Oman: Arabia’s Ancient Emporium

2 NOV – 17 NOV 2015 Code: 21539

Tour Leaders Dr Erica Hunter

Physical Ratings

A tour of Oman incl. the Musandam Peninsula combining dramatic landscapes with visits to fascinating museums, mosques, crenellated forts, medieval ports, Bronze Age sites and turtle-watching.

Overview Tour Highlights

Dr Erica C. D. Hunter, Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity, Department for the Study of Religions, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, leads this 16-day tour of little known, extraordinarily diverse Oman. Muscat, with its lively Muttrah Souq, fascinating museums and the fantastic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque showcasing the best of Islamic art Impressive crenellated medieval fort at Nizwa and its souq, famous for silver jewellery The extraordinary tombs of Bat, a UNESCO heritage site, the best preserved Bronze Age settlement in the Middle East Dramatic landscapes, ranging from the spectacular 'Grand Canyon' to the monumental desert dunes at Wahiba Sands where we camp under the stars The medieval port of Sur with its ship-building yard where skilled craftsmen continue to build the traditional dhows and fishing boats Salalah with its frankincense trees, and Sumharam, the 'frankincense port', on the southern coast of Oman Turtle-watching at the Green Turtle Sanctuary, located at Ras al Jinz, the easternmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula Musandam Peninsula with its majestic mountains that plunge into spectacular fjords The Sultanate of Oman is one of Arabia's best kept secrets, an idyllic land where majestic mountains dramatically descend towards deserts and large oases surround medieval fortified towns and castles. The colourful and immaculately dressed people are immensely courteous in welcoming visitors to their seafaring nation, the legendary home of Sinbad.

Overview

Come and join renowned scholar Dr Erica C. D. Hunter, Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity, Department for the Study of Religions, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London on an exploration of an extraordinary land. A bountiful heritage created Oman's distinct culture - a world harking back as far as 5,000 BC, when this region influenced the development of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Luxuriant oases, Bedouin camps, sumptuous palaces, pre-Islamic, Islamic and Portuguese forts, tribal fortified houses and villages with colourful souqs, all reveal themselves in this under-visited land. We'll journey to walled desert towns, ancient and medieval cities, including the extraordinary tombs at Bat – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly the best preserved Bronze Age urban settlement in the Middle East – and fairy-tale forts including Nizwa, famed for her silver jewellery souk. Medieval ports are orientated towards Asia and East Africa, including the atmospheric medieval city of Sur where we'll view skilled craftsmen who still produce dhows and fishing boats by traditional techniques. Holy shrines and mosques are set against a superbly diverse environment of rugged mountains, vast sandy deserts, palm groves, and stunning white beaches on the Gulf of Oman. Desert landscapes are relieved by brilliantly green wadis, majestic mountain ranges, plantations of dates and bananas, and the frankincense tree, still harvested today at Salalah and Sumharam, a frankincense trading entrepôt on Oman's southern coast. We'll spend an evening watching nesting turtles at the Green Turtle Sanctuary at Ras al Jinz, where the Gulf of Oman meets the Indian Ocean at the easternmost tip of the Arabian peninsula. We'll visit wonderful museums and mosques, including the remarkable Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat showcasing the best of Islamic arts, Omani arts and crafts. An ASA exclusive is our journey to remote Al Khasab on the on the Strait of Hormuz, where we'll make a full-day excursion by 4WD to Jebel Harim (2087m) the highest mountain in the region, then cruise through the spectacular fjords of the Musandam Peninsula. The Sultanate of Oman is one of the Middle East's best-kept secrets: an idyllic land where majestic mountains and deserts frame cities populated by colourfully dressed and immensely courteous people, eagerly welcoming visitors to their seafaring nation, homeland of the legendary Sinbad.

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Leaders Dr Erica Hunter

Senior Lecturer at London’s School of Oriental & African Studies & world authority on Mesopotamian Christianity & its spread to the Gulf, Iran, Central Asia & China, Erica leads ASA’s Oman tour.

Dr. Erica CD Hunter BA, MA, DPhil, PhD (Melbourne) SOAS University of London Department of the Study of Religions Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity

Dr. Erica C D Hunter is Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity, and Head of the Department for the Study of Religions, at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. From an old Queensland family, she was born in Melbourne, and gained her PhD from the Dept. of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Melbourne in 1982. She continued her work in Aramaic and other Semitic languages, including Ancient South Arabian, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, before going to England in 1984 to the erstwhile Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Cambridge where she was Affiliated Lecturer in Hebrew and Aramaic between 1998-2005. In 1987, her researches took her to the Iraq Museum, Baghdad where she continued her work on the collections until mid-2002. Between 1989-1991 she was the Gertrude Bell Fellow of the British School of Archaeology in Iraq (now the British Institute for the Study of Iraq).

Major publications include: Catalogue of Aramaic and Mandaic Incantation Bowls in the British Museum (British Museum Press: London, 2000) [with J.B. Segal], The Christian Heritage of Iraq: Collected Papers from the Christianity in Iraq I-V Seminar Days (Piscataway, N.J.: Gorgias Press, 2009) and Catalogue of Syriac Texts from Turfan (Stuttgart: Steiner Verlag, 2014). She is currently editing a book, Non-Muslim Communities of the Contemporary Middle East commissioned by I.B. Tauris, London. She is an international authority on ‘Mesopotamian’ Christianity and its spread through the Gulf (including Oman), Iran, Central Asia and China. Her particular interest in Oman stems from when she stayed at the British Residence in Muscat, whilst en route to Australia, affording her opportunities to travel extensively. Apart from her experience as a lecturer in Oman, she has led numerous tours in diverse places: Ethiopia, north-west China, Central Asia, Armenia and Georgia, as well as in both the eastern and western regions of Turkey.

