Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Muscat International Airport, transfer to the Beach Hotel.
Day 2: Free leisure day at the hotel or optional half day city tour. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Leaving Muscat we will drive to Quriyat, like other ports it suffered under Portuguese supremacy during the 16th century.
We will drive trough Wadi Dayqah later passing Fins and Bimah with many tiny coves tucked beneath the cliffs and stretches of white sandy beaches lapped by an incredible turquoise sea. Near Dibab is a huge sinkhole known as Bait Al Afreet - "house of the demon" - with its clear green water. Concrete steps lead down the sides making swimming possible. We also go along the coast and through the coastal village of Tiwi to Wadi Shab, which means "gorge between the cliffs“. From there we will continue to Sur, the ancient seafaring town south-east of Muscat. For centuries the town was famed for its boat-building and became quite prosperous as a result.
We will go on to Ras Al Hadd which is located at the point where Oman's coastline turns south. Ras Al Junaiz is a marvelous bay with golden sand and honey-coloured cliffs, and beaches famous for their turtle nesting sites. These are some of the world's few remaining undisturbed concentrations of green turtles and of the largest nesting populations in the Indian Ocean. After dinner, under supervision, time will be spent on the beach watching turtles making nests and laying their eggs. Overnight we will set up our camping site. Includes: (FB).
Day 4: After breakfast our journey continues along the cost to Al Askhara from there we will drive across the Wahiba Sands along the amazing natural forest of Gaph trees, there will be many opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of this landscape. Arriving to the fishing village of Qurun and continue along the coast to Ras Al Ruways, Ras Al Ruways is visually stunning as this is where the dunes meet the Arabian Sea. We will set camp on the beach with plenty of time to enjoy the refreshing sea waters. Includes: (FB).
Day 5: Free leisure day in Ras Al Ruways. Includes: (FB).
Day 6: After breakfast more adventure awaits us today while travelling trough Al Khaluf and Ad Duqum. Ad Duqum is best known for its remarkable “garden” of windblown rocks. Foxes and hedgehogs are both resident among the rocks. Later we will head towards to the coastal village of Ras Madrakha which represents the point where the mainland juts furthest into the Arabian Sea. The beach here is a shell-collector’s paradise, with purple-rimmed spiny oysters, mussels, tritons and cones. You may even find the fragile egg case of paper nautilus. This is the place where we set up our overnight camp. Includes: (FB).
Day 7: Free leisure day in Ras Madrakha.Includes: (FB).
Day 8: Today we will travel past the magnificent pink lagoons of Al Kahil, than on to Ras Sawqrah, Shalim and the coastal village of Shuwaymiyah and enjoy a spectacular descent down the limestone cliffs and along the top of the beach to a town famed for its basket making. This is the place to find a wide assortment of tritons and conical auger shells. With the home of the Arabian Leopards above the hill of Jabal Samhan and the sea floating with thousands of cormorants below, this has to be one of the most inspiring places to camp on the coast.
Twelve kilometers into Wadi ash Shuwaymiyah you could be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled on the hanging gardens of Babylon. On the right hand side of the Wadi, a large oasis of date palms reeds and grasses appears. Above the first terrace of rock, a limestone waterfall plunges through a frill of maiden-hair ferns to the pools below. Naturally enough, this is the favorite haunt of camels and wild mammals and you even may spot hyena here. When the sun sets, and the canyon rims are dipped in gold, it’s an unforgettable place to be in. This is the place where we set up our camp. Includes: (FB).
Day 9: The only way of getting from here to Salalah is to head several hundred kilometers inland, skirting round the wilderness of Jabal Samhan and crossing the oil fields of the southern interior Marmul, than on to Thumrayt, for those who don’t feel ready to return to human company yet, there’s a remote & exciting off-road alternative via Wadi Dhahbun. Thick fig trees hug the wadi’s edge but the wadi is mostly associated with death.
