Muscat Trip Overview
This experience is a classical way of discovering Oman and its people. It offer visits to traditionals bazaars and old mountain villages. Forts, adventurous mountain tracks and dry river beds ( Wadis).
Additional Info
Duration: 7 days
Starts: Muscat, Oman
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Muscat Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Muscat, Muscat Governorate, Oman
This experience is a classical way of discovering Oman and its people. It offer visits to traditionals bazaars and old mountain villages. Forts, adventurous mountain tracks and dry river beds ( Wadis).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Muscat
Pass By: Muscat, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
On arrival at Muscat airport, our representative will greet you and you will be transferred to the Hotel.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Al Falaj , 4 star city hotel
Day 2: Muscat City Tour
Stop At: Muscat, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
This morning assemble at hotel lobby and depart for half day city tour of Muscat. We will start our tour with Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque the most exquisite Mosque in Oman. The developed part of the site, Including the fully consolidated areas and landscaping, covers 416,000 square metres. The Mosque complex (covering 40,000 square metres) is constructed on a raised podium in keeping with the tradition of Omani mosques that were built elevated from street level.It can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers and consists of a main prayer hall, ladies prayer hall, covered passageways, a meeting hall, and library which will eventually contain up to 20,000 books.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 metres. From design stage it took 4 years complete and 600 female weavers from province of Khurasan in Iran were involved.
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.
After Grand Mosque we drive towards Muttrah Souq – one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinthine alleyways beckoning with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted artefacts. A visit to this frenetic
pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience. Here, scents of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices float through the air. Other shops specialise in famous Omani khanjars (daggers), antiques, traditional silver jewellery, and handicrafts in copper, camel bone, wood, leather and hand-made Omani costumes. After Souq we then drive to Bait Al Zubair Museum. It consists of a concise collection reflecting the splendid Omani Heritage. The collection includes traditional Omani Weapons such as swords, daggers, rifles & their accessories, along with jewellery, cosmetics & costumes from various regions of Oman.We drive to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said 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).
Return to hotel
Overnight in Al Falaj Muscat
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Al Falaj, 4 star city hotel
Day 3: MUSCAT – IBRA – WAHIBA SANDS
Stop At: Wahiba Sands, Wahiba Sands, Ash-Sharqiyah Governorate
Check out from the hotel
At 0700hrs drive to Ibra and Visit the Ibra Women’s Market.
Wednesday is women-only market day for Bedouin from the surrounding Sharqiya Sands. A dusty square, normally filled with camels, goats and desert bric-a-brac becomes a ‘Designer`s Guild of the Desert` selling soft furnishings for the home or tent, together with clothing, textiles, make-up and jewellery for brides-to-be.
Most of the women are dropped off by their husbands driving Toyota pick-ups. Others living in the sands may walk for hours to reach Ibra on a Wednesday.
We then drive to Wadi Bani Khalid, this isconsidered one of the most beautiful wadi’s in Oman. The drive to Wadi Bani Khalid is through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, which offers a panoramic view of landscape below. We pass many pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Here the road winds down to the wadi along side a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation and ends at a village. We park our vehicles at this point and continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Enjoy a swim in the glorious grace of nature.
Later drive to Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. Experience a roller coaster like feeling as our experienced drivers drive you over the dunes. The Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouin tribe who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the sands. We will stop by a Bedouin family in their traditional and simple habitat.
Overnight in 1000 Nights Camp (B-D)
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in 1000 Nights camp, 3 star desert camp
Day 4: WAHIBA SANDS – SINAW – NIZWA
Stop At: Misfat al Abriyyin, Misfat al Abriyyin, Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate
Breakfast at Camp.
Check out from the hotel
At 0730 Hrs: We drive to Sinaw, the peaceful town of Sinaw, in A’Sharqiyah region is noted for its busy souq. In the open yard of the souk is the livestock market, where camels, goats and calves are auctioned and bartered. Bedu women in traditional dress, complete with their burnished indigo-dyed or black face masks (burqa’a), trade alongside men.
