Detailed Itinerary
Embark Azamara Quest from 1:00PM onwards. Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening and a chance to meet your fellow participants.
Overnight: At Sea
Meaning “Creek of Two Jaws” Khor Al Fakkan sits on its namesake bay on the eastern coast of the UAE. On the surface Khor Al Fakkan may seem peaceful and maybe even a little sleepy, but it’s an excellent jumping off point for adventures in the nearby Hajar Mountains. The main attraction is the glistening, pristine, white-sand beach. And just offshore, spectacular coral reefs are teeming with wildlife and are perfect for snorkelling and diving, which is also an excellent way to beat the heat. Several charter companies offer excursions as well as trips around the Gulf of Oman to explore the breath-taking scenery.
Enjoy Khor Al Fakkan on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide - Khor Al Fakkan
Overnight: At Sea
An important trading port between East and West since the first century, Muscat's influence once extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. While much of the city’s construction is new, it all displays traditional Arabic stylistic elements, creating a handsome and cohesive whole that incorporates a rich history. Two seemingly invincible mountainside forts from the 1500s flank the palace of the sultan, though today they are both museums. A major highlight is the Muttrah Souq, Muscat's oldest market. Colourful and bustling, it is a fascinating place to browse as well as barter for exotic spices, traditional handicrafts, or gold and frankincense.
Enjoy Muscat on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Almouj Golf Club was designed by Greg Norman, who has captured the essence of the surrounding environment and enhanced it to produce a delightful links style course that runs alongside over two kilometres of beach. Norman and his design team were mindful of maintaining the panorama of the breathtaking views of the Sea of Oman ocean and the spectacular vista of the Hajar Mountains which on a clear day you almost feel as if you can touch.
Approximate road transfer time – 30 mins
Overnight: In Port – Muscat, Oman
Enjoy another full day in Muscat.
Overnight: At Sea
Enjoy a day at sea on board Azamara Quest.
Overnight: At Sea
Al Manamah is one of the Arabian Gulf’s important trading centers, the port of Al Manamah (or Manama as it is often referred to) is the capital of Bahrain and home to a very diverse population, with Portuguese, Middle Eastern, and British influences evident throughout the centuries. It’s also home to one of the largest mosques in the world, the Al-Fateh Mosque, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bahrain Fort with excavations that date back to 3000 BC, and the Tree of Life, a famed lone tree that thrives in the middle of a dry desert, making it a complete mystery to modern science. Outdoor activities here include dolphin watching, scuba and pearl diving, and bird watching; and with alcohol permitted in Bahrain, Al Manamah—and its accompanying nightlife—is a popular destination for locals and expats alike.
Enjoy Al Manamah on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide - Al Manamah
GOLF: Royal Golf Club Bahrain was designed by Colin Montgomerie and hosted the European Tour’s inaugural Volvo Golf Champions tournament in January 2011. The Montgomerie championship course offers a unique blend of links and desert golf, taking advantage of Bahrain’s natural rough desert terrain and combining it with vast manmade lakes. The desert feel is retained through the use of sandy waste bunkers and the attractive indigenous vegetation and grasses used in the landscaping. The rolling links-style fairways and undulating greens are immaculately maintained.
Approximate road transfer time – 45 mins
Overnight: At Sea
Doha is the capital of Qatar, a bustling and cosmopolitan city which has undergone rapid economic expansion, as evident by stunning new buildings, resorts, and sporting venues, not to mention fantastic shopping malls and revitalized souqs. One of Doha’s premier highlights is the waterfront promenade Al-Corniche, showcasing Doha Bay, city skyscrapers, and Palm Tree Island. In its efforts to become a regional hub of culture, Doha has also built a number of museums such as the Museum of Islamic Art. In addition to featuring Islamic art from three continents spanning 1,400 years and being designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, it’s also home to the restaurant IDAM by legendary chef Alain Ducasse.
Enjoy Doha on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Doha Golf Club is the proud home of the European Tour’s annual Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Nothing reflects the natural beauty and diverse landscape of Qatar more than Doha Golf Club. Designed by Peter Harradine and unveiled in 1997, the golf course provides a variety of challenges that appeal to both the novice golfer and the seasoned professional. Eight strategically positioned lakes, many giant cacti, numerous imposing limestone rock formations and an abundance of lush and lengthy green fairways present a startling contrast to the desert that lies beyond.
Approximate road transfer time – 30 mins
Overnight: At Sea
Sir Bani Yas is a natural island and the largest island in the United Arab Emirates. The name originates from the Bani Yas tribe who first inhabited Abu Dhabi. The island was originally the home to Arabia’s largest wildlife reserve which was established in 1977. Now, Sir Bani Yas showcases nature through activities such as adventure safaris, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking and snorkeling, and was recently awarded the ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination’ at the 2014 World Travel Awards. The island is also home to UAE's only discovered Christian monastery. Believed to have been built around 600 AD, and abandoned in 750 AD, the monastery was initially discovered during excavations in 1992.
Enjoy Sir Bani Yas on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide - Sir Bani Yas
Overnight: At Sea
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is the largest emirate by area. It is home to the seat of government, the Al Nahyan royal family, and a population of approximately 20% Emirati citizens and 80% expats. Its commitment to local culture and heritage, combined with international influences, is what makes Abu Dhabi an intriguing, exciting, and hospitable mix of new and old. Be sure to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with 82 domes, 24-carat gold-gilded chandeliers, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet, it’s a stunning place of worship. Go for a stroll along the waterfront of Corniche Road—which features separate pedestrian and bike paths, restaurants and cafés, and Corniche Beach—enjoy a desert Jeep safari, or shop to your hearts’ content at the many upscale malls and local souks throughout the city.
Enjoy Abu Dhabi on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide - Abu Dhabi
Overnight: In Port – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Enjoy another full day in Abu Dhabi.
GOLF: Yas Links was designed by renowned course designer Kyle Phillips. Built on Yas Island, the course was almost 3 years in construction and used 2 million cubic metres of dredged sand to cap the land. Despite its relatively young age, Yas Links is proving to be one of the best courses in the region. Situated just across the highway from the Yas Marina Formula 1 track, the course utilizes the natural surroundings and weather conditions to create a truly wonderful links test that will excite all levels of golfers.
Approximate road transfer time – 30 mins
Overnight: At Sea
Dubai may already be mistaken for a movie set featuring a futuristic metropolis, and even greater plans are in the works. Located in the middle of the desert where almost nothing existed 20 years ago, there are so many building projects that foreign construction crews vastly outnumber citizens. Everything is the biggest, tallest, and the first of its kind, including manmade islands shaped like palm trees and the world’s first underwater hotel. It’s a striking collection of styles, including modern interpretations of ancient architecture. Consider a visit to the top of Burj Khalifa or the Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping mall located in the heart of the prestigious Downtown Burj Khalifa, on the Old Town Island.
Enjoy Dubai on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Earth Course. Home to the DP World Tour Championship, the season ending finale for the European Tour’s Race to Dubai. Designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2009, the rolling fairways, brilliant white bunkering and deep red ochre landscape are framed by trees and shrubs, making it one of Dubai’s most aesthetically pleasing courses. Choices confront the player on every hole with a number of risk and reward options to consider from the tee. Fairways are surrounded by cavernous bunkers which are a feature on many of Norman’s designs and the entire layout is full of variety and fun holes.
Approximate road transfer time – 45 mins
Overnight: At Sea
9:00AM Disembark Azamara Quest.