Horizon Travel & Tourism - Exploring Scenic Wonders of Oman

Exploring Scenic Wonders of Oman

Sur - Wahiba Sands - Nizwa - Jebel Shams

Duration

9 Days & 8 Nights

Theme

Nature & Landscapes

Transfer Type

Private

Country

Oman

Overview

The itinerary is a 9-day adventure tour in Oman, offering a unique blend of breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. The itinerary covers popular attractions such as the Wadi Al Arbeieen, Wadi Tiwi, Nizwa fort, Misfat Al Abriyeen village, Jebel Shams, Al Nakhur rim hike, Wadi Bani Awf, snake canyon, and a city tour in Muscat. Experience an off-road journey, scenic hikes, and cultural visits, and indulge in the local cuisine, capturing the essence of the Omani lifestyle.

Sightseeing covered in the program:

· Wadi Al Arbeieen

· Wadi Mibam

· Wadi Tiwi

· Mibam Village

· Nizwa Fort

· Nizwa Souq

· Misfat Al Abriyeen Village

· Jebel Shams

· Al Nakhur Rim Hike

· Wadi Bani Awf

· Bilad Sayt Village

· Muscat Full Day City Tour

Itinerary

Day 1

On day one, we will be visiting two beautiful spots in Oman, Wadi Al Arbeieen and Wadi Mibam. In the morning, we will depart to Wadi Al Arbeieen, which is one of the nicest spots in Oman and is well-known for its off-roading opportunities. You will have the chance to take a bath before continuing to Wadi Mibam. In the afternoon, we will continue to Wadi Tiwi, which is named after the Tiwi village at the coast. It is a truly beautiful wadi with lush plantations, giving it a different and greener feel than many other wadis. We will drive 30 minutes inside the wadiand park near some houses before entering the narrow streets of Mibam village. Walking through the houses, you will see some stairs that will lead you down into Wadi Tiwi. From here, it is a 2-hour traverse through mostly large boulder stones with one or two tricky spots, before reaching the stunning feature Wadi Tiwi. You will reach a gorgeous pool at the wadi bend, surrounded by palm trees and overgrowth on the wadi cliffs. To reach the 'Mibam waterfall' at the bottom of Mibam, you will need to swim the 80-100m distance in this pool. We will be staying overnight at a hotel in Sur

Day 2

On day two, we will be visiting two beautiful and unique locations, Wadi Shab and Sink Hole. In the morning, we will depart to Wadi Shab. Inside Wadi Shab, you will have to walk along palm groves, rugged rocky cliffs and swim through some pools to reach the main attraction, a submerged cave with waterfalls. It will take you about 30-45 minutes of walking to get to the cave, and to enter it, you will have to swim through a hole between the mountains. In the afternoon, we will continue to Sink Hole, a freshwater crater that was formed naturally over the centuries. We will stop at Fins beach, where you will have the opportunity to take a bath before going to the hotel. It is possible to see turtles while they are laying eggs, but it is not the high season. The turtle tour will start at 8 pm and end at 11 pm. We will be staying overnight at Sur.

Day 3

On day three, we will be visiting Sur and Wadi Bani Khalid Muqal pools. In the morning, we will start the day by visiting the Dhow factory and Fatah Al khair museum in Sur. Then, we will continue to Wadi Bani Khalid, which is a region surrounded by palm trees and plantations of tropical fruits. You can relax on the shore of a lake with crystal clear water and take a bath before going to the desert. We will continue to Wahiba Sands, which is a region of desert in Oman named after the Bani Wahiba tribe. There will be desert activities such as soft dune bashing and watching the sunset. We will be staying overnight at permanent camp at desert

Day 4

On day four, we will be going on a Hiking in Wadi Hawir. In the morning, we will depart to Wadi Hawir for a 30 to 45-minute hike. This exciting trip will take us to the turquoise pools of the less-traveled Hawir section of Wadi Bani Khalid. This canyon is a great adventure for those who enjoy water activities and is away from the touristic pools. We will scramble down the valley of boulders and follow the local 'Fala'j, which are series of canals that help irrigate local farms and crops, until we reach the first stunning pools. The beautiful turquoise water, long swims, impressive jumps, and good route-finding make this canyon a great adventure. The canyon also boasts an impressive waterfall with great jumping points, ranging from a timid meter-high to the really big jumps. In the afternoon, we will drive back to the desert and spend the night at a desert camp

Day 5

On day five, the itinerary will start with a visit to the Sinaw market where you will have the opportunity to see local Bedouin people buying and selling camels, goats, and sheep. Next, you will head to Birkat Al-Mouz, an oasis that is home to a variety of birds, trees such as palm and banana, and an old village perched on the side of a small mountain. After taking photos, you will continue to Jibreen Castle, which is considered the most beautiful historic castle in all of Oman. This 17th-century castle is located in Bahla and is a stunning piece of history. You will spend the night at a hotel in Nizwa

Day 6

In the morning of day six, the itinerary will take us to the historic fort of Nizwa. This circular-shaped fort is known for its unique architecture that combines authenticity with modernism. The souq in Nizwa is famous for its antiquities and the many silver items sold, including the traditional Khanjar. On Fridays, the local cattle market takes place in Nizwa and it is the best day for anyone to buy livestock such as goats, sheep, cows, or bulls.
The next stop is the picturesque mountainous village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, located 1000 meters above sea level. The village gets its name from the Al Abri tribe, who originally come from Misfat Al Abriyeen and Al Hamra.
In the afternoon, we will be visiting Jebel Shams, also known as the mountain of sun. This mountain is the highest in Oman and is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range. The itinerary includes an overnight stay at a resort in Jabal Shams

DAY 7

On day seven, we'll be heading out to the Al Nakhur rim hike (W6 Route) also known as the "Balcony Walk." This hike is highly recommended for those looking for an easy and enjoyable hike through the rim of the Grand Canyon starting from the Al Khitaym village located at the end of the road at Jabal Shams. The hike will take around 3 to 4 hours.
After the hike, we'll be spending the night at the resort in Jebel Shams.

DAY 8

In the morning, we will depart for Wadi Bani Awf and climb the peak of the mountain at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, overlooking the snake canyon. We will explore this spectacular landscape in our 4X4 vehicle, encountering fresh palm trees, gardens, and villages hidden in unusual places. At the mountain pass of Birkat Al Sharaf, we will have the chance to fully appreciate the beauty of Wadi Bani Awf and its adjacent wadi. During the tour, we will make a photo stop at Bilad Sayt village. Later in the day, we will engage in a challenging hike in the snake canyon and will need a local guide for this. The hike requires the use of ropes and will take approximately 3 to 4 hours. Afterward, we will return to Muscat and stay overnight at a hotel in the city.

DAY 9

On the ninth day, we will be embarking on a city tour of Muscat, visiting some of its popular tourist attractions. Our first stop will be at the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which showcases intricate architectural details and beautiful stained glass windows. Then we will head to the Oprea House, a famous building in the city known for its unique design. Afterward, we will visit the Amouage Perfume Factory, where we will learn about the production of the famous Omani perfumes. We will then head to the Fish and Vegetable Market in Mutrah, where we will get to see the local food culture in action. We will then have lunch, where we will get to try some delicious Omani food. Our next stop will be the Bait Al Zubair Museum, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Oman. We will then visit the Mutrah Souq, a bustling marketplace selling traditional and modern goods. Our last stop for the day will be the Old Muscat, where we will take a photo stop at the Sultan Palace and Portuguese Fort.