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Itinerary The daily activities described in this itinerary may change or be rotated and/or modified in order to accommodate alterations in opening hours, flight and ferry schedules. Participants will receive a final itinerary together with their tour documents prior to departure. Meals included in the tour price and are indicated in the itinerary where: B=breakfast, L=Lunch and D=evening meal.

Al Khasab, Musandam - 2 nights Day 1: Monday 2 November, Dubai – Al Khasab Check-in and Welcome Meeting Dhow cruise to the fjords of Musandam

Participants travelling on the ASA ‘designated’ flights are scheduled to arrive at Dubai Airport in the early morning. After clearing Passport Control and Customs we shall make the two-hour journey to the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula to Al Khasab on the Strait of Hormuz, just opposite Iran, and surrounded by the United Arab Emirates. Our journey takes us along the coast past Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.

Following hotel check-in and some time at leisure, our program commences with an introductory/welcome meeting. We shall then transfer to Al Khasab harbour where we board a dhow for a cruise through the western inlet, Khaw ash Shamm, to view the spectacular fjords of Musandam, with its villages clinging to the side of the majestic Hajar Mountains, and the famous telegraphic island. Until recently the Musandam Peninsula was largely cut off from the rest of Arabia; apart from the remains of a small Sassanian settlement on an island just to its north and of a Portuguese fort at Al Khasab, few traces of foreign contact remain from earlier times. It wasn’t until the British explorer Bertram Thomas described Musandam after a brief visit in the 1920s that it became known to the outside world. During the cruise there will be an option to swim and snorkel. Lunch will be provided on board. This evening we dine together at the hotel. (Overnight Al Khasab) LD

Day 2: Tuesday 3 November, Musandam Peninsula Al Khasab Fort Qayadh Pre-historic Cave Paintings, Wadi Tawi

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4WD drive to Jebel Harim, Khari Najid & Birkhat Khalididya Park

This morning we depart by 4WD to visit the Al Khasab fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, as well as the pre-historic rock engravings (depicting, amongst other animals, several fine camels) at Wadi Tawi.

Next we drive to Jebel Harim, the highest mountain in Musandam (2087m) which has an unsurpassed panorama of the landscape. Later we drive to Khari Najid with its equally stunning sea views and then to Birkhat Khalididya Park, a natural park with a multitude of acacia trees and an ancient water catchment system still in use. (Overnight Al Khasab) BLD

Muscat - 2 nights Day 3: Wednesday 4 November, Al Khasab – Muscat High-Speed Ferry from Al Khasab to Muscat Tour of Muttraq and Muttraq Souq

This morning we depart Al Khasab by high-speed ferry for Muscat. Isolated until recently, connections with the rest of Oman have greatly improved since 2008 with the launch of the world’s fastest passenger ferry service that operates between Muscat and Musandam. The diesel-powered vessels built by Australia-based Austal, have top operating speeds of nearly 52 and 56 knots and make the 420km journey in just over 5 hours. Travelling by ferry takes us past rugged Omani coastline and turquoise blue waters and enables us to see Muscat and other coastal villages through the eyes of ancient seafarers who plied this route for centuries with their rich merchandise.

In the early evening we visit the Muttrah souq, one of the most popular souqs in the Middle East. We shall walk through its labyrinthine alleyways which display a bewildering array of merchandise, from imported fabrics to exotic Oriental spices, perfumes, wooden carvings and richly handcrafted jewellery. In this regard it is worth recalling that the Omanis were considered amongst the finest silversmiths within the Arab world. A visit to this frenetic, pulsating hub of Muscat’s old quarter is a must, giving a real sense of the vitality of trade that has always sustained Oman’s economy. (Overnight Muscat) BLD

Day 4: Thursday 5 November, Muscat Grand Mosque Bait Al Zubair Museum Al Alam Palace and Forts of Mirani and Jalali (exterior only)

We commence early this morning on a tour of Muscat by coach. Although Muscat was in use for anchorage from at least the 1st century AD, the city did not develop into an important trading port until the medieval period and by the 15th century had become one of the busiest harbours in the East, an economic entrepôt that traded with Asia and East Africa. The natural harbour is enclosed within a bowl of igneous hills and is framed by the great forts of Mirani and Jalali that were constructed by the Portuguese during the 16th century to guard the entrance which, by this time, had become Portugal’s main naval base in the region. Until recently, these forts served as prisons, whose shackled inmates could still be seen climbing the steep stairs!

Our first visit will be to the Grand Mosque, the major place of worship in the Sultanate that is distinguished by lavish and opulent architecture reflecting the rich artistic heritage of Islam. This extraordinarily beautiful modern mosque was gifted by Sultan Qaboos to the Omani people. (Shorts and sleeveless shirts should not be worn in the mosque and women should wear long skirts and must cover their hair with a scarf.) We also drive through Oman’s exclusive residential area of Shati Al Qurum with its elegant villas and embassies.

We then visit the Bait Al Zubair, a private museum that houses traditional Omani items and is owned by His Excellency Mohammad Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty, The Sultan for Economic Planning Affairs. Its exquisitely displayed exhibits include collections of Omani weaponry, jewellery, clothing, household objects, books, photographs, paintings, maps, and other items which demonstrate the richness of Omani heritage and culture. A fine collection of photographs, prints, and maps detail the changing face of Muscat, the capital of Oman, as well as examples of both rural and urban traditional Omani architecture.

