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Land of the Forts & Mountains – Individual Tours
Day 01 : Arrive Muscat – 20 kms approx
You will arrive at the Seeb International Airport. Upon your arrival you proceed straight to the Immigration counter, Immigration & customs are quick & simple. Upon arrival at the General arrival lounge you will be met by your chauffer / guide who will assist you to the comforts of our vehicle to drive you at the hotel.
Overnight at the Muscat Holiday Hotel or Similar
Day 02 : Half Day Muscat Tour – Approx 50 kms
At 0800 hrs you will be met by your tour guide at the lobby to depart for the Mystical Muscat experience. Our guide will give you in-depth information about the city, country. We proceed to Grand Mosque ( Ladies have to cover their head with scarf and full sleeve covering their shoulders ). After grand Mosque your tour will take you through the seaside residential area of Qurum to the National Museum. After a tour of the museum you will continue drive to Old Muscat en-route stopping at the Zawawi Mosque for a photo stop. Continue drive through the city to corniche water front to visit the Muttrah souq (market place) probably the oldest in Oman with charm & choice. Here you will be left on your own to wander around in the narrow lanes and admire the goods on sale & enjoy the thrill of discovery.
After the visit to the souq you will board your vehicle to drive through the old city to the Al Alam Palace (photo stop) an architectural marvel for both the design & location between the twin forts of Jalali & Mirani. The Jalali fort was built in 1558 AD during the presence of the Portuguese in the Sultanate. This fort was Muscat's main prison for many years, a sinister & awesome building. The Mirani Fort located at the end of the Western wall of old Muscat, facing the sea was built on top of a mountain to be a governing center. After having spent some time here taking photographs you will return to your vehicle to drive back to the hotel.
Day 03 : Muscat/Quryat/Fins Beach /Wadi Shaab / Sur – Approx 270 kms
Breakfast the hotel. 0800 hrs. Meet our guide at the lobby at 0800 hrs and embark your 4 wheel drive for a soft adventure program. This tour along the coast line to Sur offers breath taking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset pristine beaches. Arrive at Quriyat, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea. The port of Quiriyat is still guarded by a watchtower. Continue on the bumpy track, sometimes touching the sea following a creek or overlooking superb white beaches hundreds of metres long. Arrive a Fins beach (White beach) stop for a short swim and continue to 'Wadi Shaab ', Shaab in Arabic, literally means 'Ravine between Cliffs " shallow green pools and abundant shade give wadi shaab a perfect setting for a picnic. you may take a long walk inside the wadi, later return to your vehicles and proceed to Sur.
Arrive at Sur and Check in at Sur plaza hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Sur /Wadi Bani Khalid / Wahiba Sands – Approx 200 kms
After breakfast 0800 hrs depart for a short tour of the Sur town to visit the dhow building yard later proceed to Wadi Bani Khalid, which stands out like an oasis in the desert with clear green natural spring water pools, Which gives ample scope for a swim before continuing to the Wahiba Sands which stands out in stark contrast to Wadi Bani Khalid. The 'Wahiba Sands' often described as a perfect example of Sand Sea consists of large ranges of dunes running from North to South, some attaining a height of about 100 mts and orange in color.
Arrive at the pre arranged camp site for overnight.
Dinner and overnight at the camp
Day 05 : Wahiba Sands / Ibra / Sinaw / Jabal Shams – Approx 270 kms
Breakfast at the camp. After having spent some time here in the desert you will leave the desert to continue drive to Nizwa. On the way you visit Ibra souq . After visiting Ibra proceed to Sinaw to see the old village and the abandoned souq.
Arrive at nizwa and continue drive to Jabal shams. Stop at 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 beginning of the village and then walk in to 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. After a short visit you will return to your vehicles to continue your drive to Jabel Shams the highest peak in Oman at over 3,000 meters. Jabel Shams means “Mountain of the Sun”, its old name is Jabel Al Qanah. The area is home to weavers of heavy woollen rugs in distinctive colours. Here you may take a walk to see the Grand Canyon
Overnight at the Jabal shams Resort ( Basic camp)
Day 06 : Jabal Shams / Bahla / Jibreen / Nizwa – Approx 150 kms
After breakfast at the camp, depart from jabal shams and proceed to the JABRIN FORT, en-route, stopping at BAHLA for a photograph of the BAHLA FORT, now a World Heritage Site. Arrive at JABRIN 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 mesmerising.
After the visit of Forts and Falaj proceed to Nizwa. Check in at your hotel andl drop in your baggage & proceed on a tour of the OASIS CITY OF NIZWA, which was once the capital of “JULANDA DYNASTY” in the 6th & 7th Century AD. Today it remains as the most popular tourist attractions with its historical buildings & imposing fort. Visit 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 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 Jewellery. Here on a Friday a unique goat and cattle auction is held.
Overnight at Falaj Daris hotel or Golden tulip hotel, Nizwa
Day 07 : Nizwa / Bilad Sayt / Nakhal / Muscat – Approx 200 kms
After breakfast, depart from Nizwa and proceed to bilad sayt through the foot hills of jabal akdhar mountains. Cross the mountain through bilad sayt village and arrive at Wadi bani Awf and proceed to Nakhal. The Batinah is the most fertile region in Oman. You will find date palms and other plantations all along the way. continue your drive to NakhL fort and the hot water springs. After having spent some time here you will continue your drive to Al Sawadi beach resort for beach extension.
Those who do not want to extend their stay at Al Sawadi beach can be dropped off either at the Muscat airport or at their hotel of extension in Muscat.
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