DAY 1,
ARRIVAL TRANSFER
MEALS : X, X, X
Pass through the immigration and customs. Our Chauffer will meet you outside the Airport (Landside) and escort to the vehicle parked outside.
Overnight in Hilton Garden Inn Muscat
DAY 2,
MUSCAT CITY TOUR
MEALS : B
Breakfast at Hotel
0830 Hrs This morning we will start our tour with visit to 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 meters. The Mosque complex (covering 40,000 square meters) 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 meters. 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 heads 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.
We drive to old town of Muscat and visit 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). We then visit 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 shopping at Souq transfer to restaurant for lunch break in kargeen ( Arabic Restaurant).
DAY 3,
MUSCAT – WADI BANI AUF – JABAN SHAMS
MEALS : B, D
Breakfast at Hotel
8.30 am: After breakfast, we assemble at the hotel lobby and depart to Nakhal. We drive to Barka Fishmarket and watch the fishermen bring in boatloads of glistening fish. in fornt of the market from seaside an elderly Man and his friend can be seen busy in Fish auction and daily sales are being recorded as it has been a tradition in the past as well. Late we drive through the date palms to the village of Nakhl and visit the Nakhl Fort. This fort once served the Imams of Bani Kharous and the Ya’arubah dynasty. After recent restoration work carried out on the fort, it is refurbished with traditional furniture, handicrafts, and historic relics. The ceilings, the doors, and windows are decorated with beautiful carvings. The view from the roof-top is very impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The old village of Nakhl which nestles below the fort gradually leads to the Famous warm Springs of Nakhl situated at the end of an attractive Oasis. Relax by the side of the shallow waters of the springs surrounded by lush green date plantations and steep mountain peaks.
The route down Wadi Bani Awf is one of the Arabia’s greatest 4WD adventures and includes a visit to the village of Bilad Sait, a remote fortress village. Wadi Bani Awf (وادي بني عوف), also spelled Wadi Bani Awuf, is a large wadi in wilayat Al Rustaq in the South Batinah Governorate of Oman. The wadi covers a large area with several villages and lots of cool attractions worth visiting, including the famous Snake Canyon! The route through Wadi Bani Awuf goes through beautiful scenery and connects all the way to Balad Sayat in Al Dakhiliya region by crossing the Hajar Mountains and offers some of the best off-road driving experience you can find in Oman.
Later Drive to Jabal Shams and Jabel Shams is the highest peak in the Gulf region. Enjoy breathtaking view of the deep canyon
Overnight in Sama Heights Resort. (B, D)
DAY 4,
MISFAH – AL HAMRA – BAHLA – NIZWA
MEALS : B, L, D
Breakfast at Hotel
0900 Hrs Breakfast at hotel and drive to Jabreen.
We first 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.
We visit the village of Al Hamra, famous for their old multi-storied mud houses surrounded by a vast expanse of lush green date plantations.
A visit to Jabrin Fort 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
- We then Visa recently oped after the restoration. Bahla Fort which has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
- We will further visit Bahla Pottery factory and witness the art of pottery. A visit to Abdullah ibn Hamdan Al Adawi and his sons is recommended. They practice their craft in a workshop in a palm garden in before returning to back to nizwa.
Overnight in Golden Tulip Nizwa (B)
DAY 5,
NIZWA – BIRKAT AL MOUZ – JABAL AKHDAR
MEALS : B
Breakfast at Hotel
0730 Hrs This morning we depart to Nizwa. We visit Nizwa Souq. main highlight in the Souq is the Cattle Auction that takes place every Friday. The Auction is the traditional way of selling the cattle 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 we will 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). Rosewater is distilled in the homes of the villagers.
After the tour drive back to Nizwa
Overnight in Golden Tulip Nizwa (B)
DAY 6,
NIZWA – SINAW –IBRA –WAHIBA SANDS
MEALS : B
Breakfast at Hotel
8.30 Check out and Drive to Wahiba Sands
First, we visa Sinaw Souq. Sinaw Souk features different areas for women and men, which are designated by a sign, but the action often spills out on to the streets, with sellers who missed out on a prime spot under the covered area opting to set up shop and display their wares along the pavement.
Ibra (Arabic: ابراء) is the second-largest city in the Ash Sharqiyah Region of Oman. It is located about 170 km (2 hours) from Muscat and has a population estimated at 55,000 people.
Ibra is one of the oldest cities in Oman and was once a center of trade, religion, education, and art. The city acquired its importance as an important meeting point at the base of the Ash Sharqiya. Ibra is home of the huge Al-Harthy tribe, one of the biggest and most powerful tribes in Oman. The Al-Maskary tribe and the Al-Riyamy tribe are also both very prevalent in Ibra.
Desert Safari over golden sand dunes and visit of a Bedouin family. Anybody who chooses to live in the environment of Wahiba Sands must be hardy and resilient to tolerate its potentially harsh climate – and bedu are just that. There are over 3000 Bedu of varying tribal origins who live here amongst the woodland on the fringes of the sands.
