A Week in Oman

Depart London

Day 2

Upon arrival in Muscat in the morning; you will be met by your tour leader
and transferred to our hotel.

Later in the afternoon after the main group briefing, we will be picked up
from our hotel and travel through the old part of Muscat to visit the Siban
Women's association where there is the opportunity to interact with the local
woman and enjoy a coffee together. Next, we pay a short visit to the Bait Al
Zubair Museum before having a photo stop outside the gates of the Sultan's
palace. After a short transfer to the marina, we'll embark on a relaxed dhow
cruise (traditional fisherman's boat) to see the Muscat coast through the
eyes of ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries. During the
cruise, soft drinks, tea, coffee and dates will be served on board.

In the evening, we stop at a local restaurant for dinner and will be
transported back through the centuries on a visit to the bustling, colourful
Mutrah Souq. Here there will be lots of photo opportunities and chance to
observe the local way of life whilst wandering around this vibrant
traditional Arab market.

*Ramee Guestline Hotel or similar*

Day 3

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and visit the Grand Mosque, the
highlight of the Omani capital.

Completed in 2001, the Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks
modern but shows that modern craftsmen have retained the skills necessary to
create this wonderful traditional environment. The handmade carpets, the
chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are
absolute 'must-sees'.  Kindly note, ladies should be fully covered and
please carry a headscarf and men should wear trousers.

We then drive (approx.1.5 hours) to the Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular
limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom, and Wadi Tiwi where we
enjoy a walk and picnic lunch before transferring (approx. 1 hour) to our
hotel in Sur, where we will be spending the night.

This evening after an early dinner, we’ll drive (approx. 1 hour) to Ras Al
Jinz Turtle Reserve. Oman is a vital area for Green turtles in the Indian
Ocean and the Green Back turtle are heavily protected by the government of
Oman. In fact, over 275 of the Sultanate's beaches double-up as nesting
grounds for five of the seven recognized species of sea turtles, the most
common being the Green Back turtle.

Here we are led to the beach by an ecologist to see the female turtles
return to their beach to lay eggs. (Please note that the main nesting season
is June-August, at other times of the year, there may or not be turtles every
night but a visit to the reserve is still worthwhile).

*Sur Plaza or similar*

Day 4

This morning after breakfast, we first transfer (approx. 1 hour and 45 min)
to the desert oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid to relax a bit and enjoy a swim in
the beautiful turquoise pools and a picnic lunch before continuing (approx.
1-1.5 hours) to the Wahiba Desert.  

Here, on the edge of the desert, we change vehicles from the minibus to 4WDs
to begin our desert experience.

The Wahiba Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white 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. We
further drive towards the dunes and our desert camp (approx. 1 hour) to
check-in for the evening.

During our time at the camp, there is the chance to take a camel ride
(optional- extra cost).

*1000 Nights Camp / Arabian Oryx or similar*

Day 5

Breakfast at camp before checking out and driving towards the ancient city of
Nizwa, Oman's former capital. En-route we visit a Bedouin family, and enjoy
Kahwa (local Omani Coffee) and spend some time with them learning about their
customs and traditional way of life.

We’ll continue our drive via Birkat al Mouz, one of the region's most
well-known village ruin. We’ll walk through its oasis and date plantations
before continuing to Nizwa. With the 2 sets of ruins, a large banana
plantation and the scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old
Falaj irrigation system listed as UNESCO World heritage.

Upon arrival in Nizwa, we check into our hotel where we will spend the next
two nights.

*Al Diyar Hotel or similar*

Day 6

After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive (approx. 30 minutes) to
visit Jabrin, the finest of Oman’s castles built in the late 17th century,
which became a seat of Omani learning. The castle displays the highest
achievement in Omani ceiling painting & beautifully executed woodcarvings.

We also pause at the Bahla Fort for a photo, the only UNESCO listed fort in
the country and lovingly restored over many years before transferring
(approx.1.5 hours) to Wadi Nakher. Here we enjoy a picnic lunch
before proceeding to Jebel Shams, Oman's highest mountain and where we can
enjoy spectacular views of the 'Grand Canyon of Arabia.'

Later in the afternoon, we visit (transfer approx. 45 minutes) to the village
of Misfat Al Arbayeen, passing the ruins of an old fort on the way. We
continue through narrow alleys between old stone houses and take a short
walk in the Tanoof old abandoned village before returning back (approx. 30
minutes) to Nizwa for the evening.

*Al Diyar Hotel or similar*

Day 7

Today is a longer day and we start our morning with a visit Nizwa's famous
live cattle auction market, the one day of the week where this ancient city
truly comes alive which sees farmers and traders arrive from near and afar to
barter and trade in one of the Middle East's most renowned markets.

We’ll visit the impressive Nizwa Fort, built in the 17th century to
defend the city’s natural wealth and its strategic location. Later we visit
Nizwa's renowned Souq,  famous for intricately hand-carved “Khanjars”
(daggers) & ornamental silver jewelry and live-stock trading.

Departing Nizwa, we continue to Wadi Bani Auf; this stretch of graded road
is very adventurous as it involves steep bends and bumpy roads. When there is
wet weather conditions, it may not be possible to drive this section of
graded road due to safety. If this occurs, an alternative stretch of road
will be driven.

Then stop at the charming mountain village of Bilad Sayt where one is
awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. 

This afternoon we stop for a photo stop at the Nakhal Fort and hot spring.
The exact date in which this ancient fort was built is unknown, but many
believe that it was built in pre-Islamic times, more than 1500 years ago. 

We then transfer back to Muscat for our final evening in Oman's capital city.

*Ramee Guestline Hotel or similar*

Day 8

Those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport to check in for
the flight back to London which arrives back later on in the day.