We then stop for a short time outside the magnificent Al Alam Palace, the official residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the ruler of Oman. The palace, constructed in 1972, is an architectural masterpiece and sits in a historic location, framed by the great forts of Mirani and Jalali. (Overnight Muscat) BLD

Ras al Jinz, Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate - 2 nights Day 5: Friday 6 November, Muscat – Wadi Tiwi – Qalhat – Ras Al Jinz Bimmah Sinkhole

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Wadi Tiwi Qalhat & Bibi Miriam Evening visit to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

This morning we rise early and at 0800hrs board our 4WD vehicles to drive along the rugged and scenic coastal route to Ras Al Jinz. The journey along the coastline offers breathtaking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset by pristine white beaches. On clear, sunny days, while driving along the coast, one may see sharks in the deep blue water. You may also see elegant gazelles sprinting across the landscape. As we continue south the road hugs the coast, passing many gravel beaches and tidal pools.

Our first stop will be at the picturesque Bimmah Sinkhole, set on the first of several ‘wave-cut terraces’ – the signs of sea level changes – at the base of the mountain. Here visitors may take a dip in the vibrant emerald-tinted waters of its 20m-deep pool. The ground beneath sinkholes is normally made of easily dissolved rocks such as limestone, carbonates and salt beds. When groundwater flows through these rocks, it eats away at the rock, leaving behind subterranean holes and caverns. When the roof of one of these caverns collapses, the land above it falls in too, leaving giant holes such as this impressive one in Oman.

We continue our journey along the coastal highway to Wadi Tiwi, a spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. Its old traditional villages are surrounded by lush plantations of date and banana, criss-crossed with a network of gurgling aflaj. We shall walk though the date trees and dense banana plantations and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Our last stop, Qalhat, was described by Marco Polo as possessing “a very good port, much visited by merchant ships from India.” Although it has lost its former glory, the remains of its houses, streets, and cisterns as well as an abundance of pottery sherds, are scattered over a wide area. Nearby we view the enigmatic mausoleum built by Bibi Miriam in memory of her husband. Its powerful form and robust structure was much admired by the 14th century Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Today it stands out as a sign of vanished glory overlooking the sea and the now silted up creek once active with mooring vessels from the Indian Ocean.

In the late afternoon we continue our journey to Ras Al Jinz which is the eastern-most point on the Arabian peninsula. Here excavations by the British Museum uncovered sherds with Harappan writing and jewellery beads, along with bitumen from Mesopotamia, linking Oman with the Indus Valley in Pakistan and Akkad in Iraq, giving real evidence of contacts with Asia more than five millennia ago.

The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is an important nesting site for the endangered Green Turtle. Every year thousands of female turtles arrive at Oman’s 45km coastline to lay their eggs. As female turtles only come ashore to nest after dark, there are two tours conducted each day – at dawn and at dusk. After an early evening dinner, we make an excursion to the reserve to watch the Green Turtles as they come ashore to nest. (Overnight Ras Al Jinz) BLD

Day 6: Saturday 7 November, Ras Al Jinz – Sur – Ras Al Jinz Optional dawn turtle watching, Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Dhow Building Yard, Sur Sur Maritime Museum (subject to opening in 2015) Harbour Cruise, Sur Bilad Fort, Sur (subject to opening in 2015) Sur Souq

This morning there will be an optional dawn excursion to view the turtles as they push themselves back into the sea as the day breaks.

Later this morning we make the 45km journey along the Omani coast to the port of Sur. At this regional capital we will explore its medieval alleys and visit its boatyards, whose ships sailed to distant ports in Asia and East Africa and where skilled craftsmen still make these craft. One of the greatest medieval ports in the Middle East, the strategic location of Sur enabled ships to make use of the north- east monsoon to reach East Africa. Ships would leave Sur and other Omani ports in November and reach Zanzibar, the main port-of- call around mid-February. The return voyage, before the south-west monsoon, would see them back in Oman by early May. Until the 19th century, Sur remained an extremely important shipyard, responsible for the manufacture of the great wooden ghanjahs and baghalas which plied the oceans from Arabia to India and back. The Belitung ship (carrying porcelain from China, on the sea-route to Arabia) – now on display at Sentosa island, Singapore – is thought to have been built at Sur.

On arrival in Sur we visit the shipbuilding yard where skilled craftsmen continue to build the traditional dhows and fishing boats as they have done for centuries. After this practical demonstration we visit the small local Maritime Museum that gives a comprehensive coverage of the distinctive techniques of the Omani master boat builders. We shall also board a dhow, as countless travellers have done over the centuries, and take a short tour of Sur’s harbour from which we may view the Sur Fort and Ayja Peninsula village with its old merchants’ houses.

After lunch we visit Bilad Fort (subject to reopening). Built in around 1800 AD to defend Sur from attacks staged by tribes from the

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interior, it is based around a large central courtyard with watchtowers at each corner. The two main towers have small extensions, built to enable the defenders to get a higher vantage point from which to spot the enemy.

