Day
1
Muscat
You
will be met on arrival and transferred to your
hotel.
Day
2
Muscat
Free
day to relax and enjoy your resort with its
attractive beach, and hosts of activities.
Day
3
Muscat
Take
a short cruise along the coast with a chance to see
numerous dolphins. Tour
Muscat, including the
National Museum, the traditional souq in
Muttrah, Qantab fishing village, the Sultan's Al
Alam Palace, the walled city of Muscat, Mirani &
Jalali Forts, the palm-lined Corniche, and Port
Sultan Qaboos.
Day
4
Muscat
Tour
the magnificent Grand Mosque, with
its glorious Swarovski crystal chandeliers from
Austria; superb marble from Italy, gorgeous tiles
from Italy and carpets from Iran.
Note:
The Grand Mosque is open to tourists daily 8-11am
except Thursdays and Fridays. All visitors must wear
attire covering their arms and legs (Short sleeves
for men is allowed). Women have to cover their heads
with a scarf.
Day
5
Muscat-Sur
& the Turtles (40kms from Sur)
Travel
south along the coastal road (only partly sealed) to
the picturesque fishing town of Sur with its
traditional dhows and its old watch-towers. After
dinner you will be driven south to observe the
nesting habits of the green turtles. (May to October
is nesting season).
Important
Note:
Bring a torch for turtle viewing, as there are lots
of very big holes on the beach dug by the turtles
and the two rangers’ torches are not sufficient.
Day
6
Sur-Wahiba
Sands-Wadi Bani Khalid-Nizwa
Head
inland and into the desert of Wahiba Sands for an
exhilarating ride through the sand dunes and to
enjoy dates and Omani coffee in a Bedouin home in
the desert. In the desert you will see women
with unusual burqas
that cover everything but their eyes.
On
then up a scenic mountain road to the gorgeous Wadi
Bani Khalid – the “Lost Shangri La.”
These green pools set in date palms and
surrounded by mountains are a truly spectacular
sight and are even more inviting to swim in.
Continue
on to Nizwa, and visit the big round 16th
century fort of the Yaruba dynasty, and the souq if
time permits. The
town is a bustling centre for crafts and the silver
souq is the best in Oman.
Note: If possible, plan to arrive in Nizwa on a Thursday, as the
Friday morning market is well worth visiting, when
farmers for miles around bring their goats to
auction.
Day
7
Nizwa-Al
Hoti Caves-Misfah-Al Hamra-Bahla-Jabrin
Take another stroll in the souqs of Nizwa with their
pottery, silver and handicrafts, and the market if
here on a Friday. On to visit Bahla, the oldest
recorded region of civilization in Oman, known for
its pottery and its huge
loam fort - on UNESCO’s list of heritage
monuments. See the
mighty bastion of Jabrin and Al Hota Caves with
their beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations
and large caverns.
Drive up into the mountains to wander in
Misfah, a picturesque village ‘strapped’ on to
the side of a mountain, before returning to Muscat
to overnight.
Day
8
Muscat
Transfer to the airport where your tour ends.
