This wonderful journey will allow you to discover an authentic and still unspoilt place. A country rich in contrasts: from the coastal city of Muscat to the Omani hinterland, passing through ancient and characterful villages that are still inhabited, mountains, desert and lush valleys.
Starts from
7 days / 6 nights - from Muscat to Muscat.
Characteristics
Group tour - see departure calendar. You are strongly advised to be at the place set for the departure of the excursion or the visit at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. The long journeys between one location and another and the mainly cultural nature of the trip mean that the itinerary is recommended for adults only. In the case of children, the minimum age required is 5 years. Quotation on request.
Important notes
Muscat - Radisson Blu Hotel or similar 4* Wahiba Sands - Desert Night Resort Nizwa - Falaj Daris Hotel or similar 3*.
Meals
Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 5 dinners.
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Muscat
Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Muscat is the capital and largest city of Oman, located on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, on the Gulf of Oman. The city is surrounded by mountains and the sea, creating a unique and picturesque landscape. The city of Muscat is divided into three main parts: Muscat (or Old Muscat), Muttrah and Ruwi. The oldest part of the city is located near the harbour. Here you will find the Sultan's Palace, Al Jalali Fortress and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Muttrah is a port and commercial area with a traditional market, the Muttrah Souq, where you can buy handicrafts, spices and fabrics. Ruwi is the modern part of the city, with skyscrapers, shopping centres and restaurants. Completion of customs formalities and collection of your luggage. Meeting in the arrivals area with one of our English-speaking representatives, who will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name, for the transfer to the hotel (check-in from 2.00 p.m.). Overnight stay at the hotel. The included transfer is for flights landing by 9.30 p.m.
Giorno 2 — Muscat
At 8.00 a.m. meet your Italian-speaking guide in the hotel lobby to set off on the first day of the tour. First stop at the Grand Mosque. You have the opportunity to visit the interior of the largest mosque in the Sultanate. This place of worship features the world's second largest hand-made carpet, as well as the second largest chandelier. (Open every day from 08.00 to 11.00, except on Fridays and during public holidays. Dress code: both men and women must cover their arms and legs. Women must also cover their heads with a headscarf. Children under 10 years of age are not admitted to the mosque). Departure northwards to see the Barka fish market come to life in the morning, before visiting the fort of the same name. Photo stop at Nakhal Fort. Afterwards you continue to the hot springs, where locals come to relax in the shade of the palm grove. On the way back to Muscat, visit to the Amouage Factory, maker of what is considered the most expensive perfume in the world, and to the Royal Opera House, a theatre unique of its kind in the whole Middle East. Return to the hotel for dinner at the hotel and overnight stay. Approximately 200 km.
Auto
Giorno 3 — Muscat → Wahiba Sands
Departure at 8.00 a.m. from the hotel. After breakfast and check-out you head towards the Bimah Sinkhole. Geologists say that this natural pit, 40 metres wide and 20 metres deep, was formed when a limestone cavern collapsed. Locals believe instead that a piece of the moon fell from the sky and formed the hollow known as "BaitalAfreet" - "House of the Demon". From here the journey continues towards Sur, with beautiful views over the Gulf of Oman. Along the road you can admire the landscape created by the surrounding mountains. Later, a stop at Wadi Tiwi with its ancient traditional villages, surrounded by lush date and banana plantations and crossed by the traditional "aflaj" irrigation system. Once you reach Sur, visit to the Dhow Factory to see how traditional boats come to life. Later you head into the desert. After reaching the Camp by 4x4 vehicles, time available to settle your luggage in your room. For those who wish, after dinner it is possible to take a walk in the desert on your own to admire the stars. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp. Approximately 350 km.
Giorno 4 — Wahiba Sands
Departure at 10.00 a.m. from the camp. Time available to admire the sunrise and the beauty of the desert before meeting up to continue to Wadi Bani Khalid. Once you reach Wadi Bani Khalid you can enjoy a pleasant picnic (not included) and, for those who wish, it is also possible to swim in the waters of the wadi (out of respect for the local population, women must wear a T-shirt while bathing). Stop to visit a Bedouin house, to get an idea of how they live and what their tents are like inside. You return to the camp, before taking the cars again and going to admire the sunset from the top of a dune. Try to spot the tracks of small birds and other creatures that inhabit the desert. After sunset you return to the Camp. Dinner and overnight stay.
Auto
Giorno 5 — Wahiba Sands → Nizwa
Departure at 9.00 a.m. from the camp. After breakfast and check-out, you set off for the Women's Market in Ibra. In the past, women came to this town because of the presence of a hospital and, owing to the high cost of travel, they began to trade the goods they made at home. Over time this took the form of today's women's market. You continue on to visit Jabrin Castle, famous for its Omani architecture and painted ceilings. Stop at Bahla Fort (viewed from the outside only). Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight stay at Falaj Daris Nizwa or similar. Approximately 300 km.