Before returning to Ras al Jinz there will be some time at leisure for exploration of the old parts of Sur and foraging in the souq. (Overnight Ras al Jinz) BLD

Wahiba Sands - 1 night Day 7: Sunday 8 November, Ras Al Jinz – Al Kamil – Wahiba Sands Abandoned fort at Bani bu Ali Private Fort of Al Kamil Wadi Bani Khalid

This morning we depart at 8.00am and travel by 4WD through the Jalan region stopping briefly at the abandoned fort at Bani bu Ali. Next we continue to Al Kamil, one of the few towns in the country surrounded by trees. The low-lying acacia and ghaf woodland is a special feature of the area, much prized by the Bedouin who use the wood for shade, shelter (as props for their tents) and firewood. Their camels nibble the nutritious new shoots and livestock lick the moisture from the small leaves in the early morning. Here we visit the family fort of the Hashami Sheikhs of Al Kamil where we shall have lunch and view a private collection of ceramics, coins and various documents.

Continuing north from Al Kamil, the road finally winds down to Wadi Bani Khalid (Valley of the sons of Khalid), considered to be one of the most beautiful wadis in all of Oman and forming an emerald splash in an otherwise stark landscape. We park our vehicles and continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi that is fringed with lush vegetation, where, if you wish, you may enjoy a swim in the extremely clear water.

After our refreshing swim at Wadi Bani Khalid, we continue to our Bedouin style camp located in the remote, quiet desert landscape of the Wahiba Sands. Traversed by the great British explorer Wilfred Thesiger in 1949, the Sands are a vast sea of undulating red and white sand with dunes rising up to two hundred metres. They support a wide variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. The Wahiba Sands are also home to the powerful Wahiba Bedu tribe (regarded by Thesiger as “aristocratic”) who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the desert. (Overnight Safari Desert Camp, Wahiba Sands) BLD

Sahab Hotel, Sayq, Ad Dakhiliyah ‍Governorate - 2 nights Day 8: Monday 9 November, Wahibi Sands – Ibra – Birkat al Mawz - Jebel Akhdar Ibra Traditional pit-loom weaver Birkat al Mawz

This morning we continue our journey by 4WD to the village of Ibra, the second largest city in the Ash Sharqiyah Region of Oman. Ibra is one of the oldest cities in Oman and was once a centre of trade, religion, education and art. The city acquired its importance as an important meeting point at the base of the Ash Sharqiyah mountains.

Oman still has a few traditional pit weavers who design elegant textiles from their looms dug into the ground. We shall visit one before continuing some 140kms west to the oasis town of Birkat al Mawz which features a UNESCO-listed falaj system. A falaj in Oman refers to water that runs through a channel dug in the earth. The source of falaj water is groundwater found in the subsoil or valleys. The plural of the word ‘falaj’ used in Oman is ‘aflaj’, which is a comprehensive term used to denote a system of irrigation.

In the late afternoon we drive up the Wadi Muaydin and hence to the spectacular Jebel Akhdar. This area encompasses the great Saiq Plateau, at 2000m above sea level. It consists of a labyrinth of wadis and terraces where the cooler mountain air and greater rainfall supports the region’s famed market gardens and orchards of pomegranates, apricots and other fruit. (Overnight Jebel Akhdar) BLD

Day 9: Tuesday 10 November, Al-Dakhiliyah Region Village of Al Ayn (including 1km walk) Wadi Bani Habib

After a buffet breakfast we take an extended walk through the terraces and villages from Al Aqr, which is famous for its roses in April, to Al Ayn and Al Shurayjah perched on the cliffs and affording spectacular views of the wadi below. As we walk we will see the falaj or traditional open-channel irrigation systems that bring the luxuriant fertility to these fields.

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Following lunch at the home of our local guide, we visit the secluded valley of Wadi Bani Habib (the children of Habib’s valley). Two abandoned villages are here overlooking the walnut trees and pomegranate bushes. (Overnight Jebel Akhdar) BLD

Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah ‍Governorate - 2 nights Day 10: Wednesday 11 November, Al-Dakhiliyah Region Village of Al Hamra Wadi Ghul and village of Nakhar The Balcony Walk, Jebel Shams

Today we continue our exploration of the Al-Dakhiliyah Region. This dramatic, mountainous area has spectacular scenery, including Jebel Shams (Oman’s highest mountain) and Wadi Nakhar the Grand Canyon of Arabia.

We begin with a visit to the mud town of Al Hamra, set below Jebel Shams and overlooking an extensive date oasis. One of the oldest towns in Oman, it is interesting for a wonderfully well-preserved row of two- and three-storey mudbrick houses built in the Yemeni style. There are many abandoned houses in the upper parts of the village and it’s easy to gain an idea of a life that has only changed in the past three decades.

From Al Hamra we continue to Wadi Nakhar, ‘the Grand Canyon of Oman’, a spectacular gorge that cuts into the southern flanks of the Al Hajar mountains. Created by the earth’s movement in which the Arabian plate was ‘subducted’ under the Eurasian, it is estimated that the mountain range was heaved into place nearly 100 million years ago. The rock formations of the landscape now contain elements that originally occupied the earth’s bedrock such as oceanic limestone making the venue an elemental melting pot worthy of exploration.

A motorable track leads us to the nearby village of Nakhar, which affords spectacular views of the gorge. At the village, visitors can purchase hand-woven carpets and rugs directly from the weavers. These stunning creations, dyed in shades of black, bright red and brown, represent the best of traditional textiles.

