- 1
Bahrain
Day 1: Arrive Bahrain
Joining after the Arabian Peninsula tour or this tour by itself. Transfer to hotel.
- 2
Day 2: Bahrain Full Day Tour
We drive to the King Fahad Causeway (staying on the Bahrain side of the border with Saudi Arabia). This 25km feat of engineering links Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most expensive bridges in the world.
Afterwards we visit Al Jasra House in the village of Al-Jasra. Bait Al-Jasra or Al-Jasra House was as a summer residence by Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain. The house was designed according to the traditional Bahraini architecture.
Next, a visit to the A'ali Burial Mounds, in order to sample some of Bahrain's past. This is the site of what may be the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world, with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000 BC and AD 600.
We also visit the Royal Tombs in A'ali village. It is suspected that the tombs are the burial grounds of previous kings. And then we visit the pottery makers at A'ali village.
From here, drive to see the First Oil Well. Next, a tour of the Bahrain International Circuit, (BIC) which hosts the annual Bahrain Grand Prix, a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Onward to the camel farm where camels are kept out in the open, so it is possible to get very close to them in the natural surroundings.
Culminate the day at the Tree of Life - An Acacia tree that has survived for more than 400 years in the middle of the Bahrain desert without any water supply.
- 3
Day 3: Bahrain Full Day Tour
Visit this tiny island state. We'll trace the archaeological development of the region with a visit to the Bahrain National Museum.
Then, a stroll in the Muharraq Souq. This is a very traditional souq of the local people.
Next, a visit to Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House. This was once the home of the Amir's great-grandfather, Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa, who ruled Bahrain for 63 years.
We will stop at the Bukhalaf Coffee shop, the oldest in Bahrain. Here we meet the friendly proprietor who will give a short talk about their process and offer us Arabic coffee and dates.
Afterwards, we visit Shaikh Ebrahim Center. Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa was a well-known intellectual in the early part of the 20th century. The center, which is home to research, a library and a lecture hall.
Visit to the Bahrain Fort. Archaeological excavations carried out have unearthed antiquaries from an artificial mound of 12 m height containing seven stratified layers, created by various occupants from 2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassites, Portuguese and Persians. It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Culminate the day with a visit the Manama Souq with its profusion of colors, sounds, and aromas.
- 4
Kuwait
Day 4: Bahrain-Kuwait
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Kuwait.
On arrival, we start with a to visit The Modern Art Museum of Kuwait, a hidden treasure near Sharq Souq. Once we reach it, we are magically transported into a world that so very few people know about. It offers visitors one of the only permanent displays of modern Arab and international art in the region.
Visit the Fish Market and Dhow Harbor. Visit Al Qurain Martyrs Museum.
- 5
Day 5: Kuwait Full Day Tour
Start the day with visiting the Kuwait National Museum, Heritage, Archaeological Museum and Boom Al Mouhallab, a major dhow.
We first visit Bayt Al Sadu (House of Weaving), an artistic house and museum adjacent to the Kuwait National Museum. Women demonstrate the techniques in the courtyard.
Then to the Tareq Rajab Museum a private collection of the Rajab family. The museum deals with calligraphy, pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, ivory and jade carvings of the Islamic world.
We will drive past the Seif Palace (Office of the Amir) and the National Assembly.
Then pass by the Al – Hamra Tower, the tallest carved concrete skyscraper in the world).
- 6
Day 6: Kuwait - Doha
Transfer to airport for flight to Doha.
We start with a visit to the interesting Mushereip Museums. Msheireb Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Then a north drive through The West Bay, considered one of the most prominent districts of Doha, being the latest district to be built. We admire the architecture on our way to The Pearl-Qatar (TPQ), an artificial island spanning nearly four million square meters.
Next visit Katara, a “cultural village,” located on the eastern coast between West Bay and the Pearl. Many Qatari organizations have their offices in Katara including the Qatar Fine Arts Society, Visual Art Centre, Qatar Photographic Society, Childhood Cultural Centre, Theatre Society and Qatar Music Academy.
Onward to Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Qatar Islamic Cultural Center (FANAR).
We culminate the day with a guided tour around the wonderfully atmospheric Old Souk, Souq Waqif. This is the most traditional of souks; a market for local Bedu, selling meat, wool, milk and other staples.
Falconry is a big hobby for Qatari men, therefore it isn't a surprise to find an entire block of Souq Waqif dedicated to these impressive birds. The shopkeepers will proudly lead you around the falcon showrooms, where a lot of the birds (most of them hooded) rest lined up on their perches.
- 7
Qatar
Day 7: Doha Full Day Tour
We start with a visit to the Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack, known to organize events related to camels and is also home to different breeds of camels.
Afterwards, drive through “Education City,” and pass by the university on the way to the fascinating Al Shaqab Equestrian Center. This is the training center for the prized Arabian horses. We will see where they train (on a horse treadmill and swimming pool!) and where they live. If our timing works out, we may also be able to see some sort of performance or at least watch the horses with their trainers. https://www.alshaqab.com/
Nearby, visit the interesting Mathaf-Arab Museum of Modern Art http://www.mathaf.org.qa/en/
Lunch stop near Aspire Zone (Doha Sports City).
Afterwards, the Qatar National Museum. The museum is built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace.
OR the stunning Museum of Islamic Art, one of the Gulf region's most fabulous museums. Set in the MIA Park on the waterfront corniche in old town, across from the souq, the museum building stands out as an architectural gem. pending re-opening.
- 8
Day 8: Depart
Transfer to the airport.
