Grand Nights of Oman 10 Days

Resumen

This ten-day tour takes you from Muscat down the coast to Ras Al Hadd, into the Wahiba Sands, on to Nizwa and Jebel Shams, and through Wadi Bani Awf to Al Sawadi, then back to Muscat and on to Salalah by air.

Along the way you swim in wadis, watch for nesting turtles at Ras Al Jinz, spend a night in the desert and explore forts, souqs and mountain villages. In Salalah you tour the east and west of the region, and you have a day at the beach or an optional full day in the Rub al Khali desert.

Adónde irás

1. 1Al Sawadi
2. 2Jebel Shams
3. 3Muscat
4. 4Nizwa
5. 5Ras Al Hadd
6. 6Salalah
7. 7Wadi Bani Awf

Tus días

1. Día 1

   Muscat to Ras Al Hadd along the coast

   In the morning, leave Muscat for Sur along the coastal route. You see Quriyat, a small coastal fishing village, and stop for photos at the Bamah Sinkhole.

   Continue along the white beach of Fins, which invites you for a relaxing swim.

   Take the graded track to Wadi Shab, one of Oman's most spectacular wadis, with fresh water flowing most of the year beside banana plantations and rocky paths.

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   You can swim from pool to pool through its warm water.

   Continue to Sur and Ras Al Hadd, where your night is arranged.

   After dinner, you are driven to the Ras Al Jinz turtle sanctuary, a protected green turtle nesting reserve. You can see Oman's great sea turtles nest and lay eggs on the beach, and you may see baby turtles hatching from some nests.

   Overnight in Ras Al Hadd. Lunch and dinner are optional.

2. Día 2

   Wadi Bani Khaled and the Wahiba Sands

   After breakfast, continue to Wadi Bani Khaled, one of the biggest and most beautiful wadis in Oman, and enjoy a refreshing swim in its cool water.

   Then drive towards the Wahiba Sands to experience the magic of a true desert, almost a sea of constantly shifting sands.

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   A drive through the dunes is a must: enjoy 4x4 dune bashing and ride camels.

   Later, visit a local Bedouin family at home for a close-up view of their way of life, and share coffee and dates with them.

   Enjoy the campfire and dinner, and spend the night in the desert.

3. Día 3

   Nizwa Souq and Jabrin

   After breakfast, drive to Nizwa, the capital of the interior and the birthplace of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman.

   Nizwa Souq is known for its Friday cattle auction, intricately hand-carved khanjars (daggers) and ornamental silver jewellery.

   Jabrin, the finest of Oman's castles, was built in the late 17th century and became a seat of Omani learning.

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   It shows the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings.

   Overnight in Nizwa. Lunch and dinner are optional.

4. Día 4

   Misfat Al Abrien, Jebel Shams and Wadi Ghul

   Take a winding road up into the hills to the faraway, picturesque mountain village of Misfat Al Abrien, where time has stood still.

   Drive on up the towering mountains of Jebel Shams and the deep ravines of Wadi Ghul, through untamed, rugged country, a pristine world broken here and there by tiny settlements.

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   At 3,000 metres, Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in Oman.

   Dinner and overnight at Jebel Shams.

5. Día 5

   Billad Sayt, Wadi Bani Awf, Nakhl and Al Sawadi

   After breakfast, leave Jebel Shams and Nizwa and drive to Billad Sayt, one of the most charming and picturesque mountain villages, where time seems to have stood still for ages. The village on top of the cliff is a spectacular sight from the terraced farms below, which provide for the people who live there.

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   Continue along the loop to Wadi Bani Awf. The climb through the wadi takes you up the jebel (mountain), and at one point you see the gorge below, which really does look like a snake. If you wish, you can trek into it, and there are several small pools here for bathing.

   Travel along the Batinah to Nakhl, a date palm grove, to see the natural hot spring and the 350-year-old Nakhl Fort.

   From Nakhl, drive to Al Sawadi, where you spend the night. Lunch and dinner are optional.

6. Día 6

   Muscat

   After breakfast, leave Nakhl and return to Muscat.

   Start with a visit to the Grand Mosque, the Mosque of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the most famous sight in Muscat. Look inside this great Islamic building while your guide points out its highlights, its history and some facts about Islam.

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   Then head to Muttrah Souk, known to locals as Al Dhalam Souk, one of the oldest souks in the Arab world. Merchants sell all kinds of goods: fish, frankincense, perfume oil, garments, daggers, gold, silver, spices and Omani pots.

   In the old town, pass Sultan Al Alam Palace, the palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, and the twin forts of Mirani and Jalali.

   Your last stop is Al Zubair Museum, with a wealth of information about the country's culture, history and heritage.

   You are then dropped off at the airport or your hotel in Muscat. Lunch is optional.

7. Día 7

   Fly to Salalah

   After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for the 1-hour flight to Salalah.

   The rest of the day is free for leisure and relaxing on the beach.

8. Día 8

   Salalah East and West

   Today is a full-day tour of Salalah East (Taqah, Sumhuram, Wadi Dirbat and Ain Razat) and Salalah West (frankincense trees, Mughsayl and Nabi Ayub).

   Start in the Wilayat of Taqah, whose countryside keeps its original character, with large mountain areas untouched by the pressures of habitation.

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   Next is Sumhuram, in Taqah, 30 km from Salalah. This ancient port city reigned 2,000 years ago as the guardian of the perfume paradise, and its ruins stand on a fortified hill beside Khor Rori Creek.

   Continue to Wadi Dirbat, with an amazing variety of plants, trees, birds and flowers, and fantastic views of the Dhofar coastline and the Indian Ocean from Jebel Samhan. There are several shallow caves in the limestone hills on the northern side of the spring and pool.

   Ain Razat is the most important source of spring water in Dhofar and was once one of Salalah's main sources of water. Its water and several smaller springs flow into a long pool on the northern side of the car park, at the foot of the jebel. The water flows along a falaj all year, most strongly during the khareef, for 7 km to Al Maamurah Palace, the Sultan's residence when he is in Salalah.

   After Ain Razat, stop for a lunch break before heading to the west of Salalah.

   Visit Mughsayl, a popular beach west of Salalah, to see its blowholes. When the waves hit the rock, air and water are forced up through vents in the ground, almost like a fountain, with surprisingly strong force.

   Around the area you can see frankincense trees. Dhofar has known frankincense since time immemorial, and it is mentioned in ancient history books. Thousands of years ago, when frankincense was worth more than gold, it brought the region great wealth.

   The last stop is the grave of Nabi Ayub (the prophet Job), a tomb inside a mosque where he is said to be buried. Then drive back to Salalah.

9. Día 9

   The beach or the Rub al Khali desert

   Today is a day at leisure on the beach, or an optional full day in the Rub al Khali desert.

   Lunch and dinner are optional.

10. Día 10

    Salalah city tour and flight to Muscat

    After breakfast, take an orientation tour of Salalah, with visits to the Frankincense Souq and Al Baleed Museum.

    You are then dropped at the airport for your flight back to Muscat. Lunch is optional.

Qué incluye

Bueno saber

• Optional activities, such as the full day in the Rub al Khali desert on day 9, are not included.
• A guide speaking a language other than English costs 130 USD more per day, shared by everyone on the tour.

Precios

Este viaje aún no tiene un precio publicado. El equipo de Oman City Tours te da un precio a petición, para tu día y tu grupo.

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