In the late afternoon we ascend Jebel Shams for an afternoon walk along ‘The Balcony’. The scenery here is some of the most dramatic anywhere in Oman: a kind of huge natural amphitheatre, with kilometre-high cliffs, the tiny village of Nakhar way below in the shadowy depths of the canyon and birds of prey – such as the Egyptian vulture, with its distinctive black-and-white-striped wings – hovering silently on the thermals overhead. (Overnight Nizwa) BLD

Day 11: Thursday 12 November, Nizwa – Sinaw – Bahla – Al Ayn – Nizwa Sinaw’s Thursday Market Bahla Fort Beehive tombs of Bat, Al Ayn

After an early buffet breakfast we continue our journey by 4WD to Sinaw’s Thursday market, one of the oldest Bedouin markets in Oman. Filled with local people in their colourful costumes, the souq is divided into various sections including a bazaar for household goods and textiles, a section for fresh fish and meat, and an area where domestic animals like camels, cows, goats and sheep are displayed for auction.

We continue to Bahla village, which is surrounded by a twelve-kilometre adobe wall, originally punctured by seven grand gates. Bahla was once known as a centre for magic and sorcerers; today it is well known for its skilled potters. Just to the south of the village and rising above the vast sea of palm groves is the Bahla Fort; largely rebuilt in the early seventeenth century and today a World Heritage site. The ‘Qalat Bahla’ (Bahla Citadel) is one of four historic fortresses situated at the foot of the Jebel Akdar highlands. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries, when the oasis of Bahla prospered under the control of the Banu Nebhan tribe. The fort’s ruined adobe walls and towers rise some 165 feet above its sandstone foundations. Closed for many years, the fort underwent extensive renovations and was re-opened in 2012.

Our next stop is the village of Al Ayn; in the distance rises Jebal Misht (Comb Mountain) one of Oman’s most majestic landmarks with its south-west wall rising over 1000 metres and presenting rock-climbing challenges. On a ridge with Jebal Misht as its dramatic backdrop, are a series of beautifully preserved stone “beehive” tombs which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The settlement and necropolises of Bat form the most complete and best-known site of the 3rd millennium BC and reflect the increasing sophistication of settled life, which took place during the Bronze Age when copper mining in Magan (the ancient name for Oman) was an important source of revenue. (Overnight Nizwa) BLD

Salalah, Dhofar Governorate - 4 nights

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Day 12: Friday 13 November, Nizwa – Salalah Nizwa Fort & Souq Wadi Bani Awf Evening flight from Muscat to Salalah

We start the day by visiting Nizwa’s great fort, the oldest and most impressive in all of Oman. This seventeenth-century round tower fort was built to guard the strategic Sumail Gap which leads from the interior to the Omani coast. Constructed on a solid base of rock, the huge crenellated tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of its twenty-four cannons; it remained the seat of government for Oman for some three hundred years. The Nizwa Fort was designed with various ingenious methods of repelling marauding invaders. Among these were “murder holes”, slots through which defenders could pour boiling date syrup on the heads of attackers as they entered the stairs. From the top of the tower there is a superb panoramic view of the city and the surrounding plains with large stands of deep green palm date trees. Nizwa is still an important centre for Omani date farming – some 40 varieties of dates are cultivated.

Mid-morning, we have some time to explore the Nizwa souq, which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjars (Omani silver daggers) and ornately designed silver jewellery.

In the afternoon we journey north to the Seeb International Airport where we shall take an evening flight to Salalah. Our journey takes us through one of the most impressive wadis, Wadi Bani Awf, with mountains rising on either side, waterfalls, crop terraces, date palm oases and houses built into a steep hill.

In the evening we arrive in Salalah (Al Balid of the Middle Ages), a tropical paradise, justifiably considered the “garden city” of the south. (Overnight Salalah) BLD

Day 13: Saturday 14 November, South-West of Salalah Frankincense Plantations & Sea-Cliff walk

This morning we depart Salalah and travel south-west along the coastline towards Mughsayl and the Yemen border. En route are spectacular views of the plains, mountain landscape and green pastureland. As we progress further west, the views towards the Yemen border become more and more breathtaking. The stark shapes of leafless frankincense trees (Boswellia Sacra) dot the landscape. Once traded as a commodity more precious than gold, and purchased in prodigious quantities by the Romans and others for their sacrificial rites, frankincense harvested in Dhofar is rated the best in the world. We continue to the 100 metre-high sea cliffs, where a track allows a gentle walk through wooded countryside. (Overnight Salalah) BLD

Day 14: Sunday 15 November, Salalah – Taqah – Sumhuram – Al Balid – Salalah Taqah Fort & Fishing Village Ruined city of Sumhuram Frankincense Land Museum Al Balid Haffah Souq Salalah’s Traditional Market & waterfront, Dhofar Nabi Ayoub

This morning we begin our tour by visiting the fishing village of Taqah, an old town with a white-washed castle surrounded by watchtowers and stone houses. It is well known as the source of much of the stone utilized in buildings in Salalah and even Muscat.

We then drive to the ruins at Khor Rawri. Known as Sumhuram, it was one of the great entrepôts of the trade in frankincense, spices, textiles, and other precious items, which flourished between India, Arabia Felix and the Mediterranean some two thousand years ago. Excavations, most recently by an Italian team, have produced evidence of an ancient city with trade links as far afield as India and further east and Spain in the west.

Our morning ends with a visit to the tomb of the Biblical Prophet Job (“Nabi Ayoub”), perched high up in the mountains. The story of Job is recounted in both the Bible and Qu’ran.

