YPT Tours to Qatar

While Qatar tours may not, at first glance, seem to be a YPT thing, there are actually many hidden gems inside a country often wrongfully described as boring.

For example, Doha is a modern metropolis that blends tradition with contemporary chic. You can explore the Souq Waqif, a labyrinthine marketplace, visit the Museum of Islamic Art, home to an impressive collection of Islamic artifacts, check the Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to learn about the country’s past, or explore the ancient ruins of Zubarah, a once-thriving pearl fishing center.

From traditional souks to slavery museums and artificial islands – Qatar is an underrated destination in the Middle East! It is also a foodie paradise, with Qatari cuisine being a delicious blend of Arabic, Indian, and Turkish influences.

Group Tours to Qatar

YPT offers Qatar tours as part of our larger Gulf Trek Tour. The Gulf Trek is currently scheduled for early 2025 and will visit 6 countries on a shoestring: Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Gulf Trek – January 15 – January 30 2025 – $3395

Independent Tours to Qatar

If the Gulf Trek dates do not align with your availability, or you would like to just visit Qatar, YPT can organize a private tour suitable for your dates of travel, length and budget. You can choose from any of our bespoke tours or inquire about specific tours: whether you want to explore the sea of Qatar, venture into the off-the-beaten track sites or explore the futuristic cities – YPT has a tour for you! Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Qatar tours.

Below is an example Qatar itinerary. This can be extended or combined with other activities to create independent tours.

Example of a Qatar Itinerary (4 days)

Day 1 – Arrive in Doha

• Arrive at your convenience in Doha, Qatar. You’ll have the chance to see Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which is like a city in itself. 
• The first stop of the day will be a visit to the Qatar National Museum where you can explore the history and culture of this small nation.
• For lunch, head to Souq Waqif. Arguably, this souq is the best and most authentic souq (market) in the Gulf. Here we recommend you try street food from a local vendor. Most of the vendors at the Souq have had families working there for generations.
• In the afternoon, visit the Bin Jalmood Museum – this museum tackles the Gulf’s history of slavery in an unflinching way that is otherwise unheard of in other GCC countries. We’ll learn about the Arab system of slavery, hear from Qataris who realized that their own grandparents were slaves, and learn about Qatar’s issue of modern-day slavery. 
• Next, you will visit the Qatar Foundation to meet with experts in Qatari international policy. Through massive financial investments, the Qatar Foundation’s goal is to make the Gulf the international hub for knowledge and political influence.
• Dinner and overnight in Doha.

Day 2 – Doha 

• After breakfast, venture to the Museum of Islamic Art. Even the outside was built using specific geometric patterns and is an incredible piece of architecture!
• Take a stroll through the Doha Corniche and the Al Bida Park which wraps around the waterfront. Make sure you stop for a photo in front of the World Cup monument, built to commemorate the World Cup series hosted in Doha in 2022!
• For lunch, try a fancy lunch upon the waterfront or try international cuisine a few blocks back, for a more reasonable price!
• In the afternoon head to Sealine Beach, Mesaieed for a camel ride and stroll along this mostly deserted plain.
• For dinner, head to the artificial island known as the pearl. Here, we’ll rub shoulders with Qatar’s uber-rich as we watch sunset over the French-Riviera inspired Yacht Harbor. 
• Overnight in Doha.

Day 3 – Doha – Al Khor – Al Thakira Beach – Doha

• After breakfast, head North to Al Khor, an area that was established long before Doha, however is much smaller in size and population. Al Khor is located an easy 50 kilometers to the north of Doha. It used to be the center of the pearling industry in Qatar but lost its importance after the introduction of cultured pearls. It instead has a scenic harbor where you can find traditional fishing dhows, a corniche leading to mangrove colonies and a museum showcasing the fishing, pearling and dhow building industries.
• Next, visit Al Thakhira Beach, known for its incredible sunsets and more importantly – its mangrove population.
• In the evening, visit the Al Shahaniya Racetrack – a camel racing track for the very popu;lar camel racing events. Camel racing in the Gulf brings in billions each year – with the best camels being sold for millions of US dollars.
• In the evening, return to Doha for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Doha

• After breakfast, enjoy a final leisurely stroll around one of the world’s safest cities.
• Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. The Hamad International Airport is well connected to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Bespoke Qatar Tours

As part of our travel packages in the Gulf, we can offer bespoke and independent Qatar tours. These can be done as full Qatar tours or be combined with other countries.

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch.

Diving in Pericles Tour

Visit the Pericles shipwreck, a great place for diving! Most dive sites in Doha are special as they are often located where sand dunes meet the sea. The Pericles are as deep as 72.2 ft – making it a unique and deep dive. This shipwreck is hard to find with a google search, so rest assured you will be diving-off-the-beaten path! 

Al Thakira From The Sky Tour:

In a small charter plane, view one of the most interesting environmental regions on earth from above: the Al Thakira mangroves. Additionally, you will be able to see the Purple Island, famous for its natural beauty, flora and fauna, and Al Bayt Stadium built for the World Cup! Note that the the unique ecosystem of the Al Thakira Mangroves can also be explored by kayak

Gulf Combo Tour

Join your visit with one or more of the other Gulf countries that suit your budget, timeframe and wishes! You could follow your visit to Qatar with Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman or UAE! You could also join after or before one of our Saudi Arabia tours! Do you have a multi-day stopover from Hamid international airport? Make use of it by exploring all the unique and incredible things Qatar has to offer!

Bedouin Camp Tour

Spend the night with Bedouins near Khor Al-Udeid, a scarcely populated part of the Qatari desert. Try sandboarding, swimming and exploring through the desert. When the sun drops, enjoy stargazing in this low-light area to see vibrant star constellations. The inland sea area creates incredible turquoise waters and upon venturing around you can see flamingos and, in the morning, witness sunset over the Arabian Gulf. 

Filming in Qatar

Qatar is a great location for film makers and journalists to visit for its landscape, modern cities and interesting culture. Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can plan for productions, journalists, or others to film within Qatar from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Qatar

Doha on a shoestring Tour

Do you have limited time to explore Doha? Maybe you have an extended stop over. Enjoy a city tour that can be customized from 3 hours to a full day! Explore Souq Waqif, Bin Jalmood Museum and explore the Doha waterfront and Corniche for an expedited visit to this underrated Gulf country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel To Qatar

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