ROUNDTRIP PROGRAMS October 2017 – September 2018 14/10/2014 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Oman and It’s History 8 days / 7 nights 3 Coastal Oman 8 days / 7 nights 17 Oman for Families 7 days / 6 nights 31 The Magestic Mountain of Oman 7 days / 6 nights 42 The Many Beauties of Oman 9 days / 8 nights 55 The Magnificent Wadis & Infinite Desert of Oman 8 days / 7 nights 70 Amazing Salalah 3 days / 2 nights 84 Mysterious Salalah 4 days / 3 nights 89 Oman and It’s History 8 Days / 7 Nights Oman and It’s History and It’s Oman 14/10/2014 3 DAY 01: ARRIVAL TO MUSCAT AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL **SALON CAR / MINIVAN** Arrival in MCT International Airport. Meet and greet on arrival. Private transfer to the hotel and check in **VIP standard check in time is 14:00 HRS**. Overnight at Al Falaj Hotel, 4* city hotel, Standard room incl. BB DAY 02: FULL DAY MUSCAT CITY TOUR **SALON CAR / MINIVAN** Breakfast at the hotel 08:00 am – pick up from the hotel After the splendor of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, give your senses a treat at the House of Amouage and its visitors’ center. Finish this full-day tour with some shopping at the modern City Centre shopping mall THE SULTAN QABOOS GRAND MOSQUE Not to be missed whilst in Muscat, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a breathtaking and thoroughly original example of modern Islamic architecture. For many the muted shades and understated elegance of its exterior, which hide the sheer scale and opulence, found within make it the most beautiful mosque in the world. Opened by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin History and It’s Oman Said in May 2001, the mosque can hold over 20,000 worshippers in its prayer halls, courtyards and passageways. Feast your eyes on the treasures within – the enormous hand- woven carpet lying in the main prayer hall and the magnificent Swarovski chandelier that hangs from the central dome bathing the room in an exquisite light - both of which are amongst the largest in the world. Make some time to visit the fascinating library and look at the intricate mosaic designs in the outer corridors, which are equally charming. At night the mosque is tastefully lit against the dark sky and is a treat to behold EXPLORE THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Browse the fossils and study the rock samples in this wonderful small museum, a great morning out for nature lovers, amateur geologists and those who would love to learn more about the flora, fauna and topography of Oman. You won’t miss the vast whale skeleton welcoming you to the famous sea life exhibit where you can learn so much about Oman’s precious ocean environment. CELEBRATE THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT WITH LUNCH Considered to be one of the world’s finest acoustic spaces, the serene beauty of the Royal Opera House Muscat stands proud in the center of the Capital Area. Already a national icon the Opera House is the center for performing arts in the country and every season it invites only the very best international companies and performers to grace its stage. If you are not able to see one of their world-class performances, the building is open to the public in the mornings so arrange a visit to marvel at the magnificent external architecture and spectacular interior decoration. AMOUAGE – THE GIFT OF KINGS Fancy the chance to see the workings behind one of the most luxurious perfume brands in the world? A knowledgeable guide will walk you around the Visitors Centre and talk you through the history, raw ingredients and various production stages of the Amouage range. You will smell fantastic for the rest of the day after being given a rare opportunity to sample these world famous fragrances. Estimate arrival time is approx.. 15:00 – 15:30 Overnight at Al Falaj Hotel, 4* city hotel, Standard room incl. BB DAY 03: MUSCAT – BARKA FISH MARKET – NAKHL – RUSTAQ – AL WAKKAN VILLAGE **4WD** History and It’s Oman Breakfast at the hotel and check out 08:00 am – pick up from the hotel You will be collected from your hotel at the morning and driven to Barka to see the Fish Souq in full swing. Cherish the date palm plantations on the road to Nakhl where you will enjoy the warm waters of the Thowara Spring, see the impressive falaj system and wander around the highest fort in Oman. After a picnic or lunch in a local restaurant, you will head through a break in the Jebel and into Wadi Bani Auf. Enjoy the scenery and the thrilling drive as you venture further