The land of Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Sinbad the Sailor. A country full of surprises, a fascinating mix of Arabic traditions and modern technology and comfort. Beautiful nature, breathtaking landscapes, both above and below water. Mighty mountains in many hues, hiding green oases full of lush date palms and flowing streams. Wavy desert dunes in yellow and red colors.
Towns and villages with remains of forts and palaces from earlier times exude the atmosphere of 1001 nights. A population, cordial and cheerful, but also reserved and respectful, who welcomes visitors and proudly introduces them to this beautiful country,.
The best way to experience a new destination is through pure immersion, and there is nothing more immersive than an adventure tourism getaway. Discovering some of the world’s most exciting and most majestic places is what life is all about, and some of the very best experiences wait in the hidden extremes of Oman.
Oman is considered the gem of Arabia, with diverse landscapes that rival some of the world’s most popular travel destinations. From the mystifying openness of the Rub’ al Kali desert, to some of the most breathtaking canyons and caves that can be seen anywhere in the world, Oman is an adventurer’s playground where the intrepid traveler can combine natural beauty with physical excursions that both challenge and mesmerize.
Travel Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN MUSCAT
Arrive at Muscat International Airport and after clearing the immigration and Customs, meet your guide in the Arrival hall and proceed to your hotel. Check in. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay in Sheraton Oman – Deluxe Room (No Meal)
DAY 02: EXPLORE MUSCAT FULL DAY
Breakfast in Hotel
Explore the Grand Mosque in Muscat. Completed in 2001, the Grand Mosque is a beautiful building, which shows that modern artisans have retained the skills necessary to create a wonderful traditional environment. The carpet in the mosque is one of the largest carpets in the world, and was handcrafted by women. Women visiting the mosque are required to wear headscarves. You need to wear long trousers and cover your shoulders and head. No transparent dresses. During your visit to the mosque, get a chance to meet and talk to Omani women working inside the Islamic information center in the Mosque. You have the opportunity to discuss the social, economic and religious life of Omani women.
Drive to visit Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest and most traditional Souqs of the Arab peninsula, located in front of Muscat harbor. The Souq is known for its handicrafts like silverware, daggers, Pashminas, traditional cloth, new apparel and shoes, in addition to the famous Omani sweets (Halwa), spices and frankincense. Later drive to the Sidab Women’s Association. You will get a chance to meet the local women and learn about their work and their lives. They are creating handcrafted bags, as well as a few other items, which you are welcome to purchase. Have a cup of Omani coffee with them while talking. Enjoy the lunch at the Women Association.
Afternoon visit the National Museum, the Sultanate’s flagship cultural institution, which showcases the nation’s heritage from the earliest human settlement in the Oman Peninsula some two million years ago through to the present day. Drive to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Sheraton Oman – Deluxe Room (Breakfast & Lunch)
DAY 03: MUSCAT – NIZWA - JABAL AKHDAR
Breakfast in Hotel
Check out from hotel and drive to the historical city of Nizwa, the cultural capital of Oman. Explore the local Souq, one of the few in Oman featuring exclusively Omani goods, including pottery, hand-carved Khanjars (traditional daggers), Ornamental silver jewelry, Spices, and local delicacies. Visit the Nizwa Fort and learn about its history and architecture.
Drive to old village of Al Hamra and visit the Bait al Safah Museum, an excellent way to explore a traditional Omani house. You will see how families traditionally lived. Next, wander through the small village of Misfat Al Abriyeen. Walk through narrow alleyways between old stone houses and learn about the ancient irrigation system known as Aflaj. Proceed to the Jabal Akhdar and check-in the hotel.
Overnight stay in DusitD2 Jabal Akhdar – Deluxe room (Breakfast)
DAY 04: COOKING EXPERIENCE AND EXPLORE JABAL AKHDAR
Breakfast in Hotel.
Drive to the cooking class after breakfast. We conducted cooking classes for guests who are interested to learn Omani cuisine and indulge in the aromatic and delicious flavors. Our fun and joyful classes are conducted by Omani professional chef who are creative and have long experience in field. The menu of Omani authentic dishes contains a salad, main course, dessert, and drink. The participants are offered welcoming Omani coffee and our special dates on arrival.
