Route of Kings and Queens 10 Days

Overview

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 by air to Musandam.

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 Musandam you cruise the fjords on a traditional Omani dhow, see Khasab and its castle, and take a 4WD safari to Jebel Harim.

Where you'll go

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

Your days

1. Day 1

   Muscat to Ras Al Hadd along the coast

   In the morning, the tour starts with a short visit to Muscat city, then leaves 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.

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   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. 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. Day 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. Day 3

   Nizwa, the Round Tower Fort and Jabrin

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

   Nizwa is known for its Round Tower Fort, built in the 17th century, and its souq, famous for its Friday cattle auction, intricately hand-carved khanjars (daggers) and ornamental silver jewellery.

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   Jabrin, the finest of Oman's castles, was built in the late 17th century and became a seat of Omani learning. It shows the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed woodcarvings.

   Overnight in Nizwa.

4. Day 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. Lunch is optional.

5. Day 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. Day 6

   The beach or a sea safari

   After breakfast, spend the full day at the beach, or join an optional sea safari tour.

7. Day 7

   Flight to Musandam

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

   The rest of the day is at leisure at the hotel in Musandam. Lunch and dinner are optional.

8. Day 8

   Dhow cruise in the Fjords of Musandam

   Today is a full day on a traditional Omani dhow, cruising to the spectacular Fjords of Musandam.

   Midway through the cruise, the dhow anchors at Telegraph Island, where you can swim and snorkel in the clear water. This is where the British laid an underwater cable in 1864 from India to Basra, for onward communication to London.

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   Lunch and refreshments are served on board, and you may see dolphins along the way.

   Then drive back to the hotel. Dinner is optional.

9. Day 9

   Khasab, Khasab Castle and Jebel Harim

   Today is also a full-day tour: Khasab city and a 4WD safari to Jebel Harim (mountain).

   After breakfast, see the city of Khasab, a small town that is quiet and very laid-back.

   Take a short tour of Khasab Castle. The Portuguese built the fortress at the beginning of the 17th century, before their retreat from the region.

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   The castle housed the Wali and his family in recent centuries and once held prisoners; it has been restored and turned into a regional museum. In its courtyard are boats and houses that represent the heritage of Musandam.

   Then continue on a panoramic drive into the barren interior, with the dramatic scenery of Musandam's mountains, speckled with fossils dating back several million years.

   Drive to Jebel Harim, at 2,087 metres the highest mountain in Musandam. On the way, pass the Bedouin village of Sayh, 1,100 metres above sea level, a calm and peaceful village where you can take in the beauty of Musandam on its plateau.

   Continue to Rowdah village, where you can see a pre-Islamic graveyard, and to Khawr Najid, a place with a stunning view over the Indian Ocean side.

   Finally, see the natural park of acacia trees at Khalidiya, then return to Khasab and your hotel. Dinner is optional.

10. Day 10

    Back to Muscat

    After breakfast, you are driven to the airport for your flight back to Muscat. Lunch is optional.

What's included

Good to know

• Optional activities, such as the sea safari on day 6, are not included.
• A guide speaking a language other than English costs 130 USD more per day, shared by everyone on the tour.

Prices

This trip has no published price yet. Oman City Tours' team gives you a price on request, for your day and your group.

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