Intercontinental Hotel Muscat (5 Star) SUMMER SUPER-SAVER RATES

3 day / 2 night Package: $608.00

PROMOTION PERIOD 15 MAY 2011 – 31 AUG 2011

Price is per person in double/twin occupancy
$385.00 Single Supplement

BONUS OFFER At the above rates stay an additional night ABSOLUTELY FREE. *For stay extension please contact us at info@caravan-serai.com.

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

• Return Airport Transfers
• Half-Day Muscat City tour
• Full Day Sightseeing trip to Jebel Shams, Oman’s Highest Mountain at 3000mtrs by 4WD including a Picnic Lunch -OR- Full Day Sightseeing trip to Jabal Akdhar – “Green Mountain” by 4WD including a Picnic Lunch

PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

• Air Fare
• Visa Charges
• Expenses of any personal nature
• Tours & Meals other than mentioned in the inclusions
• Tips for drivers, guides, baggage handlers, etc.

REMARKS

• Rates are for stay in Mountain View rooms inclusive of breakfast and taxes.
• Muscat City tour includes visits to Grand Mosque, Museum, Fish & Vegetable market, Old Muscat area covering Al Alam Palace & forts and finally the Muttrah traditional Souq for some Handicraft shopping.
• Entrance fees included wherever applicable.
• Full day visit to Jebel Shams – Oman’s highest peak includes the rim walk, visit to the mountain village of Misfat Al Abrein & picnic lunch en-route -OR- Full day visit to Jabal Akdhar – “ Green Mountain” includes photo stop at ancient and abandoned village in Fanjah, interesting walks in Wadi Bani Habib / Shrejaya / al Ain or Aqur & picnic lunch en route - Soft Drinks & Water during all tours
• Services of English speaking guide/driver

ADDITONAL FEATURES AT THE HOTEL - Kids below 12 years eat for free with parents dining at the restaurant - Free access to kids play ground area in the garden

Jabal Shams Oman’s tallest mountain, Jebel Shams or the mountain of the sun, stands 3075 metres above sea level and lies towards the northern end of the Jebel Akhdar Range. From atop Jebel Shams one can view Wadi Nakhr below, known as the Grand Canyon of Arabia; vertical steep, cliffs drop down precipitously, from the summit of Jebel Shams to 1000 metres or more below. The spectacular Wadi Nakhr could be accessed directly by road through Wadi Ghul but a 4WD vehicle is a must. From atop the summit at Jebel Shams, you could view the spectacular gorge, more clearly, by taking a walk along the rim to the village of Al Khateem. For those less adventurous, the Grand Canyon of Arabia can be viewed from the edge of the summit itself. Atop the summit, carpet sellers are many and weaving carpets is a local industry. Men and women participate in making these lovely carpets and you would most definitely be cajoled into buying one of these local creations. There are many camping spots in and around the area and with temperatures cool and pleasant, Jebel Shams is a welcome getaway from the dust and heat of the plains.

Jabal Akdhar Often used as a misnomer to mean a specific place, Jebel Akhdar refers to a mountain range that encompasses the entire Saiq plateau, located 2000 metres above sea level on the Western Hajar Mountains. The main town of Saiq is located on the lower plateau. Due to the high altitude and moist atmosphere, the region is ideal for agriculture and farming. With temperatures that fall below zero in winter and with more precipitation than the rest of Oman, the villages in the region are blessed with greenery and vegetation, perhaps why these mountains are called the `Green Mountains’. Up atop the plateau, terraced farms can be seen resting beside valleys and wadis. With an ideal climate for fruit growing, the area has many orchards with pomegranates, apricot, peach and walnut. The area is also renowned across Oman for cultivation of roses and the production of rosewater. In the village of Al Ayn, pretty terraced farms grow the pink, many petalled Jebel Akhdar Rose. For hundreds of years, these villages have cultivated the rose plant to make rosewater, attar in Arabic, used to sprinkle guest’s hands after dinner from slender, long snouted silver vessels. These mountain areas are ideal places for hikers also. There are plenty of great walking routes and the hike from village of Aqur to Seeq is worth exploring, especially in spring, when the roses are in full bloom. Until recently, visitors needed permission to go up the Saiq plateau. Even today, there is a check post, en route the steep climb, for two reasons perhaps, one to ensure that only 4WD vehicles are allowed up the steep route and two, perhaps as a reminder of restrictive rules once put in place due to the fierce fighting that took place here during the Jebel wars.