Starts | Muscat, Oman, Oman |
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Ends | Muscat, Oman, Oman |
Region | Middle East & North Africa |
Duration | 7 days |
Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Muscat & Finishing: Muscat
On arrival at Muscat International Airport (formerly Seeb Airport), you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day, so you may arrive in Muscat at any time. There will be an important welcome meeting in the evening, usually at around 5 pm. Note that hotel rooms are generally only available after 3 pm, so if you are arriving much earlier we recommend you pre-book an additional night's accommodation.
Day 2 - Starting: Muscat & Finishing: Muscat
After breakfast at the hotel you'll visit the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. It's a magnificent and relatively new structure of dazzling Indian sandstone. You will then proceed to the Natural History Museum, which offers a brief introduction to Oman's colourful past. Driving down to the busy fishing harbour at Muttrah, with its quaint wooden dhows and fishing boats, you will stop at the bazaar. There you can mingle with the locals and browse the silver and spice shops. You will also visit the two 16th-century Portuguese forts, Jalali and Mirani, which guard the entrance to the city. Return to your hotel afterwards. (Total driving time today is approximately 2 hours.)
Day 3 - Starting: Seeb - Nakhal - Al Hazm - Muscat & Finishing: Seeb - Nakhal - Al Hazm - Muscat
Leaving Muscat, you'll head north along the coast to the fishing village of Seeb. Here's you'll see the daily catch being hauled onto the sands from tiny fishing boats. Continue then to the splendid fort at Nakhal, which sits atop a rocky spur and vaunts commanding views of the surrounding countryside. This is the best-preserved of all Oman's forts, and the interior is still furnished, giving visitors an excellent feel for period life. A little further on is the fort of Al Hazm, situated on the northern slopes of the Jebel Akhdar, with its elaborate carved doors. There will be time to explore the various rooms and chambers before returning to Muscat. (Total driving time today is approximately 5 hours.)
Day 4 - Starting: Wadi Bani Khaled - Wahiba Sands & Finishing: Wadi Bani Khaled - Wahiba Sands
From Muscat you'll head southward, travelling through rugged landscape, before arriving at the Wadi Bani Khaled. With turquoise waters, lush vegetation and palm trees, this is a slice of paradise. You'll follow a well-worn path into the heart of this rocky oasis and discover a large pool fed by a natural mountain spring. Continue your 4WD journey and arrive at the edge of the extensive Wahiba Sands. After deflating the tyres you'll follow an amazing route across the sand dunes to a desert camp. Enjoy an evening of traditional food and music this evening, sitting around an open fire under the stars. Drift off to sleep tonight in your simple tent amongst the desert ambience. (Total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.)
Day 5 - Starting: Ibra - Nizwa & Finishing: Ibra - Nizwa
Heading north today, you will drive to Ibra, one of the oldest cities in Oman. This charming, traditional old town was once a centre of trade, religion, education and art. Drive through the narrow roads to see ancient houses and various mosques. Later on you will drive to Nizwa, an oasis enclosed by a series of mountains. Among these mountains is the famous green mountain (Jabal Akhdar). Its grand mosque was formerly a centre for Islamic learning. The central fort is surrounded by ancient traditional souqs where the locals trade in traditional and imported merchandise. Here you can browse for some of Nizwa's famous silver jewellery, or simply watch expert craftsmen in action as they fashion exquisite silverware and other artefacts. (Total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.)
Day 6 - Starting: Bahla - Jabrin - Jabal Shams - Misfah - Al Harma - Muscat & Finishing: Bahla - Jabrin - Jabal Shams - Misfah - Al Harma - Muscat
Today you'll journey back to Muscat via some marvellous forts and villages, not to mention some lovely mountain scenery. Stop in at Bahla and witness the ruins of the immense fort there. With its walls and towers of unbaked brick and its stone foundations, this is a remarkable example of fortification. It's easy to find a metal worker toiling next to a red-hot furnace in this place, or a weaver assembling a cloak of goat hair. But the king of craft in Bahla is pottery. This exceptional art is famous throughout the Sultanate and beyond. You will also head to Jabrin Fort, the palace of Imam Bil 'Arub Bin Sultan who built it in 1675. This may well be the finest and most eye-catching of Oman's forts. See its elegantly carved wooden doors, and the delicate and ornate lattice work of the windows. Continue to the villages of Misfah and Al Hamra, nestled in the cool foothills of Oman's highest peak, Jabal Shams. You'll have time to explore these beautiful historic townships before returning to Muscat for your final evening. (Total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.)
Day 7 - Starting: Muscat & Finishing: Muscat
Your trip comes to an today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 noon, and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Muscat.
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