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Holidays in Muscat Oman |
Nature & Culture Tour - Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival at Muscat International Airport.
Meet and assist.
Transfer to hotel.
Check-in & Overnight @ (4* City hotel Haffa House / Park Inn or
similar on BB).
Day 2:
Breakfast.
Nakhal / Rustaq / Ain Al Kisfa / Al Thowara
Picnic Lunch
Overnight @ (Al Sawadi Beach on BB)
Drive to visit Rustaq and Nakhl. Rustaq is famous for its hot water
springs. The hot springs (Ain Al Kisfa) are said to have medicinal
value and in the olden days people used to travel far and wide just
to take a healing dip in the waters and experience the nostalgia of
days gone by. Also visit the Al Hazm Fort in Rustaq (photo stop).
The fort is known far and wide for its beautiful gates which are
adorned with verses from the Holy Koran and flower etchings. The
next stop is Nakhl which also has the highest fort in Oman, standing
proudly on top of a hillock. Proceed to the Al Thowara Oasis where
one can witness the source of the natural springs. Enjoy a picnic
lunch en-route.
Day 3:
Nizwa/Bahla/Jabreen Forts / Nizwa Souq / Tanuf Springs
Overnight @ (Golden Tulip / Falaj Daris hotel on BB)
Visit the Nizwa fort which has been strategically built atop a hill
overlooking the ancient village with its colorful domes and bustling
market below. From here, proceed on to the Jabreen castle (45 km
from Nizwa), the finest of Oman’s castles built during the late 17th
century, which became a seat for Omani education and learning. The
castle displays beautiful ceiling paintings and intricate wood
carvings. On the way back to Nizwa, halt at the Bahla fort (photo
stop), the oldest and first Omani fort to be built in the Islamic
style. In Bahla also visit the pottery unit that makes earthen-ware
which is famous for this region of the country. Then proceed on to
the Oasis of Tanuf springs (where the mineral water “Tanuf” is also
bottled). Return to Nizwa for lunch at a traditional local
restaurant or picnic lunch.
Day 4:
Breakfast.
Grand Canyon Tour (4WD).
Picnic Lunch.
Overnight @ (Golden Tulip / Falaj Daris Hotel on BB)
Oman’s Grand Canyon is situated amidst the rocky terrain of the
Jabal Shams mountain which over 3,000 meters is high making it the
highest mountain in Oman. The word Jabal Shams literally means
“Sun-Mountain” in Arabic. The view from the top over the Grand
Canyon is absolutely breathtaking. The trip will be with a 4WD. The
Jabal Shams is the highest peak in the 700 km long Hajar mountain
range. You might even be pleasantly surprised to see a few shepherds
accompanying their grazing sheep! Experience an untamed and rugged
countryside, a pristine world interrupted here and there by tiny
settlements.
Day 5:
Breakfast Wadi Al Madeen / Jabal Akhdar / Wahiba Sands (4WD)
Picnic Lunch.
Overnight @ (Desert Camp on HB)
**OPTIONAL LUXURY CAMP AT $130 per person surcharge**
Drive (same direction as Nizwa) to visit the Jabal Akhdar, or Green
Mountain in Arabic (2800 M above sea level). The trip is a 4 WD ride
up the precarious mountain side. A picnic lunch will be provided,
en-route. After lunch proceed on to the peak of the green mountain,
where you may enjoy the breathtaking view from the top. Proceed to
Wahiba Sands is a vast mass of undulating red and white sand dunes
rising up to 200 meters and stretching as far as the eye can see. It
is also a host to a large variety of flora and fauna and
everchanging patterns of dunes which are a photographer’s delight!
Enjoy an exhilarating round of “dune bashing” in 4 WDS. The sands
are the traditional homes of the nomads and the Bedouins, so it is
common to see them moving through the desert with their camels. In
the middle of the desert, stop to visit a Bedouin home.
Day 6:
Breakfast. Wadi Bani Khalid / Turtles watching (4WD)
Picnic Lunch
Overnight @ (Carapace Hotel or similar on BB)
Wadi Bani Khalid, a beautiful Wadi indeed. The wadi has clear deep
blue waters, where the shade of the palm trees are inviting for a
relaxing siesta! Catch a glimpse of the pretty villages scattered
all over Wadi Bani Khalid as they cling precariously to the slopes
of the rugged mountain-side (Please bring along your swim-wear, the
clear waters of the Wadi are very inviting! Also please note that
light clothing and walking shoes may be more suitable on this trip).
Drive on to Sur. Check-in to the hotel. After a refreshing shower
and dinner, drive to Ras Al Jinz - assemble in the main lobby of the
of the scientific research resort Carapace around 21:00 hrs. where
the rangers will divide you into groups of 10-15 people. Proceed on
a 15 min walk to the place where the green turtles nest on the calm
beaches of Ras Al Jinz (people with walking problems – such as older
people will be transported by bus). The turtles can be seen late at
night (21hrs to 23hrs) and then again early in the morning (about 04
am). Enjoy this natural phenomenon - an experience that is
guaranteed to stay in your memory for a long time.
Day 7:
Breakfast.
Sur City Tour / Wadi Tiwi & Shab / Qalhat / Bibi Miriam / Bimah
Sinkhole (4WD)
Picnic Lunch
Overnight @ (4* City hotel Haffa House / Park Inn or similar BB)
In Sur visit the fishermen’s harbor and witness the fishermen in
action. Proceed on to the Dhow building yard. Dhows are traditional
Omani wooden fisher boats that are even today, built by hand. Drive
back off road to Muscat visiting the tomb of Bibi Miriam in Qualhat,
Wadis Tiwi & Shab, white beaches of Finns, Bimah Sinkhole and the
fishing village of Quriyat.
Day 8:
Breakfast & Check Out
Muscat City Tour & Drop off to Muscat International Airport.
The first stop on the Muscat City Tour is the Grand Mosque, a most
beautiful architectural piece of work. The Mosque was built over a
period of 6 years from 1995 to 2001. The main chandelier is made of
pure Swarovski crystal and weighs 8 tons and is definitely a MUST
SEE! The trip also takes you to the Muttrah Souk, the oldest and
only Souk in the capital where you may stock up on Omani souvenirs.
The Sultan’s Palace stands proudly in the old city of Muscat with
the two Mirani and Jalai forts on either side. These forts were
built in the 17th Century by the Portuguese. Also visited on this
trip is the Museum – Bait Al Zubair that houses and presents the
true traditions and history of Omani Culture.
INCLUSIONS & SPECIAL REMARKS:
• English speaking guide
• Bus/ Coach or salon/4WD vehicle ( depending on pessenger numbers
and routing )
• Picnic lunches on all full days of the tour (or local restaurant)
• Mineral water on board vehicle
• Entrance fees if and where applicable
• Accommodation at selected Hotels/Camp
• Accommodation at hotels in MCT mentioned above or similar
alternatives
• Meal Plan at hotels as mentioned above in itinerary
• Sites as mentioned on the program description – kindly note some
sites that are subject to closure due to religious festivals,
Government holidays and some due to weather conditions and
seasonality.
• Operation of package upon request and subject to availability
• All taxes and service charges included
• Standard Airport transfers included
**Fridays and Public Holidays – Grand Mosque and Museum closed!** |
