Sultan Adventure

Day 1: Muscat Governorate

Arrival at Muscat International Airport

* Overnight at Muscat Hotel   

Day 2: Muscat City Tour (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel

Guest will pick up from the hotel and start their Muscat City Tour by visiting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (Masjid), one of the most beautiful architectural piece of work. The mosque was built over a period of 6 years from 1995 to 2001. The main chandelier is made of pure Swarovski crystal and the carpet adorning the large prayer hall was woven by experts, made out of pure Persian silk. The mosque (Masjid) exterior is constructed with quality Rajasthani sandstone andthe main halls as well as the small prayer rooms are adorned with the finest Italian Marble. The Mosque (Masjid) is surrounded by 5 minarets, each of which symbolizes the holy five vows taken by every devout Muslim to reinforce his faith in the Almighty. We will proceed to Old Muscat.

We then drive via the waterfront corniche and visit the MuttrahSouq, one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. Take a walk in its labyrinthine alleyways beckoning with a myriad of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes and richly handcrafted Artifacts. A visit to this frenetic, pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter makes for a delightful experience.

Next, guest will be taken for a visit to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said the ruler of Oman. The palace is an architectural marvel for both its design and its location between the twin Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (A brief photograph stop from outside only). Any one of the Muscat Museum, lunch at local Restaurant, After the lunch, back to hotel

* Overnight at Muscat Hotel   

Day 3: Turtle Watching (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Guest will pick up from the hotel and drive to costal raod to visit Bimmah Sink Hole, it is a spectacular limestone crater created many years ago by a collapsing mountain and filled with blue-green sea water – a real wonder of nature that is definitely worth a look .

We continue our drive to Wadi Shab; it is literally means ‘Ravine between the cliffs’. The green pools and abundant shade give Wadishab an almost ethereal aura. (Photo Stop Only)

Next stop will be Wadi Tiwi. It is spread over an area of 36 kilometers (22.37 miles) at the foot of the mountain village of Mibam. It is a fertile wadi that meanders through a number of agricultural villages which grow dates and bananas overlooking the majestic mountains. You can also see the valley below, and the azure waters of the sea from some elevated locations.

We continue our drive to visit Sur; it is an ideal location in the northeast province of Sharquia and is a seafaring town, a fishing village and a trading port all in one. The highlight of the town is the dhow builder’s yard on the coast just beyond the town. Sur started trading activities with the African coast as early as the 16^th century A.D. a drive through its labyrinthine streets reveals many fine old houses with caved doors, arabesque windows and other intricate details.

Drive to Ras Al Hadd home of the giant green turtle, Check in the hotel. Dinner at the hotel;

Guest will pick-up from the hotel for turtle watching at Ras Al Jinz to have a glimpse of giant green turtles. Note camera’s is not allowed.

* Overnight at Ras Al Hadd

Day 4: Desert Trip (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Today, guest will pick up from the hotel and drive to Wadi Bani Khalid, for an easy walk along the riverbed with ample time to cool down in the crystal clear waters of the rock pools. It is the best-known wadi of the Sharqiyah region. Its stream mountains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. As a geographical area, WadiBani Khalid covers a large swathe of low land and mountains. Caves form some of the interesting features of this wadi. These include KahfMaqal which is one of the Sultanate's underground chambers. Springs of water are also common in this wadi.

We will continue our drive to Wahiba Sand. (Dune bashing, enjoying the sun set view and Will visit Bedouin Family will have Traditional Omani coffee & Dates with them) The Wahiba Sands or Ramlat al-Wahiba (also called Sharqiya Sands) is a region of desert in Oman. The region is named for the Wahiba tribe. The area is defined by a boundary of 180 kilometers (110 mi) north to south and 80 kilometers (50 mi) east to west, with an area of 12,500 square kilometers (4,800 sq mi). The desert has been of scientific interest since a 1986 expedition by the royal geographical society documented the diversity of the terrain, the flora and fauna, noting 16,000 invertebrates as well as 200 species of other wildlife, including avifauna. They also documented 150 species of native flora. Dinner at the camp.

