Tour Description

Private Holiday
3 Days ex Muscat

Oman is a land of delightful contrasts. From glittering coast to amazingly irrigated desert villages and dramatic canyons, this destination richly rewards those who visit. The hospitality of the people is legendary and this compact itinerary allows you to experience the very best they have to offer.

Highlights

Explore Wadi Nakher – the Grand Canyon of Oman.
Experience traditional fishing life at Tiwi village.
Feel the exhilaration of a 4 wheel drive excursion over the Wahiba Sand Dunes.

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Muscat – Jabrin – Nizwa – Hamra (B D)

Depart Muscat this morning (around 10.00 a.m.) towards Nizwa the former capital of Oman. En route to Nizwa visit the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz with its unique Falaj system and date plantations. The Falaj irrigation systems were first designed over 5000 years ago and provide a fascinating insight to desert life.

Continue to Jabrin the finest of Oman’s castles. Built in the late 17th century it later became a seat of Omani learning. The castle displays the highest achievement in Omani ceiling painting and beautifully executed wood carvings.

Our next stop takes us to Wadi Nakher located in the depth of Oman’s deepest canyon. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul with its stone dwellings. In the Jebel Akhdar range Jebel Shams the highest peak offers a spectacular view with a vertical drop of 1000 meters to the wadi below.

Then explore Nizwa. The city is dominated by the Round tower Fort completed in the 17th Century. The nearby traditional souk sells clay pottery silver jewellery and local produce.

Dinner and overnight stay at The View.

Day 2: Hamra – Wahiba Sands – Sur (B)

After breakfast drive to the Wahiba Sands a vast mass of undulating red and white. This sea of sand and dunes rises up to 200 meters and is host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer’s delight. Experience a roller coaster like feeling as our experienced drivers take you over the dunes. The Wahiba Sands is also home to the traditional Bedouin tribe who are known for their hospitality and their knowledge of the sands. We will stop by a Bedouin family in their traditional and simple habitat. Continue to Sur for overnight.

Accommodation: Sur Plaza Hotel

Day 3: Sur – Muscat (B)

This morning visit Sur a large town with an ancient harbour that still houses some of the original Dows that are still used today to catch the pride of the Omani oceans. While at the delightful fishing village of Tiwi be sure to visit the fish jetty and dhow factory. Later visit the Sineslah Fort for some amazing views. The ruins of Bibi Mariam’s Tomb can be seen at the village of Qalhat on coastal road to Muscat. Although almost completely destroyed now the ancient city of which the Tomb was the heart was once an important trade city for the Indian Ocean. Artefacts from as far away as Persia and China have been at this site.

The drive back to Muscat is definitely a postcard moment so don’t forget to have your camera handy. Sitting in the back of your air conditioned vehicle you will have time to take in all that you see as you pass through a number of small towns on the way to Muscat. Most of the towns along the route make their livelihood from fishing and allow for picturesque settings of small fishing villages perched on the land that rises out of the ocean.

Continue to the beautiful Fins beach for a swim. The next stop is the Bimah Sinkhole a spectacular limestone crater with blue green water at the bottom.

Proceed to Wadi Arbayeen with its refreshing deep pools of water set among the date palms.

Arrive in Muscat late this afternoon and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Transportation by private A/C luxury 4WD car with driver
Accommodation in listed hotels (or similar) with private facilities
Meals as indicated
Sightseeing and entrance fee
Local private English speaking driver/guide
Oman Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

Oman Visa
International airfares
Optional tours and excursions
Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Type of vehicle used on your tour

Air conditioned 4WD Toyota Land cruisers or similar

Accommodation based on the following or similar:

Hamra

Tourist Class – The View

Sur

Tourist Class –Sur Plaza Hotel

VISAS
Effective June 2018 Oman introduced a new E-visa system.

RAMADAN ( 05 May – 06 Jun 2019)
Please find below some rules and important information for tourists during Ramadan:
During the month of Ramadan Muslims will not eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset. Although Non-Muslims are not expected to fast, they have to obey the laws regarding eating, drinking and smoking in public and should respect the local culture.
It is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours during Ramadan.
Cafes and restaurants are closed during the day, and hotel beaches and pools also instate the no eating, drinking, and smoking rule.

Some hotels have screened-off areas for Non-Muslim guests where food and beverages are served during the day. Room service will also be available in most hotels. In case there are lunches included in tours and round trips, they will be mainly in form of picnic lunch boxes and guests have to eat in the vehicle.

If travelling with an Omani driver/guide, please avoid drinking or eating in their presence. (Breakfast and dinner at the hotels will take place normally).

Alcohol will only be available in 5* hotels and only in selected outlets (if any). Otherwise alcohol will not be available (guests can take from home/duty free shop and consume in the privacy of their hotel room).

Public life/services in hotels and elsewhere can be very slow and often patience is required even for getting simple service

All members of society are expected to dress modestly, women making special efforts to limit the amount of make-up worn and cover arms, legs and shoulders.
Working hours are reduced as a rule during this time period. The normal workday of 8am to 5pm changes to 8pm to 2pm in most companies.

Retail shops are usually only open in the morning hours and after 4pm, if at all. Supermarkets remain open from around 10h00 – midnight and some stores will deliver also (mainly Muscat area).

No music or dancing is allowed during Ramadan. Please turn your car stereo down and be mindful about playing music loudly even in the comfort of your room.

Hotels sometimes use the quieter month of Ramadan to carry out minor repairs or maintenance work which can cause inconvenience for the guests.

Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

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