Day 1 – Arrive in Doha
Upon your arrival at the Hamad International Airport be transferred and check in at your hotel, AL wadi Hotel by MGallery
Day 2 – Explore Doha
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before venturing out to explore the thriving city of Doha. A Discover Qatar representative will meet you at the hotel at 9 am and will escort you to the bus for a 3-hour City Tour of Doha. During your city tour you will enjoy an intriguing mix of modern wonders and ancient traditions.
You will learn more about Doha’s massive transformation into a sprawling futuristic metropolis while also seeing how it has kept in touch with its old-world charm. You will then enjoy the afternoon at your leisure before we take you to Doha’s famous bustling Souq Waqif Market for dinner at Argan restaurant, located in Al Jasra Boutique Hotel. It offers authentic Moroccan cuisine with modern charm in a stylish setting
Day 3 – Day at leisure
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. The day is free at your leisure, however you can opt to pre-book one of our recommended tours and excursions such as a Museum or Mosque Tour, or a visit to a world-class equestrian facility where you can learn more about Qatar’s Arabian horses. Tonight, you will have a briefing of what to expect on your cruise and how to prepare for the following day’s activities.
Day 4 – Board the cruise and depart Doha on sunset
This morning enjoy breakfast at your 5-star hotel and enjoy the morning at leisure to explore Doha or get ready for your cruise. This afternoon at 3 pm, be met in the lobby by a representative of Discover Qatar who will arrange your transfers to the port. When you arrive, you will embark your luxury ship, Le Champlain, your home for the next 7 days. You will join a welcome briefing where you will get to know your Expedition Team and Ship Captain and get a taste of the adventure that awaits you. You will then sit down to a special chef-prepared three-course welcome dinner.
Day 5 – Khor Al Adaid – Inland Sea
Wake to your first morning on board, where the sun rises across the Arabian Gulf and you can settle into a fantastic breakfast before setting off on your first day out on the Zodiacs with your dedicated expedition team member. Khor Al Adaid is one of only 3 places in the world where the sea meets the sand dunes with an unparalleled lagoon system. The big tidal embayment is connected to the Arabian Gulf by a 10- kilometer-long channel bordering Saudi Arabia through which you will cruise while looking for dolphins and turtles. Here the sea meadows are a significant breeding ground for the marine life of the region including dolphins and other sea life. Step foot on dry-land and see where the desert meets the sea and embark on an epic 4X4 experience where you will enjoy an adrenaline filled adventure over the rolling
sand dunes of Qatar. Later, back aboard you can relax and refresh yourself after a day of adventure and watch the wonderful Qatari sunset before dinner in the evening.ù
Day 6 – Halul Island
This morning we wake up at Halul Island. Led by our Expedition Team, we’ll board a Zodiac and skim across the turquoise waters to our island destination and one of Qatar’s best kept secrets. The island is surrounded by a reef which is bursting with coral and marine life which we may have the chance to swim around. Later in the afternoon we’ll set sail for Al Shaheen, the home of Qatar’s Whale Sharks we’ll receive En-route, you will receive an exciting and immersive talk from one of our Marine Biology experts on what Whale Sharks are and why they come to Qatar. They will also be around to answer any questions you may have.
Day 7 – Al Shaheen
Excitement builds this morning as you get ready to explore Al Shaheen, one of the most exclusive areas on the planet as it is still closed to the public. Once there we will go in search of the Whale Sharks, but they shouldn’t be hard to find, as they are the biggest fish in the ocean and Qatar is home to one of the largest populations of Whale Shark in the world. As the population of these creatures is so large, you will also be able to see them in action from the vessel. After a truly stellar day with the Whale Sharks, you will head back to the ship where you will have a chance to relax and look back at some truly epic footage before enjoying a well-earned dinner.
Day 8 – Mangroves and Al Ruwais
Today we will sail to the northern peninsula of Qatar. Here you will take to your Zodiac once again and head across to Qatar’s mangroves. It is true that Qatar is known for its desert landscapes, but when you arrive at today’s destination you won’t believe the sight that awaits you. Qatar’s mangrove forests are truly beautiful and as you weave nimbly through them in your Zodiac, you will find an abundance of life both above and below water. This unique ecosystem attracts migratory birds including herons, and it is also home to numerous species of fish and crustaceans that are visible throughout the year. You will then be transported to Al Ruwais, a major port and place of trade. Here you will explore ruins of old fishing towns which are a tribute to Qatar’s seafaring past. Your Expedition Team will give you in depth information on the area and let you in on some of Qatar’s best kept fishing secrets and methods.
Day 9 – Zekreet and East-West/West-East by Richard Serra
Today you will spend most of your time on dry land, adventuring to the area of Zekreet which shows off yet another side to Qatar’s unique landscape. Most significant here are the extraordinary rock formations.
These incredible looking mushroom-like limestone formations are the result of strong winds blowing away softer sedimentary rock, leaving behind just the harder limestone skeleton exposed. The region is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a special interest in oryx and gazelles. Upon returning to the ship why not pay a visit to the bridge and talk to the captain about your journey and find out more about the area you have been sailing through. The ship has an open bridge policy, so you may do this at any point during your journey.
Day 10 – Al Zubarah
You will join your Expedition Team on a day of discovery. You will visit Al Zubarah, Qatar’s only UNESCO world heritage site. Al Zubarah has a lot of historical significance within Qatar and the entire region as it was one of the key cornerstones of trade in the 1800s and 1900s. Many old and ancient artifacts have been excavated here and it is one of the best-preserved examples of an 18th and 19th century Gulf merchant town. You will take a trip back in time and learn more about its exciting past including the rise and fall of this unique area
Day 11 – Disembark Doha
After breakfast we will arrive back in Doha, which means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship and to be transferred to the airport
