Cultural Journey: Soul of Oman
Khimji's House of Travel
The Soul of Oman
7 Nights/8 Days
Travel Itinerary:
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.
Day 01: Arrival in Muscat
On arrival at Muscat airport, our representative will greet you and you will be transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight stay City Seasons Muscat
Superior room
Day 02: half-day Muscat city tour [04 hrs.]
Breakfast at Hotel
0830 Hrs, This morning we will start our tour with visit to Grand Mosque the most exquisite Mosque in Oman.
A major feature of the main prayer hall is the hand-made Persian carpet consisting of 1,700 million knots, Weighing 21 tones and made in a single piece measuring 70 x 60 meters.
Note: Ladies visiting the mosque are required to cover their head with scarf and do not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless outfits as they are to be fully covered. Men are required to wear long trousers. No shorts are allowed.
We drive to old town of Muscat and visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. It consists of a concise collection reflecting the splendid Omani Heritage. We drive to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty, the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (A brief photograph stop from outside only).
We then visit Muttrah Souq – one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. After shopping at Souq you will be transferred back to hotel.
Overnight stay City Seasons Muscat (B)
Superior room
Day 03: Full Day Muscat - Nizwa /Bahla/Jabrin
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning, drive to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. You visit the powerful Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, one of the most impressive forts in Oman and the traditional Souq. Then you proceed to Jabrin castle built in 17th century is one of the finest of its kind. Its magnificent plasterwork, the carved doors and the painted wooden beams of the ceilings makes this castle amazingly different. Thereafter continue to Bahla, one of the oldest small towns of Oman and in the 12th century the capital of the tribe living in the region. Only a photo stop is planned at the monumental fort. Bahla is also famous for its Pottery. After the tour we check in at the hotel.
(Nizwa & Jabrin forts are open Saturday–Thursday: 0900 – 1600 & Friday: 08 00–1100)
Overnight stay Golden Tulip Nizwa(B)
Standard room
Day 04: Nizwa – Wahiba Sands
Breakfast at hotel
Morning check out from the Hotel and you will drive to Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating sea of red and white sand dunes. It is also host to a variety of flora and fauna. Here, we will have sand dune ride in our Land cruiser (4 WD), more so, as we go deeper and deeper into the sands of Wahiba. The whole area is breath taking, and has scattered habitations of the Bedouin and their camels moving about. Evening dune bashing followed by sunset watching and later overnight at the camp (3*/4*) in the desert.
Overnight at Sama Al Wasil Camp (B-D)
Standard Chalet
Day 05: Wahiba Sands – Al Ashkarah
Breakfast in Camp.
Today you will explore wahiba Sands and meet different Bedouin tribes living nomadic life in the de-sert. Apart from that, you will visit some nearby old mudbrick villages like Jalan Bani Bu Al and Jalan Bani Bu Hasan. Both famous for Arabian horse breeding.
Stop at The 500 year old Al Hammouda Mosque in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali is an architectural masterpiece that has kept traditions alive. Besides being a functional mosque, it is also a tourist attraction.Located in Al Dhahir, the mosque is famous for its characteristic 52 domes is built in beautiful geomet-ric design.
Al Ashkharah, a town of great tourist attraction, in Wilayat Jalan Bani Ali is located in the Ash Sharqiyah region. The place lies 80km from Ras al-Hadd and 90km from Ras al-Jinz. The name Al Ashkharah is believed to be obtained from Acacias trispinose, the trees which grow in abundance here.
Overnight at Atana Stay Al Ashkhara (B-D)
Standard room
Day 06: Al Ashkarah –– Sur
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, we will drive to Sur. Once, this coastal town was famous for dhow building. Dhow is the famous Arabian sea-going ships. You will visit the dhow-building shipyard.
Visit of Sunaysilah Castle. This Castle was built on a hill overlooking As Sunaysilah Village in A'Sharqiyah South Governorate. The fort’s length is 35 metres and is 30 metres wide. It includes four circular towers, three of which have cannons and the fourth was used for surveillance. As Sunaysilah Castle has a gate overlooking walls that stretch for 55 metres and lead to a roofed and open courtyard. Leisure in the afternoon and after an early dinner(own cost) you will have a guided tour of turtle watching on the seaside where at night the Green Turtles, after a journey of thousands of kilometers will come ashore to lay their eggs.
Overnight at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (B-D)
Carapace room
Day 07: Sur – Wadi Shab - Bimmah Sinkhole - Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning we start driving back to Muscat along the scenic coastal route. The road winds along the rugged coast, through beautiful valleys, and past white sandy beaches with breathtaking views. Further, you drive to Wadi Shab, Reroute you will see lush villages surrounded with dates, lemon & mango plantations. It is one of the most beautiful wadis, and their pool with clear deep blue water gives you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. On the coastal road you will stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimah, and then continue to Fins Beach. Drop back to Muscat by late evening.
Overnight stay City Seasons Muscat (B)
Superior room
Day 08: Departure from Muscat
Breakfast at hotel
You will have breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the airport to catch your return flight. (Standard check out time 1200 Hrs.)
Package includes:
- 07 Nights’ accommodation in on BB basis.
- Arrival & departure transfer by 4wd with English speaking driver.
- Service of English speaking guide DRIVER from day 2 to day 7 as per itinerary.
- Entrance fees for forts and museums wherever applicable.
- Mineral water throughout the duration of tour.
- Meals as mentioned ( B – Breakfast , L – Lunch & D – Dinner).
- All Applicable current taxes & 5% VAT.
Package does not include:
- Any International or domestic Airfare and their departure taxes.
- All items of a personal nature, i.e. curios, min-bar, telephone calls, laundry etc.
- Any meals (unless otherwise stated within the itinerary.
- Any new Oman Government taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities i.e. drivers, guides, hotels, restaurants, etc.
- Any services not mentioned in the “cost include”
Validity: 01st October 2023 – 30th April 2024
Blackout dates: 20th Dec 2023 – 7th Jan 2024
Lufthansa City Center