A suggestive summary of the Sultanate in only seven days. From the astanishing mosques of Muscat we step back in time by driving an the curvy dirt tracks of the Hajar Mountain range, crossing deep canyons and discovering small villages where the pace of life still follows ancient rhythm. On the other side Nizwa welcomes us with its rich traditional jewelry souq, its terracotta craft and its imposing fort that overlooks the oasis. After two hours driving toward south, we reach the desert where, from comfortable tented camp in Bedu style, a magical starred sky will be our ceiling. The emotions continue discovering natural crystal- clear water pools hidden between the rocky side of the wadis and along the beaches facing the Indian Ocean by spotting the majestic green sea turtles that lay their eggs during the nights.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Oman
Depart from country of residence and arrive in Muscat, the capital of Oman, in the late afternoon or evening. Pickup and transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Day 2: Muscat – jebel Shams
After being picked up from the hotel, we spend the morning visiting the spectacular Grand Mosque, farnaus for its lslamic architecture, richly decorated interior and the second largest Persian carpet in the world. Following this, we leave Muscat in 4x4s and enter the mountainous Hajar range, via off road dirt tracks, weaving up canyons and through small villages via Wadi Bani Awf. After a pienie lunch we continue our traverse until reachingjebel Shams, the highest point in the Arabian Peninsula, where we spend the night at a hotel.
Day 3: Dakhiliya Region
After breakfast, we continue to explore the Dakhiliya region in the interior of Oman. We visit the two oasis of Al Hamra, with its fascinating and unspoiled houses built of dried mud and stone, and Misfat Al Abriyeen precariously perched an a mountain face. After lunch in a local restaurant, we explore the unique Castle of jabreen and view the UNESCO Bahla fort from the exterior. The evening is spent in a hotel in nearby Nizwa.
Day 4: Nizwa- Sharqiyah Sands
We begin day four at Nizwa, the Pearl of Islam. The local suq offers a diverse range of traditional products, including incense, ceramics, local knives (known as Khanjars) and locally made silver jewellery, while the Nizwa Fortis one ofthe most iconic in the Sultanate. ln the late morning we leave Nizwa, stopping to have lunch in a local restaurant, before leaving the asphalt and entering the pink and orange sand dunes of Sharqiyah Sands. The evening is spent in a Bedouin style camp, providing an authentic experience of desert life, while still maintaining a high Ievei of luxury and comfort.
Day 5: Sharqiyah Sands- Wadi Bani Khalid – Ras Al Hadd
Departing from the camp, we continue over sand dunes and desert scenery to reach the asphalt road once again, in direction Wadi Bani Khalid. The blue waters and cool pools, lush greenery and soaring canyon walls make this Wadi a spectacular place to have a refreshing swim. Following lunch in a local restaurant, we continue towards Ras Al Hadd, the most Eastern point ofthe Arabian Peninsula and famous for being a nesting ground for a variety of sea turtles. The evening is spent in a bungalow resort on the beach. Afterdinner we will visit the Ras Al jinz Nature Reserve and, depending on the time ofyear, will be able to see turtles laying eggs, baby turtles and a diverse selection of adult turtles right on the beach.
Day 6: Ras Al Hadd- Muscat
We begin day six by continuing towards the city of Sur, where we explore the building docks of the Arabic Dhows, one of the few places left in the region where traditional techniques arestill utilised. Following this we wind our way in a Northern direction along the coast, making a stop to viewthe ancient ruins ofthe city of Qalhat, before reaching Wadi Tiwi. Famous of its imposing canyon-like walls of rock, this Wadi contains picturesque traditional villages, farm terraces and pools of crystal clear water. After lunch in a local restaurant we continue till arriving at Muscat, where clients spend the night in a hotel.
Day 7: Muscat- Departure
After six days of travel, the morning and lunch of the seventh day is free, and clients can spend the time as they wish. ln the afternoon we explore the old area of Muscat, containing the forts Al jalali and Al Mirani, and the Sultan’s Palace (Al Alam Palace), before continuing on to the Mutrah suq. The winding alleyways contain all sorts of local products, including spices, incense, pashminas, wood products and jewellery, and makes for the perfect place to purchase local items. After dinner in a local restaurant, we head to the airport where clients get a flight back to their country of residence.
