nd
Scent & Style
Enjoy breakfast over the water before convening in the lobby to discover the scents and scenes of Muscat.
First, we’ll head to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and then continue to the Royal Opera House of Muscat, another architectural marvel in the region. Then, we will head to Rozna for a lunch of traditional Omani cuisine in a grand Omani fort, built in the ancient style. After lunch, we’ll stop at the historic Muttrah Souk before we immerse ourselves in the world of Arabian perfumes with a visit to Amouage Perfume Factory to discover the history of scent making in the region and discover our new personal signature before returning to the hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Nine.
Tuesday,
September 3rd
Yacht or Not
Another day where the choice is yours—after breakfast, you can choose to explore more of the hotel and its gardens, neighboring lazy river for tubing, head to the Muttrah Souk and see more of Muscat and more of what the region has to offer.
Or, you can join us aboard the Al Zahra Yacht, our 78ft, 5 cabin vessel for a luxurious day on the Gulf of Oman and visit to Bandar Al Kharain Island, for a tented barbecue lunch, wine, swimming and snorkeling with a soundtrack of local and international music, and views you’ll never forget before returning at sundown. The yacht day is available as an optional add-on to your package and can be purchased at booking and limited to 20 guests to have ample personal space for all onboard. Cost is $605 per person.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch*
*only for Yacht Guests.
Day Ten.
Wednesday, September 4th
Ancient Views
After breakfast, we will meet to head to one of the gems of Oman—Nizwa, where we will be transported back to the sights written about in the bible and beyond.
First, we will head to the Nizwa Souq, one of the largest and most authentic in the region where locals and visitors alike come to trade and barter. This is also where you will find some of the finest frankincense in the world. Next to the Nizwa Souq is the Nizwa Fortress, where you can walk around and visit its many rooms, passages and towers.
From there we will depart to the mountains of Jabal Akhdar. We will start in the village of Birkat Al Mawz and climb aboard our fleet of 4x4 vehicles to climb to the top, with breathtaking views as our reward. At the top we will head to Juniper at the Alila and take in the views of the mountains over lunch.
After lunch, we’ll head back down the mountain to return to Muscat for an evening at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Eleven.
Thursday,
September 5th
Under The Stars
After breakfast, the day is yours to create.
In the evening, we’ll say goodbye in grand style with the Gulf of Oman as our wallpaper. At the neighboring Al Bandar beach, lanterns will guide us to our ‘1001 Arabian Nights’ inspired farewell dinner under the stars. We will toast to our experience, pose for pictures and say “until next time” to friends new and old. Image is representative of your view, you know we always save the decor for a surprise!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day Twelve.
Friday, September 6th
Saying Goodbye
After breakfast, your driver will be on hand to whisk you to the Muscat airport based on your departure times. Our team will be on hand all day to assist with a smooth departure.
Included Meals: Breakfast