Day 1: Muscat
Arrive at Muscat International Airport. After immigration clearance, baggage collection & customs proceed to the arrival hall to meet the chauffeur and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight.
Day 2: Muscat - Half Day City Tour
Breakfast. Pickup from the hotel to visit the Grand Mosque (except on Friday & other public holidays), which is the highlight of the tour. The Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks modern but retains tradition. The handmade carpets, the chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are absolute ‘must sees’. Please note, ladies to be fully covered and carry a head scarf and men should wear trousers.
Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the colourful 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 of Mirani and Jalali. Next, visit Bait Al Zubair Museum for a glimpse of Oman’s history. Return to your hotel.
Overnight.
Day 3: Muscat - Dolphin Cruise
Breakfast. Transfer to the Marina to embark on a boat to search for dolphins and whales. Enjoy your trip and learn about nature’s most fascinating marine mammals. Return to the Marina and then to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight.
Day 4: Muscat - Wahiba
Breakfast. Depart by 4WD vehicles to Wahiba Sands via the scenic and rugged coastal route. Enjoy breath-taking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. Drive past the fishing village of Quriyat. There is a good chance of spotting flamingos and eagles at an inland stream. Visit the picturesque Wadi Arabayeen with its deep pools of water set among the date palms.
Continue to the Bimah sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom. On clear sunny days, you may see sharks in the deep blue waters or fleet-footed gazelles sprinting across the landscape en route.
Arrive in Sur and visit the traditional dhow factory. On to the Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters, with a variety of flora and fauna. Enjoy a roller coaster-llike ride over the dunes.
Overnight.
Day 5: Wahiba - Al Jebel Al Akhdar
Enjoy breakfast at the camp. Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouin tribe known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the sands. Visit a Bedouin family in its traditional and simple habitat.
In stark contrast to this, is Wadi Bani Khalid made up of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water. Do wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Proceed to Al Jebel Al Akhdar, famed for its fruit orchards laid out in typical terrace style along the mountain slopes, endowed with natural springs. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) and Al Ain dot the landscape and overlook dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis. The roses of Jabal Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance in March / April. Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers. Do wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Overnight.
Day 6: Al Jebel Al Akhdar - Nizwa - Muscat
Breakfast. Check out and proceed to Nizwa, capital of the interior and the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. Photo stop at the famous Round Tower Fort built in the 17th century and its Souq, renowned for its Friday cattle auction. Buy intricately hand carved “Khanjars” (daggers) & ornamental silver jewellery. Proceed to the Muscat airport.
End of Tour.
