Day 0. ITALIA – MUSCAT
Arrival at Muscat, meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel for the night.
MEAL: NO
HOTEL: ?
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 1. MUSCAT – WADI BANI AWF – AL HAMRA – JEBEL SHAMS
VIsit of the Grand Mosque, ordered by the Sultan Qaboos and splendid example of modern Islamic architecture: the praying hall is impressive for the richness of its decorations, the crystal chandelier and the huge persian carpet of 4.200 sqm.
We then leave Muscat in 4X4s driving north west towards the Al Hajar mountains with its spectacular views and peaks over 3.000m high. The long winding road climbs slowly along Wadi Bani Awf, with rock walls of an amazing variety of colors and strange morphology; pic-nic in the wadi and after that we reach a pass at over 2.000 m. with a superb view on the Al Hajjar mountains. We drive down towards the characteristic oasis of Al Hamra, with its building built with mud and straw. Arrival at Jebel Shams in the afternoon, dinner and night in Resort.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: hotel
LUNCH: picnic
DINNER: hotel
HOTEL: Jebel Shams Height resort
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 2. JEBEL SHAMS
Interesting walk that will allow us to admire the most suggestive mountain views of Oman. From a height of 2.000 m we will be able to admire the canyon known as “Gran Canyon of Oman” that deeply cuts through the mountains creating spectacular and breathtaking views. With luck it might also be possible to admire eagles, nubian vultures and other wildlife. Pic-nic along the track. During the excursion we will also be passing a pool of warm spring water where it will also be possible to bath, an unusal experience at over 2.000 m height.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: hotel
LUNCH: picnic
DINNER: hotel
HOTEL: Jebel Shams Height resort
VEHICLES: /
Day 3. JEBEL SHAMS – NIZWA – SHARQIYAH SANDS
Nizwa, the “Pearl of Islam”, rises from the plain, surrounded by a thick palm oasis. Visit of the fort dated XVII century and of the souq. Recently renovated, this last offers groceries wares and, most importantly, handmade wares: bookstands, pottery from the nearby Bahla, incensers, walking sticks, male headware and other. The town is also know for its silversmiths, who make the khanjar, the classic finely worked omani silver dagger, and of course necklaces, bracelets, rings and trinkets. After the visits we leave Nizwa to reach, after a couple hours, the village of Mintrib. Lunch in restaurant. We leave then the tarmac road to drive through the pink and orange dunes of the Sharqiyah Sands, also know as Wahiba desert, from the name of the most important beduin tribe living here for centuries, utilizing the numerous water pools and grass shrubs that allow the breeding of goats and camels. Dinner and night at the suggestive beduin style tent camp.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: hotel
LUNCH: restaurant
DINNER: hotel
HOTEL: 1000 Nights Camp
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 4. SHARQIYAH SANDS
After leaving the camp, we walk for almost 2 hours in the desert along dunes of red sand that offer fabulous views. The Wahiba desert coasts the Indian Ocean and its nearness to the sea allows the growth of small bushes and acacia trees. Red dunes alternate corridors where ancient rivers, now vanished, flowed. As we go south we leave the “green” area to reach bigger and cleaner dunes. The day is thus entirely dedicated to the discovery of the desert. We will stop before sundown to camp and have a suggestive walk through the dunes to admire the scenery and the sundown. Dinner and night in a mobile tent camp
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: hotel
LUNCH: picnic
DINNER: camp
Night in mobile tent camp
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 5. SHARQIYAH SANDS – BAIA DI AL KHALUF
Once left the camp, after a walk of a couple hours, we slowly leave the desert to reach the bay of Al Khaluf with its dunes of white sand that dive into the sea: we will be crossing salt plains that reach the coast and we will travel only a few meters away from the waves on beaches where scores of birds will take off as the cars pass by. Dinner and night in a mobile tent camp.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: camp
LUNCH: picnic
DINNER: camp
Night in mobile tent camp
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 6. KHALOUF – RAS RUWAIS
At the morning, after breakfast, we will have a walk of almost four hours between the dunes and the beaches around the Al Khaluf bay where, in addition to the amazing views, we might be lucky enough to admire the diverse land and marine wildlife that inhabit these locations. At mid-day we reach the village of Mahoot where we will replenish and have lunch. Driving along the Ocean we go north to Ras Ruwais where the dunes of the Sharqiya Sands plunge into the blue of the sea creating real natural show. We then go back into the desert to pass one last night under the stars. Dinner and night in a mobile tent camp.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: camp
LUNCH: restaurant
DINNER: camp
Night in mobile tent camp
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 7. RAS RUWAIS – RAS AL JINZ
From Ras Ruwais we drive towards Ras Al Jinz along, if the weather and tides allow it, a long and suggestive beach (40 – 60 km). Picnic. In the afternoon we reach Ras al Jinz. Arrival in the hotel, dinner and after taht visit to the reserve where, with luck we will be able to see the green tortoises lay their eggs. Night at the reserve resort
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: camp
LUNCH: picnic
DINNER: hotel
Hotel: Turtle Beach Reserve
VEHICLES: 4WD
Day 8. SUR – WADI TIWI – MUSCAT
We begin the day 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 are still utilised. Following this we wind our way in a Northern direction along the coast, making a stop to view the ancient ruins of the city of Qalhat, before reaching Wadi Tiwi. Famous for 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 towards Muscat. In the capital we will visit the Sultan Palace and the characteristiq Souk of Muttrah. Dinner in a local restaurant.
MEAL:
BREAKFAST: hotel
LUNCH: restaurant
DINNER: restaurant
Hotel: ?
VEHICLES: 4WD
Services included
Transfers to and from airports
Driving tour 4WD as indicated in the table “INFORMATION day by day”
Inputs to strong and museums and the reserve of Ras Turtles to Jinz
Meals as indicated in the table “INFORMATION day by day”
ITALIAN GUIDE
Hotels planned (or similar in the same category)
– Muscat Ramee Guestline, 4
– Jebel Shams: Sunrise Resort
– Nizwa Golden Tulip 4
– Wahiba: 1000 NightsCamp (or Desert Safari Camp)
– Ras al Hadd Turtle Beach Resort
– Muscat: Al Falaj Hotel, 4
Services not included:
International flights, personal insurance, tips, drinks in hotels and restaurants, personal extras, porterage, entrance visa all’areoporto in Muscat and not mentioned in the program.
