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Day 1: Muscat
Arrival at Muscat International Airport. After immigration and baggage check, you will enter at the general arrival hall and will be met by our Italian speaking guide who will assist you to comfortably embark your vehicle and leave for Hotel. You will arrive at hotel. Standard check In time is 15:00 hrs. Hotel will try to allocate rooms upon arrival if same is available otherwise, guests can use hotel facilities till the time room is allocated.
HIGHLIGHTS OF OLD TOWN OF MUSCAT
By around 1530 Hrs leave for old part of Muscat and visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. 1600 Hrs visit Bait Zubair Museum was initially founded as a house by a rich merchant, who had a hobby of collecting antiques and doing photography. Later, he converted his house to a Museum in 1998 showcasing the culture and artefacts of Oman. After the visit of Museum at around 1700 hrs, continue your drive to official palace of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos. Al Alam Palce is flanked by two Portuguese fort Jalali and Mirani. Jalali Fort has been completely refurbished and now used as a Museum for guests of State and Royal Family. This will be an outside photo stop only as visit to Palace and Fort is not possible due to security reasons. Jalali Fort has been completely refurbished and now used as a Museum for guests of State and Royal Family. This will be a outside photo stop only as visit to Palace and Fort is not possible due to security reasons. Muttra Souq is one of the oldest souq in Oman and the narrow alleys of souq with mystic smell of sandal wood make a great atmosphere. It is a place where you can communicate with local people and can buy souvenirs for friends and family. After spending sometime at the souq , return to hotel. Overnight stay at Muscat hotel. Todays meal plan : DINNER ONLY
Day 2: Muscat
After breakfast, visit the Great Mosque, one of the largest in the world that can accommodate 20,000 worshipers.
The Grand Mosque has beautiful artwork, chandeliers, and a unique carpet that covers the entire prayer hall.
To visit it you need to be dressed appropriately. See-through clothing should not be worn and women should be covered from head to toe. Children under 12 are not allowed inside the mosque. After the visit we continue to Barkha and its fish and fruit and vegetable market.
After visiting Barka we will continue to visit Al Ghasham Castle which is located near Nakhl. This is a 200 year old castle that belongs to one of the royal families. It has a lot to offer a traveler in search of knowledge. You will learn more about the culture and traditions of the old era.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch in a local restaurant, dinner
Day 3: Wahiba Sands
After breakfast , meet your guide and vehicle at lobby for exploring interior part of Oman You will be driving on the black top road and will reach at Quriyat Village, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea. The fisherman goes every morning in sea to catch fishes and then they sell in the market (located at the beach). The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower.
Continue drive towards Bima Sink hole. On arriving at Sink hole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom and this stop will also be a rest stop. Enjoy sometime at the Bima Sinkhole .We continue our drive to Wahiba Sands. The 'Wahiba Sands' often described as a perfect example of Sand Sea consists of large ranges of dunes running from North to South, some attaining a height of about 100 mts and orange in color. We will use the Desert camp 4WD’s to transfer to the Desert Camp. We will drive through the undulating sand dunes to experience the thrills of dune driving before reaching campsite. Dinner and overnight stay Desert camp. Today’s meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch at local , Dinner
Day 4: Al Hamra
Breakfast at the Campsite. Meet your guide and embark your four wheel drive vehicle to leave from campsite. You will arrive at the main road and continuing your drive to Wadi bani Khalid . “Wadi bani Khaled’ in arabic means natural oasis. Arrive Wadi Bani Khaled and visit. Wadi Bani Khaled stands a complete contrast to Wahiba Sands. It is like an oasis in the desert with clear green natural spring water pools. Enjoy a short walk in the Wadi .
We proceed to Jabal shams, which means Sun mountain. This is one of the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula, rising to an altitude of approximately 2800 metres above sea level, and has a number of slopes and peaks. Every time a tourist reaches a slope, he’ll find that it leads him to another, until he reaches the mountain peak. Life on the peak is different from what most people are used to, as the weather is mild in summer and cold in winter. You can enjoy the surroundings before proceeding to your mountain camp. Dinner and Overnight stay at resort at Jabal shams mountain. Today’s meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch at local , Dinner.
Day 5: Nizwa
Breakfast at the camp. We will use the four wheel drive vehicles to come down to the foothills. We will proceed to Visit Al Hamra Village. It is characterised by its alleys, traditional buildings, mud buildings, and agricultural terraces, along with the old buildings. The homes of its inhabitants are at the top of the mountain and their farms are on the slope. Its houses standing side by side in close proximity look like terraces waving up and down with the mountain’s terrain . We will continue our drive to Bahla mud fort.
Since 1987, its name has been included in the World Heritage Sites List. Bahla Fort includes: Bahla Oasis with its traditional souks, old alleys, ancient mosques, and its wall that extends over a distance of approximately 13 kilometres and whose construction dates back to the pre-Islamic era. Originally, Bahla Fort was built in the third millennium BC. The length of its South façade is about 12 kilometers, while its eastern façade is about 114 metres. It is evident that the Bahla Wall, which extends over 12 kilometers, with its terraces, apertures for opening fire and guardhouses, was designed for defense purposes.
After the visit of Bahla fort, continue to Nizwa, the cultural capital of Oman. The Oasis city of Nizwa was once the capital of Julanda Dynasty in the 6th and 7th Century AD. Today it remains as the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings and imposing fort. Arrival and check into Nizwa hotel. Today’s meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch at local , Dinner
Day 6:
After early breakfast gather at the lobby of the hotel and meet your guide for the tour of Nizwa .The Oasis city of Nizwa was once the capital of Julanda Dynasty in the 6th and 7th Century AD. Today it remains as the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings and imposing fort. Arrive at Nizwa Souq and visit. Every Friday, there is cattle market at the souq wherein cattle sellers auction their cattle to locals. They move with cattle in the souq and do the bidding for their cattle. This is an old market for cattle and atmosphere is electrifying especially before Eid. After the visit of Souq walk towards the Nizwa fort .
Visit the Nizwa fort with its enormous round tower built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya’ aruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area, with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is only by means of a narrow twisting staircase barred by heavy wooden doors, studded with metal. From the top of the tower one can get a bird’s eye view of the Nizwa city. (Nizwa Souq closes by 09:30 hrs and Nizwa Fort and closes by 11:00 hrs on Fridays).
Later visit Birkat Al Mauz. Birkat Al mauz is a place where locals grow date palm trees. Pass through the old village and the farms of date palm trees. Your guide will explain the complete cultivation process as well as old irrigation system in Oman – Falaj System.
Depart to Muscat Airport or drop at your hotel at Muscat. Today’s meal plan : Breakfast and Lunch at local restaurant.
