Detailed Port Descriptions

Day 1—Tuesday October 29                        Muscat

You will be greeted at the Muscat International Airport (MCT) for ground transfer to your hotel. Hotel: W Muscat, Muscat  

Day 2 - Wednesday October 30               Muscat

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your private guide and begin your tour. Then visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Built by the Sultan for the 25th anniversary of his accession, it is the 5th largest mosque in the world. The mosque is an architectural masterpiece and houses some outstanding works of art. (Before entering, women must cover their décolleté and hair and both men and women should wear long sleeves and long trousers (or skirt) and avoid sheer fabric and transparent clothing), no white pants. Then, visit the Royal Opera House, the leading arts and culture organization in Oman.  Continue to Al Alam Palace, where the sultan receives state guests. The palace is flanked by two 16^th-century, Portuguese fortresses, Al Jalali and Al Mirani.  Then visit Bait Al Zubair museum, which celebrates the culture and heritage of Oman with extensive permanent collections as well as special visiting exhibits. Next, we’ll take a break in an area where you can sit and walk around and select your restaurant for lunch (not included). Then, drive along the Corniche to Muttrah Souk, the oldest and largest market in Oman. You will have time to explore the picturesque, narrow alleys, where the air is filled with the scent of frankincense and sandalwood. Shop for Omani souvenirs such as pottery, paintings, shisha pipes, framed khanjars, leatherwork and incense. Don’t forget to bargain! (B&D)  

Day 3— Thursday October 31 Salalah

This morning you will be in CME session, then transfer to Muscat Airport for your Oman Air # 907 to Salalah leave 2:50pm arrive 4:35pm. Upon arrival in Salalah, meet the local Ya’lla Tours representative and be transferred to your hotel for overnight. (B&D) Hotel: Salalah Rotana Resort, Salalah  

Day 4– Friday November 01 Salalah

After breakfast start the visit to Salalah and its surroundings. The excursion begins in the morning with a visit to the old fishing village of 'Taqah', famous for the manufacture of 'Dried Sardines' & its traditional & old 'Dhofari Houses'. Visit the century old Taqah Castle, the former official residence of the 'Wali' (Governor) of the region & obtain a glimpse into the rich history of the region. Continue onto the ancient ruins of the once famous city of Sumharam (Khor Rohri). The city was the easternmost outpost of the Hadramawt Kingdom on the ancient incense route between the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf and India. Khor Rori was an important port on the coast of Dhofar, and one of the major trading cities with frankincense, believed to have been the hub & harbour for the shipping of Frankincense (UNESCO World Heritage site). Continue on a picturesque drive then leads you to 'Mirbat', the ancient capital of Dhofar and the beginning of the ‘Frankincense Trail’. Stroll through the streets lined with old Omani mud houses & visit the 'twin-domed Bin Ali’s Tomb’ for a photo stop …a classic example of medieval architecture. (B&D)  

Day 5 - Saturday November 02 Salalah

After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart to City Tour of Salalah, known as the “perfume capital of Arabia” and the largest city in the Dhofar region. It was here that the first large free trade zone of Oman was built, accelerating the economic growth of the region. In 1940 Sultan Qaboos was born here and we’ll pass his local palace during our touring. Continue to Al Baleed archaeological park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Al Baleed was an important trading port for frankincense and myrrh between the 7th and 14th centuries. The attached Salalah Museum houses many artifacts from that period. Pass the royal palace on the way to Haffa Souk, where the fragrances of the orient come together. Visit the gold souk with a variety of gold and silver handicrafts. A visit to the food souk is interesting; The meat souk is more for the brave. Drive through the garden-like fruit plantations. Stop at a fruit stall for a refreshing coconut milk, sipped with a straw directly from the nut or try the small sweet local bananas or papayas and guavas. Thereafter we proceed to Qara Mountains to explore the western part of Salalah. On a road steadily winding up a steep incline, herds of camels & cattle are a common sight which gives a scenic view of a traditional Dhofari rural beauty.  Visit the ancient tomb of the Prophet Job situated in the scenic green mountains of the Salalah Plains. Experience the legendary story of the Prophet Job and his devoutness. Proceed to the beach of the Mughsail where the white sand touches the deep blue of the ocean and at high tide, where waves burst through the natural titanic 'Blow Holes', at the far end of the rocky beach with a cave-like entrance. We thereafter continue along the hairpin bend road towards the western border of Oman, with its breathtaking cliffs on either side, to see the historical 'Frankincense trees' growing in their natural habitat, deep down in the valleys, dotting the dry & craggy countryside. We take a short walk into the valleys to smell the 'Holy Incense' amidst the scenic view of the region. (B)

