Middle East Travel Guide

The Gulf is the closest genuinely international holiday to India — under four hours from most metros, with a large Indian community, familiar food and a startling amount packed into a small area.

Why travellers choose Middle East

Short flights and no jet lag make it the easiest long-weekend destination abroad. A four-night Dubai trip is entirely realistic without eating a week of leave.

The variety within a small radius is remarkable: desert safaris, the world's tallest building, indoor skiing, world-class shopping, and old souks and creeks that predate all of it.

For Indian travellers it is unusually comfortable — Indian restaurants everywhere, Hindi widely understood, and direct flights from a dozen Indian cities.

What not to miss in Middle East

• Burj Khalifa — The observation decks at levels 124, 125 and 148, best at sunset.
• Desert safari — Dune bashing, camel rides and a barbecue dinner under the stars.
• Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World.
• Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah — A dhow cruise, The View at The Palm and Atlantis Aquaventure.
• Old Dubai — The gold and spice souks, an abra crossing of Dubai Creek and the Al Fahidi quarter.
• Oman — Wadi Shab, Nizwa Fort and the fjords of Musandam, an hour's drive from a very different pace.

When to travel

November to March is the comfortable season, with daytime temperatures suiting outdoor activity. December and January are peak. April and October are warm but manageable and noticeably cheaper. June to August is extremely hot — indoor attractions and hotel rates make it viable for a shopping-and-waterpark trip if you plan around the heat.

Entry and paperwork

The UAE issues tourist e-visas for Indian passport holders, and holders of a valid US, UK or Schengen visa or green card can often obtain visa-on-arrival. Oman and Qatar issue e-visas. Processing is usually quick, but we submit early because approval timelines fluctuate around peak season.

Planning a Middle East trip with Elitech Travels

Every Middle East itinerary on this page is a starting point rather than a fixed product. Extend a city, change the hotel category, add a private guide or merge two routes and we will re-cost the trip and send a revised plan. Because we publish no departure dates, your holiday is operated in the window that suits your leave — tell us roughly when you want to travel and we confirm availability and pricing for exactly those days.