General Information
Muscat, Wadi Shab, Ras Al Hadd, Sur, Wadi Bani Khaled, Wahiba Sands, Birkat Al Mouz, Al Sogara, Jebel Al Akhdar, Wadi Bani Habib, Nizwa , Jebel Shams, Al Hamra, Misfat Al Aberdeen, Bilad Sayt, Wadi Bani Awf, Rustaq , Nakhl, Muscat, Dolphin Cruise
Day 01
Arrival in Muscat- Welcome to Oman
Marhaba, Welcome to the Sultanate of Oman! Meet & Greet upon arrival at the Muscat International Airport (MCT) and transfer to the hotel. Depending on Arrival time,the day is divided into two parts relaxing and sightseeing in Muscat.
Arriving AM: Enjoy the comforts of your resort or take a scenic 30min drive to a serene Yeti Beach for sunbathing and swimming in the Gulf of Oman to recharge your batteries with a local picnic for lunch set on the sand on the beach. Continue with the PM program.
Arriving PM: Tour of Muscat City exploring the old town and making a photo stop at the Al Alam Palace the official residence of His Majesty which is flanked by twin Portuguese forts Al Mirani and Al Jalali. A visit to the Royal Opera House and Bait Al Zubair Museum will provide a wealth of information about the culture, heritage, and structure of the country. We will make a brief stop at Al Riyam Park and giant Incense Burner to admire the view of Sultan Qaboos Port and proceed to Corniche and Mutrah Souq where you will find Omani handicrafts like kumma caps, silver jewelry, perfume oils, frankincense, etc. Dinner at a traditional restaurant will follow.
A visit to Amouage perfumery is optional and can be arranged upon request.
Overnight stay in Muscat at a selected hotel or resort.
Day 02
Muscat- Ras Al Hadd
Muscat, Quriyat, Bimmah, Fins Beach, Wadi Shab, Sur, Ras Al Jinz, Ras Al Hadd
After breakfast, we tour the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the main place of worship in Oman. Thereafter proceed towards Ras Al Hadd, taking the Coastal Route. On the way, we make stops at the Quriyat fishing village, Bimmah sinkhole, and Fins white sand beach before reaching Wadi Shab, one of Oman’s most spectacular wadis flowing with fresh water between banana plantations and rocky trails. After a hike to the wadi, you will be able to swim from pool to pool and refresh yourself. Lunch at a local café.
Tour continues with a sunset stop in Sur. We will reach Ras Al Hadd in time for dinner and afterward, will make a short drive to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to observe how Oman’s great sea turtles nest and lay eggs on the beach at night. You may also have a possibility to see baby turtles hatching and making their first and so vulnerable journey to the sea.
Overnight stay in Ras Al Hadd or Ras Al Jinz at a selected resort.
Day 03
Ras Al Hadd- Wahiba Sands
Ras Al Hadd, Sur, Wadi Bani Khaled, Wahiba Sands
After Breakfast, we will pass by Sur and visit the wooden dhow boatyard, before arriving at Wadi Bani Khaled, a natural waterpark. It is one of the biggest and most beautiful wadis in Oman. Here you can explore the canyon and enjoy swimming in turquoise water pools surrounded by boulders and steep cliffs. Lunch with a local family at their home.
Then we drive to the Wahiba Sands to experience the magic of a true desert – almost a sea of constantly shifting sand. After a warm welcome to a local Bedouin house and sharing Arabic coffee with dates and getting a taste of nomadic lifestyle, inspiring sand dunes will call your name. You will surely enjoy the 4×4 dune-bashing, sandboarding, and riding a camel. It is also possible to rent a quad bike to complete your desert safari.
After sunset in the dunes, enjoy bonfire and dinner in a desert camp.
Overnight stay in the Wahiba Sands at a selected camp.
Day 4
Wahiba Sands- Jebel Al Akhdar
Wahiba Sands, Birkat Al Mouz, Al Saybani, Al Sogara, Jebel Al Akhdar
Sunrise in the desert is magical, totally worth getting up early.
After breakfast, we take you to Birkat Al Mouz, a beautiful settlement oasis that lies at the foothills of the great Jebel Al Akhdar mountain. We will walk between ruined traditional mud and clay structures around the abandoned old village of Al Saybani through banana and date plantations, examine the ancient Falaj Al Khatmeen water delivery system recognized by UNESCO World Heritage for Omani contribution to agricultural development.
Then we drive up the mountain road to the plateau of Jebel Al Akhdar for lunch with the Omani family. After stops at several jaw-dropping viewpoints (including Sayq and Princess Diana’s Point) and the historic village of Al Sogara, we check-in at the hotel. Dinner at own cost at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Jebel Al Akhdar or Al Sogara at a selected guest house or resort.
