10 Days in the UAE: Every Emirate and the Oman Border

Ten days turns the UAE from a city break into a country. Seven emirates, two coastlines, the highest mountain road in the Gulf and the edge of the Empty Quarter — all on good tarmac, none of it more than four hours from the last stop.

The route

• Days 1–3 — Dubai
• Day 4 — Sharjah and Ajman
• Days 5–6 — Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais
• Day 7 — Fujairah and the east coast
• Day 8 — Hatta
• Day 9 — Liwa desert
• Day 10 — Abu Dhabi

Dubai first

Three days as in the stopover plan plus a slower third day. Arrivals and fixed prices on the DXB transfer page.

Day 4 — Sharjah and Ajman

Twenty minutes and a world away: the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, the Blue Souq, Al Noor mosque, then the small corniche at Ajman. Sharjah is dry — no alcohol anywhere in the emirate.

Days 5–6 — Ras Al Khaimah

The mountains start here. Jebel Jais climbs to 1,900 m on a road built for the view, with the world's longest zipline at the top and 10°C off the coastal temperature. Sleep in Al Hamra or up on the mountain.

Day 7 — The east coast

Over the Hajar to Fujairah: Al Bidyah mosque, Snoopy Island, and a Gulf of Oman coastline of rock and reef.

Day 8 — Hatta

The dam, the kayaks and the mountain bike network, in an exclave ringed by Omani territory. Carry your passport for the road.

Day 9 — Liwa

South-west into the real desert. Dunes of 300 m, Moreeb hill, and the Qasr Al Sarab approach road at sunset — the most photographed stretch of tarmac in the country.

Day 10 — Abu Dhabi

Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Corniche — see the Abu Dhabi itinerary and the AUH transfer page for departures.

Longest drives

• Dubai → Ras Al Khaimah — 115 km · ~1 h 20
• RAK → Fujairah — 120 km · ~1 h 40
• Fujairah → Hatta — 90 km · ~1 h 15
• Hatta → Liwa — 320 km · ~3 h 30
• Liwa → Abu Dhabi — 230 km · ~2 h 30

Practical notes

Emirates differ on alcohol, dress and Friday hours — assume Sharjah is the strictest. Mountain roads are excellent but unlit. Fixed prices for every route in this itinerary are on the UAE transfers page; the shorter 7-day version drops Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.