7 Days Oman Discovery from Muscat

DAY 1: Arrival to Muscat Arrival at Muscat International airport, after visa and immigration formalities the tour representative will meet and escort the guests to already waiting air-conditioned vehicle for transfer to hotel. Overnight: Muscat DAY 2: Muscat (70km) After breakfast at the hotel, your car will be delivered by the tour staff. Then depart from the hotel to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that has a remarkable architectural achievement. As a contemporary place of worship it serves as a spiritual landmark for modern Oman, projecting the values and aspirations of the Omani people. As an edifice, it maintains a perfect balance between aesthetics, culture and deeply rooted Islamic tradition. After the visit to the mosque we continue to Bait Baranda museum, which showcase the history of Muscat. We will then visit Old Muscat, surrounded by steep mountains and flanked by twin 16thcentury forts Jalali and Mirani, also see the Al Alam Palace, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ residence. Then proceed to Bait Al Zubair Museum. Bait Al Zubair is itself a part of Muscat heritage. Sheikh Al Zubair who served three former Sultans, founded the house in 1914 and his son Mohammad Al Zubair opened it as a museum in 1998. Its carved doors open up into a fortress style reception. The museum includes traditional Omani weaponry, jewellery, costumes, domestic utensils and recreated urban and rural environments. Then drive through the scenic beauty of the corniche, stop at Muttrah - the main port and commercial centre, and explore the colorful historic souk. This is a real souk with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling all manner of textiles, jewelry, traditional Omani perfumes (bukhoor - made of frankincense), souvenirs and antiques. Meal: Breakfast Overnight: Muscat DAY 3: Muscat – Nizwa – Jabreen – Al Hamra – Nizwa (250km) After breakfast at the hotel, depart to Nizwa. On arrival explore the city, which was once the capital of Oman and retains its charm as an enduring reminder of traditional Oman. Visit the 17th century round tower fort and the bustling souk known for its silver and copper handicrafts, famous for its artistic crafting. Then continue to visit the most impressing fortress in the Sultanate of Oman: the fortress of Jabreen. Continue to Bahla for a photo stop, which was once protected by a 37 kilometer long wall, which is now under renovation by the UNESCO. Continue to the palm groves at Al Hamra. Stop in the small village of Misfah, where we will visit the villages and return back to Nizwa. Meal: Breakfast Overnight: Nizwa DAY 4: Nizwa – Wahiba (250 km) After breakfast at the hotel, start your day by exploring further the city of Nizwa. Afterward, proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid, a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains. Enjoy an incredible view and a chance to capture the scenic beauty with your camera. Investigate the surrounding area on foot. Proceed to Wahiba and meet our 4x4s waiting at the edge of the desert to transfer you to the desert camp. Wahiba deserts are the vast, ever shifting dunes support an astonishing variety of wildlife and host different kinds of flora and fauna. The quick changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. Wahiba sands are also the home to a few thousand Bedouins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. On this day, you will park your car in an allocated area as agreed with the camp outside the desert and take the 4x4 cars booked for you to reach your camp. Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Wahiba camp DAY 5: Wahiba Sands – Sur – Ras Al Hadd (200km) After breakfast we leave the desert and we proceed to the sea-faring town of Sur and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. Take back your vehicle and you can go to Jaalan Bani bu Hassan Castle via Al Kamil. This Castle was built during the reign of H.E. Sa’id bin Sultan during the first half of the thirteenth century AH, corresponding to the first half of the nineteenth century AD. The circular castle and rises to a height of 8 meters with a 50 meter diameter. It is surrounded by an external wall whose area exceeds five thousand square meters, and has two main gates; one is in the east and the other in the west. Explore more on this region, before proceeding to Sur, famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. Visit Bilad Castle and continue on the coastal road passing through high cliffs and small fishing villages – reach Ras Al Hadd for your overnight stay. You will have an opportunity to do a night visit to watch Turtles (Optional). Meal: Breakfast Overnight: Ras Al Hadd DAY 6: Ras Al Hadd – Sur – Muscat (340km) After breakfast at the hotel, take the new coastal road to Muscat via Qalhat. Very little remains of the ancient city of Qalhat, save for the now dome-less mausoleum of Bibi Maryam. The city served as an important stop in the wider Indian Ocean trade network, and was also the second city of the Kingdom of Ormus. Covering more than 60 acres (240,000 m2), the ancient city was surrounded by fortified walls that contained houses and shops. Artefacts from as far away as Persia and China were found on-site, we will pass by the small fishing villages, reaching Sinkhole a part of a collapsed mountain filled with sea water. Then we will continue our route to reach Quriyat a small fishing village before reaching Muscat. The drive will be through the newly asphalted road and the visits will be adjusted accordingly. Meal: Breakfast Overnight: Muscat DAY 7: Departure from Muscat After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free morning for leisure. Check-out from hotel before 12:00 (noon). Handover your vehicle to the tour staff at a prefixed timing. Your Hotels accommodation planned for this trip will be: * Muscat: City Seasons 4* City Seasons Hotel Muscat redefines the business hotel category in Muscat, combining unparalleled luxury with contemporary elegance and comfort. Located on Al Sultan Qaboos Street, City Seasons Muscat is in the heart of the Capital's diplomatic and commercial district and is an actual milestone to the country’s business accomplishments. * Nizwa: Golden Tulip 4* Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel is a 4 star deluxe property built in the charming traditional Omani style architecture. Recently renovated, the hotel is furnished with care and beautiful taste offering all the comforts and amenities for business and leisure travelers alike. * Wahiba: Arabian Oryx 4* In the heart of the golden sands of Sharqiyah Desert nestled among stunning and ever changing patterns of dunes, Arabian Oryx Camp offering a luxurious Bedouin style accommodation that confines of the private Bathroom, a myriad of free high-end Toiletries are at the guests’ disposal. * Ras Al Hadd: Ras Al Jinz 4* Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is truly a unique destination. Earlier established to help monitor the fascinating and amazing nesting processes of these aunts of the marine turtle world, it now hosts numerous visitors form different countries realising their wishes to witness a once in a lifetime experience.