This afternoon is devoted to visiting the Frankincese Land Museum. Opened in July 2007 at Al Balid Archaeological Park, a UNESCO heritage site located in Salalah, the Frankincense Land Museum is the latest addition to Oman’s heritage and cultural scene. It houses two main halls, namely the History Hall, depicting the geography, history of the ancient Frankincense trail and the historical background of the Sultanate through a number of archaeological findings; and The Marine Hall, featuring displays about the development of Oman’s rich marine history. A complete history of the maritime trade and shipbuilding industry of Oman may be studied, with meticulously carved replicas of the ancient boats and ships of the Omani maritime trade on display.

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We also visit the Haffah Souq, Salalah’s traditional market famous for the sale of high quality Frankincense and numerous other Dhofari traditional souvenirs. We shall also walk along Dhofar’s corniche, where single-storied houses are dwarfed by tall swaying palms and see the Al Husn Palace, summer residence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, which stands at one end of the promenade. (Overnight Salalah) BLD

Day 15: Monday 16 November, Salalah Wadi Darbat Pottery of Dhofar: a visit to a local potter Mirbat, ancient capital of Dhofar Tomb of Mohammad Bin Ali

This morning we journey along the coastal highway to Wadi Darbat. Some 7kms beyond Taqah, we may view the dramatic cliffs which turn into a spectacular waterfall during the khareef (June-August southeastern monsoon), spouting cascades of water amid a tangle of lush greenery. This cliff marks the entrance to Wadi Darbat, whose waters feed Khor Rawri below. Wadi Darbat is a natural park with majestic views of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, caves (once used to shelter shepherds), wildlife and lush green vegetation.

Ceramics or fired clay has been an integral part of Oman’s culture and heritage. Until the 15th century, pottery in Oman continued to be unglazed, and witnessed a change in style after the Portuguese invasion. Dhofar was traditionally known for its unfired, shiny red- coloured pottery, a style that is still used today especially in frankincense and coal burners. This morning we pay a visit to a local potter in her home in one of the valleys that descend from Jabal Sumhuram.

Next, we continue to the coastal town of Mirbat. The ancient capital of Dhofar and of the Minjawis (a community of Persian merchants), Mirbat was an important town as early as the 9th century. It was known for its trade in frankincense, horses and slaves. We shall see some of its old houses, famous for their beautifully carved wooden doors and windows. If we are fortunate we shall also witness boatloads of fish arriving into the harbor.

Our day ends with a visit to one of Dhofar’s best-known historic monuments, the tomb of Mohammad bin Ali al Alawi, who died in 1135 AD. This twin-domed mosque and tomb complex is a fine example of the region’s medieval architecture and recalls similar tombs in the great Wadi Hadramat, further south in Yemen. (Overnight Salalah) BLD

Day 16: Tuesday 17 November, Salalah – Dubai (Tour ends in Dubai) Day at leisure Evening departure for Dubai

Today is at leisure in Salalah, affording well-deserved opportunities to relax and rest by the splendid beach. Alternatively one might indulge in some ‘last-minute’ shopping in Salalah or simply spend time in one of the hotel’s sumptuous lounges.

In the early evening, participants departing on the ASA ‘designated’ flight with Emirates will be transferred to the airport for their flight back to Australia (via Dubai). B

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Accommodation 16 Days in Oman

Accommodation will be provided in twin-share rooms with private facilities in locally rated 3-5 star hotels. In the Wahiba Sands we spend one night at the Safari Desert Camp which is of basic standard - camp in tents with shared facilities. All hotels provide rooms with private facilities. Single rooms may be requested – and are subject to availability and payment of the single supplement. Further information on hotels will be provided in the 'Tour Hotel List' given to tour members prior to their departure.

Al Khasab, Musandam (2 nights): 4-star Atana Khasab (formerly the Golden Tulip) - a resort hotel located in Khasab, on the Musandam Peninsula. The hotel offers 60 air-conditioned rooms with either sea or mountain views. www.atanahotels.com Barr Al Jissah, Muscat (2 nights): 5-star Shangri-la Al Waha Hotel - a luxury resort hotel designed in traditional Dhofari style, located at Barr Al Jissah, 17kms from Muscat. www.shangri-la.com Ras al Jinz (2 nights): - Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve - providing accommodation in air-conditioned en-suite rooms and Eco-Tents. www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com Wahiba Sands (1 night): Safari Desert Camp -a permanent Bedouin style camp. The camp offers 12 tents and 8 huts equipped with twin beds, dressing table, Bedouin chest and carpets. Each tent is attached to a well-equipped open-top sanitary building with toilet and shower. www.safaridesert.com Jebel Akhdar (2 nights): 3-star Sahab Hotel - a unique boutique hotel situated on the Saiq plateau at 2004m above sea level, on Jebal Al Akhdar mountain. It offers breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset. www.sahab-hotel.com Nizwa (2 nights): 3-star Falaj Daris Hotel - a comfortable, recently renovated modern hotel located 4kms from the town of Nizwa. www.falajdarishotel.com Salalah (4 nights): 5-star Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah - set amongst 42 acres of lush, landscaped gardens which lead to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. www.crowneplaza.com

Note: hotels are subject to change, in which case a hotel of similar standard will be provided.

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Tour Map

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Tour Price & Inclusions AUD $TBA Land Content Only - Early-Bird Special: book before 31 Mar 2015

AUD $TBA Land Content Only

AUD $TBA Single Supplement

For competitive Economy, Business or First Class airfares and/or group airfares please contact ASA for further information.