Jebel Al Akhdar
Al Ayn, Al Sharaijah, Wadi Bani Habib
Akhdar means Green in Arabic and by looking at lush fruit and vegetable gardens on the terraces build on the side of the mountain, it is easy to understand why it was given this appropriate name.
Today we will visit famous rose gardens. The man-made terraces in the villages of Al-Ayn and Al Sharaijah are covered in pink with native Damask roses and the scent of rose water from the local distilleries mixes with the mountain air. The rose harvesting season is from March till end of May.
Then we take a beautiful walk to Wadi Bani Habib along the edge of the mountain. You will be rewarded with spectacular views over the deep valley, garden plantations, and abandoned villages. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the hotel.
Free afternoon or hiking excursion upon request. Dinner at own cost at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Jebel Al Akhdar or Al Sogara at a selected guest house or resort.
Jebel Al Akhdar- Nizwa
Jabal Al Akhdar, Jabreen – Bahla , Nizwa
After Breakfast, we proceed to Nizwa, the old capital of the Sultanate and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. We will visit Round Tower Fort built in the 17th century and Nizwa Souq famous for its Friday cattle market with lively goat auction. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then we will make a short trip to Jabreen Castle, the finest castle of Oman, to witness the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings. On the way back to Nizwa, we will make a photo stop at Bahla Fort. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight stay in Nizwa or Al Hamra at a selected guest house or resort.
Nizwa- Misfat Al Abrieen
Nizwa, Jebel Shams, Al Hamra, Misfat Al Abrieen
After breakfast, we start to drive up the towering mountain of Jebel Shams and the deep ravines of Wadi Ghul to experience an untamed and rugged countryside, a pristine world interrupted here and there by tiny settlements. Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun) is part of the Hajar Mountain range and at 2,997 meters is the highest mountain of Oman.
Once we reach the top, we begin our hike called Balcony Walk alongside the mountain with unforgettable views of Wadi Ghul, Grand Canyon of Arabia, passing the lost village of Sab Bani Khmis and at the end of the trail will be rewarded with a waterfall. It is an easy return hike of 9 km in total which will take between 3-4 hours with all the stops. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then down the winding road, we go to Al Hamra heritage village to visit Bait Al Safa living history museum where locals demonstrate old Omani traditions in a restored 400-year-old mud-brick house and also have a possibility to take photos in national costumes.
Then continue to the picturesque mountain village of Misfat Al Abrieen where we walk between banana groves. It is here that you may find famous Omani natural mountain honey with magic powers. Dinner at a local restaurant.
In case not in a hiking mood, it is possible to visit Hoota Cave instead.
Overnight stay in Misfat Al Abrieen or Al Hamra at a selected guest house or resort.
Misfat Al Abrieen- Muscat
Misfat Al Abrieen, Bilad Sayt, Rustaq, Nakhl, Muscat
After breakfast, we drive to one of the most charming mountain villages ever, Bilad Sayt, where time seems to have stood still for ages.
We continue our journey along the Wadi Bani Awf road with spectacular views of the Snake Canyon till we reach Rustaq. After making a photo stop at Rustaq Fort, we drive to Nakhl where we will visit Ain Al Thawara hot water springs and make another photo stop at Nakhl Fort. Lunch at a local restaurant.
From Nakhl we drive to Muscat where you will spend the last night of the tour. Optional dinner at a traditional restaurant or at their own cost at the hotel/resort.
Overnight stay in Muscat at a selected hotel or resort.
Muscat – Dolphin Cruise
After breakfast, we will go on a Dolphin Cruise and you will have two choices:
- DOLPHIN WATCHING TOUR (2 HRS)
Start times: 10:00 AM
Basis:Shared (Private Optional)
- DOLPHIN WATCHING TOUR AND SNORKELING (3 HRS)
Start times: 10:00 AM
Basis:Shared (Private Optional)
Board a speed boat and enjoy the beauty of Oman’s coastline with breathtaking views of Muscat landmarks such as Al Bustan Palace, Qantab Village, Bander Jissah, Shangri-La Resort, Yeti Village, Al Alam Palace, Mutrah Fort, etc.
Our Captain will help you to identify different types of dolphins. The acrobatic spinner, the powerful bottlenose, and the common dolphins are most often seen in the Gulf of Oman. They could be courting, communicating, resting, socializing, nursing, or teaching their young, so view their fantastic display of sheer joy and exuberance, undisturbed. And, if it is a really lucky day, you may come across the giants of the sea – whales.
After the Sea Safari, you will have the possibility to do snorkeling for 1 hour in a stunning bay of Bandar Khiran. Oman ranks amongst the best snorkeling destinations in the world.
Lunch on local Omani restaurants.
After lunch, return back to the hotel in Muscat to prepare for the journey home.
Transfer to the airport.
FAREWELL, WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY!!!