Sunset on nearby sand dunes.
Overnight at 1000 Nights Camp (B, D)
DAY 7,
WAHIBA SANDS – WADI BANI KHALID
MEALS : B, D
Breakfast at Hotel
9 am depart to Wadi Bani Khalid.
We will visit Wadi Bani Khalid, this is considered 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 alongside 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. Enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature.
Lunch included in Wadi Restaurant.
Light Trekking to Cave
Overnight at 1000 Nights Camp (B, D)
DAY 8,
WAHIBA SANDS – WADI BANI KHALID
MEALS : B, D
Breakfast at Hotel
Our first stop is in Sur the famous cities in the Persian Gulf in building wooden ships. Its historical location gives it the hand to monitor the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Many ships have been built in this city, like the sambuk and ghanjah they formerly went as far as China, India, Zanzibar, Iraq, and many other countries. These vessels were also used in pearl fishing. Today the city has retained its reputation as a major Dhow-building town, the very same vessels that were used for trade two centuries previously. Visit a Dhow Factory.
Visit Jalain Bani Bu al and its fort.
Afternoon Check-in at Sur Plaza
Early dinner on own
After dinner drive to Ras Al Jinz for guided tour of Turtle watching.
45 Minutes drive from Sur Plaza.
Overnight in Sur Plaza Hotel (B)
DAY 9,
SUR – MUSCAT
MEALS : B
Breakfast at Hotel
First a stop at the ruins of Bibi Miriam’s Tomb which can be seen at the village of Qalhat on coastal road to Muscat. Our next stop is Wadi Shab. Inside you will have to walk along palm groves, on rugged rocky cliffs, and swim through some pools to get to the main attraction, which the submerged cave with waterfalls. It will take you about 30-45 minutes’ walk to get to the cave and to enter it you have to swim through a hole between the mountains.
Later visit Bimah Sinkhole, a spectacular limestone crater with blue-green water at the bottom. On clear sunny days while driving along the coast one might chance to see sharks in the deep blue water or fleet-footed Gazelle sprint across the landscape.
Evening arrive in Muscat and drop off at hotel
Overnight in Crowne Plaza Hotel (B)
DAY 10,
Day at Leisure
MEALS : B
Breakfast in Hotel
Day at leisure
Overnight in Crowne Plaza Hotel (B)
DAY 11,
DEPARTURE TRANSFER
MEALS : B
Breakfast at Hotel:
After Brekfast tranfer to Muscat Internationl Airprt to board you flight back home.
END OF TOUR / SERVICE
PACKAGE COST VALID FROM 1st OCT 2019 – 30th APRIL 2020
NOT VALID FROM 20TH DEC 2019 – 10th JAN 2020. (Contact for holiday supplements)
Per person package cost for the program in US$ based on
DAY | WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER -GUIDE | HOTEL NAME 4* |
Day 1 | Arrival transfer | Hilton Garden Inn |
Day 2 | Muscat | Hilton Garden Inn |
Day 3 | Muscat | Jabal Shams Sama Heights Resort |
Day 4 | Nizwa | Golden Tulip |
Day 5 | Nizwa | Golden Tulip |
Day 6 | Wahiba sands | 1000 Nights Camp |
Day 7 | Wahiba sands | 1000 Nights Camp |
Day 8 | Sur | Sur Plaza |
Day 9 | Muscat | Crowne Plaza Muscat ( Beach Hotel) |
Day 10 | Muscat | Crowne Plaza Muscat ( Beach Hotel) |
Day 11 | Departure |
- 10 Nights’ accommodation in standard rooms on BB basis.
- 03 dinner
- Meals (Breakfast in all hotels)
- Transportation by 4WD with our English speaking driver – Guide)
- Entrance fees for forts and museums wherever applicable
- Mineral water throughout the duration of tour
- All Applicable current taxes
- Any International Airfare and their departure taxes.
- All items of a personal nature, i.e. curios, min-bar, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- All relevant departure taxes.
- All beverages (unless otherwise stated within the program)
- Room drops
- Any new Oman Government taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities i.e. drivers, guides, hotels, restaurants, etc.
- Welcome and Room Gifts
- Any services not mentioned in the “cost include”
All current hotel taxes have been included while quoting. Any increase in the existing tax structure, fuel hike, and additional Government levies will be charged extra.
Please note we have not blocked any rooms at any of the hotels. The rooms are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
All arrangements made Exotic Orient Tours are in the capacity of an agent only. Exotic Orient Tours will not be liable for claims or expenses arising from circumstances beyond our control such as accidents, injuries delayed flights, or & acts of force majeure.
Payment Policy
50% payment upon the confirmation.
50% payment 15 days prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy
If cancelled 21 days prior to the arrival, no cancellation charges apply.
If cancelled less than 21 days 100% of the total invoice will be applied as cancellation charge.