Tour Overview
Day 1
Muscat - Nakhal - Wadi Bani Awf - Jabal Shams
At around 0800 Hrs, you will meet your tour Guide/Driver who will escort you to the waiting 4 wheel drive which you will board for a soft adventure 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.
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. After the stop, continue driving 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. The area is home to weavers of heavy woollen rugs in distinctive colours. Take a walk to see the Grand Canyon before driving to your Hotel where you are going to spend overnight. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel on Jabal Shams.
Day 2
Jabal Shams - Al Hamra - Jabreen - Bahla - Nizwa
After breakfast, you will explore the various villages scattered around on the mountain and proceed to Jabreen 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 to Nizwa with en-route stopping at Bahla for a photograph of the Bahla Fort (photo stop), now a World Heritage Site. Arrive in Nizwa and continue on 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. Here on a Friday a unique goat and cattle auction is held. The atmosphere here is electric. Drive to your Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Nizwa.
Day 3
Nizwa - Ibra - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba
Check out from the Hotel and drive towards Wahiba, the Desert. You will drive through small villages and towns before arriving at Village Ibra where you will stop for a short photostop. You can also witness a Women’s Market if you happen to be there on a Wednesday. After the short stop, drive towards Wadi Bani Khalid. This drive through the mountain offers a panoramic view of the beautiful landscape below. You will pass through many pretty villages embedded in the mountains before reaching the destination. Here the road winds down to the wadi alongside a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation & ends at a village. You park our vehicles at this point & continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. If you wish you may enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes & walking shoes for this trip.
You may also enjoy lunch or juices at your own at the coffee shop situated right by the pool side. After lunch continue driving to the great desert of Oman Known as the "Wahiba Sands". Soon you will come face to face with the enormous desert and our experienced driver will drive you through the sand dunes to the Camp. Enjoy your dinner and Overnight at the Desert Camp.
Day 4
Wahiba - Wadi Shab - Bimah Sinkhole - Muscat
Breakfast at the Camp. Around 0830 hrs, you will meet your guide at the reception area of the Camp and embark your vehicle. Drive towards the edge of the desert and then take the asphalt road towards Sur. Arrive in Sur and take the coastal road towards Muscat. This tour along the coast line to Muscat offers breath taking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset pristine beaches. Arrive at 'Wadi Shab'. Shab in Arabic, literally means “Ravine between Cliffs”. Shallow green pools and abundant shade give wadi Shab a perfect setting for a picnic. Here cold picnic lunch packets can be served (Optional cost). You may take a long walk inside the wadi, later return to your vehicles and proceed to Bimah Sinkhole. It is a very large naturally created sinkhole where people can even enjoy a swim. After a short stop, Continue towards Muscat on the highway sometimes touching the sea following a creek or overlooking superb white beaches hundreds of metres long. Arrive at Quriyat, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea and stop again for a short photostop. The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower from old times. Continue to Muscat and dop off at Airport/Hotel of your choice.