Day 6 -     Sunday November 03               Wahiba Sands

After breakfast transfer to airport for Oman Air flight # 904 to Muscat leave 10:25am arrive 12:05pm.  Drive from Airport to Wahiba Sands. The Wahiba Sands are characterized by enormous rolling dunes, some as high as 150 metres, stretching as far as the eye can see – a quintessential desert landscape that is as beautiful as it is austere. Named after the Wahiba tribe, the region is home to Bedouin who manage to eke out an existence around the few oases, and is also home to a surprising amount of wildlife. Immortalized by the travels of Wilfred Thesiger, a journey into the sands offers a superb opportunity to experience desert wilderness. We will visit one of the bedouin house to know more about their life style. Continue to the edge of the desert, here the tyres will be deflated before entering into the desert. Drive over the dunes to reach your camp. Arrive and check in at Desert Nights Camp. Evening drive over the dunes for a Sunset. Enjoy some dune bashing over the dunes before reaching the sunset point. After Sun set return to your camp for BBQ dinner and overnight. (B&D) Hotel: Desert Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands  

Day 7– Monday November 04 Jebel Akhder

Check out from the Camp and drive to Wadi Bani Khalid. The drive to Wadi Bani Khalid is through the Eastern Hajar Mountains, which offers a panoramic view of landscape below.  We pass many pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Here the road winds down to the wadi along side a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation and ends at a village. We park our vehicles at this point and continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. Enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature. (Please note it is approx 500 meter walk from the parking area to the pool.) As per the recent guidelines form Ministry of Tourism, ladies who wish to swim in the wadi have to wear shorts and t shirt to cover their body. Swimming in bikinis is not permitted. This is to respect the local culture of the villagers. After some relaxing time, we drive to Jebel Akhder, We proceed to Wadi Al Madeen where there is a checkpost. From here a 36 km stretch of winding road takes one to Jebel Akhdar (2000 mts above sea level) the green jewel of the Al Hajjar mountain ranges, a truly unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula. Enjoy the cool climate up in the mountains. 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 aflaj. We visit the Villages of Saiq (Diana Point), Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) & Al Ain.  The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks , gorges and wadis. Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers. Later drive to Al Jebel Al Akhdar famed for its fruit orchards typically laid out terrace style along the slopes of mountains, which are endowed with natural springs and aflaj. The villages of Saiq, Wadi Bani Habib (the village of the old houses) & Al Ain dot the landscape.  The villages overlook a spectacular landscape of dramatic peaks, gorges and wadis. Rose water is distilled in the homes of the villagers. (B&D) Hotel: dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar  

