MUSCAT CITY TOUR A tour of Muscat showcases the seamless blend of traditional culture with a bustling modern capital. The tour starts with a visit to the Grand Mosque, an architectural wonder both on the outside and inside. The major feature of the mosque is the main prayer hall, where a single carpet of 4343 square meters is laid out along with a Swarovski crystal chandelier with gold plated metal work and 1122 lights, hanging from the highest point of the dome. The tour continues with a drive along the fascinating cornice coastline and a visit to the fish market and fruit market. Also explore the old Muttrah Souk with its wide range of distinctive antique silver and spice stalls. Stroll through the historic streets around Al Alam Palace, residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, flanked by the 18 th Century Portuguese forts of Jalali and Mirani. Visit to the Any of the Museum. The Grand Mosque opens to tourists daily from 9 am to 11 am except Friday. Dress code: Men should wear normal shirt and trousers and Women should wear attire covering their arms and legs also cover their head with scarf. Grand Mosques and Museums are closed during Fridays & government holidays. Child 10 years old below are not allowed inside the mosque Timing: 9 am expected return by 1 pm Fully air conditioned vehicle 4WD English speaking guide - driver Entrance fee to Museum Bottled water /or soft drinks during the excursion
NIZWA TOUR (FASCINATING FORTS OF NIZWA, BAHLA, JABRIN) A popular visit is to Nizwa, the former capital of the Sultanate of Oman and the birth place of Islam in the Sultanate. The tour begins from Muscat in the morning with a 170 Km drive through the mountain filled country side, which includes a whistle stop of Fanjah, an ancient village. Nizwa is enchanting with its forts, the most famous being the Round Tower Fort, built in 1668 and laying claim to be the biggest fort in the Arabian Peninsula. It has an external diameter of 150 feet and is over 115 feet in height. There is a busting souq with its rampant, renowned for the Friday cattle auction as well as intricately carved Khanjars and ornamental silver Bedouin jewellery. A visit to the fort is followed by a tour of the Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Believed to be the Persian origin, it overlooks the village of Bahla, considered to be the pottery capital of Oman. The final visit is to the Jabrin Fort, one of Oman s most magnificient forts, built in the 17 th century with painted ceilings and engraved wood carvings. The tour ends with an enjoyable walk through the oasis and dense plantations of Al Hamra village, which sits at the foot of Jabel Akhdar, the green mountains. Note: Forts and Museums are closed on Fridays and government holidays. Timing: 09:00 am expected return by 05:30 pm Air conditioned saloon car / four wheeled drive car Entrance to Forts Picnic lunch box or Lunch in a local restaurant Bottled water /or soft drinks during the excursion
WADI BANI KHALID AND WAHIBA SANDS Depart in the morning in a 4 WD Via Fanjah and through Sumail Gap to observe the village life in Rawdah and Al Akhdar. The tour moves to Wadi Bani Khalid, a picturesque mountain village, renowned for its wadis and rocky canyons, complete with massive boulders and cliffs. The turquoise pools that lie in between the canyon s large rocks and caves offer a fascinating place with stunning view and perfect for a long swim. Enjoy a picnic lunch. The subsequent part of the tour moves through the isolated desert of the Wahiba Sands, crossing miles of golden dunes, the wilderness of Sharqiyah, home to the nomadic Bedouins for centuries. Visit to a Bedouin family where you can buy loc al handicrafts and enjoy a camel ride (at an extra cost payable directly). Enjoy the adventurous dune bashing and a camel ride. The tour leaves from the Desert to Muscat with some truly memorable experience. Timing : 9:00 am expected return by 6:00 pm Roundtrip: 550 km Tours includes: Picnic box lunch or lunch in a local restaurant Bottled water /or soft drinks during the excursion Main attractions: Wahiba Dunes, Bedouine Family, Wadi Bani Khalid
JEBEL SHAMS THE GREAT GRAND CANYON OF OMAN A popular visit to Nizwa, the former capital of the interior and the birthplace of islam in the Sultanate of Oman. Nizwa is enchanting with forts, the most famous being the Round tower Fort, built in the 17 th Century and its souq is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjars (daggers) and ornamental silver jewellery. The tour heads to Wadi Nakhel, which is situated at the bottom of the Jebel Shams, Oman s Grand Canyon and on to Misfah, one of the oldest mountain villages in Oman. We take you along the mountain road to Jebel Shams with a stop at another farming village called Wadi Ghul, where you can catch one of the best views of the highest peak in the Jebel Shams range about 3000 meters above sea level. The tour proceeds to Al Hamra, a 300 year old town lying on the edge of a sprawling oasis. An off road tracks to the secluded 13 th Century village of Misfat Al Brein, which clings to the edge of the Canyon and return to Muscat. Timing Round Trip : 9:00 am - expected return by 6:00 pm : 550Km Entrance fees to the Forts Picnic box lunch or lunch in a local restaurant Bottled water/ or soft drinks during excursion
