OMAN ESCAPADE
Description
DAY 01: ARRIVE MUSCAT Arrive at Muscat airport, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. Arrive and check in at hotel Overnight at Hotel. (No Meals) DAY 02: FULL DAY CITY TOUR OF MUSCAT Early in the morning, you will be met at the hotel for a half day city orientation tour. You visit the Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East, Drive along the picturesque Corniche to the old town of Muscat and visit Bait Al Zubair Museum later photo stop at Al Alam Palace, the residence of his Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tareq. The palace is flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts- Mirani and Jalali. Before winding up the tour you will be strolling through Muttrah Souq and then return to the hotel. By evening, transfer to Bait Al Zubair Museum for a visit followed by a sunset cruise along the Muscat coastline on a Traditional Omani Dhow (only on Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat) Later transfer back to hotel. Overnight at hotel Meals (Breakfast) DAY 03 MUSCAT- RAS AL JINZ After check-out at the hotel, you start your fascinating roundtrip with the first leg taking you in south eastern direction along the coast to Sur. The road leads through scenic countryside and rugged mountains to the Wadi Dhaiqa Dam. Stop at the limestone Sinkhole in Bimah and then continue to Fins. Enjoy the white sandy beach at Fins proceed to visit Wadi Tiwi, an oasis well known for its lemon and date plantations. Then proceed to the coastal town of Sur. Later drive down to Ras Al Jinz, where you will check in to the Hotel. After an early dinner at the Hotel, you will visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz. Return to hotel for the overnight stay. Overnight at hotel (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner) DAY 04: RAS AL JINZ- SHARQIYA SANDS After check out at the hotel you will first be taken on a short tour of Sur, renowned in former times for its shipyard, where the dhows, the traditional wooden Omani boats were built. Later we proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid– an oasis spot in the middle of the barren and dry mountains and picnic lunch will be served here. The afternoon is reserved for your desert experience. You drive into the Sharqiya Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand. After some exciting sand dune driving with your experienced driver, you may want to go on a camel ride or do some sand skiing before visiting the home of a Bedouin Family in the desert. You will experience traditional Arabic hospitality with coffee and date you will arrive and check-in at the desert camp. Overnight at the camp. (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner) DAY 05: SHARQIYA SANDS- NIZWA- JEBEL SHAMS After breakfast proceed to the historic town of Nizwa, Oman’s cultural capital. Nizwa’s main places of interest are the Souq and the Nizwa Fort, one of the impressive forts in Oman and then to Jabreen castle. Later proceed to Jebel Shams, which means Mountain of the Sun. Experience an untamed and rugged countryside at Oman's highest peak at 3000 mtrs, often hailed as the Sultanate's own version of the Grand Canyon. Check in at hotel. Dinner at hotel Overnight at hotel (Meals: Breakfast and Dinner) DAY 06: Jebel Shams- MUSCAT After leisurely breakfast, enjoy the balcony walk through the Grand Canyon Visit the hidden and remote village of Misfat Al Abryeen. Embark on a heritage walk through the many plantations in the village to learn about the Falaj system. Drive back to Muscat. Check in at the Hotel in Muscat Overnight at Hotel. (Meals: Breakfast) DAY 07: DEPARTURE MUSCAT Day is at your own leisure. By evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.