Giorno 6 — Nizwa
Departure at 9.00 a.m. from the hotel. After breakfast you continue to the village of Al Hamra, with its ancient mud houses (time permitting, it is possible to see the Bait al Safah museum, entrance fee not included). Later you reach the village of Misfah. Walk among the old stone houses and terraced gardens, edged by irrigation channels. You set off towards Jabal Shams; photo stop along the way at Wadi Ghul. After reaching the summit you stop to admire the Grand Canyon (2,000 m; from here it is possible to see the highest peak in the country). Return to the hotel, dinner in a local restaurant and overnight stay at Falaj Daris Nizwa or similar. Approximately 200 km.
Auto
Giorno 7 — Nizwa → Muscat
Departure at 7.30/8.00 a.m. from the hotel. After breakfast and check-out, the first visit is to the Nizwa livestock market, one of the most interesting places to see. You are catapulted into a bygone era, freely photographing local people busy buying and selling goats, cows and sheep. Later, visit to the Nizwa Souq. Here the traders are not pushy and, besides the souvenir shops, there are stalls selling spices, fish and meat. From the souq you walk to the Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif. Lunch in a local restaurant. Departure for Manah, a few kilometres from Nizwa, to visit the new Oman Across the Ages museum. Housed in a modern building, the museum is the fulfilment of the previous Sultan's dream: an interactive museum to make the history of Oman known, from the past to the recent present. You set off again for Muscat and along the way stop at the village of Birkat al Mauz. Here you see one of the 5 aflaj that are UNESCO heritage sites (Falaj al Khatmeen) and walk among the date plantations. Arrival in Muscat and photo stop at the Al Alam Government Palace, with the forts of Mirani and Jalali in the background, before reaching the Corniche, with the harbour on one side and the Muttrah Souq on the other. Time available to wander among the shops of the souq and to refresh yourself with a cool drink in a small café at the entrance to the market. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Approximately 220 km. We recommend booking a flight departing from Muscat after 8.00 p.m.
Price includes
- Transfer to/from Muscat Airport, arrival Saturday / departure Friday - 2 nights: Hotel in Muscat (4*) in a Superior Room on a BB basis - 2 nights: Desert Night Resort in a Double Room on an HB basis - 2 nights: Falaj Daris (3*) in a Standard Double Room on a BB basis - 5 dinners and one lunch - Tour by car/mini-bus or coach depending on the size of the group. - 4WD shuttle to/from the Desert Camp and to/from Jebel Shams - All entrance fees to forts and museums - Mineral water on board during the tour - Italian-speaking local guide during the tour
Price does not include
Oman visa if the stay exceeds 14 days, to be obtained before departure online at https://evisa.rop.gov.om/
Opening fee and Zero Risk coverage
Mandatory Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners, the price will be communicated upon confirmation of services.
Medical-luggage-cancellation insurance
Unmentioned meals, beverages and extras in general
Tip
Flights and airport taxes
Airport porterage
Everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes"
Notes
ROOMS: The rooms are always and only for 1 or 2 beds. The terms triple, quadruple, family room refer solely to the number of occupants, who will be accommodated in the existing beds (maximum 2 beds). An additional bed (rollaway), even if requested at the time of booking, is always subject to availability and payment of a local supplement. Requests for rooms with a double bed or twin beds, connecting rooms, adjacent rooms, on higher or lower floors, etc., are always subject to availability and are never guaranteed. DISABLED: passengers with various types of disabilities can participate as long as they are self-sufficient. In fact, the means of transportation are not equipped with ramps to facilitate boarding and disembarking, and for insurance and safety reasons, neither the driver nor the conductor are authorized to assist passengers. Therefore, the presence of a travel companion who can provide all the necessary assistance is mandatory. Any wheelchairs must be of standard size, foldable, and must fit in the luggage compartment (general information subject to the rules and acceptance of the local service provider). Reservations are always upon request. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Participants must ensure before departure that they have the necessary and valid documentation for entry into the countries visited during the tour. MINIMUM AGE: 5 years old. SMOKING: smoking is not allowed on buses and in hotels. HOTEL FINAL LIST: indicated in the travel documents. HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The organizing company reserves the right to modify the itinerary and/or the planned accommodations if required by unforeseen circumstances and if necessary for the safety and smooth continuation of the trip. HOTEL, CHECK-IN: as a rule, rooms are assigned starting from 2-3 pm; any early check-in is at the hotel's discretion. The request for a guaranteed early assignment requires booking an extra night prior to arrival. INTOLERANCES AND SPECIAL DIETARY REGIMES: food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, etc.) and special dietary regimes (vegan, etc.) must be communicated at the time of booking. Special menus or treatments are not provided or guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of participants. Notifications made after arrival will not be taken into consideration. PUNCTUALITY: we recommend respecting the scheduled times. No refunds are provided for services missed due to customer delays. REFUNDS: There are no refunds for parts of the tour or excursions not carried out due to force majeure; in any case, no refund is due to the customer who decides to interrupt the trip or stay. HEALTH / VACCINATIONS: Participants must be aware of the itinerary and their own physical ability to handle it; it is recommended to always check the Viaggiare Sicuri website for the latest updates on necessary and recommended vaccinations and prophylaxis.
