Omán ​​Clásico

Day 1: Muscat

Arrive Muscat
Breakfast at the hotel. Arrival at Muscat International Airport (TBA). Upon arrival, meet and greet after the immigration formalities. Transfer to Muscat Hotel.
(Standard check-in time: 1400 hrs. and early check-in will be subject to availability)
Muscat town, the capital of Oman, is located on the Gulf of Oman coast. The city is the seat of the Omani government. With a history dating back to antiquity, it mixes high-rises and upscale shopping malls with clifftop landmarks such as the 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, looming over Muscat Harbor. Its modern, marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with a 50m dome and prodigious Persian carpet, can accommodate 20,000 people.
The rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Muscat Hotel.

Day 2: Muscat

Muscat City Tour (Breakfast & lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel.
0830 hrs.: Pickup from hotel and proceed to visit the Grand Mosque, highlight of the Muscat city. Completed in 2001, Grand Mosque is a beautiful building which looks modern but shows that modern craftsmen have retained the skills necessary to create this wonderful traditional environment. It is impossible not to take more and more pictures. The handmade carpets, the chandeliers, the ceiling of the great dome in the main prayer room are absolute 'must sees'. Kindly note, ladies to be fully covered and to carry a head scarf and men should wear trousers. Lecture by an Omani Scholar on Islam at Grand Mosque etc.
Notes: Grand Mosque is open from Saturday to Thursday from 0800 - 1100 hrs only. Ladies visiting the mosque are required to cover their head with scarf and do not wear shorts, beachwear or sleeveless outfits as they are to be fully covered. Men are also to be full covered though short leave shirts are allowed. No eatable are allowed inside the mosque premises. Slip on shoes recommended.

Later we will proceed to visit the The Royal Opera House which is Oman's premier destination for music, arts, and culture. The complex consists of a theatre, auditorium, landscaped gardens, an art centre, and cultural markets. The Royal Opera House has been ordered to be built in 2001 by HS Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who was a huge enthusiast of classical music and art. The house officially opened in 2011 and serves as a centre for excellence in the arts and enriches its heritage by culturally diverse programs and event.
We will continue to Muttrah, the older parts of town. Drive along the waterfront corniche and visit the bustling traditional souq (known as Muttrah Souq), one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years. A traditional Arab market housed under a modern setup; it attracts endless visitors looking to soak in the feel of ancient Arabia. You will find shops selling Omani artifacts along with others selling more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores and produce, and is far more aimed at locals than tourists. The market starts from the gate facing the Sea of Oman and Mutrah Corniche and ends at another gate in the city’s old quarters that was built to receive visitors coming from other Omani towns and villages.
Note: The market is open from 9am to 1pm, and 4pm to 10pm daily.
Lunch at the local restaurant. We then proceed to The National Museum which is not only the largest museum in the Sultanate; it also houses tens of thousands of artefacts in its collection that comprehensively tell the nation’s story. It is this comprehensive, all-inclusive approach that makes it a true bearer of the term ‘national’, with its many rare and stunning pieces showcasing Oman’s pre-Modern Islamic architecture and culture, its role as a major player in the region and East Africa during the colonial era and its modern-day economic resurgence since 1970. We proceed for a photo stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts Mirani & Jalali. Transfer to Marina for a Traditional Dhow Cruise. Set cruise on the water of Oman in an unforgettable Arabic Dhow. The dhow is a traditional wooden boat, and these were used from Oman, UAE to India, Iran, and the other neighbouring countries. See the Muscat coast through the eyes of ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries. Have a brief stop at a natural cove. Photograph the spectacular Al Bustan Palace Hotel before we return back to the pier for the transfer to the hotel. The Dhow is furnished with Arabic carpets and low seating. (Tentative timings: 4.30pm to 6.30pm).
Overnight stay at Muscat Hotel.

Day 3: Ras Al Hadd

Muscat - Sur - Ras Al Had (Breakfast & lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
0830 Hrs: Drive to Sur. Our first stop will be at Bimah Sinkhole, located on the northeast coast of the Muscat Governorate this beautiful 65-foot-deep pool is a naturally occurring sinkhole that formed less than a kilometer from the sea, causing the sinkhole to hold a mix of fresh and saltwater with sparkling blue waters a large limestone crater that has become a famous weekend getaway for locals too.
From here we proceed to Wadi Shab surrounded by picturesque hills, and date palms, this narrow canyon is home to crystal clear blue water pools and also a secret waterfall inside a cave. You can enjoy many activities in Wadi Ash Shab like hiking, swimming in the freshwater pools and boating. There are three natural pools in the area to explore.
(Guests can enjoy the walk inside Wadi but not recommended during the summer season - it takes approx. 3 hours to walk inside the wadi - both ways)
Lunch at the local restaurant.
Continue your drive to Sur & visit the Dhow factory At the Dhow factory in Sur, artisans still continue to hand-craft various types of dhows at the factory in Sur, using centuries-old techniques. Continue to Ras Al Khabbah/Ras Al Hadd and check in at hotel.
2030 hrs.: We will drive to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. Oman’s turtle reserve at Ras Al Jinz, is famous not just Oman's leading conservation project for the hatching and protection of endangered turtles but also offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to observe thousands of turtles laying their eggs here at night. The reserve with 45 km of protected coastline was created in 1986 for the protection of these shelled creatures, and to spread awareness about them.
Note: Please note that the main nesting season is Jun-Aug, at other times of the year, there may or not be turtles every night.
Return to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4: Wahiba Sands

