Oman: Splendours of the Sultanate
8th - 22nd October 201013 nights- 15 days ~ From £2745
A stunning journey through a most captivating of Sultanates. Visit the countries Capital Muscat, a thriving modern Gulf city. Marvel at the ancient Oasis, Fortified towns and colossal dunes that make up this stunning landscape before visiting the Hajjar mountains, home of the countries true descendants and its capital Nizwa. Salalah in the south is a world away from the rest of the country set among lush and verdant hills and mountains it is the one place in the Middle East to experience a Monsoon!London • Muscat • Sur • Wahiba Sands • Nizwa • Barka • Salalah • LondonDay 1. To Muscat Fly from London Heathrow on Oman Air overnight flight to Muscat. Depart Heathrow: Oman Air WY102. 2125. Day 2. Muscat Arrive Muscat 0855 Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer by a chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. Check in at the Shangri-La, Al Bandar Hotel for 3 nights in a Deluxe Sea facing room. You have the rest of the day to relax. Day 3. Muscat Your morning sightseeing starts with a visit to the Grand Mosque, which is one the largest mosques in the world. You will also visit Mutrah, a delightful quarter of Muscat, complete with traditional souks, famous for its gold, frankincense and sandalwood. From Mutrah the drive continues to Muscat Old Town where the tour proceeds on foot, walking past the palace of Sultan Qaboos and the forts Jabali and Mirani. Day 4. Muscat Today you have the day at leisure. Day 5. Muscat to Sur After breakfast leave Muscat by 4-wheel drive along the coast to Sur. The journey offers glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman and pristine beaches. The first stop is the port of Quriyat. Continue to 'Wadi Shaab ', Shaab in Arabic literally means “Ravine between Cliffs” After lunch you continue onto Sur and stay overnight at the Sur Plaza Hotel. After an early dinner, head to Ras al-Hadd, a beautiful beach where giant green turtles still come ashore to nest (worth taking a torch). The main hatching season is May to October, when thousands of tiny turtles emerge and head for the sea. Even outside these months, the chances of seeing turtles actually laying eggs on the beach, is very good. Return to Sur, arriving back in the late evening. Day 6. Sur to Wahiba Sands This morning you drive to Wadi Bani Khalid. It is here where you will be served picnic lunch, before continuing to the great desert of Oman known as Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sands is the home of the Bedouin who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the Sands. Overnight stay in luxury tents at the 1000 Nights Camp. Day 7. Wahiba Sands to Nizwa After breakfast you will depart for the town of Sinaw where you will visit the Souk. Your final destination is Nizwa, the holy city of the Ibadhi Imams and the major town of the Omani interior. You have a 3-night stay at the Falaj Daris Hotel. Day 8. Nizwa Today you have a Morning tour of the Oasis City of Nizwa, the capital of Julanda Dynasty. Today it remains an important tourist attraction with its historical buildings and imposing fort. From here proceed to Nizwa Souk which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved "Khanjar" and ornately designed silver jewellery. On Friday, a unique goat and cattle auction is held and the atmosphere here is electric. Continue to Misfah a village in the mountains, where the houses cling to the rocks, and although they look precarious have been here for centuries. Continue the journey to Jebel shams the highest peak in Oman at over 3,000 meters. Day 9. Nizwa Drive to the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz. Enjoy a walk through the lush green date plantations. We proceed to Wadi Al Madeen from here a 36-km stretch of winding road takes one to Jebel Al Akhdar the green jewel of the Al Hajjar mountain ranges. The Al Jebel Al Akhdar is famed for its fruit orchards typically laid out terrace style along the slopes of mountains which are endowed with natural springs and Falaj. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habit & Al Ain dot the landscape. The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks, gorges and Wadi. Day 10. Nizwa to Barka Depart Nizwa first stopping briefly at Bahla for a photograph of the Bahla Fort, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Jabrin Castle, one of Oman's most beautiful forts, built in the late 17th Century. Continue towards Muscat via a dramatic mountain round crossing the Al Hajjar Mountains. Drive through the foothills to the Wadi Bani Auf, A photo stop of a beautiful mountain village called Bilad Sait. You have a 2-night stay in Barka. Day 11. Barka Today you have the day at leisure. Breakfast is included today. Day 12. Barka to Salalah via Muscat Transfer to the airport in Muscat for a short flight with Oman Air to the southern city of Salalah. On arrival you will be met and taken to the Hilton Salalah for 3-night stay. Breakfast is included today. Depart from Muscat at 1110. Arrive in Salalah at 1250 Day 13. Salalah Today you will have a tour of the capital of Dhofar, starting with East Salalah. Next you move onto Samhuram with its famed port from where the frankincense trade used to take place and where you will also see the remains of Queen Sheba's Palace on top of a small hill overlooking the Khor Rawri. Continue by the coastal road to the old city of Mirbat for a walk around the Castle overlooking the sea and some old and beautiful old merchant houses with their carved doors and windows. The tour ends with a visit to see frankincense trees, which produce the incense for which this region is famous. Breakfast is included today. Day 14. Salalah Today you have the day at leisure. Breakfast is included today. Day 15. Salalah to London via Muscat You will be collected from the hotel this morning for you short flight with Oman air to Muscat to connect with your international flight with Oman air to the UK. Depart from Salalah at 0730 and arrive in Muscat at 0905 Depart from Muscat at 1255 and arrive in London at 1740
Business class flight supplements are available on request. If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you a land only cost for the holiday.
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