* Overnight at Wahiba Sand 

Day 5: Green Mountain (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

08:00 hrs – guest will pick up from the hotel and drive to Ibra, it is one of the oldest cities in Oman and was once a centre of trade, religion, education and art. The city acquired its importance as an important meeting point at the base of the Ash Sharqiya. Ibra is home of the huge Al-Harthy tribe, one of the biggest and most powerful tribes in Oman. Lunch at local restaurant. We continue our drive to Birkat Al Mouz. Birkat al Mouz (literally “pool of bananas”) is a small area situated about 2 kms from the base of Jebel Akdhar. This luscious area nestled among dramatic mountainous contours is dappled with bygone architecture, authentic mud fortifications and the uncanny beauty of an abandoned village with a falaj skirting along the foot of Jebel Akhdar. The village is not only the only gateway to Jebel Akhdar, but is ideally situated to explore  Jebel Shams,  Al Hoota Cave, Misfat Al Abryeen to name a few. (Photo Stop Only)

We continue our drive to visit Jabal Akhdar, meaning “The Green Mountain” in Arabic, is part of the Al Hajar mountain range, one of Oman’s most spectacular regions. Perched here 2,000 metres above sea level, Alila Jabal Akhdar overlooks a dramatic gorge, surrounded by awe-inspiring views of the Al Hajar Mountains.The perfect base for exploring the region’s magnificent landscape of rugged, untouched beauty while staying in the height of sumptuous comfort. A haven for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking a retreat from the desert heat. After the Jabal Akhdar tour, will drive back to Nizwa, check in the hotel, Dinner at the hotel

* Overnight at Nizwa

Day 6: Grand Canyon (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Guest will pick up from the hotel and start the tour by visiting Nizwa, tourist site par excellence and the first capital of the Sultanate of Oman in the sixth and seventh centuries. Nizwa has managed to retain its charm through the centuries with its strong and its guard tower that protects the city against invaders. This is the land of Imam Ibn Al Julanda first democratically appointed imam in the seventh century. Visit the fort surrounded by palm trees.

This fort built in the seventeenth century by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya'ruba. Nizwa Souq is the city, famous for its handicrafts and agricultural products, has an expansive souq with an array of products. The souq bustles with vendors selling everything from meat, fish, fruits and Nizwa is renowned for its silver jewelry which is considered to be the best in the country. Its people are masters in Khanjar making (curved dagger), recognized for its distinctive style and patterns. They also make copper ware, coffee pots, swords, leather goods and pottery.

Next stop will be Al Hamra. It is a 400-year-old town in the region Ad Dakhiliyah, in northeastern Oman. It is home to the mountainside village of Misfat Al Abryeen.  Ghul lies to the west of the town. Al Hamra is also known as Hamra Al Abryeen with reference to the Al Abri tribe who live there. Some of the oldest preserved houses in Oman can be found in Al Hamra, a town built on a tilted rock slab. Many of the houses have two stories, with ceilings made of palm beams and fronds topped by mud and straw.

Our last stop will be in Jabal Shams. Jabal Shams is Oman’s highest peak, at 3,009 metres above sea level, Jabal Shams or Sun Mountain is located in the Wilayat of Al-Hamra .The summit is unreachable by public road which ends at 2,000m. At night the guests can camp at the Jabal Shams Resort and experience the wonders of a moonlit night, far away from the city lights.  Dinner at the hotel

* Overnight at Jabal Shams 

Day 7: Mountain Crossing (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Guest will pick up from the hotel and start drive through Wadi Bani Auf.  It is an ancient wadi offering breathtaking vistas along its 26-kilometre trail. A little gap in the mountains, barely discernible from the main road, reveals the entrance to the wadi, which cuts a swathe deep into the mountainous terrain. Atop its craggy summit, a crumbling watchtower, picturesque in ruin, marks the entrance to the wadi.

A short distance ahead, a splash of vivid green brings you to a delightful oasis village called Al Far'a. Nourished by an underground falaj, date palms and an assortment of other trees, grow rich and thick. It makes an enchanting sight amid the barrenness of the wadi. Vegetation is verdant for several kilometers along one side of the wadi, following the course of a perennially flowing falaj. Tucked away in the cool confines of this growth are the houses of local residents, shielded from the glare of the sun. On higher elevations along the wadi here, are the remains of stone houses, cobbled together with stones found on the wadi bed.

Our last stop will be in Nakhal, where we will visit the 400 years old fortress of Nakhl located on top of a massive hill in the middle of a creek bed which is one big sea of green palm trees. This fort once served the Imams of Bani Kharous and the Ya’arubah dynasty.  After recent restoration work carried out on the fort, it is refurbished with traditional furniture, handicrafts and historic relics. The ceilings, the doors and windows are decorated with beautiful carvings. The view from the roof-top is very impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. After the tour, back to Muscat

Guest will transfer to Muscat International Airport for their departure flight.