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Holidays in Muscat Oman |
Short & Sweet 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 and pick up from Muscat Hotel
Drive to Nakhl Visit the Nakhl fort and springs and drive up the
Hajar mountains to Wadi Bani Auf Proceed to the village of Bilad
Sayt Picnic lunch at the peak of the Hajar Mountain. Visit the
villages of Al Hamra and Misfat Al Abreen
Check in to Golden Tulip or Falaj Daris / BB basis.
In 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. Between Nakhl and Rustaq
a hidden road leads up a 2000 mtr part of the Hajar Mountain range.
Stop at Wadi Bani Auf where the main attraction is the old houses
nestled on the slopes of the mountain and this Wadi is also well
known as the “snake gorge” because of the wide variety of desert
snakes that live here. Proceed to Bilad Sayt a village that is
famous for its clay houses and the Oasis in which the village
population lives. There is also an old family that breeds bees and
produces natural honey (one can also buy a bottle of the precious
nectar from this small family production).
After this visit, enjoy a picnic lunch at the peak of the Hajar
Mountain. After lunch we proceed to the villages of Al Hamra and
Misfah also known as Misfat Al Abreen. The village of Al Hamra which
boasts a set of ancient ruins and provides the viewers a beautiful
panoramic photo stop from the top where the village is situated on a
hillock. Misfah is a typical Omani village that gives guests an
insight of how the locals used to live centuries ago. The houses are
made of clay and mud in order to keep the interior cool even during
the summer months. Misfah has a falaj system and green terraces
which provides the population of Oasis dwellers abundant bounty in
terms of fruits (mango, papaya, banana and dates) and vegetables in
spite of the dry vegetation elsewhere.
Day 3:
Depart after breakfast
Visit Nizwa fort and souk
Drive to Tanuf Springs
Photo stop at Bahla
Visit Jabreen Castle
Drive up the Jabal Akhdar Mountain and picnic lunch at Diana’s point
Rose factory and rose water factory and terrace farming
Drive to Wadi Bani Habib and the old castle of the Imam
Visit Saiq and take in the beautiful views of the canyons around
Return to Hotel,Overnight at Golden Tulip or Falaj Daris on BB
basis.
Visit the Nizwa fort which has been strategically built atop a hill
overlooking the ancient with its colorful domes and bustling market
below. Then proceed on to the Oasis of Tanuf springs (where the
mineral water “Tanuf” is also bottled). Tanuf village has ruined
houses nesteled in the mountain side and these houses were destroyed
during the War of Al Jabal in 1953 (between Muscat and Oman – which
were considered two separate states). 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. 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. Proceed to drive up to 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 at the famous “Diana’s Point” named after
Princess Diana’s visit to the mountain. On the peak of the Jabal,
also experience the rose water making art and the beautiful terrace
farming fields. Then drive to Wadi Bani Habib. A most beautiful
dried up river bed which stretches about 20-30km. The wadi boasts a
rich heritage of Islamic culture and one can visit the Old castle of
the once all powerful “Imam”. From here visit the point of Saiq from
where any photographer would be proud to capture the breathtaking
views of the ancient mountain range that forms large and small
canyons.
Day 4:
Pick up after breakfast and check out
Drive to Wadi Maedeen
Visit the village of Birkat Al Mauz
Lunch in local restaurant
Drive to Wahiba Sands
Check in to Desert camp
Sunrise optional for early risers
Overnight at DESERT CAMP (SUPPLEMENT LUXURY CAMP $130 pp) on HB
basis.
After breakfast and check out visit the Wadi of Maedeen. This Wadi
is located at the foot of the Jabals and has a beautiful natural
spring water source. From this wadi we head in the direction of
Birkat Al Mauz or “village of clay”. There is a full settlement of
clay ruins (ancient houses) that are still partially inhabited and
was once very famous for the banana plantations, now more so for the
date plantations. One can also see how the traditional irrigation
system that was used centuries ago and till date functions as the
village uses it to nourish the Oasis. Enjoy a meal of local Omani
cuisine (meat or grilled fish with rice) and fresh salads. The camp
is the only one of its kind at the Wahiba Sands. The setting in the
bare wilderness of the desert emphasizes the beauty of the virgin
golden sand dunes surrounding the camp. The camp’s serene
environment and simplicity is a wonderful experience after our daily
urban lives in the city. Sleep sheltered by Bedouin style
accommodation under a roof of starry skies and enjoy the once in a
lifetime experience! Enjoy a traditional Arabic meal, Omani coffee
and dates.
Day 5:
Pick up after breakfast at the camp
Drive Via Ibra to Muscat
Check in Haffa House / Park Inn or similar on BB basis
Day 6:
Day at leisure / check out 12 noon
Departure Transfer to Muscat International Airport
INCLUSIONS & SPECIAL REMARKS:
• English speaking guide
• Bus, Coach or salon/4WD vehicle for the tour (depending on
passenger 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 Muscat 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!**
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