Caravan-Serai Tours to Oman & Dubai

Day 01: 29 Nov (Tuesday) Arrival - Muscat
Welcome to Oman! Upon arrival at Muscat International Airport you will be met and assisted by one of our representatives who will escort you to the luxury air conditioned coach, where you will be accompanied by an experienced English speaking guide as you transfer to the Muscat Holiday Hotel to check in. Enjoy an informative introduction to Muscat as you sip kahwa (traditional Omani coffee) and dates on the way. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 02: 30 Nov (Wednesday) Half Day Muscat city & Shopping tour
At 9:00 am you'll be met by our tour guide to start your half day city orientation tour. The tour starts with a drive to the Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world. Marvel at the rich Arabian architecture which is a must for all the tourists to Oman. (Open daily for visitors, between 8:00am -11:00am, except Fridays) Dress code: Women should wear attire covering their arms and legs and should cover their head with scarf. Men should wear normal shirt and trousers. From here move on to the fish and vegetable markets in Muttrah. Feel free to mingle with the crowd and bargain the latest catch of the day. Then proceed to the old city of Muscat and catch a glimpse of the old town through the eyes of the bygone travelers who left their marks and images, collected and on display at the museum - Bait Al Zubair in the heart of the old quarter. Take a photo stop at the Sultan's Palace flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. Finally, visit the largest indoor shopping market of Oman - Muttrah Souq. At the Souk, built in the traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewelry, intricately hand-made 'Khanjars' (daggers) and other handicrafts. Your guide will take you to the best of the old and new shopping outlets in there and help you bag a few bargains. After your tour, transfer back to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Muscat Holiday Hotel. (B)

Day 03: 1 Dec (Thursday) Muscat - Sur - Ras Al Hadd (Turtle watching at Ras Al Jinz)
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and meet our English speaking guide at the hotel lobby at 9:00am. The tour will start in 4WDs- Toyota Land Cruisers. (maximum of 4 people per car) The road to Sur is beautiful with lots of sightseeing options en-route. Take a photo-stop at the Bimah sink hole which is a geological formation and a scenic wonder. Then continue and drive to the Fins Beach which is one of the beautiful white sandy beaches in Oman. Spend some time at leisure before continuing to Wadi Tiwi which is known for its scenic location and great surrounding landscape. A picnic lunch will be provided along the journey. Drive through Sur and reach Ras Al Hadd. Check-in at Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel. Early dinner at the hotel (on your own). After dinner, we drive to Ras Al Jinz which is a marvelous bay with golden sands, honey colored cliffs and beaches famous for their turtle nesting sites. Reach the scientific center from where you'll be taken for a guided tour to observe the nesting habits of the giant female green sea turtles. You'll also witness some recently hatched green sea turtles fighting for survival. Afterwards we transfer back to the hotel for overnight. (B/L)

Day 04: 2 Dec (Friday) Ras Al Hadd - Sur - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba Sands
Check out after breakfast then we start our day with some Sur sightseeing. Explore the Old East African Port and today's center of fishery. First stop at the famous dhow construction yard which lies on a sheltered lagoon in Sur. You'll be amazed to see the craftsmen still building dhows following traditional designs without the aid of drawings. Continue the drive to Wadi Bani Khalid which is one of the most beautiful Wadis with its endless date palms and crystal clear pools. Hike and swim in the inviting pools before continuing to the undulating golden Wahiba Sands. Picnic lunch / lunch at local restaurant will be provided en-route. The great Wahiba Sands are longitudinal dunes 200 km long and 100 km wide running south from the Eastern Hajars to the Arabian Sea. Indulge in some exciting Dune Bashing over the golden sand dunes before checking in at the Safari Desert Camp. Early in the evening, we drive up to a high rise dune to witness the desert sunset before going back to the camp for dinner. Enjoy a Traditional Bedouin style dinner at the camp under the starlit sky. Overnight at the camp. (B/L/D)

Day 05: 3 Dec (Saturday) Wahiba Sands - Nizwa - Bahla - Jabrin
After breakfast at the camp we board our SUVs to start your journey through Sinaw to visit the old capital of Oman, Nizwa. Nizwa clusters around its historical buildings, traditional souk and the imposing circular-towered fort built during the mid 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Yar'ubi. At the souk, built in traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewelry, intricately hand-made "Khanjar" (daggers), copper and other handicrafts. Break for lunch at a local Omani restaurant. Then, travel to the village of Bahla known for its rich tradition of pottery and weaving. You will visit the famous Pottery Center and Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in Oman, built in the late 17th century on much earlier Persian foundations. More notably, Bahla has been placed in the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites for its cultural antiquity. Bahla Fort is under restoration at present and therefore we only take a photo-stop outside. Continue towards the Jabrin Fort, built in the late 17th century and originally designed as a residence. It displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings. It is one of the most magnificent forts of Oman with its painted ceiling, dungeons, and hidden passages. After our tour, we return to Nizwa and check-in at the Falaj Daris Hotel. Rest of the evening on your own at leisure. (B/L)