After 46 km where the wadi narrows and tends to the east, remarkable pre-Islamic grave site are carefully aligned on an east west access. During khareef season the route is like geography lessons, as the entire ecology of the terrain changes in the space of the 68km route from arid desert wadi to subtropical valley. At any time of the year you can spot dozens of francolin fretting beneath the acacia, and hyrax. While arriving in Salalah it will be evening already. You will check into one of the hotels for your maximum comfort. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 10: Full day tour around Salalah. Salalah offers the visitor an enormous variety of things to see and do. The natural beauty of the surrounding area is breath-taking. This route celebrates the frankincense tree and its significance to Oman. This area even is recognized by UNESCO which has declared the entire frankincense trade route of southern Oman, including the archaeological sites of Sishr, Khawr Ruri and Al Balid, as a World Heritage Site. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 11: After breakfast we will head on to Empty Quarter – the largest sand desert in the world with its dunes up to 300 meters high. For us good enough to set our camp there. Includes: (FB).
Day 12: Today our journey to Nizwa, the origin of Islam in Oman, will take place. This is an 6 hours drive after which we will be happy to stay overnight in a hotel in Nizwa. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 13: Nizwa is major centre in the interior Region and clusters around its historical buildings, the traditional Souq and the imposing circular-towered fort built during the mid 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Yar'ubi. The town is a lush palm oasis stretching for 8km along two wadis. Water canals run through all parts of the Nizwa area. The most important one is Falaj Daris, formed by two streams, which irrigates a large part of the town. At the Souq, built in traditional style, you will find exquisite silver jewelry, intricately hand-made "Khanjars" (daggers), copper, weaving and other handicrafts. You visit the Nizwa Fort, The Souq,
Bahla - a delightful town - has retained its traditional characteristics and is surrounded by a 12km long protective wall, much of which still stands. You visit the famous Pottery Centre and Bahla Fort, one of the oldest in Oman, built in the late 17th century (UNESCO Heritage Site) on much earlier Persian foundations. Jabrin, designed as a residence, was built in the late 17th century. It displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings. You visit the picturesque mountain village of Misfah Al Abreen perched against steep cliffs halfway up the mountain. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 14: After breakfast we will check out from our hotel and drive to Al Jabal Al Akhdar. A part of the country where there’s abundant spring water and temperatures are several degrees cooler the rest of Oman. Gardens and orchards spill over with such abundance that farmers sometimes have trouble harvesting the fruit of their labour. And what fruits they are: Peaches, Pears, Oranges, Lemons are just a few cultivated on the “Green Mountain”. In winter the temperature can drop to -5 degrees and hail stones are not uncommon. The best time to visit is in April, when the roses are in bloom and many of the trees are full of fruit. Later we will drive back to Muscat. Overnight in Muscat at the hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 15: Free leisure day, in the evening we will have to say good bye to you at the Airport. During your flight you will have some time to think about the past days… Includes: (B).
Information on self-drive tour: While driving on your own, no overnight stays in roof tents are possible. However, you will be able to stay in normal high quality tents based on double occupancy as well. The rates for self-drive tours are without providing the food, but including soft drinks. Therefore you will be able to buy your preferred meals by your own which will be prepared with the help of our accessories. Due to the lower number of guides it is requested from our self-drive guests to set up and break the camps with the help of our guides by themselves and you will be responsible for preparing the food as well. This will give you the true experience of outdoor life in the Sultanate of Oman.
The rented cars will be Toyota Land Cruisers model 2007 or 2008. To be allowed to drive in Oman you will need to provide an international driver licence upon picking up the car. These ones are fully insured, however there is a percentage excess from RO 50 to RO 250 (depending on the car rental company) per car in case of an accident which will not be covered by M19492. The rates for self-drive tours are based on the minimal required amount of cars due to the number of guests. More cars can be taken with the respective result in price changes, of course.
Note: The driver is expected to drive carefully and in accordance with the traffic rules in Oman. He has to ensure to follow the instructions of our guides.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Due to the possibility to customize (changes in itineraries, different hotels) the tour rates may change. Price is depending on number of persons and on type (self-drive or not) as well. The exact prices will be given after finalizing the concrete itinerary upon inquiry.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Oman
Local Culture
Self Drive
Sightseeing
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