into the wadi until you reach the charming, tranquil village of Bilad Sayt where you can enjoy a gentle walk around the beautiful houses and terraces. BARKA FISH SOUQ Little more than a large canopy standing virtually on the beach, an early morning visit to Barka’s fabulous fish market is a great way to start a trip to Al Batinah region. Open every morning, the market teems with fishermen trading their early morning catch; tuna, hamour, mullet, sardines, squid and, if you’re in the right season, Omani lobsters and prawns. Auctioneers command the crowd from a dedicated area selling the bigger fish and around the market fruit and vegetable sellers set up stalls to tempt the passing custom. Make sure you get up early to see this delightful place and experience a slice of Oman unchanged. NAKHL: THE FORT AND THE TEMPTING WARM WATER SPRING Nakhl means ‘date palm’ and as soon as you ascend to any height you will see why; the old town sits amid vast swathes of rich green date plantation. The finest Omani dates come from here farmed using very long, sophisticated irrigation systems which ensure the water is distributed throughout the town. Dip your feet into the warm waters of the famous Thowara Spring and see the water source itself and the locals swimming in the shady pools. Make your way back through the old part of the town to the imposing Nakhl Fort, the highest fort in Oman. This is a charming old building to explore and there are some glorious views from the higher ramparts. RUSTAQ: THE FORT AND THE HEALING HOT WATERS Rustaq is a sprawling town famous for its ancient fort, the exceptional honey made nearby History and It’s Oman and healing hot waters. The Al Kisfr Hot Springs run at 45C are known for their healing properties particularly beneficial for rheumatism and skin problems. After a look at the springs wind your way through the town’s old quarter, noting the henna trees growing there, to see the commanding edifice of Rustaq Fort. The fort as we now know it was built in the 17th century on the site of the 13th century fort Qalat Al Kisra and it was a prominent site for religious learning in Oman for many years. The newly renovated building is an imposing one, constructed over three levels and watched over by four towers. LUNCH AT LOCAL RESTAURANT OR PICNIC LUNCH BOX WADI MISTAL AND THE HEIGHTS OF WAKAN VILLAGE Very different from the narrow gorges of some, Wadi Mistal is a broad gravelly plain ringed by soaring peaks in all directions. Mistal is another of the vast wadi systems, which carry the traveler from the low lying plains of the Al Batinah region up into the peaks of the Hajar Mountains. Follow the road that runs along the wadi bed and then head up along a winding, dizzying graded road until you reach the village of Wakan perched on the face of the mountain. At the entrance to the village there is a viewpoint that gives you a breathtaking view of Wadi Mistal and the surrounding peaks. Wind your way around the edge of Wakan village to find yourself amongst fruit trees, terraces and wooden bowers supporting vines. A multitude of butterflies will accompany if you choose to keep walking up the stone steps, which follow the falaj system for approximately half an hour to the water source in the mountainside. Estimate arrival time is approx.. 16:00 – 16:30 Overnight at Golden Tulip Nizwa hotel, 4* city hotel, Standard room incl. BB DAY 04: NIZWA – AL HAMRA – BAIT AL SAFAH – BAHLA – JABREEN – NIZWA FORT AND SOUQ **4WD** Breakfast at the hotel 08:00 am – pick up from the hotel History and It’s Oman AL HAMRA AND BAIT AL SAFAH Driving into the well-preserved mountain town of Al Hamra is like stepping into a time warp. Traditional mud brick houses line winding, stony alleyways making it a great place to wander imagining how much, or how little, life must have changed. Whilst you’re there pay a visit to Bait as Safah the traditional house which has been beautifully restored and turned into a living museum. Local ladies will show you the age-old methods of grinding coffee and flour, making bread and pressing oil. BAHLA: THE FORT AND ITS POTTERS It is rumored that the potters of Bahla have magic in their fingers and, whether this is true or not, this small town just 40km from Nizwa is well worth a visit. It is home to one of Oman’s biggest and most elaborate forts and the only one inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site is believed to have accommodated a fort since pre-Islamic times but the present-day structure was built in the 13th century and extensively rebuilt in the 1600s.