Tour Price (Land Content Only) includes:

Accommodation in twin-share rooms with private facilities in locally rated 3-5 star hotels. In the Wahiba Sands we spend one night at the Safari Desert Camp which is of basic standard - camp in tents (or huts) with shared facilities. Meals, indicated in the itinerary, where: B=breakfast, L=lunch & D=evening meal Transportation by air-conditioned coach and 4WD vehicles (either Land Cruiser or Ford Expedition - seating either 3 in Landcruiser or 5 in Expedition - all will have window seats) Airport-hotel transfers if travelling on the ASA 'designated' flights Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at hotels (not at airports, ferry terminals or at the Safari Desert Camp) Lecture and site-visit program Tour Reference Book Entrance fees to forts and museums Dhow cruise to the fjords of Musandam (Day 1); Dhow cruise of Sur Harbour (Day 6) High-Speed Ferry from Al Khasab to Muscat (Day 3) Domestic flight from Muscat to Salalah (Day 12) Bottled water during all excursions Tips for the coach driver, Omani guide and restaurants for included meals.

Tour Price (Land Content Only) does not include

Airfare: Australia - Dubai, Dubai - Australia Personal spending money Airport-hotel transfers if not travelling on the ASA 'designated' flights Luggage in excess of 20 kg (44 lbs) Travel insurance Visa for Oman.

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Physical Endurance & Practical Information Physical Ratings

The number of flags is a guide to the degree of difficulty of ASA tours relative to each other (not to those of other tour companies). It is neither absolute nor literal. One flag is given to the least taxing tours, six to the most. Flags are allocated, above all, according to the amount of walking and standing each tour involves. Nevertheless all ASA tours require that participants have a good degree of fitness enabling 2-3 hours walking or 1-1.5 hours standing still on any given site visit or excursion. Many sites are accessed by climbing slopes or steps and have uneven terrain.

This 16-day tour involves:

Visiting sites where you will encounter steps (eg Forts), cobbled streets (mountain villages), rocky and uneven ground, slopes and steep walks Excursions undertaken in a convoy of 4-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles. They include a number of long-distance journeys along winding coastal and mountain roads. Participants will be divided into vehicles taking between 3 – 5 passengers, in seating configurations that ensure that everyone enjoys a window seat. Meals include a number of picnic lunches.

Other considerations:

1 night is spent at the Safari Desert Camp which offers accommodation in either fixed tents or huts. 6 accommodation changes Dhow cruise to the fjords of Musandam (Day 1) High-Speed Ferry from Al Khasab to Muscat (Day 3) Dhow cruise of Sur Harbour (Day 6) Domestic flight from Muscat to Salalah (Day 12) Visitors are only allowed to drink alcohol in licensed restaurants and hotels. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the Safari Desert Camp You must be able to carry your own hand-luggage. Hotel porterage includes 1 piece of luggage per person. Porterage is not available at the Safari Desert Camp

It is important to remember that ASA programs are group tours, and slow walkers affect everyone in the group. As the group must move at the speed of the slowest member, the amount of time spent at a site may be reduced if group members cannot maintain a moderate walking pace. ASA tours should not present any problem for active people who can manage day-to-day walking and stair- climbing. However, if you have any doubts about your ability to manage on a program, please ask your ASA travel consultant whether

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this is a suitable tour for you.

Please note: it is a condition of travel that all participants agree to accept ASA’s directions in relation to their suitability to participate in activities undertaken on the tour, and that ASA retains the sole discretion to direct a tour participant to refrain from a particular activity on part of the tour. For further information please refer to the Terms and Conditions section.

Practical Information

Prior to departure, tour members will receive practical notes which include information on visa requirements, health, photography, weather, clothing and what to pack, custom regulations, bank hours, currency regulations, electrical appliances and food. The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade website has advice for travellers see: www.smartraveller.gov.au

Visa Requirements

A visa is required for most foreign nationals. ASA will assist tour participants in obtaining their visa. The current charge is approx $30.00 US, which is not included in the price of the tour as charges are subject to change at short notice. Note: passports must be valid for at least six months after departure from Oman. To process your visa application ASA will require a photocopy of the front page of your passport together with your completed visa forms no later than 60 days prior to your departure.

Clothing

It is important that women dress modestly, for example long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with long sleeves. Tight fitting clothes must be avoided and although this is not strictly followed by Westerners, it is far better to adopt this practice and avoid causing offence. Shorts should never be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited for anywhere except the beach and hotel facilities (note: please do remember to bring your swimsuits as there will be a number of occasions where you will have the opportunity to swim). During visits to mosques women will also be required to wear a head-scarf.

Luggage

This tour requires that you take a minimum of luggage and that your suitcase is suitable for rough conditions. Please consider:

The majority of excursions are undertaken using 4WD vehicles where your luggage will be carried in racks on top of the vehicle. Strict luggage allowance applies to the domestic flight between Muscat and Salalah.

Alcohol

Visitors are only allowed to drink alcohol in licensed restaurants and hotels. Note: not all hotels included in this program are permitted to serve alcohol. The consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in the desert (eg during our stay at the 1000 Nights Camp).

Booking Conditions Making a Tentative Reservation before the tour price has been published

ASA INTENTION TO TRAVEL APPLICATION FORM

Some ASA tours fill almost immediately. Don’t miss out! You can register your ‘Intention to Travel’ by completing this application and returning this to ASA with a AUD$100.00 per person deposit. Once the tour price has been published, the itinerary and ASA Reservation Application Form will be sent to you. From the time you receive the itinerary you will have two weeks to either:

Send us a completed ASA Reservation Application Form together with an additional deposit of AUD$400.00 per person. On receipt of this Reservation Application and deposit, ASA will process your booking and if approved, send you a tour confirmation. At this time your deposit of $500.00 AUD is subject to the tour’s Booking Conditions.

