The biggest, the most expensive, the most grandiose, the most innovative (with a place of honor for camels) Kesher Kosher Tours has opened the gates to the United Arab Emirates with 8 days of kosher travel to this magical and glamorous world.
We are the first and only company that has sent to the UAE both a rabbi and an expert guide to prepare the infrastructure for our trips.
The word “Emirates” has become the most widely spoken word in Israel since the “Abraham Accord” – the moving announcement of the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates on August 13, 2020. Israel’s relations with these principalities are currently emerging from the shadows, and shortly we’ll enjoy direct flights and trips that were once just imaginary.
Some 17 million tourists visited the Emirates in 2019, enjoying a destination that attracts the rich and famous from all over the world and offers a fascinating combination of desert landscape and Mediterranean atmosphere, combining camels and high-tech and innovation, futuristic sites and most importantly, luxury and splendor all over.
The UAE is one of the richest countries in the world and the second largest economy in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia. The country sits on huge oil reserves with the highest revenues in the world – no less than $ 1.2 trillion (!) – that are currently being invested more and more in high-tech. You can see the results of the huge mountain of cash that the emirates have in our eight dream days of touring in four emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah.
Abu Dhabi is the largest and the capital of the Emirates, and also the richest city in the world. The emirate of Abu Dhabi stretching over 87% of the UAE’s territory is home to government institutions. Two-thirds of the UAE’s wealth comes from Abu Dhabi, which is also considered a more cultural city, with museums, mosques and some of the most beautiful in the Muslim world – ones we have not been exposed to. Add to that theme parks, attractions and of course luxury malls.
On the Dubai City website, you will find the following statement: OUR VISION IS TO MAKE DUBAI THE HAPPIEST CITY ON EARTH OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS Those are not just words. Dubai, the second largest city in the Emirates, is not only a world-class construction and architecture, and not just an international business center, rolling in billions of dollars, but also an international fashion capital. It’s a dazzling hub of wealth and glamor, with huge skyscrapers, glittering malls, artificial islands in the middle of the sea and even a ski resort in the desert.
The third largest emirate is Sharjah, the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates. Considered by UNESCO in 2019 as a “World Culture Capital” for 2019. Sharjah is home to the Arab Writer’s Association, as well as to numerous museums, markets and it’s well preserved old city.
Only some 10% of the residents of the UAE are Emirati citizens. The rest are foreign, permanent or temporary residents, mainly construction workers, and those employed in tourism, housekeeping and more. Add to them international businessmen, branch employees and leading international companies living here, among them quite a few Israelis. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have small Jewish communities who gather for prayers on Shabbat and holidays.
Despite the abundance, progress and innovation, the UAE has not for a moment forgotten its traditions and heritage. The Emiratis cherish their camels that have served their ancestors for many generations, and are today part of local folklore. Dubai holds camel races and even camel beauty contests -and these also roll in millions. Dubai is the only city in the world with a Camel Hospital where dromedaries receive exclusive treatments and surgery, using the most advanced veterinary technologies in the world!
Close thisArrival to Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. Dubai, which began as an insignificant fishing village, is now a major tourist destination in the Middle East that combines Middle Eastern exoticism and international relaxation and entertainment.
READ MOREAfter dinner we will go out to the Global Village, one of the largest tourism, leisure and entertainment projects on the planet, which contains pavilions of 75 countries around the world and includes souvenir shops, music performances and a fireworks show.
Close thisAfter breakfast, we’ll start our visit in the Old City of Dubai. We’ll embark on a walking tour of the Bastakiya quarter and visit the textile market. We’ll cross Dubai Creek on an Abra water taxi and make our way to visit the Gold Market and the Spice Market.
READ MOREFrom there we’ll continue to the Dubai Frame, a wonderful addition to Dubai’s impressive collection of architectural wonders. The Frame lives up to its name – it’s 150m high and 100m wide. We’ll ascend to the top and walk across the glass floor as we see both old and new Dubai from either side of the frame. Then it’s on to Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, spread over 1,124,000 square meters! It also has an aquarium, karting races, futuristic park and virtual reality park as well as all the shops you can just think of. We’ll visit the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and then before sunset we’ll ascend to 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. From there we’ll be able to see the whole area from the Persian Gulf to the desert. Afterwards we’ll head back down to watch the water fountains show at Dubai Mall Lake. We’ll enjoy a fabulous cruise on Dubai Creek as we sail among the amazing, dazzling skyscrapers of this wonder in the desert.
Close thisAfter breakfast, we’ll drive to Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest city among the Emirates, and also the capital of the Union. We’ll visit the beautiful Abu Dhabi Mosque, where we’ll witness Islamic architecture at its best.
READ MOREWe will also visit the Louvre Museum located on Sa’adiat Island. The museum has 8000 sq.m. of galleries, which will interest everyone. The museum houses a Bible written in Yemen in 1498. We will end with a panoramic tour of Yas Island, known as the Orlando of the Middle East. It’s absolutely amazing. At the end of the visit, we’ll return to Dubai.