Besides its obvious economic purpose, the souk is an important meeting place for the Bedu to gather and socialize.
After Sinaw Souq, we drive to Jabrin and vist Jabrin Castle . A visit to Jabrin castle enables the visitor to recapture the atmosphere of medieval Oman. The 17th century fort is one of Oman’s finest castles and has some exquisite hand-painted ceilings. (The Jabrin Fort has two floors of steps to climb in order to view all the rooms and the terrace). Islamic inscriptions combine with secret hiding places for soldiers in the dining room.
Later we visit Al Hamra Village nestled in the foothills of the Jebel Ahkdar; its multistory mud houses are among the oldest preserved in Oman. Later we then visit Misfah, a pretty village with stone houses, precariously clinging to the side of a huge mountain cliff. The village is laden with date, lemon and banana groves.
Overnight in Falaj Daris Hotel Nizwa (B)
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Falaj Daris , 3 star city hotel
Day 5: NIZWA – JABAL AKHDAR
Stop At: Jabal Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate
0730 Hrs: This morning we visit Nizwa Souq. The main highlight in the Souq is the Cattle Auction that takes place every Friday. The Auction is the traditional way of selling the cattle’s like sheep, goats, cows, and camels. These are brought by their owners from nearby villages. This is what cannot be missed out if you are in Nizwa on Friday. Later explore the Souq. The impressive New Souq complex has been sensitively designed using Omani fort architecture and elegant Islamic arches. The air-conditioned halls of this souq are full of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, huge stacks of dates and freshly caught fish. This is still the best place to buy traditional silver “Khanjars” (hand- carved Omani daggers) and Bedouin jewellery, where silver is still sold by weight.
Later visit Nizwa Fort, The 17th century round tower fort nearby is Oman’s most impressive tower. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view gives visitors a bird’s eye view all around Nizwa and the surrounding plains – a sure delight for all avid photographers!
we then drive to visit the village of Barkat ul Mauz. Enjoy a walk through the lush green date plantations.We continue our drive through Wadi Al Madeen. From here a 36 km stretch of winding road takes one to Jebel Akhdar (2000 mts above sea level) the green jewel of the Al Hajjar mountain ranges, a truly unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula. Enjoy the cool climate up in the mountains. Al Jebel Al Akhdar is famed for its fruit orchards typically laid out terrace style along the slopes of mountains, which are endowed with natural springs and aflaj. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) &Al Ain dot the landscape. The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks , gorges and wadis. The roses of Jabal Al Akhdar fill the air with fragrance when in full bloom (March / April). Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers.
After the tour drive back to Nizwa
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Falaj Daris , 3 star city hotel
Day 6: JABAL AKHDAR – WADI BAIN AUF – MUSCAT
Stop At: Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Awf, Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate
Breakfast at hotel
After breakfast check outf rom the hotel and depart to Muscat via Wadi bani Auf. The route down Wadi Bani Auf is one of the Arabia’s great 4WD adventures and includes a visit to the village of Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village in the heart of the mountain range. These living landscapes are better than spectacular.
Later we arrive Nakhal and Visit Nakhal Fort, perched on a two hundred feet high hillock which offers a commanding and spectacular view of the entire oasis surrounding it. This famous pre-Islamic fortress used to be the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during the medieval times and offers the visitor the unique opportunity to step back into time and appreciate life as it was in those times. Later, stop at Nakhl springs, a tranquil and picturesque spot. Experience and enjoy the magnificent scenery by the springs. The charming surroundings around the warm springs are framed by the majestic Jebels (Mountains) and a dense green oasis.
Late in the afternoon, we then drive to Muscat
Arrive in Muscat and Check in at hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Al Falaj hotel , 4 star city hotel
Day 7: DEPARTURE TRANSFER
Pass By: Muscat, Muscat, Muscat Governorate
Breakfast at Hotel
Check out from Hotel ( Standard check out time by or before 1200 Hrs).
Departure Transfer to Muscat International Airport to board your flight back home.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
