Between Desert and Fjords Tour, UAE and Oman departing from Quebec

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The “Entre désert et fjords” tour at a glance

Entre désert et fjords (Between Desert and Fjords) is an 8-day, 7-night Club Med Discovery tour of the UAE and Oman, in the Cultural Treasures theme. It starts and ends in Dubai after a loop through Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Oman's Musandam peninsula. You see old Dubai and its souks, the Burj Khalifa, an evening at an ecolodge among the dunes, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then the Jebel Harim mountains and a dhow cruise through Oman's fjords. The group has 16 participants at most, with a French-speaking local tour guide. The package includes full board from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last, with one local drink per meal, air-conditioned transport, sightseeing and four hotels chosen city by city.

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What do you see in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

On the first evening, you settle in at the Indigo Downtown, at the foot of the towers. On the second day, you step back in time in old Dubai, among souks and museums, then share lunch at the home of an Emirati woman, a moment that says a lot about life here. The afternoon leads to the Museum of the Future. The third day shows modern Dubai, from the Burj Khalifa to the palm-shaped island of The Palm, before a desert safari and an evening at the Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge, between dunes and starry sky. On the fourth day, you drive 140 km to Abu Dhabi for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Qasr Al Hosn fort and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, all in white marble.

And what happens in Sharjah and Oman?

On the fifth day, 190 km bring you to Sharjah, the UAE's city of arts and culture: Al Noor Mosque, the souk and the museum of Islamic art. The group stays at The Chedi, set in restored old houses. On the sixth day, you cross the Omani border and drive 165 km to the Musandam peninsula, where the road climbs to the villages of Jebel Harim, close to 2,000 metres up. On the seventh day, a traditional dhow glides between the cliffs of the fjords, with a snorkelling swim and often dolphins at the bow. On the eighth day, you return to Dubai, 180 km away.

What are the highlights of this tour?

Contrast is what makes the trip. In one week, you go from Dubai's skyscrapers to a meal shared with an Emirati family, then from the silence of the dunes to the white light of Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque. The evening at the desert ecolodge leaves a strong memory: you watch the sun sink over the sand, then the sky lights up. But the moment our travellers talk about most is the dhow cruise through the Musandam fjords, where the mountains drop straight into turquoise water.

Which hotels do you stay in?

Each stage has its hotel. In Dubai, the Indigo Downtown is well placed for the Burj Khalifa district. In Abu Dhabi, you stay at the Southern Sun 4*. In Sharjah, The Chedi occupies a set of restored traditional houses around inner courtyards. In Oman, the Atana 4* in Musandam sits by the water, close to the starting point for the dhow trips. The desert evening is spent at the Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge, an eco-chic camp in the heart of the dunes.

What is included and what is extra?

The package includes full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, with one local drink per meal, soft drink or beer. It also covers air-conditioned transport, all visits on the programme, the French-speaking guide, luggage handling and taxes. International flights, transfers between the airport and the hotel, extra drinks, personal expenses, tips and insurance are booked separately. Your advisor brings flights and transfers together in the same file.

How many travellers are there and who guides the group?

The group has 16 participants at most, a size that lets you step into a local home, board the same dhow and ask the guide all your questions. A French-speaking local tour guide stays with the group throughout the tour, from Dubai to Musandam. Departures are guaranteed from the first booking. Road legs range from 140 to 190 km, which leaves time for sightseeing every day.

When should you go and how do you get to Dubai from Quebec?

The mildest season runs from fall to spring, when days are warm and dry and evenings in the desert are pleasant. Summer is very hot, the season for air-conditioned visits and swims. Your advisor tells you which departures are available. From Montreal, you reach Dubai on direct or connecting flights depending on the day. Our UAE travel page helps you prepare your stay, from clothing to currency.

What travel documents do you need for the UAE and Oman?

The tour crosses two countries, with a border crossing between Sharjah and Musandam. You need a Canadian passport valid for several months after your return, with blank pages for stamps. Your advisor checks the requirements for both countries at the time of booking. For mosques, bring clothing that covers arms and legs, and a scarf for women.

Which Club Med resort should you combine with this tour?

Dubai is a natural gateway to the Indian Ocean: many travellers follow up with a week at Club Med Kani, in the Maldives, to end on a beach. And Musandam will soon become a Club Med destination in its own right: the opening of Club Med Oman there is announced for 2028. If you prefer a short version, the Escapade à Dubaï takes 4 days.

Who is this tour made for?

It suits curious travellers who want to see the other face of the Persian Gulf, the one of souks, museums and mountains, beyond the shopping malls. Couples and friends who enjoy architecture, nature and meeting people find a fine balance here. Compare it with the other itineraries among our Club Med tours in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, such as Royaume de Jordanie.

Why book this tour with AquaTerra?

Two countries, four hotels, a border crossing and a desert: this tour is best prepared with someone who knows the region. At Voyages AquaTerra, our advisors arrange your flights and transfers, add the beach week in the Maldives if you wish and stay reachable throughout the trip. All our itineraries are on the Club Med Tours page.

Call 1-866-628-6241. You will reach someone who knows this tour and has time for you. We look together at what is available on your dates, we choose the right departure, and we stay on the line throughout your trip. That is the difference between booking alone in front of a screen and travelling with someone behind you.