Brief Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN MUSCAT
Arrival Muscat International Airport. Meet & assist at the airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice for immediate check in. Breakfast at hotel. Late afternoon pick from the hotel to start on our half day Muscat city tour with a visit to the Royal Opera House. Next stop will be at picturesque Corniche and then to once walled “Old Muscat” district where you will visit the Bait Al Baranda Museum (A Cultural-History Museum with Folk Art, Maritime & Geology exhibits). This will be followed by a photo stop at the residence of his Majesty Sultan Haithm Bin Tarik, the Al Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali. Before ending the tour you will be strolling through Muttrah Souq, where you can bargain for Omani handicrafts and silver items prior to returning to the hotel. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay Hotel Ramee Guest Line.
Day 2: DESERT EXPEDITION (WAHIBA SANDS) (250 Km approx.)
Morning embark on a 4WD expedition to Wahiba sands. Enroute photo-stop at Fanja to view Wadi & Oasis and later pass via traditional Old Omani village Ibra, Al Mintrib. You will stop at each place for photo sessions. Visit Wadi Bani Khalid – an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains. It is one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman and its pools with clear deep blue water give you an opportunity to take a refreshing dip. Later proceed to Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. After some exciting sand dune driving which offers excellent thrills and chills for all, you will arrive at the home of a Bedouin Family in the desert, maybe you even feel like going on a short camel ride (at an extra cost payable directly). Continue to Wadi Bani Khalid, a beautiful oasis between the mountains, characterized by turquoise pools. Return to Muscat and overnight at Hotel Ramee Guest Line.
Day 3: MUSCAT / NIZWA-HERITAGE WHIRL (300 Km approx.)
Morning departure to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. This tour provides good insight on Omani history and its glorious heritage. Before reaching Nizwa you will visit stop to see the old village of Birkat Al Mawz. Walk through the plantations and small streets with crumbling houses. Later visit the powerful Nizwa Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, one of the most impressive forts in Oman and the traditional Souq. . 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. Bahla is also famous for its Fort, a UNESCO ‘World Heritage Site’. Afterwards 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. Return to Muscat and overnight at Hotel Ramee Guest Line.
Note: Nizwa & Jabrin Forts are open Saturday–Thursday: 09 AM – 04 PM & Friday: 08 AM–11 AM.
Day 4: HISTORY & NATURE TRAIL (NAKHL, RUSTAQ)
After breakfast we start our tour with a visit to the famous Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world. Afterwards we heads towards Nakhl & Rustaq via Seeb. Enroute visit Barka fish market followed by visit to Bait Al Numan Fort. Nakhl is an old Omani village and it lies on the foothills of the mountains near an abundant source of water which irrigate the surrounding extensive date plantations. Later pass narrow road through the town which winds up to the Al Thowarah Hot Springs, which is a popular picnic, spot. After spending some time at Nakhl we will continue for Rustaq (about 55 kms Southwest of Nakhl), once the capital of this area and always a major trading center of Oman. Later we will drive back to Muscat via Al Hazam and visit Al Hazam Fort. Overnight at Hotel Ramee Guest Line.
Day 5: MUSCAT
Day at leisure. Or 4WD Expedition to Waadi Shaab & Wadi Tiwi (Optional). Overnight at Hotel Ramee Guest Line.
Day 6: MUSCAT: Day at leisure.
Evening Dhow cruise along Muscat coast (Optional ). Overnight at Hotel Ramee Guestline.
Day 7: DEPARTURE FROM MUSCAT
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Check out in the evening at 7.30 proceed to visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and later enjoy the farewell dinner inside the Museum premises. After dinner transfer to Seeb International airport.
For more information Oman sightseeing tours & Oman itineraries you can visit our website www.sttoman.com or contact Assaraya Travel & Tourism LLC (Email: [email protected]).
