Hajar Explorer
9 DAYS ~ FROM £1,730This great itinerary takes you from the modern capital to the ancient one. Explore Muscat, on the coast with the Indian Ocean lapping at the shore, then Nizwa, nestling at the foot of the Hajar Mountains in a lush swathe of Oases. From Forts, castles, souks and museums to Wadi, peaks, canyons and hot water springs experience a small slice of this country’s natural beauty and history.Muscat • Nizwa • Jibreen • Sawadi • MuscatDay 1- To Muscat Day 2- Muscat Arrive Muscat in the morning. Afternoon excursion to Muscat that includes the Al Alam Palace, the forts of Jalali and Mirani, Bait al Zubair museum and Mutrah Souk. Overnight stay at the Crown Plaza Day 3- To Nizwa Depart from the hotel towards Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. Before you leave the Muscat you will stop at the Grand Mosque for a brief visit. On the way to Nizwa stop you stop at Birkat Al Mawz. Translated as pool of Bananas the towns’ best sites are the restored Palace and its great example of a Falaj. In the afternoon visit the spectacular cylindrical fort and the Souk in Nizwa before heading to see the ruins of Tanuf a short distance away. Overnight stay at the Golden Tulip. Day 4- Hamra, Jibreen and Bahla. Today you spend the day exploring the local area. Starting with the Oases of Hamra, you explore the Palmerie, little changed in centuries before heading to Bahla. Here you visit the ancient Souk and its city walls and take in some of the spectacular scenery of the area. Jibreen’s castle is considered the finest in the country and it is here that you visit next. A fine day finishes with a drive to the summit of Jebel Shams to see the canyon of Wadi Ghul. Sit and watch the sunset. Overnight stay at the Golden Tulip. Day 5- To Al Sawadi Head back to the coast today and towards the Batinah Plateau. Stop on the way to visit the ruins of Fanja. Perching on an outcrop Nakhl fort has commanding views over the surrounding Oases. Visit the local Hot Springs at Ain Ath Thawrah before heading to the coast. Overnight stay at the Al Sawadi hotel. Day 6- Rustaq to Muscat After breakfast we visit the town and fort at Rustaq before heading to Muscat. Overnight stay at the Crown Plaza. Day 7- Muscat Today you have a morning excursion into the Gulf of Oman to see the Dolphins that live in the local waters. Relax for the afternoon before heading to the nature reserve for the evening. Day 8- To London Heathrow from Muscat Early afternoon direct flight from Muscat to London Heathrow Suggest Extensions- Sur and the Turtle beaches of Ras Al Hadd, Salalah and the Dhofar, Musandam and Wahiba Sands
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