(Menu: Welcoming Omani coffee and Dates, Rocca salad with Jabal Pomegranate, Chicken Qabouli, Sajo, Omani dessert & fragrant hot Custard, Omani Drink)
After lunch, proceed to visit Jebel Akhdar. The cooler mountain air and greaterrainfall encourage scented Damask roses (which bloom in March-April and are the source of the region's celebrated rose water), pomegranates, apricots and other fruit to grow in abundance. This tiny hamlet clinging to the edge of the cliff is typical of the villages on the Saiq plateau. Growing an assortment of vegetables and fruit in terraced allotments, it is kept fertile by water conducted along ancient irrigation channels known as Aflaj. Walk between Al Ain, Al Aqr and Ash Sherayjah villages. You will enjoy wonderful views and green surroundings as you walk through three mountain villages on small, old trails. The paths can have stairs, be steep, or run along irrigation channels. Learn about traditional village life. After this beautiful walk, Drive back to the hotel.
Overnight stay in DusitD2 Jabal Akhdar – Deluxe Room (Breakfast)
DAY 05: JABAL AKHDAR – IBRA – WAHIBA SANDS
After breakfast, check out and proceed to the village of Ibra for a special shopping experience. Once a week this Souq (on Wednesdays), opposite the main market, attracts women-only buyers and sellers from all over the region, selling a variety of handicrafts such as baskets, woven cushions and camel bags. Men are usually not welcome, and photographs are prohibited here in the only Souq in the country dedicated to female shoppers.
Continue to Wahiba Sands aka Sharqiya Sands, is a vast mass of undulating Red and White Sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters. The region also hosts a variety of flora and fauna. Home to the Bedouin, the sands offer visitors a glimpse of a traditional way of life that is fast disappearing as modern conveniences limit the need for a nomadic existence.
The sands are a good place to interact with Omani women whose Bedouin lifestyle affords them a more visible social role. Enjoy the drive through the stunning dunes and arrive at a Bedouin village, have a traditional Bedouin lunch from one of the houses. Later drive to the Desert camp and check-in. Sunset from nearby dunes. Dinner in the camp.
Overnight stay in 1000 Nights Camp- Sheikh Tent (Breakfast & Dinner)
DAY 06: WAHIBA SANDS – WADI BANI KHALID – RAS AL HADD
Breakfast in Hotel
This morning, proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid – an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. One of the most beautiful wadis in Oman with its clear deep blue water pools, where you have an opportunity to take a refreshing dip.
Then proceed to the coastal town of Sur which was renowned in former times for its shipyard, where the dhows, the traditional wooden Omani boats were built. Continue to Ras Al Hadd. After an early dinner at the hotel, you will visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz for a guided Turtle watching tour.
Overnight stay in Turtle Beach Resort, Ras al Hadd – Hamour room (Breakfast & Dinner)
DAY 07: SUR – MUSCAT
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. You start your day driving from the beautiful Sur-Muscat coastal road. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains. Enjoy Wadi Tiwi, an oasis well known for its lemon and date plantations. Proceed to visit the white sandy beach at Fins. Stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimmah and then continue to Muscat.
Overnight stay in Sheraton Oman – Deluxe Room (Breakfast)
DAY 08: DEPARTURE TRANSFER
Breakfast in Hotel
In time, transfer to Muscat International Airport for departure. It’s time to say Good Bye to Oman!!
INCLUSIONS:
- 07 Nights’ accommodation with Breakfast as per the itinerary.
- 02 Dinners on Day 05 & 06.
- 01 Lunch on Day 02.
- Tours and transfers on private basis with English speaking Guide-driver using 4WD.
- Day 06: Turtle Watch tour on sharing basis.
- Entrance fees for forts and museums wherever applicable as per the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water throughout the duration of the tour.
- All Applicable current taxes & 5% VAT.
EXCLUSIONS:
- Any International Airfare and their departure taxes.
- All items of a personal nature, i.e. curios, min-bar, telephone calls, laundry etc.
- All beverages (unless otherwise stated within the program)
- Any new Oman Government taxes
- Travel /Medical Insurance & Oman Visa
- Gratuities i.e. drivers, guides, hotels, restaurants, etc.
- Any services not mentioned in the “cost include”
Lufthansa City Center