Spend 8 days exploring the Sultanate of Oman – from Muscat to Nizwa, the mountains and desert.
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Arrive at Muscat International Airport (flight details TBA). One of our representatives will meet you before the immigrations and assist you along with the immigration formalities. We then transfer you from the airport to your hotel in Muscat. Overnight in the Majan Continental Hotel / Shangrila Al Waha Hotel.
After breakfast, we will take you to Azaiba, where you will find the Grand Mosque, standing in stately grandeur. A visit to this beautiful piece of architecture is a must to all tourists. (Open to visitors every day from 0900 to 1100 hrs except on Fridays – Dress code: Ladies should wear attires that cover their arms and legs and wear a scarf to cover their heads. Gentlemen should wear normal shirts and trousers) From here we will take you into the heart of a world that has not changed in generations.
There is the bustling fish and vegetable souq where you can see the latest catch of fish and fresh vegetables & fruits from the farms. Capture the spirit of a bygone era. We will see the old city of Muscat and catch a glimpse of the old town through the eyes of bygone travellers who left their marks and images, collected and on display at the fine galleries and museums (Bait Al Zubair) in the heart of the Old Quarter. We take a photo stop at the Sultan’s Palace flanked by the 16th Century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. Return to the hotel in the afternoon (around 1330 hrs) and relax. Overnight in Majan Continental hotel (Deluxe room) / Shangrila Al Waha Hotel.
Check out from the hotel after breakfast and continue the drive to Nizwa while exploring the mountains of Oman. Stop at the Nakhl fort, spectacularly perched on a rocky prominence of the Western Hajar. From here, drive to Wadi Bani Awf, one of the most spectacular wadis in the country and a perennial favorite. As you drive into the wadi, after 1km, a deviation to the right will bring you to an impressive gorge, ‘the Snake Canyon’. The mark of the Snake Canyon begins with polished and rounded marble rock. The first half kilometers is fun hiking in a narrow section of the canyon. From here, we drive further to the charming village of Bilad Sayt. The first view of the town will come after you emerge from an improbable canyon cleft. It is like discovering a lost city, or seeing Petra for the first time. Picnic lunch at a camping spot. After lunch, we drive further on via Sharf Al Alamayn, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Hajar Mountains. The sudden drop makes a beautiful photographic moment. Drive back to Nizwa and check in at the hotel. Overnight at Falaj Daris / Golden Tulip Hotel.
After breakfast, proceed to Bahla, one of the oldest recorded civilizations in Oman. Artifacts found here date back to 3rd Millennium BC. There is the enormous Bahla fort here, which has earned a place in the UNESCO’s world heritage list of monuments. Today, Bahla is the pottery capital of Oman. We move on to Jabrin where we visit the famous fortress at Jabrin. The fort contains a maze of rooms with painted ceilings, impressive towers, courtyards, dungeons, secret passages, false floors, hidden corners, tunnels and escape routes. Then we move towards the mountains. First stop is at the old village of Ghul to see the abandoned Persian village.
Wadi Nakhr 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. We drive on to near 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. Picnic lunch near the rim. You will come across the Shuwawis (mountain people) hawking their blankets and carpets. On our return, visit Misfat Al Abrein, a picturesque village strapped on to 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. Return to Nizwa. Overnight at Falaj Daris / Golden Tulip Hotel.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and take a stroll in down town. The town is still a bustling centre for crafts and the silver souq is the best in Oman. Feel free to mingle with the crowd and let the Omani ambience take hold of you. Then visit the big round fort of the Al Yaruba dynasty. The Fort, which took 12 years to built, is famed for its 40m-tall round tower. It is worth climbing to the top of the tower to see the date plantation encircling the town and the view of the Hajar Mountains. Continue the drive further to the east in search of the golden sands of the Wahiba Desert. Drive via Ibra and visit the old abandoned mercantile village of Al Mansfah, which is worth examining. Much of the charm and character of this old village, which had known its heydays hundreds of years ago, has not washed away. Continue the drive to the Wahiba desert. Indulge in some thrilling dune bashing (not for the faint hearted). Drive up to a high dune and watch the sunset before you reach the desert camp, where a barbeque dinner and rest awaits you. Dinner and overnight in the Safari Desert Camp.
Wake up with the desert sunrise. After breakfast, check out from the camp and pay a visit to a “Bedouin” (local) house for an insight of their harsh life style. Experience the warm Omani hospitality with dates and “Khawa” (Arabic coffee). We then take you to the enchanting Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most scenic wadis of Oman. We drive past the village with its endless date plantations. Reach the magnificent Wadi. The pools are cool, deep and absolutely stunning. Feel free to plunge in and experience the crystal clear waters. From here, proceed to Bilad Bani Bu Ali. This town is overflowing with buildings, forts and mosques from bygone times. The main feature is the “Jami Al Hamoda Mosque” built in the 11th century A.H (After Hijrah). The mosque has 52 domes supported on a network of pillars. Continue the drive to Ras Al Hadd. Check in at Ras Al Hadd Beach resort and relax. After dinner, we head down to the beach to observe the nesting habits of green turtles that swim the length and breadth of the Indian Ocean. Dinner and overnight in Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel.
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and continue the drive to Sur, the old African port. Legend has is that this was the village of the world famous “Sinbad, the sailor”. Drive past “Ayjah Village” for an overview of the rich Omani architecture. From here start your journey towards the coastal road. First stop is at “Qalhat” where you will find the Tomb of Bibi Miriam, the only building left standing after the town was razed by the Portuguese in 1503. Then drive to Wadi Tiwi. The track winds and bumps past dwellings and through date plantations. This is a nice journey through this peaceful and fertile area, where palms reach to the sky and Bananas grow in profusion. The water from the mountains flows through sparkling pools and tiny waterfalls. A wide variety if native plants thrive, including tall grass and bushes, wildflowers and ubiquitous pink oleander.
Tiwi is known as “the Gorge of nine Villages”. The road ends at the village of Mibam at about 36km which takes about an hour to reach. We find a good perfect picnic place and have picnic lunch. After lunch continue the drive to “Fins Beach”, the white sandy beach. Enjoy a short walk on the beach while the warm sea water moistures your feet. Next stop is the “Bimah sinkhole”, a geological formation of the karst topography and a scenic wonder, before we pass through some spectacular mountain scenery up the coast as we make our way back to Muscat. Check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight in Majan Continental Hotel / Shangrila Al Waha Hotel.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Muscat International airport for your departure flight.
Call us for pricing. Prices depend on number of people in your party, time of year, level of services and inclusions. This tour can be combined with an eight day tour of the United Arab Emirates, or any of our destinations.
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