Day 06: 4 Dec (Sunday) Nizwa- Jebel Shams (Grand Canyon of Oman) - Nizwa
After a relaxed breakfast, we start our journey from Nizwa towards the Mighty Jabal Shams. After reaching the region of Al Hamra we visit the old village of Ghul to see the abandoned Persian village. Visit Misfat Al Abrein, a picturesque village perched on the side of a mountain. As you walk around this beautiful village where time has come to a standstill, you will be moved by the simplicity and friendliness of the people. Proceed to Wadi Nakhr which is the bed that comes out of a canyon alongside the village. This is the start of the Wadi Nakhr Gorge and it winds for several kilometers into the jebels to become the Grand Canyon of Oman. Post the Wadi Nakhr off-road, we ascend to Jebel Shams, the tallest peak in Oman at 10,000 feet. From the rim of the canyon you can see the village of Nakhr about 2 kilometers straight down. You will come across the Shuwawis (mountain people) hawking their blankets and carpets. Lunch can be organized at the Jebel Shams resort (Lunch not included in the package). Later descend and witness the beautiful mountain sunset before returning to the hotel in Nizwa. The rest of the evening on your own at leisure. Overnight at the Falaj Daris Hotel in Nizwa. (B)

Day 07: 5 Dec (Monday) Nizwa - Birkat Al Mouz - Jebel Akhdar - Nizwa
This morning after breakfast we drive towards the beautiful Jabal Akhdar mountains. Enjoy the surrounding landscape before reaching the famous Princess Diana's Point (named after the late Lady Diana of Britain who visited this scenic plateau). At Diana Point, you'll be met by our Mountain Trekking guide, who'll take you for a beautiful walk through the large farm fields, deep valleys and the tall mountain peaks. Experience a sense of awe as you witness nature's primordial beauty as seen in the soaring peaks and plunging canyons. The rise of terraces on extremely steep mountain slopes is particularly impressive. The Trek guide will also introduce you to various farmers and locals on the way who provide essential information on their daily lifestyle in those mountains. The walk will end at the Saiq Plateau which for hundreds of years has only been accessible by donkeys. After the walk, break for lunch at an Omani house. Enjoy the traditional home made Arabic food while cherishing your mountain walk memories. After lunch, we'll be met by our tour guides with their respective 4WDs to continue the rest of the journey. Descend from Jabal Akhdar and visit the village of Birkat Al Mawz (Mawz means Banana). This ancient village is located at the rim of Jebel Akhdar and is home to a restored fort called Bait al Redidah and Falaj Al Khatmain which is one of the most important Falaj systems in the region and is also listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The village is also famous for several banana plantations. After our full day tour, return to the hotel in Nizwa. Overnight at the Falaj Daris Hotel. (B/L)

Day 08: 6 Dec (Tuesday) Mountain villages - Wadi Bani Awf - Muscat
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and start our journey back to Muscat via the adventurous Wadi Bani Awf drive. The drive is very picturesque and involves off-roading and mountain driving. It is considered to be one of the best off-road driving terrains in Oman and this scenic drive will take us past the local mountain villages of Hat and Blad Sayt which lie in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains. The palm groves and terraced gardens between the stone walls at this beautiful village are a treat to eyes as you drive down. You also have the option to get off at Blad Sayt Mountain Village and do a beautiful 45 minute walk through the mountain tunnels to reach the opening towards the Snake Canyon. You'll also meet locals staying in mountains to understand their day to day lifestyle in the harsh mountain climate. Break for a picnic lunch in this beautiful surrounding landscape. Return to Muscat and check-in at the Muscat Holiday Hotel. Rest of the evening on your own at leisure. (B/L)

Day 09: 7 Dec (Wednesday) Muscat - Zighy Bay
After an early breakfast, check-out and board a mini-coach for your transfers to Zighy Bay. We will drive through the beautiful Batinah Coast to reach our destination. We arrive at Dibba and check-in at the elegant Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort for overnight. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. (B)

Day 10: 8 Dec (Thursday) Zighy Bay
Breakfast at leisure in the resort. This is your day at the resort to unwind, relax and rejuvenate yourself. Explore a variety of Spa and other activities that the resort offers. Overnight at Zighy Bay Resort. (B)

