Oman Discovery

Oman Discovery

Departure Date

Daily

Duration

4 Night, 5 Days

Views

1656

Tour Overview

Day 1

Muscat - Birkat Al Mauj - Jabal Akhdar

Depart from your Hotel at around 0830 Hrs and drive towards Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (open for visitors from Saturday to Thursday (0800 – 1100 Hrs) only except during holidays) which is the biggest mosque in Oman with beautiful art work, chandelier and carpet in the prayer hall measuring approx 4260 square meters and now in the Guinness book of world records. (To visit the Grand Mosque, Women are supposed to cover their heads with scarf and should wear full sleeves clothes and should also cover their legs with long trousers/skirts. Men are supposed to wear long trousers). After the visit of the Mosque, continue towards Birkat Al Mauj. Birkat Al Mauj. It is a small village on the foothills of the 2nd Highest peak, Jabal Akhdar standing at a height of 3000 m. Stop in Birkat Al Mauj for a short photostop.
After the stop, continue driving to Jabal Akhdar. Jabal Akhdar is the mountain range in the Western Hajar, the name meaning Green Mountain in English. Its main town of Saiq lies at 2300m and the highest point 3000m in Jabal Shams. The range measures around 12 miles from north to south and 18 miles from east to west. Drive to Jabal Akhdar to Saiq Plato and Al Ayn, where local farmers raise grapes, pomegranates, apricots and walnuts. Visit Wadi Bani Habib where you can enjoy a short light Trek. Then arrive to the canyon named as Diana's Point, for the late Princess of Wales who spent time here in the late 80s.
Check in at the Hotel and spend rest of the time at Leisure. Overnight on Jabal Akhdar.
Day 2

Jabal Akhdar - Jabreen - Bahla - Nizwa

Breakfast at the Hotel. Enjoy a short walk on the mountain in the morning and then later drive towards Birkat Al Mauj. From there drive towards Jabreen Castle. 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. Check in and spend some time at leisure. Later in the evening, meet your guide/driver again and drive again to the City Centre to visit the Nizwa Souq which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjar and ornately designed silver Jewelry. You can also enjoy Dinner at a Local Restaurant (at own expenses). Drive back to your Hotel. 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 - Jalan Bani Bu Ali - Aseelah - Ras Al Jinz

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. Reaching Al Qabil, divert towards Jalan Bani Bu Ali and visit the beautiful Al Hamouda Castle. Later drive towards Aseelah. Reaching Aseelah, stop for a short photostop by the seaside. Spend some time there and then continue taking the coastal road towards Ras Al Jinz. This is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Arrive at Ras Al Jinz and check in at the Ras Al Jinz Reserve Centre. Later in the evening at around 2100 Hrs, walk to the Hotel Lobby and from there proceed for a Turtle Watching Tour with specialized Rangers. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 5

Ras Al Jinz - Wadi Shab - Quriyat - Muscat

Check out and drive towards Sur. Visit the old famous Dhow Factory where wooden dhows (boat) are built (visit of this factory cannot be guaranteed since it is a private factory and has no fixed timings). After the visit of the Factory, drive 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 photoshop. The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower from old times. Continue to Muscat and drop off at Airport/Hotel of your Choice.