8 Days Top to Bottom Adventure Travel date 02 - 09 Feb 2019 TOUR INFORMATION OMAN

INTRODUCTION

Oman has over 600 miles of coastline and unlike Dubai, there is no skyscrapers and most larger buildings adhere to traditional designs with new buildings either white or sand colored. Modern lifestyles are modified by the Omanis’ love and respect for tradition.

We start at its capital city is renowned for its corniche and old fortified harbor with dhows. Muscat also boasts fine museums, architecture and the souk of , where you can view the day’s catch at the fish souk. Our 4-wheel adventure takes us along coastline passing wadi (green oasis valley) and villages; over the rugged arid Harrar Mountains; into with its forts and castles. We continue our journey to the southern capital, . the capital of the Dhofar region, is a colourful, subtropical city that owes much of its character to Oman’s former territories in East Africa. Camp under the stars in the Empty Quarter, also known as Rub Al Khali, the largest sand in the world. This is a truly unique and special place, completely empty with towering 200m plus sand dunes as far as the eye can see - one of the last great wildernesses!

We truly get off the beaten track with the most luxury camps set up especially for us in untouched corner of the world. And we will also spend 2 nights in the beautiful Alila Hotel set by the cliff of the Harrar Mountain!

SPECIALS

• Exclusive luxury sleeping tents set up on spectacular remote corners of Oman • Off road experience with our 4x4 and guide • All meals included beverages • Small group size of maximum 16 people • Escorted by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included • Comprehensive Travel Insurance included

DEPARTURE DETAILS

ITINERARY DAY BY DAY • Land Tour Price: Twin Sharing: S$10,980/-; Single Supplement: S$4,950/- Day 1 02 Feb (Sat) Singapore/Muscat • Airfare (subject to availability) Day 2 03 Feb (Sun) Muscat Economy from S$1,566/- Day 3 04 Feb (Mon) Muscat/ /Jabal Akhdar Business from S$6,137/- Day 4 05 Feb (Tue) Jabal Akhdar/Nizwa/Jabal Akhdar • Deposit amount: $$ 2,000/ per person Day 5 06 Feb (Wed) Jabal Akhdar/Muscat/Salalah • Registration Closing Date: Day 6 07 Feb (Thu) Salalah/Empty Quarter 02 Nov 2018 or when tour is fully subscribed Day 7 08 Feb (Fri) Empty Quarter • Early Bird Promotion: Day 8 09 Feb (Sat) Empty Quarter/Salalah/Singapore First 2 room bookings with deposit enjoy complimentary upgrade in Alila Jabal Akhdar from Mountain View to Ridge View Suite

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY OMAN

DAY 01 - 2 FEB (SAT) - SINGAPORE MUSCAT

Flight option 1:

01 Feb - Singapore / Doha QR 947 2025 / 2325 (8h 00m) 2 Feb - Doha / Muscat QR 1148 0030 / 0320 (1h 50m)

Flight option 2:

01 Feb - Singapore / Dubai EK 355 2100 / 0100+1 (8h 00m) 2 Feb - Dubai / Muscat EK 866 0220 / 0335 (1h 15m)

Arrive Oman early in the morning. Be transferred to Ritz Carlton and take a good rest before the adventure starts. (Early check-in guaranteed).

In the afternoon we enjoy a half day of Muscat. Witness a modern commercial center existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour, Muscat means “Anchorage” & lies in a natural volcanic bowl.

A drive through the different parts of the Capital Area will lead us through the beautiful embassy and ministries area inShatti Al Qurm with its Arabic styled buildings, along the coastal road in Qurm and the Ruwi High Street to Muttrah. Here you have some time to stroll around the traditional Old Souk. The market is offering typical Omani goods such as Frankincense, Myrrh, Silver, Gold jewelry and Khanjars as well as valuable import goods from the old sea trade tradition: fine clothes, shawls from Cashmere and Henna. From Muttrah we continue along the Corniche and the Ryam Road - the first tarmac road in Oman – toMuscat Old Town. A nice walk from Al Alam Palace to the Portuguese forts Jalali and Mirani is like going from modern time back to history.

Accommodation: Ritz Carlton Muscat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 02 - 3 FEB (SUN) - MUSCAT

This morning we start with a visit of the Grand Mosque with its impressive architecture and fine artwork. From the Mosque, we visit the Royal Opera House. Built on the orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, this magnificent building reflects contemporary Omani architecture, and can accommodate 1,100 people. Afterwards we will see the Natural History Museum, which is an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of Oman as well as the geography and geology.

After lunch at a traditional local restaurant, we continue to Bait Al Zubair; a collection of traditional houses which have been refurbished to highlight Oman’s traditional architecture and now contains a very interesting museum. There are various exhibitions displaying a mix of different cultural and historic artefacts, all of which tell the history of Oman and the ties it once had with the different civilisations around the world. If you are interested, there are some other interesting museums and art galleries that we can also visit in this area.

Accommodation: Ritz Carlton Muscat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY OMAN

DAY 03 - 4 FEB (MON) - MUSCAT | RUSTAQ | JABAL AKHDAR

Today we start our adventure into Oman’s Interior, travelling along the Al Batinah coast before turning inland to Nakhl, home to a restored fort surrounded by date palms and Ain a’Thawwarah hot springs.

From here we travel onto Rustaq and into the entrance of the exposed and impressive Wadi Bani Auf. This route takes us over the Hajar Mountains, a climb of over 2,000m and is one of the greatest and most memorable off-road drives of Oman. We pass through some very rugged and extraordinary mountain scenery, through small jebel villages and often through plenty of water on the track.

