Tour Overview
Day 1
Arrival in Muscat
You will arrive at the Muscat International Airport. Upon your arrival you proceed straight to the Immigration. Immigration & customs are quick & simple. Upon arrival at the General arrival lounge you will be met by our friendly & efficient Travel Store chauffer who will assist you to the comforts of our vehicle to drive you the hotel.
Day 2
Half Day Muscat City Tour
After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide and proceed for a tour of the Muscat city. Our experienced guide will give you an insight of the country. The tour starts with a visit of the Grand Mosque (open for visitors from Sat to Thur 8-11 AM only, except the holidays) which is the biggest mosque in the country with beautiful art works, chandelier & a one piece carpet covering the entire prayer hall measuring approx 4260 square meters. After the visit continue your drive to the old city to visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum. It is a private museum with a wonderful collection portraying the traditional image of the country.
Continue your drive to “Al Alam Place” (Photo stop) flanked by the two Portuguese Forts “Jalali & Mirani”. After the stop, drive along the Corniche waterfront to “Mutrah Souq”, one of the oldest souqs in Oman. The narrow alleys of the souq and the smell of the mystic frankincense and sandalwood in the air are typical of this souq. After the visit return to your vehicle to drive back to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3
Muscat - Nakhal - Ayn Thowarah - Al Hazm - Musannah
At around 0800 Hrs, you will meet your tour Guide/Driver and start with your Tour. We start the tour by visiting famous Barka Fish market. After visiting the fish market, you drive to Nakhal. Arrive at Nakhal and visit the Nakhal Fort. This fort once served the Imams of Bani Kharous and the Ya'arubah dynasty. After recent restoration work carried out, it is refurbished with the traditional furniture, handicrafts and historic relics. The ceilings, the doors and the windows are decorated with beautiful carvings. The view from the roof-top is very impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
The old village of Nakhal, which nestles below the fort, gradually leads to the famous warm springs of Nakhal situated at the end of an attractive Oasis. Relax by the side of the shallow waters of the springs surrounded by lush green date plantations and steep mountain peaks. Continue to Al Hazm Fort for a visit. After the visit, drive to Musannah for an overnight.
Day 4
Musannah - Rustaq - Wadi Bani Awf - View Camp
Breakfast at the Hotel. Check out and drive towards Rustaq. Visit the old Fort and also the Hotspring Ayn Kesfah. This hotpsring is also known for remedial purposes due to sulphur content in it. From there drive to Wadi Bani Awf and reach at the top of Bilad Sayt. Stop for a short photostop of Bilad Sayt, the most idyllic village with a wealth of verdant terraces.
The graded track through the mountains is stunning. , ‘It is one of the most interesting off road drive in Oman and most of the time, this Wadi has water making it a unique place for bashing. Make a short stop at Bilad Sayt and continue driving to Al Hamra. Make a stop at Al Hamra by the old houses and then continue to Hail Al Shas. Check in. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 5
View Camp - Jabal Shams - Nizwa
After breakfast, proceed on a tour to “Misfah”, a village in the mountain seemingly hewn out of rock. The houses cling to the rocks, this looks precarious but it has been here for centuries. You will park your car at the entrance of the village and then walk into the village. A short walk through the village will bring you out looking down at the Falaj and water pools which is still used for washing. Enjoy a short trek in the village.
After a short visit you will return to your vehicle to continue your drive to the village of Al Hamra before proceeding to Jabal Shams, the highest peak in Oman with a height of 3,009 meters. Jabal Shams means “Mountain of the Sun” and its old name is Jabal Al Qanah and is also known as Grand Canyon Oman. The area is home to weavers of heavy woollen rugs in distinctive colours. Take a walk to see the Grand Canyon before returning to your vehicle to drive back to Al Hamra. In Al Hamra you will visit the Bait Al Safah Museum which is an old house converted into a Museum. After the visit, drive to Nizwa and check in at the Hotel. Rest of the day at Leisure. Overnight in Nizwa.
Day 6
Nizwa - Bahla - Jabreen - Muscat - Out
Start your Day with a tour of the Nizwa fort with its enormous round tower built in the 17th century built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'aruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is possible only by means of a narrow, twisting staircase barred by heavy wooden doors, studded with metal. From the top of the tower one can get a bird's eye view of the Nizwa city. From here you will proceed to the Nizwa Souq which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjar and ornately designed silver Jewelry.
Drive to Jabreen with en-route stopping at Bahla for a photograph of the Bahla Fort (photo stop), now a World Heritage Site. Arrive at Jabreen to visit the castle, the finest of Oman's castle built in the late 17th Century, which became a seat of Omani learning .This castle has extremely well planned layouts with room for the wali, the ladies room, the kitchen, the majlis etc. Most of the ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings with Islamic motifs. The view from the top of the castle is really mesmerizing. Drive back to Muscat. Drop off at Airport or Hotel of your Choice for an extension.