Muscat Trip Overview
Jabal Shams, the highest mountain of Oman at 3000 m, the city of Nizwa with its beautiful souq, Wadi Bani khalid with the natural pools, wahiba sand desert and the sunset there.
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
Jabal Shams, the highest mountain of Oman at 3000 m, the city of Nizwa with its beautiful souq, Wadi Bani khalid with the natural pools, wahiba sand desert and the sunset there.
Itinerary
Day 1: Upon arrival in Muscat, you will be met in the arrivals hall and taken to your hotel.
Pass By: Muscat City Centre, Muscat Oman
Muscat City Center, Muscat, Oman
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Best Western Hotel – Muscat
Majan Hotel Muscat
Day 2: Muscat city tour (approx. 50 km)
Stop At: Al Alam Palace, Waterfront Oman
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and the free morning.
At 14:30, your tour guide will be waiting for you in the lobby. Drive to Marina Bandar al Rhowda. From here, the 4-hour boat ride starts at 16:00 along the coast
Muscats (motor boats).
After a short drive to the bay of Muscat, which is dominated on the flanks of the two forts Mirani in the west and Jalali in the east. Here is also the Al Alam Palace, where you have enough time for a walk and for photos.
Then it goes through the waterfront to the Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest souqs in Oman. The narrow, winding streets let
the area appear like a labyrinth. Everywhere it smells of sweets, spices, frankincense, incense, scented oils and perfume.
Here you also have time for dinner (not included). Overnight in Muscat.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Best Western Hotel – Muscat
Majan Hotel Muscat
Day 3: Muscat – Jabreen – Bahla – Jabal Shams (about 300 km)
Stop At: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Sultan Qaboos St, Muscat 113 Oman
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. You will be greeted at 08:30 by your tour guide in the lobby. Today’s journey begins with a visit to the Great Sultan Qaboos Mosque (opening hours for visitors from Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, excluding public holidays), the largest and most interesting mosque in the country. After six years of construction
can now pray over 6000 believers inside. The Persian carpet in the prayer hall has no less than 1.7 billion knots on its 70 x 60 meter area, the highest minaret is over 90 meters high, impressive craftsmanship and a huge chandelier impress deeply.
Then drive through the embassy district (please note that no photos may be taken in the embassy district). Nearby
There is also the interesting Natural History Museum, where you will spend about 1 hour.
Then leave Muscat and drive to Jabreen. In the heart of this wild, untamed landscape lies the residence Jabreen. Built by Sultan Bil’arub, this thoughtful building astonishes its visitors. Stucco work, paintings, wooden ceiling and sophisticated defenses are a feast for the eye. On the way to Nizwa there is a photo stop in Bahla, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been carefully restored (photo stop from the outside). The origins of this mighty fortress, which is the largest in the country, go back to about 1000 BC. They continue to Al Hamra. Change of vehicles. Then travel by 4×4 vehicles to Jabal Shams, the mountain of the sun, the highest mountain in the country. The first stop is Al Hamra, the Red City, a fascinating example of clay architecture. Embedded in the plant of a huge oasis, the observer is put into the past. Photo stop in Al Nahar, merging almost invisibly with the rocks, bounded by the mighty Wadi Ghul, this village presents itself to the beholder. Slowly, the off-road vehicles are working towards Jabal Shams, a natural spectacle unfolds in the high mountains. Cooling air signals the overcome altitude and the Grand Canyon of Oman, with a depth of over a thousand meters, offers a dramatic view. A hike completes the visit to the high mountains (optional).
Dinner and overnight on the Jabal Shams.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Jibreen Castle, Jabrin 612 Oman
In the heart of this wild, untamed landscape lies the residence Jabreen. Built by Sultan Bil’arub, this thoughtful building astonishes its visitors. Stucco work, paintings, wooden ceiling and sophisticated defenses are a feast for the eye.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Jabal Shams Resort
Sama Hights Resort
Day 4: Jabal Shams – Al Hamra – Misfat Al Abriyeen – Nizwa
Stop At: Nizwa Souk, City Center Close to the fort, Nizwa 611 Oman
Jabal Shams – Al Hamra – Misfat Al Abriyeen – Nizwa (about 200 km) After breakfast, drive back to Al Hamra with the 4WD vehicles, where you will visit a private museum. Then change the vehicles.
