ITINERARY
Note: Below is my actual trip itinerary - I always suggest any recommended adjustments in the "Things I Would Do Differently" section at the bottom of this post.
Total days off work: 8
Time of year: Early March - perfect time before it gets too hot
Day 1 - Travel day
Day 2 - Late arrival in Muscat
Day 3 - Muscat
Day 4 - Muscat
Day 5 - Muscat
Day 6 - Muscat
Day 7 - Fly to Abu Dhabi + hotel car service to Empty Quarter (~90 minute drive)
Day 8 - Empty Quarter
Day 9 - Hotel car service to Abu Dhabi (~90 minute drive)
Day 10 - Taxi to Dubai (~75 minute drive)
Day 11 - Dubai
Day 12 - Travel day
STAY
The Chedi Muscat (Muscat, Oman) - I have so much appreciation for the clean lines and immaculate grounds at The Chedi. It is so incredibly serene that it is worth carving out a day in your itinerary to do absolutely nothing but lounge at this hotel. (And that's exactly what we did on our first day - it's my favorite way to soothe jet lag and get on local time!) The Chedi has not one, but TWO adult-only pools, and there is third pool for families as well. The food at the Long Pool, which is the longest pool in the Middle East, was our absolute favorite. Breakfast was amazing, and service was on point. We opted for a club room, which included free airport transportation, breakfast, laundry service, and exclusive use of the club lounge for coffee, drinks, and canapes. The rooms aren't the largest and many rooms do not have terraces, which is my one grievance for a hotel of this level, but the beautiful grounds made up for it. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the beach area is not as naturally beautiful as some other areas of Muscat's coast, so if you are planning to spend a lot of time at the beach, this may not be the best hotel for you. However, we were very happy with our choice and would absolutely stay there again.
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Qasr al Sarab (~90 minute drive from Abu Dhabi Airport) - Seeing The Empty Quarter was my favorite part of this entire trip, and this over-the-top resort was pure magic. The dunes here are much larger than the ones near Dubai, and are a shorter drive than if we were to go to the Empty Quarter in Oman, which is why we chose this area. All rooms have views of the dunes, and we were upgraded to a room with an extra-large terrace. Although it is a large resort, the remote location of this hotel made the stay especially unique. The hotel offers many activities to choose from during your stay - we opted for the soft dune drive and sunset camel ride (more detail in the Adventure section below).
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Rosewood Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, UAE) - We only stayed one night, but loved the rooftop terrace, which is a perfect place to grab a drink and watch the sunset over the Abu Dhabi skyline.
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The Oberoi Dubai (Dubai, UAE) - Service was impeccable, and our rooms had views of the Burj Khalifa from the bathroom, bedroom, and large open air terrace. Very inexpensive when compared to some of the opulent resort options offered in Dubai, and was a perfect location for our two-night stay.
EAT
Bait al Luban (Muscat, Oman) - A beautiful restaurant in Mutrah where you can sample traditional local specialties. Traditional dining and floor seating are both available.
Kargeen (Muscat, Oman) - Go for the beautiful outdoor gardens that are strung with lanterns and the amazing amazing selection of mocktails and juice blends.
Arabian Tea House Al Fahidi (Dubai) - A perfect place to stop for some Arabian coffee or tea before exploring Old Dubai.
At.Mosphere at the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) - Eating a meal on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa is definitely a once in a lifetime dining experience that is not to be missed. Yes, it is expensive, BUT the entrance is completely separate from the standard viewing decks, so you do not have to wait in lines or purchase the standard ticket to get to the top. A reservation is required ahead of time, and there are dress codes and food and beverage minimums, so check the website for this info when you make the reservation. The minimums are much less for something like morning coffee, so keep that in mind if you would prefer to keep costs lower. We booked the sunset time slot in the lounge (which is a different menu and minimum than the formal dining room), so we were able to take in the view during the day, at sunset, and at night! We also paid the additional fee to get a window seat (you are able to do this when making the reservation). If you are there in the evening, make sure to stop at the windows near the entrance to catch a birds eye view of the Dubai fountain show.
ADVENTURE
Sultan Qaboos Mosque (Muscat, Oman) - Make sure you are aware of dress codes prior to your visit. Ladies need to have loose, opaque clothes that provide full coverage to wrists and ankles, and they also must wear a head scarf. Men must wear long pants and shirts that cover their shoulders. We also visited the Grand Mosque while in Abu Dhabi, and both were absolutely stunning, but I especially enjoyed this experience as there were almost no crowds or lines, and it was incredibly peaceful.
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Wadi Shab hike + visiting Bimmah Sinkhole (Day trip from Muscat, Oman) - We booked a day trip through our hotel, and were provided a guide/driver, but we did the hike alone (which we actually prefer). Our guide was incredibly friendly, and hiking and swimming at Wadi Shab was my favorite experience in Oman. I wrote a full post dedicated to this adventure, which you can read here.
