Brief Itinerary
DAY 01
Meet and assist on arrival at Muscat Airport by our representative.Transfer to the Hotel Shangri La – Al Waha.Welcome drink and fast-track check in.Later in the afternoon you will be embarking on a Cruise with a Dhow, the traditional wooden Omani boat. Enjoy the lovely Sunset, the panorama along the coast and the Welcome Dinner on board.Overnight at Hotel Shangri La – Al Waha.
DAY 02
Early in the morning, you will be met at the hotel for a half day City Tour. The tour begins with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. This will be followed by a drive along the picturesque Corniche to the once walled district Muscat where you will visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a private collection exhibiting the wealth of Oman’s history and thus imparting knowledge about the country’s rich culture and traditions to the visitor. This will be followed by a photo stop at the residence of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Al Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.Before winding up the tour you will be strolling through Muttrah Souq and then return to the hotel.Evening High Tea at the hotel with Oman Women Association members. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Shangri La – Al Waha.
DAY 03
After check-out at the hotel you start your fascinating roundtrip with the first leg taking you in southeastern direction along the coast to Sur. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains to the small fishing town of Quriyat. On the coastal road you stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimah and then continue to Fins, where we will stop at Fins Beach for a picnic lunch.You visit Wadi Tiwi, an oasis well known for its lemon and date plantations and then proceed to theBibi Miriam Mausoleum in Qalhat. Shortly after Qalhat you will reach the coastal town of Sur, where you will check in at the Sur PlazaHotel. You will enjoy a cooking lesson of a signature Omani dish by the hotel’s chef.After an early dinner at the Sur Plaza Hotel you will visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz, where at night the Green Turtles, after a journey of thousands of kilometers will come ashore to lay their eggs.You then return to Sur for the overnight at Sur Plaza Hotel.
DAY 04
After check out at the hotel you will first be taken on a short tour of Sur, renowned for its dhow shipyard in former times. Unfortunately, the operation at the yard has almost been completely shut down. You then continue on your roundtrip and your first destination will be 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 are a photographers delight.The afternoon is reserved for your desert experience. You drive into the Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand. After some exciting sand dune driving with your experienced drivers, you will arrive at the home of a Bedouin Family in the desert, where you will be invited for lunch. You will participate in Henna classes demonstrated by local Omani ladies and maybe you even feel like going on a short camel ride, before proceeding to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. Overnight at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa.
DAY 05
After check-out at the hotel in the morning you first stroll through the alleys of the Souq, famous for its Friday goat auction, ornamental silver, Bedouin jewellery and carved Omani khanjars (daggers) etc. You then visit the powerful Fort with its massive Circular Cannon Tower, one of the most impressive forts in Oman. You proceed to Al Hamra, where you visit Bait Al Safa, a historical Omani house and participate in a Cooking Lesson for traditional Omani Food. Enjoy an Omani Lunch with specialty dishes from the Dakhiliya Region and the interaction with Omani women from the region. Misfah, located close to Al Hamra, is an incredible village of ancient houses and narrow streets, perched in a valley amidst the mountains.
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. As the monumental fort is closed for renovation only a photo stop is planned. Bahla is also famous for its pottery and you will visit a potter’s workshop (not possible on Fridays and Public Holidays). 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.Overnight at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa.
DAY 06
On the way back to Muscat in the morning, you will be visiting an Omani Girls School. During a brief interaction with students and teachers you will gain some insight into Oman’s school system. At an Omani Halwa Making Factory, a local expert will give you some tips regarding production of this Omani sweet. After lunch, transfer to Muscat International Airport, either for the flight home or to Salalah for an optional 2 days xtension program.
Optional Salalah Program
Arrival in Salalah, the Capital of the Dhofar Region. Meet and assist on arrival by our representative and transfer to the Hotel Crowne Plaza Salalah. Overnight stay at Hotel Crowne Plaza Salalah.
DAY 07
Optional Salalah Program
You start the day with a visit to a Handicrafts Workshop run by local women. In one to one meetings with members and during a presentation by an expert you will come to know more about handicraft making. You will then visit the “The Museum of the Frankincense Land” at Al Balid. The museum opened in 2006 within the ancient harbour of Al Balid, houses many excellent works of art about the rich cultural history of the Dhofar Region. One hall depicting the Frankincense Trail History of the Sultanate, along with many audio/video presentations of the Omani Renaissance since 1970, fascinates the visitor to this site. Continue in westerly direction towards Mughsail you pass by scattered frankincense trees. Mughsail is proud of its idyllic beach and its spectacular ‘Blow Holes’, the water fountains.
The last destination of the morning is the Tomb of Prophet Ayub (Job) in the mountains north of Salalah. After lunch in Salalah you drive east to the old fishing town of Taqa. Taqa Fort, its landmark, was the Seat of the Wali, the mayor, until 1984.The impressive ruins at Sumhurum give insight into architecture and living conditions of a time more than 2000 years ago. The ruins of the palace of the legendary Queen Sheeba are also believed to have been at the same location. The adjoining port of Khawr Rhori was an important trade center and the main port for the export of frankincense. Just before Mirbat you reach Bin Ali’s Tomb. Ali was revered as a wise and holy man and over his tomb the twin-domed mosque was built. Next to the mosque you will see an old cemetery. Mirbat, the old capital of Dhofar is known for its old merchant houses, built in traditional ancient Omani architecture.Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza Salalah.
DAY 08
Optional Salalah Program
In the morning, you gather in the meeting room of the hotel, where the chef would give a lecture on how to cook Arabian dishes.After checking out at the hotel, stroll through the old Haffah Souq, famous for the sale of high quality frankincense and numerous other Dhofari traditional souvenirs. Visit the new Souq with ample opportunity for shopping, for example gold and silver. Lunch in Salalah, followed by the transfer to the airport for the flight to Muscat and on to Europe
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]).