Continue to Misfat Al Abriyeen. After a detour to the village of Misfat, which is completely made of natural stone and sticks to a precipitous mountain slope, drive to Nizwa. Especially in the 17th century, Nizwa was thriving
Center of religion, philosophy, art and commerce. Today, Nizwa is one of the most visited tourist attractions with its historic buildings. The imposing fortress with its monumental fortress tower was built in the middle of the 17th century by Sultan bin Saif bin Malik al-Ya’aruba in twelve years to defend the way into the hinterland. The ascent to the huge, round cannon platform is a winding staircase with various false branches and false doors that should confuse possible intruders. From the tower you can overlook the whole of downtown Nizwa.
Drive to the hotel and check in at the hotel. You have some free time before you drive back to the center of Nizwa at 16:30. The Nizwa Souk is made up of different parts. The central areas are the West and the East Souk, the fruit and vegetable market with adjoining buildings for meat, fish and dates, the handicraft and sweet shop,
and the fabric and textile souk including various tailors. Nizwa is also known for its handmade Khanjar crooks and silver jewelery. Here you also have enough time for a dinner in a local restaurant (not included).
Overnight in Nizwa.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Falalaj Dari’s Hotel
Al Diyar Hotel
Day 5: Nizwa – Sinaw – Wadi Bani Khalid- Wahiba (about 400 km)
Stop At: Wadi Bani Khalid, Road 23 apprx. 40 km from Bidiyyah Muscat-Sur Road, Muscat 113 Oman
Continue to the wadi
Bani Khalid. After about an hour’s drive through small villages and towns you will reach the Wadi Bani Khalid. This wadi is one of the most beautiful and greenest wadis in Oman. The road leads you through the mountains and offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. In the shade of the palm trees ripen a variety of tropical fruits. The last part leads directly through the riverbed past thick, smooth washed boulders and past Falaj canals. The road ends at a small parking lot and you continue on foot to the wadi. The wadi is lush green overgrown and in the crystal clear, turquoise green shimmering water cavort numerous small fish.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Wahiba Sands, Jalan Bani Buhassan Oman
Subsequent drive to the sandy desert of Sharqiyah Sands (formerly Wahiba). This covers an area of 15000 km2. You will be picked up by experienced drivers in Al Wasil / Bidiyah and drive to the camp. This ride is done with 4WD
Vehicles – please note that max. 4 people per vehicle are allowed (when switching to the 4WD vehicles, there may be waiting times).
After arriving at the camp you will have enough time to relax or explore the area on a camel (the payment for
this service is provided directly on site)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Sama Al Wasil Camp,
Oryx Camp,
1000 nights camp.
Day 6: Wahiba – Sur – Wadi Shab – Bamah – Muscat
Stop At: Sur Maritime Museum, Wilayat, Sur Oman
Driving from the loneliness of the desert into the hustle and bustle of the industrial city of Sur, the contrast is immense!
But also Sur has its historical
Secrets, for centuries, the ocean-going dhows that dominated the Arabian seas were built here. Today, this tradition is lovingly maintained, at the moment, some dhows are under construction again. Testimonies of this period are the beautifully carved doors of Ayjah, a treasure in a land where wood was (and is) in short supply. Along the coast, drive to Muscat. On the way you make a stop in Wadi Shab. Hike in the wadi (optional). Continue to Muscat.
Overnight in Muscat.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Wadi Shab, 50km West of Sur, Sur 411 Oman
Along the coast, drive to Muscat. On the way you make a stop in Wadi Shab. Hike in the wadi (optional).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Best Western Hotel – Muscat,
Majan Hotel Muscat
Day 7: Muscat – Batinah tour and departure (about 280 km)
Stop At: Nakhal Fort, Wilayat Nakhal, Nakhl 323 Oman
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At 8:30 am, your tour guide will be waiting for you to drive to downtown Barkas, where you can watch the fishermen sell their nocturnal catch. Here you can also visit the traditional vegetable and fruit market.
A short drive will take you to the small private museum Bait Na’aman with a visit.
After this visit you leave the coast, cross the Batinah plain and reach Nakhl. Here you visit the mighty fortress of Nakhl, which was built directly in front of the gigantic scenery of the steep and barren Jebel Nakhl massif. This fort served the imams of Bani Kharous and the Ya’arubah dynasty. Recently the fort was extensively renovated and refurbished. Inside, many rooms have been furnished with traditional objects, and the ceiling paintings and wood carving have been repaired. The panorama from the observation tower is unique and offers a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. From the old village center of Nakhl a road leads through the date palm gardens towards Ain-Thowarah to the local hot springs. Relax near the springs, surrounded by green vegetation and steeply rising cliffs.
Then drive back to Muscat. On the way, guests are transferred to Millennium Resort or Al Nadha Resort or to one of the hotels in Muscat. Those guests flying back to Europe will be taken to the Best Western Hotel, where they can spend free time in the lobby or shopping.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
