Treasures of Persia: Mumbai to Muscat

Day 1 Mumbai (Bombay), India

Arrive in Mumbai, India and check into your included hotel. Mumbai is to the rest of India what New York is to the U.S.: a vibrant, fast-paced cosmopolitan city. Mumbai began to take form as a major center of trade under the Portuguese in the late 15th century and flourished under British rule into the 20th century. The Indian independence movement flourished here as well, culminating in India’s emergence as a sovereign state in 1947.

Day 2 Mumbai (Bombay), India

Your morning activities are up to you, so enjoy a leisurely brunch or set out to see some of the sights. In south Mumbai, within the walls of British-built Fort George, you’ll find a wealth of Gothic revival, Neo-classical and Indo-Saracenic buildings. Prior to embarkation, you’ll enjoy a coach tour of Mumbai that takes you past many of the city’s most famous landmarks en route to your ship.

Days 3-5 At Sea

Relax and enjoy a leisurely day on the water as the Spirit of Oceanus heads northwestward over the Arabian Sea. For the next few days our voyage will continue through the Gulf of Oman and into the Straits of Hormuz to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

The Arabian Sea has been an important coastal trade route since approximately the 3rd millennium B.C. By the time of Julius Caesar, the Arabian Sea was an integral part of the Roman Empire’s land-sea trade routes.

Iran is home to one of the oldest continuous major civilizations in the world, with urban settlements dating back to 7000 B.C. Persian literature, philosophy, mathematics, medicine and art contributed greatly to the development of Islamic culture. Our Exploration Leaders provide an overview of this rich and complex culture as you prepare for a memorable excursion tomorrow.

Day 6 Bandar Abbas, Iran

Today we’ll take a chartered flight to Shiraz, capital of Fars province, then travel approximately 70 km to Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from approximately 515 B.C. King Darius the Great ordered construction of the Apadana Palace and the Council Hall, the main Imperial Treasury and its surroundings. Construction was completed during the reign of his son, Cyrus the Great. Persepolitan architecture is distinguished by its use of wooden columns, although stone columns were used when the largest Lebanese cedars or Indian teak trees proved too small.

As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your English-speaking guide, you’ll walk among the remains of structures that still testify to Persian might and splendor, including the Gate of all Nations with its great hall; Apadana Palace, the Throne Hall, Tombs of Kings of Kings, as well as other impressive buildings, statues, bas-reliefs, and ornate columns.

Day 7 Bandar Abbas, Iran

Today you'll have the opportunity to explore Bandar Abbas. The earliest recorded mention of Bandar Abbas was during the reign of Darius the Great (586—522 B.C.). It has continued to be a vital maritime city under a succession of occupiers from Alexander the Great to the Portuguese to the Arabs.

Day 8 Abu Dhabi, UAE

After a short sail overnight, we arrive in Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates. Described by CNN as the “richest city in the world,” Abu Dhabi is graced by large, well-manicured gardens and parks, excellent roads, modern high-rises, international luxury hotel chains, and extravagant shopping malls. In order to attract both foreign investment and tourism, Abu Dhabi is far less traditional than many Arab states.

Day 9 Sharjah, UAE / Dubai

We arrive in Sharjah in the early morning. Today a unique encounter awaits us as we board our motor coach and head out into the desert. As first glance, the scenery seems utterly barren. But suddenly an oasis appears like a mirage out of the sand. This Bedouin encampment is our destination.

Day 10 Dubai

Dubai soars out of the desert sands like a gleaming beacon. As we sail into port, it’s immediately apparent that the city we’re entering is affluent, sophisticated and ultra-modern. Ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833, Dubai is the most populous of all the Arab Emirates and a major financial center.

During your visit, explore the area’s marvelous architecture. In the Bastakiya District you’ll see the last remaining stronghold of “old Dubai,” with its reconstruction of traditional buildings interspersed with art galleries. The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most beautiful in the region and well worth a visit. If you want to see what a “7-star” hotel looks like, drop by the Burj Al Arab hotel for a drink.

Day 11 Musandam Peninsula, Oman

Today we board local boats and sail into the Gulf of Al Gabaiyan to explore the Musandam Peninsula. The peninsula, which just out into the Straits of Hormuz, sits at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Its fjord-like canals offer breathtaking vistas of the jagged mountains where isolated communities have existed for centuries. Many of the small villages tucked away in these hills are only accessible by boat or helicopter.

The steep, rocky coastline is dotted with wadi beds, where occasional downpours have carved deep ravines that support limited farming. The lower mountain slopes are covered with wild olive trees and junipers grow at the summits. Dates and vegetables are the main crops on the peninsula.

Day 12 Dibba, Fujairah, UAE

Dibba Al-Fujairah is the only Emirate offering both mountains and sandy beaches—perfect settings for spotting wildlife, so have your camera and binoculars ready. During the winter, people from all over the Emirates travel to the mountains to camp and enjoy the crisp, clean air.

Day 13 Sohar, Oman

Welcome to the legendary birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor! Sohar was once the largest city in Oman and an important port in the Islamic world. Today it is a welcoming destination with a new port under construction, lovely beaches, a lively souk (marketplace), and such architectural gems as Sohar Fort, which we’ll have an opportunity to explore.

Sohar Fort is an imposing sight. This massive, square fortress, with its four-story walls and six towers, gleams from atop a hill overlooking the city. Built around 179 B.C., it’s been renovated several times over the centuries, most recently in 1993. As you enter the keep, you’ll find the fort’s most interesting feature: an exceptional museum that covers the archeological, geological and anthropological history of Sohar.

Day 14 Muscat, Oman

A major seaport and trade center for untold millennia, Muscat is a treasure trove of antiquities and historic districts. The old port area of Muscat is dominated by two impressive forts: Al Jalali Fort and Al Mirani Fort. Built by the Portuguese in 1580 in the mountains overlooking Muscat, they were originally prisons. Today they’re wonderful museums with much to impart about Muscat’s colonial past.

For a close encounter with Omani culture, we’ll visit the Bait Al Zubair museum, where you can view a traditional Omani house with displays on the lifestyles and domestic rituals of Muscat through the ages.

Day 15 Muscat, Oman

It’s time to say your good-byes and disembark after an unforgettable voyage encompassing India, Iran and the Arab world. If you’re staying with us for the next voyage, you’ll be sailing on to the Red Sea and Egypt.