6 Days 5 Nights Private Program with Daily Departure – Sample Itinerary, Quotes on Request
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN MUSCAT AND MUSCAT HALF DAY CITY ORIENTATION TOUR
Arrive at Muscat International Airport. Meet and assist then transfer to Radisson Blu Hotel.
1530: Meet your English speaking guide in the hotel lobby to begin a half day city tour. Start in the old city of Muscat and catch a glimpse of the old quarter through the eyes of the bygone travellers who left their marks and images now collected and on display in the fine Bait Al Zubair Museum. Have a photo stop at the Sultan’s palace flanked by the 16th century Portuguese Jalali and Mirani forts. After, visit Oman’s largest indoor shopping market – Muttrah Souk -built in traditional style. There you will find exquisite silver jewellery, intricately hand-made ‘Khanjars’ (daggers) and other handicrafts. Your guide will take you to the best of the old and new shopping outlets and help you bag a few bargains. After the half day tour, transfer back to the hotel for the rest of the evening at your own leisure.
Overnight at: Radisson Blu Hotel.
DAY 2 MUSCAT (GRAND MOSQUE) – SUR – RAS AL HADD (TURTLE WATCHING AT RAS AL JINZ)
0830 After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and meet your English speaking guide in the lobby to start your guided tour using 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers. Begin with a drive to the Grand Mosque with its rich Arabian architecture. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and a must for tourists to Oman. (Open daily for visitors between 0800-1100, except Fridays. Dress code – Women should wear attire covering their arms and legs and should cover their head with a scarf. Men should wear normal shirt and trousers). After the mosque visit drive the coastal road towards Sur. Take a photo-stop at the Bimah sinkhole which is a geological formation and scenic wonder. Continue to Wadi Tiwi, known for its scenic location and great surrounding landscape. A picnic lunch will be provided en route. In the old African port of Sur visit the famous Dhow building yard which lies on a sheltered lagoon. You’ll be amazed to see the craftsmen still building dhows following traditional designs without the aid of drawings. Later check-in at Ras Al Jinz Scientific Visitors Centre, which is a marvellous bay with golden sands, honey-coloured cliffs and beaches famous for turtle nesting sites. Free time for early dinner at the hotel (cost not included). After dinner you’ll be taken on a guided tour to observe the nesting habits of the giant female green sea turtles before returning to the resort for overnight.
Overnight at: Ras Al Jinz Scientific Visitors Centre. (B/PL)
DAY 3 RAS AL HADD – JALAN BANI BU ALI – WADI BANI KHALID – WAHIBA SANDS
After breakfast, check-out and start your journey towards the mighty Wahiba Sands. Drive along the Eastern coast, famous for its pristine beaches and interesting migratory bird watching sites. The drive provides some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visit the settlements of Jalan Bani Bu Hasan and Jalan Bani Bu Ali which are known for traditional Arabic architecture and culture.
Continue to Wadi Bani Khalid which is one of Oman’s most beautiful Wadis with its endless date palms and crystal clear water. Hike and swim in the inviting pools before continuing to the undulating golden sands. Free time for lunch at local restaurant (cost not included). The Wahiba Sands are longitudinal dunes 200km long and 100km wide running south from the Eastern Hajar Mountains to the Arabian Sea. Enjoy some exciting Dune Bashing over the golden sand dunes before checking in at the Safari Desert Camp. In the early evening we drive up to a high dune to witness the desert sunset before returning to the camp. Enjoy a traditional Bedouin-style dinner at the camp under the starlit sky.
Overnight at: Safari Desert Camp. (B/D)
DAY 4 WAHIBA SANDS – MANSFAH – JABAL AKHDAR (GREEN MOUNTAIN) – NIZWA
Wake up with the desert sunrise. After breakfast, check out of the camp and drive towards the beautiful Jabal Akhdar Mountains. First, visit the ruins of Mansfah located in the old town of Ibra before continuing the journey on a scenic mountain route up to the roof of Oman, the Saiq Plateau, which for hundreds of years has been accessible only by donkeys. Jebel Akhdar, ‘Green Mountain’, as it is popularly dubbed, offers discovery, adventure and a fascinating insight into life in one of the most inaccessible places in the Sultanate. After reaching the Saiq plateau, experience a sense of awe as you witness nature’s primordial beauty seen in the soaring peaks and plunging canyons. The terraces on extremely steep mountain slopes are particularly impressive. The weather throughout is very cool and dry. Take an interesting walk through the beautiful Wadi Bani Habib and the Aqur village located in the mountains. Free time for lunch, (cost not included). After the full day tour head to Nizwa and check-in at the Falaj Daris Hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at: Falaj Daris Hotel. (B)
DAY 5 NIZWA – BAHLA – JABRIN – NIZWA
After breakfast at the hotel head out for a full day heritage tour. Nizwa clusters around its traditional Souk, historical buildings 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 jewellery, intricately hand-made “Khanjar” (daggers), copper and other handicrafts. Then travel to the village of Bahla known for its rich tradition of pottery and weaving. Visit the famous Pottery Centre and Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in Oman, built in the late 17th century on much earlier Persian foundations. Bahla has been placed in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites for its cultural antiquity. Continue towards 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 ceilings, dungeons and hidden passages. Free time for lunch at an Omani local restaurant (cost not included). After the tour, return to Nizwa via Wadi Tanuf known for its scenic location and surrounding landscape. Return to hotel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight at: Falaj Daris Hotel. (B)
DAY 6 NIZWA – WADI BANI AWF – NAKHL – MUSCAT
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and you will first make a stop to visit Al Hoota cave which is estimated to be over 2 million years old, Al Hoota Cave is located at the foot of Jabal Shams, Oman’s epic Sun Mountain. It is the first and only show cave in the Arabian Peninsula with a total length of around 4.5 km, of which just 500 meters is easily accessible to the general public. Thereafter, start your 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 will take you past the scenic local mountain villages of Hat and Blad Sayt which lie in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains. The palm groves and terraced gardens between stone walls in these beautiful villages are a treat to eyes as you descend. You’ll come across some of the locals living in these mountains and understand their day to day lifestyle in the harsh climate. Break for a picnic lunch in this beautiful landscape. Finally, visit the town of Nakhl which is well-known for its large fort and natural springs. Return to Muscat and drop off at Muscat International Airport for your departure flight. (B/PL). End of the tour.
Includes:
- Accommodation on twin share bed and breakfast basis at hotels/desert camp (or similar) listed in the itinerary.
- Transfers from airport to hotel and return in air-conditioned vehicles (on first and last day of tour).
- Transport on tour in air-conditioned 4 wheel drive vehicles.
- Entry fees to forts, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Al Hoota cave and Turtle Watching Centre.
- Soft drinks and bottled water during tours.
- Meals listed in itinerary (B=Breakfast, PL=Picnic Lunch, L=Lunch, D= Dinner).
- English-speaking driver/guide. Guide meals and accommodation during the tour.
Excludes:
- Visa charges
- Christmas, New Years, Eid and other holiday supplements if applicable
- Meals apart from those mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activity or expenses which are not listed under “cost includes”
- Expenses of any personal nature
Opening timings: Nizwa Fort and Jabrin Fort: 0800-1600 Saturday to Thursday, 0800-1100 Fridays.
Grand Mosque: 0800-1100 Saturday to Thursday. Bait Al Zubair Museum: 0900-1700 Saturday to Thursday.
Program is operated daily on a private basis and can be reversed or adjusted as required to suit flights or preferences.
Validity: SAMPLE PROGRAM – PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE NOW!!!
