Itinerary
Arrive at Muscat International Airport. After Immigration clearance, baggage collection & customs proceed to the arrival hall to meet the chauffeur and proceed to the Hotel.Check in at the Hotel (subject to check in time) & Overnight at the Hotel.
Morning after Breakfast Departs to visit the Grand Mosque (not possible on Friday & other public holidays), highlight of the Muscat city. Completed in 2001, Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks modern but shows that modern craftsmen have retained the skills necessary to create this wonderful traditional environment. It is impossible not to take more and more pictures. The handmade carpets, the chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are absolute 'must sees'. Kindly note, ladies to be fully covered and to carry a head scarf and men should wear trousers. We depart from Muscat and proceed to visit the Nizwa Round tower Fort (photo stop)& the Nizwa Souk. Drive to the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz. Enjoy a walk through the lush green date plantations. We proceed to Wadi Al Madeen. From here a 36 km stretch of winding road takes one to Jebel Al Akhdar (2000 mts above sea level) the green jewel of the Al Hajjar mountain ranges, a truly unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula. Enjoy the cool climate up in the mountains.Al Jebel Al Akhdar is famed for its fruit orchards typically laid out terrace style along the slopes of mountains, which are endowed with natural springs and aflaj. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) & Al Ain dot the landscape. The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis. The roses of Jabal Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance when in full bloom (March / April). Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers.(It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes).Proceed back to Muscat and Overnight stay at Muscat Hotel of choice.
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Morning after Breakfast Departs to visit the Grand Mosque (not possible on Friday & other public holidays), highlight of the Muscat city. Completed in 2001, Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks modern but shows that modern craftsmen have retained the skills necessary to create this wonderful traditional environment. It is impossible not to take more and more pictures. The handmade carpets, the chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are absolute 'must sees'. Kindly note, ladies to be fully covered and to carry a head scarf and men should wear trousers. We depart from Muscat and proceed to visit the Nizwa Round tower Fort (photo stop)& the Nizwa Souk. Our next stop takes us to Wadi Nakher located in the depth of our deepest canyon. Visit Misfah a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul. In the Jebel Akhdar range Jebel Shams the highest peak offers a spectacular view. (It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes).Proceed back to Muscat and Overnight stay at Muscat Hotel of choice.
Morning after Breakfast Departs to the Marina to embark on a boat as we search the seas for Dolphins and Whales. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometres from Muscat’s rugged coast. Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature’s most fascinating marine mammals.1000 Hrs. Pickup from the Marina Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the colorful Muttrah Souq. We 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. Proceed to visit Bait Al Zubair Museum to have a glimpse of Oman’s history. Overnight stay at Muscat Hotel of choice.
Check out the Muscat Hotel. Morning after Breakfast Departs by 4WD to Ras Al Junaiz via the scenic and rugged coastal route. This tour offers breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. We 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. We then proceed to 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 waters or fleet footed Gazelles sprint across the landscape. Arrive Sur and visit the traditional dhow factory. As we continue from here the road winds through mountain terrain offering breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the ocean enroute.Arrive Sur and visit the fish jetty and dhow factory. We continue our drive to Ras Al Junaiyz , a sanctuary for the green turtles. Check into the hotel.At night we have a short walk to the beach escorted by trained guides to watch the turtles coming into nest on the sands.Overnight stay Ras Al Hadd
Check out the Hotel. Morning after Breakfast Departs to visit Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water. It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes.The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. Experience a roller coaster like feeling as our experienced drivers drive you over the dunes. The Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouin tribe who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the sands. We will stop by a Bedouin family in their traditional and simple habitat. Returning to Muscat at approximately 1630hrs and drop off at Muscat hotel of choice.Transfer to Muscat Airport to catch flight for Salalah.Arrive Salalah and transfer to the Hotel & Overnight stay at Salalah Hotel of choice.Overnight stay at Salalah Hotel of choice.
Morning after Breakfast Departs to Visit the fishing village of Taqa, an old town with an interesting castle surrounded by watchtowers and Taqa stone houses. Proceed onward to Khor Rori creek, the site of the ruined city of Samhuram and capital of ancient Arabia’s frankincense trade. Excavations have produced evidence of an ancient city with trade links by sea to Far Eastern destinations and with even distant Greece. Mirbat, the ancient capital of Dhofar, was an important town as early as the 9th century for it’s trade in frankincense, horses and slaves. See some of the old houses famous for its woodcarvings. If lucky see boatloads of fish arriving into the harbor. One of Dhofar’s best-known historic sites is Bin Ali’s Tomb. The twin domed structure; tomb of Mohamed bin Ali who died in 1135 AD is a fine example of medieval architecture.1430 Hrs: Visit the Biblical “Nabi Ayoub” Prophet Job’s Tomb, perched high up in the “Jebels” (mountains). Enroute are spectacular views of the plains, mountain landscape and merald green pastureland. Proceed to Mughsail Beach where “Blow-holes”- (perforations in the limestone rock) through which sea water gushes during high tide. Experience the Hairpin Bend Roads for approximately 15/20 kms, which will take you to a wadi. The views are breathtaking due to heights involved. This is the road that takes you to the Yemen border. Enroute, the stark shape of leafless Frankincense Trees dot the landscape. Once traded as a commodity more precious than gold, frankincense harvested in Dhofar is rated the best in the world.Overnight stay at Salalah Hotel of choice.
Morning after Breakfast Departs to Check out from the hotel & transfer to Salalah International Airport to catch flight back home.