JEBEL AKHDAR THE GREEN MOUNTAIN The tour leaves from Muscat to the scenic drive to Fanjah and a photo stop in this area to see the magnificent view an abandoned village. Then drive to the oasis of Birkat al Mouz, which lies at the foot of the Jebel before continuing onto Wadi Al Madeen. Jebel Akhdar, reached via a 35 km road that spirals around the hills, is known as the green jewel of the Al Hajar mountain ranges. This unique location in the Arabian peninsula is situated 2000 meters above the sea level and the tour allows you to enjoy the cool mountain air while gazing down on the numerous villages sprinkled around the Saiq plateau, famous for the ancient irrigation channels (or Falaj) that provides water and the pink rose water and perfumes. The little gardens in the villages grow several varieties of fruits like pomegranates,apricot, lemon and walnuts which gave the plateau a distinctive array of colours and scents. There are many interesting walks in Wadi Bani Habib, Shrejaya and Aqur. The weather here is cool and dry. After return to Muscat to hotel. Timing: 9:00 am expected return by 6:00 pm Round Trip: 550 km Picnic box lunch or lunch in a local restaurant Bottled water/ or soft drinks during excursion
RUSTAQ AND NAKHAL FORTS A road trip along the Batinah coast takes you deep into one of the most rugged landscapes of northern Oman. Your first stop is at Seeb where the fishermen are coming with their days catch and the sight is worth beholding. From here we drive to Nakhal to visit the Nakhal Fort, which is spectacularly perched on a rocky prominence on the foothills of Western Hajar Mountains. The fort s origin is pre-islamic with major contributions by the Al Ya ruba and the Al Bu Sayed dynasties. After a tour of the fort, we move inland to see a mineral-laden hot spring. Relax and enjoy the invigorating waters of Al Thowarah Hot Springs where water gushes from the rocks and forms a pleasant pool. The water is at constant 42 degrees celcius and reputed to have medicinal qualities. The area is shaded and green and the falaj carries the water to the date plantations. Next we take a loop to Rustaq Fort where we see another pre-islamic fort at the edge of the Batinah plains. Photo opportunities as we view the fort from the exterior. This fort is amongst the oldest, the tallest and is surrounded by four watch towers. After return to Muscat to hotel Timing: 9:00 am - expected return by 4:30 pm Round Trip: 350 km Air conditioned saloon car / four wheeled drive car Entrance to Forts Picnic box lunch Bottled water /or soft drinks during the excursion
Billad Sayt and Wadi Bani Awf Day trip 4 wheeled drive Driving along the Batinah Coast towards the most beautiful remote village in Oman, Billad Sayt in the Western Hajars. Near Awabi, we turn to a beautiful wadi, Wadi Bani Awf. This wadi is stunning, renowned as one of the most diverse and challenging wadis. Every bend is a photo opportunity. You can swim into the crystal pools with a depth reaching 5 to 6 meters. The caverns add fun and extra challenges. After a specular drive we reach the beautiful village of Billad Sayt, where you eyes are treated to an amazing view of the palm groves and terraced gardens between the stone walls. Stop for a picnic lunch under the shades and after head towards Muscat to hotel. Timing: 9:00 am expected return by 6:00 pm Entrance fees to the Forts Picnic box lunch Bottled water/ or soft drinks during excursion
Wadi Shab Coastal Trek 4 wheeled drive vehicle Departs Muscat in the morning on a journey down the coast stopping at the fishing village of Qurayat and then proceed to Bimah Sinkhole, a geological feature and a scenic wonder. Further on is the white sandy beach of Mokhalla in Fins. From here it is a short drive to Wadi Shab, where you can take a hike up one of Oman s scenic wadis. At the end of the hike is a swim through a famous keyhole into the secluded world of thrilling fantasy. After a day of adventure return to Muscat to hotel. Hightlights : Experience soft adventure, Nature and Hiking ( proper hiking shoes required ) Timing: 9:00 am - expected return by 5:00 pm English speaking guide - driver Picnic box lunch Bottled water/ or soft drinks during excursion
Dolphin Watching Come and see dolphins and experience a thrill of a life time. The water around Oman is filled with extensive marine life and one of the most familiar sights is the dolphins. See all around the year, dolphins watching make for exciting watching as they swim around and under fishing crafts in search of tuna, mackerel and sardines. Dolphin can be found any distance from offshore. There is no single location which you are most likely to see cetaceans. While we are very successful in sighting dolphins there is no guarantee every trip sighting dolphins. Timings: First Trip 08:00 hrs (Duration 2 hours) / Second Trip 10:00hrs (Duration 2 hours) Include: Transfer from the hotels and trip by speed boat Dolphin and Snorkeling Trip Make your dream come true with double the pleasure of watching dolphins and snorkeling by combining the two. Regular visitors are bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, spinner dolphins and Rissos dolphins along the coast in Oman. After seeing these beautiful cetaceans unwind by snorkeling in the crystal waters in nearest snorkeling sight. Coral beds provide homes to an exotic variety of fish that are a pleasure to be hold. Catch the timeless magic of tropical fish is a real life situation. Timings: 10:00hrs to 13:00 hrs (Duration 3 hours) Include: Transfer from the hotels / Snorkeling equipment and trip by speed boat Sunset Coastal Trip Enjoy the many scenes that reflect Omani history and Portuguese architecture around Old Muscat. Watch the sun setting behind the spectacular golden mountain back drop of Muscat city from the sea. Just as the water turn gold, we retrace our journey towards the marina with lots of memories for ever. Your sunset cruise is a fabulous way to end the day Timings: 16:00hrs or 16:30 hrs (Duration 2 hours) Include: Transfer from the hotels and trip by speed boat