Mutrah (Muscat, Oman) - Walk along the promenade and check out the souk. You can also walk up to the top of Mutrah Fort. The fort was completely empty when we went, and the top has great views over the waterfront and Mutrah.
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Soft dune drive (The Empty Quarter) - Booked through our hotel. Guests have the option of a soft drive or a hard drive, and after some research, I decided on the soft drive. Verrrrry happy I did. Even on the soft drive, you do some adrenaline-pumping dune bashing, but you make some stops and take short breaks to decompress for a bit. Our driver was very experienced, and it was honestly much more fun than I expected. I would suggest that you do not eat right before and take something for motion-sickness prior to the drive.
Sunset camel ride (The Empty Quarter) - Booked through our hotel. The camels were so friendly! We went in a group of ~6 people, and were led on a short trek across the dunes before stopping to watch the sunset in the middle of the desert. Probably the most memorable moment of the entire trip.
The Louvre Museum (Abu Dhabi) - Not as large as the Louvre in Paris, but filled with numerous modern galleries, and the structure itself is a piece of art. Very much worth a visit.
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Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi) - Immense and opulent, definitely a must-see in Abu Dhabi. We went fairly early in the morning, and saw long lines forming when we left, so visiting during off-peak times is definitely recommended. Again, ladies need to have loose, opaque clothes that provide full coverage to wrists and ankles, and they also must wear a head scarf. Men must wear long pants and shirts that cover their shoulders.
Old Dubai walking tour (Dubai) - Old Dubai is completely different than the the Dubai most people think of, and is definitely worth checking out. We signed up for a local group walking tour (Dubai By Foot), where we were able to tour the historic neighborhoods, take wooden abras across Dubai creek, and visit the spice and gold souks.
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PACK
What I packed for carry-on only (carry-on roller suitcase plus a small duffle - see my packing tips and luggage recommendations here):
What I wore on the plane: tennis shoes, black jeans, breathable / athletic t-shirt, light jacket, baseball cap, scarf
What I packed:
1 pair of heels (I don't usually bring heels, but wanted for dinners in the UAE - was happy I had them, but could have worn nice flats and been fine)
2 pairs of nicer flat sandals
1 pair of casual flat sandals
1 pair of flip flops
1 pair of casual flat shoes
1 pair of water shoes - super flat an easy to pack, would highly recommend for hiking/swimming Wadi Shab - change into these once you get to the water
1 waterproof phone case with neck strap - would highly recommend if hiking/swimming Wadi Shab
1 roll-up straw visor
1 scarf (need to have at least one to use as a head scarf when entering mosques)
1 swimsuit
1 lightweight drawstring bag - I use this as a backpack for short hikes, or for the pool/beach
1 pair of flowy black pants
1 pair of leggings
1 black short sleeve midi dress - versatile for nice dinners
3 long kaftan dresses - used one as my primary pool/beach "cover up"
2 long sleeve maxi dresses
1 long tunic - Worn over leggings, my long black tunic was my go-to outfit for mosques, along with a head scarf
1 lightweight flowy cardigan
1 long-sleeve blouse
4 versatile t shirts / layering tanks in black and white colors
OTHER NOTES
Driving: Although we opted to use taxis and hotel transportation on this trip, once we arrived, we (and by we, I mean my husband - I hate driving) realized that we would be completely comfortable driving in both countries. If you prefer to drive yourself or are looking for a way to save money, renting a car could be a good option.
Dress code: Be sure to abide by dress codes when entering religious sites or you will be required to rent proper clothing. Ladies need to have loose, opaque clothes that provide full coverage to wrists and ankles, and they also must wear a head scarf. Men must wear long pants and shirts that cover their shoulders. As a female, I preferred to dress conservatively for the entire trip (loose-fitting clothing covering at least shoulders and knees), even in Dubai.
A long sleeve, knee length loose tunic over leggings or skinny jeans + a head scarf was my go-to outfit for vising religious sites
Prescriptions: Not all personal prescriptions are allowed to be brought into Oman or UAE. I had a difficult time finding clear information on this, but if you have prescriptions that you are concerned about it, it is definitely worth looking into further before departing.
Alcohol: As a reminder, with the exception of some hotels, alcohol is not served in Oman or the UAE.
Visas: Check here for updated info on Visa requirements - we needed to obtain a Visa for Oman (and not UAE) prior to traveling.
THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
I originally had planned to visit Nizwa and Jebel Akhdar (a mountainous area that is ~2.5 hour drive from Muscat), but we ended up deciding to add UAE to the itinerary instead. I do not regret this, but I think I easily could have made room for both. While I loved how relaxing and laid back our days in Muscat were able to be, I would probably add 1-2 nights in Jebel Akhdar and condense our time in Muscat. Or even better, add a few extra days to this itinerary if you are able to!
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