Or

CANCEL your Intention to Travel in writing. ASA will refund your AUD$100.00 per person deposit, less a $33.00 service fee (including GST).

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Participation Criteria

To participate in an ASA tour, you must be reasonably fit, in good health and able to participate in all activities without assistance from Tour Leaders or other tour members. If you require assistance, a fit and able travel companion must undertake to accompany and assist you with all tasks for the duration of the whole tour. ASA’s ability to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your specific needs, your health and safety and the health and safety of other tour members, is of paramount importance to us. For this reason the ASA Reservation Application includes a Medical Information section. As a general guideline, you must be able to accomplish each of these activities without assistance or support:-

walk and stand unassisted for at least 2-3 hours a day in hot, humid conditions walk confidently on and over uneven surfaces climb at least 3 flights of stairs embark and disembark from ferries, buses and trains walk up and down steep slopes walk at a steady pace and no less than 1 km every 15 – 20minutes organise, manage and carry your own luggage follow and remember tour instructions meet punctually at designated times and places administer your own medication.

Single Supplement

Payment of the single supplement will ensure accommodation in a single room throughout the tour. The number of single rooms available is extremely limited. People wishing to take the Single Supplement are therefore advised to book well in advance.

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Intention to Travel Application

TOUR NAME TOUR DATES

Booking before the tour price is available Some ASA tours fill almost immediately. Don’t miss out! You can register your ‘Intention to Travel’ by completing this application and returning this to ASA with a AUD$100.00 per person deposit. Once the tour price has been published, the itinerary and ASA Reservation Application Form will be sent to you. From the time you receive the itinerary you will have two weeks to either: . Send us a completed ASA Reservation Application Form together with an additional deposit of AUD$400.00 per person. On receipt of this Reservation Application and deposit, ASA will process your booking and if approved, send you a tour confirmation. At this time your deposit of $500.00 AUD is subject to the tour’s Booking Conditions. OR . Cancel your Intention to Travel in writing. ASA will refund your AUD$100.00 per person deposit, less a $33.00 service fee (including GST).

Applicant Details (as in passport) TITLE Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr Other FIRST NAME Preferred FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME SURNAME POSTAL ADDRESS CITY STATE COUNTRY POSTCODE

TEL. (AH) ( ) TEL. (BH) ( ) Mobile Tel: EMAIL address Date of birth / / GENDER Male Female

Tour Accommodation (rooming preferences) I/we would like: a twin-bedded room a double-bedded room a room for sole occupancy I am travelling: on my own with a friend/family member Travel Companion

Meals Please X the box if you CAN NOT eat any of the following: I do not have any specific dietary requests fish poultry red meat dairy products eggs pork nuts Allergies: Refer to the Medical Information Other

Correspondence Your preferred method of correspondence Postal Mail Email Address

Participation Criteria To participate in an ASA tour, you must be reasonably fit, in good health and able to participate in all activities without assistance from Tour Leaders or other tour members. If you require assistance, a fit and able travel companion must undertake to accompany and assist you with all tasks for the duration of the whole tour. ASA’s ability to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your specific needs, your health and safety and the health and safety of other tour members, is of paramount importance to us. For this reason the ASA Reservation Application includes a Medical Information section. As a general guideline, you must be able to accomplish each of these activities without assistance or support:- • walk & stand unassisted for at least 2-3 hours a day in hot, humid conditions • walk at a steady pace and no less than 1 km every 15 - 20 minutes • walk confidently on and over uneven surfaces • organise, manage and carry your own luggage • climb at least 3 flights of stairs • follow and remember tour instructions • embark and disembark from ferries, buses and trains • meet punctually at designated times and places • walk up and down steep slopes • administer your own medication.

Applicant’s Signature Dated

Intention to Travel Payment

Tour / Course Name

I have enclosed an Intention to Travel Fee of $ (including CC or bank fee if applicable) for this tour Payment by (please indicate): Cheque Direct Debit (see below) Credit Card (see below)

By Cheque Credit Card Payment Please make cheques payable to Australians Studying Abroad Credit card fees apply: Mastercard, American Express & Visa 1.95% Please debit my: Mastercard American Express Visa Direct Deposit or Internet Banking You will need to: I authorise ASA to debit my credit card for the amount due plus 1. Provide your bank with ASA’s bank details (see below) and the applicable fee as above the amount you wish to transfer OR make a direct deposit Credit Card Number through any ANZ branch 2. Include any fees levied by the banks Expiry Date Security Code (CVC) 3. Provide a reference number (Mobile or last name recommended). Bank the Card is linked to (eg. NAB or ANZ) 4. Complete section below, including confirmation no. (given when transaction completed). Cardholders Name

Australians Studying Abroad bank details Cardholders Billing Address Bank ANZ Branch 420 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Vic Swift Code ANZBAU3M State Postcode BSB 013-423 Country Account No 3472-32759 Phone Bank confirmation No. Email Reference used: Mobile or last name recommended Cardholders Signature

Date Money Transferred

AUSTRALIANS STUDYING ABROAD Office 6, Level 1, 1087-1095 High St (PO Box 8285) Armadale VIC Australia 3143 www.asatours.com.au Phone +61 3 9822 6899 Freecall 1800 645 755 (outside metro Melbourne area only) Email [email protected] License No. 31248 ABN 27 006 589 242

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