Land of legend embodied by Sinbad the sailor, Queen Sheba and the Thousand and One Nights. Hidden between the sea of sand and the Indian Ocean, Oman has kept its identity, its values and its way of life. In the desert, the Bedouins still keep the caravan tradition alive. This mountainous region surrounded by sand and water will amaze you during this tour.
DAY 1 : MUSCAT
Arrival at Muscat airport. Received by a representative. Transfer to your hotel.
Night in Muscat.
DAY 2: MASCATE (70 km)
Crossing the embassy district with your guide to reach the Great Sultan Qaboos Mosque, both traditional and modern, it reflects the aspirations and ambitions of the Omani people. This building magnificently respects the balance between aesthetics, culture and the roots of a deep Islam.
Continuation to the Opera House, the Sultan’s major architectural project.
Discovery of old Muscat, dominated by the mountains and flanked on the sea side by the two forts Jalali and Mirani dating from the 16th century. Here is Al Alam Palace, residence of the Sultan.
Visit the Bait Al Zubait Museum, an Omani residence built in 1914 by Sheikh Al Zubair, formerly in the service of the sultans, and transformed into an ethnological museum in 1998. Behind its massive carved doors, it houses collections of weapons, jewellery, costumes, everyday objects and reconstructions of the urban and rural environment of yesteryear.
Continue the walk on the cornice leading to Mutrah. Commercial port and place of reception of the old traditional souk. Stroll in its covered and tortuous alleys where the buyers of fabrics, jewels, perfumes and art objects jostle.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner in a traditional restaurant. You will appreciate the local gastronomy and the kindness of the Omani welcome.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 3 : MASCATE – SUR – WAHIBA SANDS (340 km)
Departure towards the south along the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Stop at the Sinkhole well, a natural depression in the heart of the mountain where bathers can enjoy a vast pool of pure water. Direction Fins, to reach Wadi Shab. Possibility to walk in the bed of the wadi sown with shrubs, palm trees and natural bathtubs before lunch.
Arrival at Sur, a coastal town and port active all year round. Here are built the “dhows”, traditional wooden dhows used by Arab sailors for thousands of years. You will stroll along the coast between cliffs and small fishing villages.
Spend the late afternoon in the Wahiba Sands, a fascinating region of colourful sand dunes. On board of 4×4 enter the desert frequented by the Bedouins for more than 7000 years. Discover their secret and hidden life, between two rounds of “dune bashing” in complete safety.
Settle into a camp and watch the sunset.
Dinner around the fire and evening under the stars.
Night in tents.
DAY 4 : WAHIBA SANDS – NIZWA (200 km)
Last walk in the dunes and direction Wadi Bani Khalid. Green valley topped by impressive mountains, you will enjoy beautiful panoramas, ideal for photo enthusiasts.
You will discover the bottom of the canyon before taking the road to Nizwa.
Lunch on the way and arrival in Nizwa in the early afternoon. Discover the first capital of the sultanate, the place where Islam was established in Oman.
Its famous jewelry souk dates from the 17th century. Stroll through the old streets of the fort.
Dinner and night at the hotel.
DAY 5 : NIZWA- MASCATE (250 km) – MUSSANAH
Continuation of the visit to Nizwa with an excursion to the mountain village of Birkat Al Mawz, at the foot of Jebel Akhdar.
We continue to Jabreen Fort, built in the 17th century, which is probably the most remarkable fort of its time, with its gypseries, carved doors and painted ceilings.
Return to Nizwa by crossing the Jebel Shams which is part of the Hajar Mountains chain. Passing in front of the old Bahla fort, stop in the Al Hamra palm grove to discover the ancestral irrigation system still in use today, the “Falaj”.
Road to Mussanah, and free afternoon to enjoy this small paradise on the edge of the Indian Ocean.
Dinner and night at the hotel.
DAY 6 : MUSSANAH -NAKHL – MUSSANAH
Free morning.
Excursion to discover the forts of Rustaq and Nakhl. This typical Omani village was built around a spring that is abundant all year round. It allows to irrigate vast palm groves. The fort is built on the top of a hill overlooking the plantations and the valley. It is a pre-Islamic building dating from the Al Yaruba and Al Bu Sayed dynasties. On the way down, stop at the mineral hot springs of Al Thowarah.
Dinner and night.
DAY 7: MUSSANAH – MUSCAT AIRPORT – DEPARTURE (80 km)
Morning and lunch free to enjoy the beauty of the place.
Transfer to Muscat airport in for your return flight.
INFORMATION
The circuit is not suitable for children under 7 years old.
For technical or climatic reasons, the direction of the circuit or the organization of the visits can be reversed or modified.
The mileage and travel time are given as an indication, they may vary according to local requirements.