We stop at the beautiful mountain village of Balad Sayt for a delicious and freshly prepared lunch and explore one of the excellent hikes surrounding this area. We then start ascending to and wind up 2,000m to the Plateau, reaching the Alila Hotel in time to view the sun-set over the magnificent Hajar mountain range.

Accommodation: Alila Jabal Akhdar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 04 - 5 FEB (TUE) - JABAL AKHDAR | NIZWA | JABAL AKHDAR

This morning we will drive to Nizwa. Explore Nizwa’s imposing fort and souk, we will head towards the UNESCO listed town of , famous for its fabulous old fort, ‘souk’ and handmade pottery. The town of is not much further and is home to, what is considered to be, Oman’s most impressive fort, built during the Ya’ruba dynasty in 1688 and a marvel of castle engineering.

In the afternoon, we spend some time exploring local mountain villages to gain an insight into the local way of life. Al Hamra, a 400-year-old town, is home to some of the oldest preserved houses that can be found in Oman.

Accommodation: Alila Jabal Akhdar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 05 - 6 FEB (WED) - JABAL AKHDAR | MUSCAT SALALAH

Enjoy a leisure morning, and we will head back to Muscat for our onward flight.

Flight:

06 Feb - Muscat / Salalah WY 907 1450 / 1635 (1h 45m)

On arrival, we will visit the town’s fruit gardens and the Al Husn souk where frankincense is sold. Enjoy a night in Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.

Accommodation: Al Baleed Resort Salalah Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY OMAN

DAY 06 - 7 FEB (THU) - SALALAH | EMPTY QUARTER

After an early breakfast we leave the Salalah coastline behind and drive towards the border before turning north into an extremely remote and isolated area. Traffic in this region is almost nonexistent. We leave the vegetation abruptly and enter the empty barren landscape of the Mountains of the Moon and Negd desert. Finally we drop down into the deep canyon of the Wadi Aydim, home to small groups of Bedu from the Bait Zabnawt tribe.

We leave the main track and weave our way through the grandeur of the russet red sand dunes of the Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter. Our camp is set deep in the dunes, and we arrive in time for you to explore your surroundings and take in the exquisite sunset. Following dinner take a walk among the dunes to marvel at the night sky or relax by the campfire.

Accommodation: Luxury Camp Meals: Packed Breakfast

DAY 07 - 08 FEB (FRI) - EMPTY QUARTER

Watch the sun rise over the imposing dunes from camp, or for the more energetic, make your way to the top of one!

After a relaxing breakfast, there will be ample opportunity to explore this unique and hauntingly beautiful environment. A walk through the windswept dunes reveals the diversity of the region as well as the incredible plant life.

In the evening, a local Bedu from the Haraizi tribe will take you to see his camels and fascinate you with a wealth of detail about the disappearing way of life of those who still depend on them.

Accommodation: Luxury Camp Meals: Packed Breakfast

DAY 08 - 09 FEB (SAT) - EMPTY QUARTER | SALALAH SINGAPORE

Today we leave our desert camp to retrace our steps to Al Mazyouna before taking a different road to Thumrait, past three thousand year old triliths, and an incredible area scattered with fossils. Finally we leave the desert behind, cross the mountains near Qeiron Heritti to reach Salalah.

Before our evening flight, we will visit the verdantWadi Darbat and the ruins of Sumerham, the ancient trading port of the Queen of Sheba and the charming old port of Mirbat.

Flight option 1:

09 Feb - Salalah / Dubai EK 2027 1925 / 2130 (2h 05m) 10 Feb - Dubai / Singapore EK 432 0235 / 1345 (7h 10m)

Flight option 2:

09 Feb - Salalah / Doha QR 1145 2255 / 0045 (2h 50m) 10 Feb - Doha / Singapore QR 946 0155 / 1455 (8h 00m)

Arrive Singapore on Day 09, 10 Feb (Sun).

Accommodation: N/A Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com PRICE INFORMATION OMAN

Land tour price per person Hotels Twin share Single Supplement Muscat : Ritz Carlton (Deluxe Sea View) x 3 nights Jebel Akhdar : Alila (Mountain View Suite) x 2 nights S$ 10,980/- S$ 4,950/- Salalah : Al Baleed Resort (Garden View) x 1 night Empty Quarter : Luxury Tent x 2 nights

* Above prices are based on minimum 10 people traveling together.

Airline Airfare price per person Economy Class Emirates (EK) S$1,890 + S$462 (taxes) = S$2,352/- Singapore / Dubai / Muscat // Business Class: Salalah / Dubai / Singapore S$5,740 + S$666 (taxes) = S$6,406/- Economy Class Qatar Airways (QR) S$1,130 + S$436 (taxes) = S$1,566/- Singapore / Doha / Muscat // Business Class: Salalah / Doha / Singapore S$5,610 + S$527 (taxes) = S$6,137/-

*Airfare and Taxes are calculated as of 01 Jun 2018 and subject to change and availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our tavel specialists.

COST INCLUDES COST EXCLUDES

• Accommodation on twin/double basis; • Airfare between Singapore/Muscat//Salalah/Singapore • Meals as stated including beverages (except premium (as quoted separately); wine & hard liquor); • Visa; • Professional English speaking guide and coach on Day 2; • Personal expenses e.g. laundry, and telecommunication • Luxury 4x4 vehicle (max 3 clients per vehicle); • Domestic flight from Muscat to Salalah; • All tours & transfers including entrance fees; • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter; • Comprehensive Travel Insurance; • Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge;

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com