Any visit to Oman is fun-packed, cultural, and extremely civilised, yet a 4x4 journey into Oman's beautiful interior provides even richer rewards. The wadis and high plateau of the Al Hajar range hide a way of life that has changed little, whilst the fortress and souqs at Nizwa - the ancient capital - as well as the the superb fort at Jabrin are all magnificent sights to behold. After these rich cultural explorations you will begin to slow the pace as you venture into the desert sands for a night under the stars. Your journey concludes with some time on the sparkling coastline in Muscat. Here you will visit the serene Grand Mosque, the vibrant fish market and the frankinsence-scented souq, and of course enjoy some well-earned relaxation time by the beach.
ESSENTIAL OMAN
HIGHLIGHTS
- Contrasting modern-day Muscat with the ancient forts, mud-house villages and historic souqs of Oman's interior.
- Rolling desert sands, glorious high mountain scenery and deep wadis.
- Dune driving, wadi-swimming, snorkelling with turtles and dolphin encounters.
- A memorable night spent under canvas in the rolling dunes of the Wahiba Sands.
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Oman
Land in Muscat and travel by 4x4 vehicle through the high, wadi-riven Al Hajar mountains to the delightful Sahab Resort and Spa. This little hotel sits on the lip of a mighty canyon and overlooks the peaks and chasms of Jebel Akhdar - the Green Mountain. The Sahab is a low-rise boutique hotel featuring landscaped gardens, outdoor terraces for relaxed dining and an elegant pool close to the canyon's edge. The air here is fresh and the sunrises are sublime, best enjoyed with local dates and cardamom-laced Arabic coffee. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after your journey and to begin absorbing the tranquillity of these beautiful surroundings.
Option. Upgrade your stay in the mountains to the Alila Jabal Akhdar, which sits in a very tranquil spot, away from the village, and enjoys outstanding views.
Overnight: The Sahab Resort
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Day 2 Nizwa and Birkat Al Mauz
After breakfast, meet your guide and travel by road to the stunning, UNESCO-restored city of Nizwa, the old capital of Oman and a renowned seat of learning, surrounded by extensive date palm groves. Nizwa houses a beautifully conserved old quarter and souqs, as well as two mosques that date back to the very early days of Islam. The crowning glory is the superb fortress - part castle, part royal palace, part Islamic school - which is not to be missed. Your tour will also take in the traditional mud-house village and the extraordinary "falaj" watercourse system at Birkat Al Mauz, before you return to the hotel for lunch. This afternoon your time is free to enjoy the spectacular scenery and to relax by the hotel's swimming pool, which sits overlooking a canyon-like wadi.
Overnight: The Sahab Resort
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Day 3 Village Walk in the Jabal Al Akhdar Range
After a leisurely morning, join your guide for a private walking tour of the local area. Explore the dramatic wadis and traditional Omani villages that are scattered among the fertile terraces, where roses and pomegranates grow in abundance. This walking tour offers an immersion into a rich variety of landscapes, flora and fauna and local history, and it is the perfect way to get some exercise and enjoy the magnitude and tranquillity of the surrounding mountains.
Overnight: The Sahab Resort
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Day 4 From the Mountains to the Wahiba Sands
Depart the mountains today, descending first to the impressive fortress of Jabrin. Visit the mighty fort and castle, Oman's finest, discovering exquisite woodcarvings, painted ceilings, and a mosque and madrassa on the top floor as well as a number of protective murder-holes, escape hatches and other fascinating intricacies. After lunch, drive south to the rolling dunes of the Wahiba Sands, home to Bedouin herdsmen and prize camel breeders. Enter the desert before sunset and enjoy some exhilarating dune-driving before arriving into your camp nestled amongst the dunes.
Overnight: 1000 Nights Camp
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Day 5 Sur, Wadi Shab and Muscat
Early risers today can scale a dune to watch the sun rise over the rolling sea of sand. In the dawn light, a short nature walk reveals the tracks of all the creatures frequenting the dunes during the night. After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy some time driving through the dunes before heading towards the coast, where you will first reach the fishing and dhow-building port of Sur. See the dhow factory where magnificent wooden vessels are crafted by hand to traditional designs and, if the conditions allow, you may even see the flamingos wading in the lagoon. Continue your journey along the coast to Wadi Shab, where the very presence of water, let alone such inviting clear pools, seems like a minor miracle. Cross the wadi in a rowboat, then walk upstream through majestic scenery to find a clear, deep pool of translucent water, fringed with palms. After a swim and a picnic, continue to Muscat for three nights by the sea.
Option. Upgrade your hotel by the sea and stay at the elegant Chedi Muscat.
Overnight: The Kempinski Hotel
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Day 6 A Day on the Beach
Today is free for you to relax at your hotel by the beach, enjoy the swimming pool and recover from the adventures of the previous days.
Option. Take a privately-chartered motorboat to see the huge pods of spinner dolphin that make this coastline their home. Then try your hand at fishing and snorkel in the warm, turtle-rich waters.
Overnight: The Kempinski Hotel
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Day 7 Exploring Muscat
Rise early and meet your guide for an opportunity to explore Muscat. The city is a complete contrast to neighbouring Dubai and the benign, modernising presence of the late Sultan Qaboos can be felt everywhere - in the amazing magnificent Grand Mosque, the sparkling Opera House and even in the port at Muttrah, where a vast private yacht sits proudly amongst the plethora of small fishing boats which bring in the daily catch for sale at the busy fish market. Your private tour of the city also takes in the bustling souq with its heady aromas of frankincense and exotic spices, and also the Bait al Zubair Museum for a perfectly weighted introduction to Omani history and heritage.
Overnight: The Kempinski Hotel
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Day 8 Depart
Transfer to the airport and fly home.
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| Low | £ 2,760 | $ 3,962 |
| High | £ 2,885 | $ 4,142 |
BOOKING NOTES
- Prices are per person sharing a room.
- If you are interested in adding any of the optional enhancements listed, please speak to your specialist about prices and how best to fit them into the itinerary.
- Peak season supplements apply for travel between 22nd December - 4th January.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast.
- Dinner when staying in the desert and a picnic lunch the next day.
- Private transfers throughout.
- 4x4 with chauffeur-guide when touring outside Muscat.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance and visa fees.