Ras Al Had - Wadi Bani Khalid - Wahiba (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed towards Wadi Bani Khalid, which is popular all year round as it doesn't dry up even during summer and one can visit it to enjoy the large pools of emerald, green water surrounded by tall palm trees here. The rocky canyon and cliffs of the Hajar Mountains make it breathtakingly beautiful and an amazing place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature.
Note: Please inform the guests to carry their towels (if they want to swim inside the wadi), it is not permitted to swim in a swimming suit in the main pool and guests must wear the shorts/T-Shirts/tops over the swimming suit. If they want to walk inside the wadi, then it is recommended to wear sport shoes.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Change the vehicle to 4WD (maximum 04 pax/vehicle) for your trip to Wahiba sands.
The Wahiba Sands or Sharqiya Sands, known locally as the Wahiba Sands, the endless desert dunes are a must-visit. The landscapes here with miles of shifting sands are a sight like no other and the night skies offer an amazing star-gazing experience. The area is home to the nomadic Bedouin tribes and visiting their settlements offer visitors the opportunity to interact and learn about the traditional desert life that is fast disappearing as modern conveniences limit the need for a nomadic existence. Enjoy dune driving and sunset in the desert. Dinner and Overnight stay at camp.

Day 5: Nizwa

Wahiba - Nizwa (Breakfast & Lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from the camp and proceed towards Nizwa.
Change the 4WD vehicle to Coaster/Van for your trip to Nizwa.
En route stop at the Sinaw market, held every Thursday in A'Sharqiyah North Governorate and is most famously known due to the camel trading that takes place here. It is a very busy market where one can find practically anything they want. The souq (marketplace) has a long history and remains one of the best-preserved in the country. It is roughly divided into two sections, the inner livestock auction pit, and the surrounding stalls selling everything else.
(Note: Local markets typically begin to close around 9 AM, so guests should plan to depart from the desert early if they wish to fully experience the market before it closes)

Proceed to Nizwa and visit Birkat al Mouj. We’ll walk through its oasis and date plantations before continuing to Nizwa. With the 2 sets of ruins, a large banana plantation and scenic surroundings, the site is also home to the old Falaj irrigation system listed as UNESCO World heritage. Check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon we will be visiting Nizwa Fort, this ancient fort with sections dating back to the ninth century is an amazing example of historic Omani architecture. Nizwa Fort has not just the biggest tower in Oman, but it is also the only fort in the region to have a cylindrical main tower. The fort also contains many exhibits and artifacts including the fort's defence mechanisms that help one understand the history of the Nizwa fort and region. Then visit Nizwa Souq Oman’s oldest Souq(marketplace) and a bustling centre of activity Nizwa Souq is completely surrounded by a wall and clearly separated from the rest of the city. A visit to the Souq is a great way to interact with the locals, experience life in Oman, and pick up some fun souvenirs. Overnight stay at the Nizwa Hotel.

Day 6: Muscat

Nizwa - Muscat (Breakfast & Lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out at 0800 hrs.
First visit the castle of Jabrin Built in 1675, the Jabreen fort is one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. It has served historically as an important centre of learning and remains famous for its battlements. This three-story tall castle features two towers, and numerous halls and rooms. Photo stop of Bahla fort (UNESCO world heritage site - photo stop from outside). Afterward, we visit the village Al Hamra, a historic settlement situated at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, the town of Al Hamra has survived for more than four hundred years and is one of the oldest villages in Oman. It attracts visitors due to its well-preserved row of two and three-story mud-brick houses built by using traditional methods dating back centuries. Visit Bait Al Safah, a traditional house turned into a living history museum that offers an insight into the lives of the people who settled and continue to live in the area. Later we will proceed to Misfat Al Abriyeen, a unique mountainous village located 1,000 m above sea level on the mountain foothills surrounding wilayat Al Hamra in Al Dhakhiyla Governorate. The village derives its name from the Al Abri tribe, who originally come from Misfat Al Abriyeen and Al Hamra. The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys, and old houses built on top of solid rocks. The combination of these elements gives a visitor to Misfat Al Abriyeen a dramatic image from the viewing platform, which is a short walk from the entrance to the village. Lunch at local restaurant.
Later in the afternoon return to Muscat and check-in at hotel.

Day 7:

Departure Muscat (Breakfast)
Departure transfer to Muscat airport (standard check-out time from hotel: 1200 hrs.)