Horizon Travel & Tourism - Expedition Across Majesty and Culture of Oman

Expedition Across Majesty and Culture of Oman

Jebel Shams - Jebel Akhdar - Nizwa - Wahiba sands

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Theme

Nature & Landscapes

Transfer Type

Private

Country

Oman

Overview

Embark on a 10-day odyssey through Oman, unveiling a tapestry of experiences that blend ancient heritage, natural marvels, and cultural immersion. From the vibrant streets of Muscat to the rugged beauty of Jebel Shams, the journey is curated to reveal the diverse essence of Oman's landscapes and traditions, promising a new adventure each day. Delve into historic forts, traverse through breathtaking wadis, and relish moments of tranquility in luxurious desert camps. Experience a unique blend of exploration and relaxation, culminating in an unforgettable sojourn celebrating Oman's rich tapestry of history, nature, and cultural wonders.

Experience a 10-day odyssey through Oman, where every day unveils a new facet of this captivating country, blending adventure, culture, and natural splendor.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Muscat International airport. Private Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Muscat hotel

Day 2

09:00 hrs.: Meet the representative of Horizon and the “Car Rental Supplier” at the hotel to collect a rental car.
Departure for a Muscat full-day self-guided tour. Start with a visit to the magnificent Grand Mosque, built with sandstone and marble. Pass through the Ministry area before visiting the Opera House. Next, take a photo opportunity at Al Alam Palace, the palace of the Sultan, before continuing on to visit the Mirani and Jalali forts (outside views only). Move on to the Bait Al Zubair Museum. This privately owned museum, located in the old town of Muscat, is known for its fine collection of traditional costumes, antique jewelry, and weapons. Continue to Muttrah Souq, which is one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. Its history and antiquities only increase the extent of its beauty, magic, and allure. Overnight at the Muscat Hotel.

Day 3

Visit the Barka fish market, a traditional local Omani fish market situated in Barka. Bait Al Qassam Museum.
Start the Best in All Arabia off-road adventure crossing of Wadi Bani Awf (3h), a spectacular mountain road. You will see small villages on the way. Panoramic view of the Snake Canyon. Continue to Bald Sayt, a fairytale-like village typical of the Arabian 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

Day 4

An exciting and easy walk along the steep canyon walls to an old village brings you back in time hundreds of years. Starting at Al Khatim village, breath-taking scenery will impress you with a kind of huge natural amphitheater, the tiny village of Nakhr way below in the shadowy depths of the canyon, and birds of prey such as the Egyptian vulture with its distinctive black-and-white-striped wings. Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes one way, about 4km.
Photo opportunity at Misfah al Abriyyin. The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks.
Visit 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.
Overnight at the Jebel Shams hotel.

Day 5

Visit Jabreen 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 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an enchanting stop that will transport you back in time.
Overnight at the Jebel Akhdar 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 km 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.
Overnight at the Jebel Akhdar hotel.

day 7

Visit 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 Wahiba sands. The longitudinal dunes stretch 200 km long and 100 km wide until the Arabian Sea, and they 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.
Overnight at Luxury Camp.

Day 8

Visit the enchanting Wadi Bani Khalid. Drive past the village with its endless date plantations to reach the magnificent wadi. The pools are cool, deep, and absolutely stunning. Feel free to plunge in and experience the crystal-clear waters.
Continue to Wadi Tiwi, a spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. renowned for its old traditional villages surrounded by lush plantations of date and banana.
Photo opportunity at Wadi Shab. Fresh water cascading from the top of the mountains meets the briny sea water on its banks, creating an environmental diversity unique to this wadi and making it stand on a pedestal of its own when compared with the other wadis (valleys) in the Sultanate.
18:00 hrs.: Drop off the car rental at the car rental supplier at the hotel.
Overnight at Muscat Best Beach Hotel.