Day 11: 9 Dec (Friday) Zighy Bay - Dubai - Half Day City tour
After breakfast at the resort, check-out and meet our driver who'll transfer you to Dubai. On arrival in Dubai we check-in at the Dubai Majestic Hotel Tower. In the afternoon we will depart for a Half Day Dubai City Tour. The tour takes you through Jumeirah Beach Road, on to Majilis Al Ittihad (Union House) and the Flag, which is historically significant as the place where the 7 Emirates signed the treaty to form the Federation. We'll have a photo-stop at the Jumeirah Mosque, the grandest and biggest mosque in Dubai. From there you move on to Burj Al Arab and Wild Wadi, Dubai's premier water theme park where you can capture your souvenir pictures. The Burj Al Arab is Dubai's only 7 star hotel. Built on a manmade island, it is also the tallest hotel in the Middle East. En-route we pass through the "Jumeirah Palm Islands", and "The World" which are still under construction, hence access is not allowed at the moment. The Islands are manmade masses of land reclaimed from the sea, which when completed will be the largest man made islands in the world. Along the way we stop by Mercato, one of Dubai's premier shopping malls where you can have a taste of some of the premium brands. Our last stop is Dubai's Gold Souk via Shindagha Tunnel, Dubai's oldest tunnel which is actually built under the Creek. Walking through hustling alleys, we enjoy the aroma of exotic spices and find ourselves amazed at the sheer volume of dazzling gold jewelers. After the tour, we will head for dinner at a local restaurant. Later transfer back to hotel for overnight. (B/D)

Day 12: 10 Dec (Saturday) Dubai - Sharjah Full day tour
Today we'll be picked up from the hotel in Dubai and take a full day tour of Dubai and Sharjah. First, we head towards the Dubai Creek, where we will stop for photographs of the creek side. We'll pass by the Al Bastakiya's old-wind tower houses, which were built by the wealthy merchants of the past. Our next stop takes us to the historical Al Fahidi Fort, which has been converted into the Dubai Museum. The Museum is the 200 year-old restored Palace of Sheikh Saeed, which has important records of pearl diving and trading activities that went on. The tour takes us to the Abra station, where we will take an Abra (water ferry) to cross to the opposite side of the creek. We then have an interesting walk through the bustling alleys towards the spice and gold souks (markets). You will see the insight of Dubai's growth as a major trading centre. Next we proceed to Sharjah for a city tour. Sharjah is the third largest emirate in UAE and is known for its colorful souks and well-preserved Arabic monuments. Traditional resorted houses with walls made of sea corals characterize Arab craftsmanship. To get a flavor of the city, its local Arabic culture needs to be explored, which is best done in souks. Visit the Central Market, Sharjah's biggest market, and admire its picturesque location next to the famous Khaled Lagoon as you shop for interesting souvenirs and electronic goods. The narrow alley of Al Arsah Souk, brimming with silver jewelry, Indian handicrafts, Omani chests, daggers and antiques is created in a typical Arabic style. In the evening, we return to Dubai to visit the "The Dubai Mall". It is one of the largest malls in the world featuring a massive ice-skating rink, a giant aquarium with the largest screen in the world and more than 1200 stores. It also features a large food court providing a variety of food outlets. The Dubai Mall is located adjacent to the tallest building in the world - The Burj Khalifa. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 13: 11 Dec (Sunday) Departure
Breakfast at the hotel, and on your own until check-out. Transfer to Dubai Airport as per flight schedules. (B)

Included:

Accommodation in double rooms in the hotels / camps mentioned in the itinerary
Guided tour in 4WDs for 6 days
Arrival airport transfers in Muscat by luxury air conditioned coach
Departure airport transfer in Dubai by air conditioned coach
Muscat city tour by 22 Seater Mini-Coach
Muscat - Zighy Bay transfer by 22 seater Mini-Coach
Zighy Bay - Dubai transfer by air conditioned mini coach
Services of an English speaking guide throughout the tours in Muscat & Dubai
All sightseeing and activities as mentioned in the itinerary in Muscat & Dubai
Meals as shown in the itinerary
Entrance fees to forts + Turtle watching site + Bait Al Zubair Museum + other sites as applicable.
Highlight - Jabal Akhdar Mountain Walk with lunch at Omani House
Guide & Driver accommodation + Meals throughout the guided tour
Fuel costs during guided tour

Not Included:

Airfare
Visa charges (Muscat + Dubai)
Meals other than indicated on the itinerary, beverages, snacks
Expenses of any personal nature
Trip insurance

Single Supplement: $1140