Close thisToday we will visit Sharjah, the third most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Sharjah is sometimes called the “Pearl of the Gulf”, and boasts a beautifully restored Old Town of heritage areas, museums and souks.
READ MOREWe will visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. We will stop at the traditional handicrafts and other goodies at two colorful markets, the Souq Al Arsh ans Souq Al Markazi. We will drive back to our hotel and prepare for Shabbat.
Close thisAs usual on our tours, Shabbat is a day at leisure. We’ll daven together, have a wonderful kiddush and lunch, be able to lie by the pool, relax, read and enjoy.
After breakfast, we will continue our tour of Dubai. We’ll visit the Great Jumeira Mosque and make a photo stop outside the 7-star luxury Burj Al Arab hotel. We’ll board the monorail train that takes us to the “Palm Jumeira” a massive artificial island project that’s visible from outer space.
READ MOREWe will cross the Palm Island to the world renowned Atlantis Hotel. In the afternoon we’ll drive to the desert and meet the jeeps that will take us for a field trip on the dunes. We will stop for spectacular views. Towards evening he enjoys a kosher barbecue and folklore performances. This will be a night to remember!
Close thisToday we will visit the Miracle Gardens, launched on Valentine’s day, 2013 and is set in the heart of Dubai land. A 72,000 sqm space full of scents and colors comes to life. Over 150 million flowers arranged in colorful arches & patterns, and the myriad shapes they form, is truly magnificent.
READ MOREWe’ll continue to visit the Etihad Museum, where we will learn about the history of the UAE. We will discover the rich heritage of the Emirates before the signing of the agreement which led to the unification of the seven emirates.
Close thisOur tour has come to an end. We’ll drive to the airport and fly back to our home gate away.
* Price per person in USD double or twin room
** Supplement Price for single room
5* hotel accommodation
Half board: Kosher breakfast + lunch box and a kosher hot dinner.
A comfortable air-conditioned tourist bus
Tours according to the itinerary
English-speaking local guide
Tips for service providers abroad
Entrance fees for the various sites appearing on the tour plan
English speaking guide from the Shai Bar Ilan team
Tourism fee
International flights
Tip for the tour guide (accepted $ 5 per person per day trip)
Shows not included in the program
Expenses of a personal nature
Travel, health and luggage insurance
Anything not specified in the “Price includes”
There may be changes in the itinerary due to flight times changes and other objective reasons.
In the event of a change, cancellation or malfunction related to flights, sailing or other method of transportation, the airline or transporting company alone shall be responsible.
Only strictly kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. On some of our tours we are able to provide glatt meals. Kashrut is of utmost importance to us and we take special measures to ensure that everything served is kosher.
Breakfast is prepared using our utensils. We use local fresh fruits and vegetables, and we use milk products when they are permitted. We use kosher cereals, and bread. We usually serve hard boiled eggs and sometimes scrambled eggs or omelets. At breakfast, we prepare our lunches so that people have their choice as to what they eat for lunch. We bring food from Israel to supplement what is served in the hotel such as cheeses, peanut butter, tuna, etc.
For dinners, we serve either fish or meat (usually chicken) as our main course. In areas where meat is not available nor readily acquired, we will have fish. When possible, we acquire the meat locally from Chabad or other reliable kosher source, and in some cases we fly the meat in from Israel. We try to provide as many meat meals as possible. The main course at dinner is preceded by soup and salad and accompanied by freshly prepared vegetables. Dessert typically consists of fresh fruits.
We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own dishes and silverware. Where we don’t, we provide disposables at the meals. When we cook in hotel kitchens, we use our own knives, cutting boards, pots and pans, cooking implements and disposable metal trays. All food preparation is done on covered surfaces under the strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our mashgichim.
We make great efforts to assure that our travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of Kashrut laws on all occasions.
On most of our tours, you will be accompanied by two of our staff members- one a guide for the tour who is knowledgeable about the places you are visiting and will accompany you throughout the day and the second, a person who will deal with the logistics of the tour and provide kashrut supervision in the kitchen.
It is our aim to provide the finest hotel possible in each area we visit. We require our hotels to allow us to work in the kitchen and to supervise the cooking and there are many hotels that are not willing to cooperate. They simply have no desire for us to be “meddling” in their cooking process nor are they happy about our bringing our equipment into their kitchens. We work very hard to find the best hotel in the area that will meet our requirements. Because we are not ready to compromise on kashrut, we may not always be able to use a five star hotel.
Terms of Payment
• From the time of registration $300 per person.
• From 35 days before departure- Full payment
Terms of cancellation
• From the time of registration, US $ 47 per passenger for cancellation fees which will be charged in any case
• From 21-35 working days before embarking on the trip: 50% of the price of the trip to the traveler
• From 7-20 working days before embarking on a trip: 75% of the price of the trip to the passenger
• Less than 7 working days before departure: 100% cancellation fee including all associated costs such as visa.
We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.