MUSCAT

Muscat offers an unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. Our morning tour of the Grand Mosque (except Friday) & Bait Al Zubair Museum (except Friday) is a brief introduction that traces Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market & the colorful Muttrah Souq. Proceed for a photo stop, to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali. (Ladies fully covered and to carry a headscarf and men in trousers).

Afternoon at Leisure. Overnight in Muscat. (B)

MUSCAT - NIZWA

Depart Muscat at 1000 hours. En route to Nizwa, the former capital of Oman, visit the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz with its unique Falaj system and date plantations. Drive past the Bahla Fort which has been declared a World Heritage site. At the village of Bahla, one can view potters at work.  Proceed to visit the Jabrin Palace where the visitor is able to capture the medieval atmosphere and marvel at the beautiful hand painted ceilings and carved door frames.

Visit Wadi Nakher located in the depth of the deepest canyon. Head for Jebel Shams and pass by the village of Wadi Ghul with its stone dwellings. One can spot the local weavers selling their goat hair rugs woven on traditional looms. Enjoy the spectacular view from Jebel Shams with a vertical drop of 1000 meters to the Wadi below. Overnight stay at View Camp. (B D)

NIZWA - SHARQIYA SANDS

Enjoy the cool air up in the mountains. Enjoy a small trek if so inclined and admire the awe-inspiring scenery. Nizwa town is dominated by the Round Tower Fort completed in the 17th century. The nearby traditional souk sells clay pottery, silver jewellery, guns and local produce.

Later proceed to Sharqiya Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and White Sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters, which are, also host to a variety of flora and fauna. Experience a roller coaster like feeling over the dunes. Overnight in tents at The 1000 Night Camp (B D)

SHARQIYA SANDS - RAS AL HADD

Breakfast at the camp. Later, enjoy a spot of dune driving in the Sharqiya Sands, Take a turn off the main road to the scenic Wadi Bani Khalid with its deep blue pools of water fringed by the date palms which is an ideal spot to relax or enjoy a refreshing swim. Proceed to Ras Al Hadd and check into the hotel. At night, we have a short drive to the Ras Al Jinz Scientific Centre where we are escorted to the beach by trained guides to watch the turtles nesting on the sands. (B)

RAS AL HADD - SUR – MUSCAT

Post breakfast, proceed to Sur. En route see the ruins of Bibi Miriam’s Tomb can be seen at the village of Qalhat. Stop at Fins beach for a swim. The next stop is the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom. On clear sunny days while driving along the coast one might chance to see sharks in the deep blue water or fleet-footed Gazelle sprint across the landscape. Overnight in Muscat. (B)

DEPART MUSCAT

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel at 1200 hrs. Later transfer from Muscat hotel to Muscat international airport for your flight back home. (B)