Horizon Travel & Tourism - Oman Grand Discovery, Landscapes, and Culture

Oman Grand Discovery, Landscapes, and Culture

Jebel Akhdar - Wadi Tiwi - Ras Al Jinz

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Theme

Nature & Landscapes

Transfer Type

Private

Country

Oman

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day odyssey through Oman, a land of ancient allure and natural splendor. Begin in Muscat, where the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque's architectural grandeur awaits. Traverse the historic districts, bargaining for treasures at Muttrah Souq before a private yacht cruise unveils Muscat's panoramic beauty. Submerge into the azure waters for snorkeling adventures amidst vibrant marine life. The journey continues to the rugged landscapes of Jebel Shams, offering breathtaking canyon views and encounters with the timeless heritage of Bilad Sayt and ancient Ghul ruins. Traverse Al Hamra's historical gems and witness the majestic Bahla Fort's UNESCO-endorsed magnificence. Wander through Jebel Akhdar's terraced villages and savor the essence of Nizwa's traditional souq. Discover the shifting sands of Wahiba, venturing into the Bedouin realm for camel rides and a mesmerizing desert sunset. The exploration culminates in Ras Al Jinz, where turtle-watching under a starlit sky unveils the wonders of nature. Traverse Wadi Shab's emerald pools and the ethereal Bama Sinkhole before journeying back to Muscat, a tapestry of enduring memories carved against Oman's picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage."

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Muscat International Airport. private transfer to the hotel. overnight at the Muscat Hotel Muscat, Best Western, or similar.

Day 2

The tour begins with a visit to the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. Visit the Royal Opera Fish Market and the Natural History Museum, which exhibit the wealth of Oman’s history and thus impart knowledge about the country’s rich culture and traditions to the visitor. Later, you drive along the picturesque corniche to the once-walled district of Muscat. You will have photo stops at the residence of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Al-Alam Palace, which is flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali. You will be strolling through Muttrah Souq, where you will be bargaining for handicrafts and silver items. lunch in Bail al Luban, a local restaurant; afternoon on a private yacht cruise sunset <2 hours, at 4 pm. (The timing changes according to sunset time.) The trip will start with Marina Bander Al Rowdha. Here, we board luxurious speedboats and speed away in search of dolphins. As we leave the jetty, we get a splendid view of Muscat from the Gulf of Oman. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Oman’s coastline in a fiber boat over the pristine waters of Oman’s capital area and experience the breathtaking views of some of its landmarks. admire the majestic Al Bustan Palace Hotel and Al Bustan Village from the quiet seas. then we sail towards Qantab village, Bander Jissah, where you can see the Oman dive center and the Shangri-La resort, Haramil village, Sultan's Al-Alam Palace Muscat, famous forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani, an old cemetery, folks from the sea, and a beautiful view of sunset from Muscat from the sea. overnight at the Muscat Hotel.

Day 3

A paradise for those who love water activities, Oman never fails, even for its underwater charm. and to see the beauty beneath the waters, a snorkeling tour in Muscat, Oman, is the best activity to engage with if one feels that scuba diving gear is difficult to handle. Most of the snorkeling-friendly waters are situated amidst the country’s dramatic, mountainous coastlines. These waters are home to eye-popping underwater corals—a garden of them. These gardens are home to fish like parrot fish, wrasses, and striped sergeant fish. On a good snorkel day, one can also encounter friendly clownfish or even a thrilling swim with rays, turtles, and cuttlefish. Bander al-Khairan and Muscat Bay are among them for snorkeling in the Muscat area. 10 am. The trip starts at the Marina Bander Al Rowdha Boat Club near the Al Bustan Hotel. The trip duration is 3 hours. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day, and lucky ones may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometers from Muskat's rigged coast. After the dolphin watching trip, we allow those who are interested to indulge in snorkeling in a beautiful bay, thus giving you an opportunity to have a glimpse of the rich marine life of Oman. On the way back, enjoy the scenic beauty of Oman’s coastline in a fiber boat over the pristine waters of Oman’s capital area and experience the breathtaking views of some of its landmarks.

inclusions: refreshment, snorkeling equipment, and light snacks.
Lunch in a Turkish house, restaurant, overnight at the Muscat hotel, free afternoon

