Day 1 Masqat
Arrive at Masqat airport, where you will meet your driver. Transfer to hotel and overnight in Masqat.
Day 2 Masqat city tour and two-hour boat trip (approx. 80 km) (A,L)
Breakfast and departure at 9.30 for a city tour of Masqat. Masqat, the capital of Oman, is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East – archaeological excavations show that a fishing village stood there as early as 7000 years ago. It is a city where traditional architecture meets stunning beaches and bustling souks. The minarets and domes of the mosques reach skywards from the Arabic-style houses.
On a city tour, you will visit perhaps Oman’s most important mosque, the Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboo, with a Swarovski crystal chandelier hanging from its dome and a huge hand-woven Persian carpet covering the floor. Next, visit the bustling Muttrah souk area, a traditional oriental marketplace where you can not only soak up the atmosphere but also the heady smell of spices. A visit to the Bait Al Zubair Cultural Museum where you can see a display of Omani weapons and costumes, as well as a model of an Omani village.
In the old town of Masqat, you will discover traditional costumes, jewellery and tools at the Bait Al Zubair Museum and make a short photo stop at the Sultan’s Al Alam Palace. From the Old City, you will take a two-hour boat trip to the Masqat coast. On the way back to the hotel, there will be a photo stop at the Royal House of Guides. Overnight in Masqat.
Day 3 Masqat – Jabreen – Al Hamra – Jebel Shams – Nizwa (approx. 350 km) (A,L)
After breakfast, departure for the Omani interior. On the way, stop and visit Jabree Castle, built in the 17th century.
Later, arrive in Al Hamra, change to an SUV and continue to the highest mountain in Oman, Jebel Shams (3 075 m). Known as the Mountain of the Sun, Jebel Shams is part of the Hajar Mountains. You can also admire the stunning scenery of the Wadi Nakhar Canyon, also known as Oman’s Grand Canyon, which is over 1,000 metres deep. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the former capital of the country, Nizwa, for a sightseeing tour. There you will also visit a 17th century fortress dominated by a mighty tower. From the top you have beautiful views of Nizwa and the surrounding area.
We are staying in Nizwa.
Day 4 Nizwa – Sinaw market – Al Mansfah – Wahiba (approx. 220 km) (A,L,I)
After breakfast, visit the diverse Sinaw Thursday market in Nizwa. This market is held only on Thursdays. The journey continues, visit a local family where we enjoy lunch. En route, stop at the old-time village of Al Mansfah.
Next, a drive towards the Wahiba desert. On arrival at the desert, transfer to an SUV and drive to a desert camp for the night.
Day 5 Wahiba – Wadi Bani Khaled – Sur (approx. 210 km) (A,I)
After breakfast, we take the 4×4 vehicle and return to the bus. Next, we drive to Wadi Bani Khaled, a picturesque oasis of jade green. The journey continues to the coastal town of Sur, where we visit the Dhow production plant. Overnight at hotel in Sur.
Optional excursion: a night trip to the Ras Al Jinz turtle sanctuary. The beach is known for the thousands of green turtles that lay their eggs there between June and September. After two months, the hatchlings emerge from the sand and head out to sea. Back to the hotel for the night.
Day 6 Sur – Wadi Tiwi – Bimah Sinkhole – Masqat (approx. 250 km) (A,L)
After breakfast, a short city tour, during which you can learn about the construction of dhow boats, among other things. Dhows are a special type of ship used by the Sultanate. Next, departure back towards Masqat. On the way, stop at the beautiful Wadi Tiwi oasis and have lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort Hotel. Afterwards, we will head to Bimah Sinkhole, a water-filled depression. Upon arrival in Masqat, transfer to your chosen hotel (if you have booked an extra night) or to the airport (without guide) or to a standard hotel to freshen up before departure. Optional dinner at the hotel (not included).
Transfer to the airport (without a guide) 3 hours before departure.
Standard class hotels:
Wyndham Garden Muscat Muscat
Arabian Oryx Wahiba Sands
Al Diyar Hotel Nizva
Sur Plaza Hotel Sur
Superior class hotels:
Grand Millenium Hotel Muscat
Desert Nights CamoWahibaSands
Golden Tulip Hotel Nizva
Sur Plaza Hotel Sur
