EXPLORE OMAN

EK.306: PROGRAM (9 days / 8 nights)

Day 1: ARRIVAL MUSCAT

Arrival at MUSCAT International airport, after formalities, you will be able to direct yourself to the Car rental area at the car rental counter. After the car formalities are done, you will receive the keys, and you will be ready to discover the region. Drive to your hotel. We will provide you with a GPS device and a road book. Check in at hotel. Overnight in Muscat.

Day 2: MUSCAT [70 km]

Breakfast at the hotel. Delivery of your car and briefing by our Staff. Drive through the beautiful embassy quarter enroute the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that has a remarkable architectural achievement. As a contemporary place of worship it serves as a spiritual landmark for modern Oman, projecting the values and aspirations of the Omani people. As an edifice, it maintains a perfect balance between aesthetics, culture and deeply rooted Islamic tradition. After the visit to the mosque continue to Bait Al Baranda museum, which showcase the history of Muscat. Visit Old Muscat, surrounded by steep mountains and flanked by twin 16th century forts ‘Jalali’ & ‘Mirani’, also see the Al Alam Palace, The late Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ residence. Then proceed to Bait Al Zubair Museum. Bait Al Zubair is itself a part of Muscat heritage. Sheikh Al Zubair who served three former Sultans, founded the house in 1914 and his son Mohammad Al Zubair opened it as a museum in 1998. It’s carved doors opens up into a fortress style reception. The museum includes traditional Omani weaponry, jewelry, costumes, domestic utensils and recreated urban and rural environments. Then drive through the scenic beauty of the corniche, stop at Muttrah - the main port & commercial center, and explore the colorful historic souk. This is a real souk with winding alleys and backstreets and stalls selling all manner of textiles, jewelry, traditional Omani perfumes (bukhoor - made of frankincense), souvenirs and antiques… Overnight in Muscat.

Day 3: MUSCAT – SUR [340 km]

After breakfast, continue your journey to Sur, a sea-faring town and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. Famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. Photos stop at Quriyat a small fishing village. Continue your drive through the coastal area to Qalhat - drive through one of the most thrilling sections of Oman's 1,700 km coastline. Qalhat, one of the oldest towns and seaports in Oman, was famous for exporting horses to and importing spices from India in the 13th century. Then proceed to visit the famous Sinkhole, a part of a collapsed mountain filled with sea. Arrive in Sur late afternoon. Overnight in Ras Al Jinz.

Day 4: SUR

After breakfast visit the sea-faring town Sur and a trading port bustling with activity throughout the year. Famed for the fascinating architecture of its old town and shipyards where traditional dhows have been built for centuries at the edge of the bay. Visit Bilad Castle and after a quick tour of Sur, continue to Jaalan Bani bu Hassan Castle via Al Kamil, This Castle was built during the reign of H.E. Sa’id bin Sultan during the first half of the thirteenth century AH, corresponding to the first half of the 15th century AD. The circular castle and rises to a height of 8 meters with a 50 meter diameter. It is surrounded by an external wall whose area exceeds five thousand square meters, and has two main gates; one is in the east and the other in the west.We will continue to explore more on this region, before proceeding to Ras Al Hadd. You have opportunity to visit the turtle (Optional) reserve with the possibility of watching the turtles laying their eggs at night.
 Overnight in Ras Al Jinz.

Day 5: SUR - WAHIBA [200 km]

Early morning enjoy the sunrise and a swim on the beach. After breakfast, depart to Wadi Bani Khalid – a lush green valley surrounded by rugged mountains, enjoy an incredible view and a chance to capture the scenic beauty with your camera. Investigate the surrounding area on foot. A unique picnic lunch can be carried by you to have it in the WADI around trees and water. Then continue to Wahiba Sands where you will meet your 4x4s to transfer you to your Desert Camp. Wahiba is one of the most fascinating and mysterious regions of Oman. The vast, ever shifting dunes support an astonishing variety of wildlife and host different kinds of flora and fauna. The quick changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba is also home to a few thousand Bedouins, who are known to have inhabited this inhospitable region for at least 7000 years. Dinner & Overnight in Wahiba Sands.
Note: On this day, you will park your car in a allocated area as agreed with the camp outside the desert

Day 6: WAHIBA SANDS – AL HAMRA - NIZWA [200 km]

This morning after breakfast, proceed to Nizwa. Start the exploration of Nizwa area by proceeding to the palm groves at Al Hamra. Al Hamra, is also noted for its extraordinary ancient mud houses. Visit one of oldest house of Sheikh “Bait Al Safa”, which has been restored, decorated and transformed into a lively museum. Stop in the small village of MISFAH. In the late afternoon, you have an opportunity to explore the souk of Nizwa. Overnight in Nizwa.

Day 7: NIZWA [150 km]

After breakfast, visit Nizwa. Forts and castles are Oman’s most striking cultural landmarks and together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastion look-out points. It is estimated that there are over 500 forts, Castles and towers in Oman, our visit today would include a few of them which are more remarkable & striking in their architecture & style. The ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa was a seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. The 17th century Round fort and the souq famous for the silver jewelry are the major attraction of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place on every Friday.Built on a scold base of rock, the huge tower was designed to with stand the vibration of 24 cannons .Then move on to Bahla famous for its handmade pottery. Bahla is listed in UNESCO world heritage sites however the fort here is now under renovation and is not open to public. Continue to visit the famous Jabreen Castle, built as a defensive stronghold, The Jabreen is perhaps the finest of Omani castles. The castle has dungeons, passages, rooms and ceilings decorated with fine carvings & paintings.
Overnight in Nizwa.

Day 8: NIZWA – JEBEL SHAMS – NIZWA – MUSCAT [300 km]
Breakfast at the hotel, Today, start with the visit of Jebel Shams, It is part of the Jebal Akhdar region in the western Hajar. Its name means ‘Sun Mountain’ and the highest point lies at 3010 meters although this point is only accessible by the military. The drive takes around 1.5hrs to the base of the mountain.
Before you begin the journey to the top of the mountain you will notice the abandoned village sitting on the edge of the rock face. It’s then a 45min drive to the top. This is mostly tarmac throughout except for a short off road drive once on top of the plateau. Once on top of the plateau you now have the chance to view Wadi Ghul from 3000m. After spending your time, drive back to Nizwa and proceed further to Muscat. Arrive late afternoon in Muscat. Overnight in Muscat.

Day 9: Departure

Breakfast at your hotel. Then depart to the airport, on arrival go to the car rental RETURN parking, handover your car rental company team, and direct yourself to the departure area.

VISITS & ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

     Accommodation including breakfast
     Road book
     Pick up car
     GPS included
     Car type full size: HONDA CIVIC or similar comfortable for 4 people with car insurance
     Prices are per person in USD inclusive of taxes & VAT
     Children sharing parents’ room are free (maximum 1 child per room under 12 years on existing bed or extra bed). Breakfast to pay extra
     24/24 assistance from Kurban Tours Call Center

Do not include:

     Flights
     Optional excursions and entrance fees
     Porterage & Personal expenses
     Visa fees if needed

For further information and package price please contact us:

Email: info@exp20.com
W/A: 00971 54 435 0595