Day 8- Tuesday November 05 Jebel Akhder

The journey today takes you to culturally rich Oman. Drive to Nizwa and take a city tour of one of the oldest cities on Oman, the former capital and still the religious centre and silver capital of the country. Visit Nizwa Souq. The  main highlight in the Souq is the Cattle Auction that takes place every Friday. The  Auction is the traditional way of selling the cattles like sheep, goats, cows, and camels. These are brought by their owners from nearby villages. After witnessing the cattle auction explore the souq The impressive New Souq complex has been sensitively designed using Omani fort architecture and elegant Islamic arches. The air-conditioned halls of this souq are full of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, huge stacks of dates and freshly caught fish. This is still the best place to buy traditional silver “Khanjars” (hand- carved Omani daggers) and Bedouin jewellery, where silver is still sold by weight. Visit Nizwa Fort,  The 17th century round tower fort nearby is Oman’s most impressive tower. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view gives visitors a bird’s eye view all around Nizwa and the surrounding plains – a sure delight for all avid photographers! Up onto Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain), the country’s most fertile area, where terraced plantations grow apricots, pomegranates, peaches, grapes, almonds, walnuts and roses. Stop to enjoy the view from the Saiq plateau, 1,900 m above sea level. Continue on a mountain scenery mark your way to Jabreen Castle, designed to imitate the most beautiful grand European palaces of the 1600s. On the visit you’ll be enchanted by the stunning decorative inscriptions, frescoes and magnificent carvings – truly an authentic expression of Omani craftsmanship. In the Sun and Moon Room, reserved for important visitors, admire the majestic Islamic calligraphy, colorful eye drawings and rows of decorative windows. Continue to Bahla, best known for its gigantic ancient fort with towers of unbaked bricks, a remarkable example of this type of fortification that sits adjacent to the Friday Mosque with its decoratively sculpted prayer niche dominating the surrounding mud brick settlement and palm grove. Later drive to Jebel Akhder. Visit Birkat ul Mauz on the way a magical place, particularly during sunset, is surrounded by date plantations and aflaj, the ancient irrigation system. The water canals in this area are a UNESCO world heritage site. (B&D)

Day 9—Wednesday November 06  Jebel Akhder

After spending the morning in CME session, you have the rest of the day free to enjoy the facilities of this amazing hotel. (B)  

Day 10 -   Thursday November 07  Muscat

Drive to the old village of Al Hamra, restored by the government to show how Omanis lived in previous centuries. Visit Bait Al Safah, a renovated building run by women of the village, who demonstrate traditional practices such as milling, cooking and more. Drive to Bilad Sayt is one of the small villages that has preserved its traditional charm and sense of rural seclusion, situated in the protective mountains of Rustaq. The quaint old earthen houses arranged on terraces around the foot of the mountain are typical examples of medieval Omani dwellings. Abundant palm trees and a patchwork of terraced fields are characteristic of the beauty of this region. Fresh springs supply crystal clear drinking water to the village and the aflaj canals distribute the rare commodity wherever it is needed. The wealth ends in the adjacent Wadi, winding into the mountain range for approximately 7km. Continue to Wadi Bani Awf lies in a deep canyon, the luscious date palms a vivid contrast to the rugged, barren mountains. While inhospitable, the mountains provide protection against the blazing sun. We will visit Bait Numan Fort before continuing to our hotel in Muscat for overnight. (B) Hotel: W Muscat, Muscat  

Day 11—Friday November 08 Muscat

We drive towards the fishing town of Quriyat and make our first stop at Bimah Sink hole, a spectacular limestone crater with inviting cool blue green waters. Created by erosion, or perhaps even a meteorite, this sinkhole is thought to be one of the most beautiful sinkholes on the planet. This natural landmark is surely a place to see  on the long coastal road of Oman. We then stop  at Wadi Tiwi, spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. It compensates with its old traditional villages, surrounded by lush plantations of date and banana, and crisscrossed with a network of gurgling aflaj. Lunch en route. After around 5km you’ll reach the picturesque village of Harat Bidah, where the road narrows dramatically, squeezing its way between old houses and high stone walls. Stop here to capture some stunning pictures of the Wadi Later drive to Fins Beach,  one of the beautiful beach in Oman with white Sand and blue water, Return to Muscat for overnight. (B&L)  

Day 12– Saturday November 09 Muscat

After spending the morning in CME session,  visit to the House of Amouage, most famous and expensive perfumery house in the world. Home of the -prized and renowned perfumes, Amouage exhibits not just sophistication but more importantly, history and tradition in search of a product that would represent Omani heritage highly and fragrance of Arabia. During the visit, you will be served Omani coffee and dates. Then why not pick a scent that matches your personality and take one or two home? (B&D) Farewell dinner will be at the Buddha Bar with a $155 p/person credit to order from the menu. And a drink package including: (1 glass of wine or 1 beer or fresh juice, water soft drink)  

Day 13— Sunday November 10 Muscat

Today your Ultimate Oman tour comes to an end and you will depart for home with many incredible memories. (B)