Day 4

isit the Barka Fish Market, a traditional local Omani fish market situated in Barka. Stop at Nakal to visit the impressive fort and admire the views of date plantations from the castle walls. We then visit the hot springs, where, if they are not too crowded, it is possible to bathe. from nakal. Start the best off-road adventure in all of Arabia by crossing Wadi Bani Awf (3 hours), a spectacular mountain road. You will see small villages on the way. panoramic view of the Snake Canyon. Continue to Bald Sayt, a fairy tale-like village typical of the Arab settlements of the past; it is one of the most picturesque villages in Oman. Stop at the old village of Ghul to see the abandoned Persian ruins. arrival at Jebel Shams, Oman's highest point, at 3.009m. It is truly an amazing sight at all times. of the day. Enjoy the spectacular view from the “grand canyon.”.
overnight at the Jebel Shams hotel. make sure you bring warm clothing because it could be cold up here.

Day 5

Misfat al-Abreen The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks. visit to the village of Al Hamra, one of the best-preserved old towns in the country and the home of the Bait al-Safah living museum. Take a stroll between the old abandoned buildings and mud houses. Visit the museum and learn about the Omani traditions, with men and women demonstrating ancient practices. visit to Jibrin Castle, a large rectangular building consisting of five floors and containing 55 rooms. This castle is distinguished by the inscriptions and frescoes that adorn its rooms. photo opportunity of the massive bahla fort (UNESCO site). It was built in the third millennium BC.
photo opportunity at Birkat al-Maouz, one of the most famous villages lying in ruins in Oman. With a large banana plantation and scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old Falaj irrigation system, listed as an Unesco World Heritage Site. It is an enchanting stop that will transport you back in time. overnight at the Jebel Akhadar hotel.

Day 6

Discover the Jebel Akhdar (green mountain). It is neither green nor a single mountain, but a large gray-brown massif covering more than 1,800 square kilometers with several peaks, rising to nearly 3050 meters. The mountain range is dotted with Omani villages, and in many areas, villagers have dug terraces in parts of the mountain for growing crops. Wadi Bani Habib is one of several interesting villages located on the massive plateau of Jebel Akhdar. Jabel Akhdar is also famous for rose water distillation. Of the thousands of varieties of rose, only a few produce the fragrant oil required to make rosewater, 'damascina' being one of the most famous of these prized varieties. free afternoon. overnight at the Jebel Akhdar hotel

Day 7

Visit to Nizwa, the former capital of Oman. It lies in the vicinity of the walls of the famous Nizwa Fort. Its building embraces both traditional and modern architectural lines. Visit the Nizwa Souq, which has remained vibrant for hundreds of years and is home to a number of local industries. Omani daggers (khanjar), copper, silver jewelry, livestock, fish, vegetables, and handicrafts can be found at the souq.
15:00 hrs.: meet the camp representative at Bidiya and take the escort service to the camp.
arrival at the entrance of the Wahiba sands. The longitudinal dunes stretch 200 km long and 100 km wide until the Arabian Sea and have been home to the bedouin for 7.000 years. You can venture up the high dunes and witness the unforgettable desert sunset, then gently drive through the sand dunes to reach the camp.

Day 8

breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 a.m. Leave the camp and enjoy some dune driving in the Wahiba sands. In the desert, use the opportunity to visit a Bedouin family living in a typical Barasti hut and get acquainted with their traditional lifestyle. camel ride, leave for Wadi Bani Khalid for a swim in its pools. Proceed via Al Kamil, the old castle museum. The Castel was built in the last quarter of the seventeenth century, while the museum was established in 2012 after the completion of the castle restoration. reach the hotel in Ras al Hadd in the afternoon. At night, enjoy a turtle-watching experience at Ras al Jinz Beach. We will spend the night at the permanent camp.

Day 9

We head off again, this time heading towards the coastal city of Afterthen, through Qalhat, to the famous village of Tiwi. At Tiwi, we will visit Wadi Shab, which is considered one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman. You will have ample time to hike through this wadi and enjoy exploring and swimming. Again, the scenery is spectacular, and it is certainly an experience you will remember forever. After walking and swimming in the wadi, we will drive to the spectacular Bama sinkhole. This sink hole is the best in Oman. The water is crystal clear, and the setting is outstanding. After enjoying some time there, where you will have the chance to swim, we will travel by the township of Quriyat and then through the mountains back to Muscat. This tour will leave you with lasting memories and a complete experience of Oman.
overnight at the Muscat Hotel.