OMAN DISCOVERY

Nakhal Fort is a large fortification in the Al Batinah Region of Oman. It is named after the Wilayah of Nakhal. The fort houses a museum, operated by the Ministry of Tourism, which has exhibits of historic guns, and the fort also hosts a weekly goat market. The fort, also known as Husn Al Heem, was named after the state of Nakhal where it exists above the old village of Nakhl.

Bilad Sayt is a mountain village in Oman. The village is located on the NE slope of the Al Hajar Mountains near the highest peak in the Sultanate of Oman, Jebel Shams.

Al Hamra is also known as Hamra Al Abryeen with reference to the Al Abri tribe who live there. Near the center of the town is a plaza and the souq. Some of the oldest preserved houses in Oman can be found in Al Hamra, a town built on a tilted rock slab. Many of the houses have two, three and even four stories,with ceilings made of palm beams and fronds topped by mud and straw. Visitors to the nearby souq can watch a halwa maker at work in the only halwa shop still operating in the old souq.

Nizwa is an ancient city in the Ad Dakhiliyah region of northern Oman. It sits on a plain characterized by seasonal rivers and palm plantations. It’s known for Nizwa Fort, a castle with a huge cylindrical tower built in the 17th century to defend the city’s position on a major trade route.

Jebel Shams, is a mountain located in northeastern Oman north of Al Hamra town. It is the highest mountain of the country and part of Al Hajar Mountains range. It is a popular sightseeing area located 240 km from Muscat.

Wadi Bani Khalid is a wadi about 203 km from Muscat, Oman. It is the best-known wadi of the Sharqiyah region. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year.

Day 1

MUSCAT/NAKHAL/BILAD SAIT/AL HAMRA/ NIZWA
After breakfast around 0800 hrs you will meet your tour Guide/driver who will escort you to the waiting 4 wheel drive which you will board for a soft adventure tour. Drive to Barka to visit the famous Barka fish market. After visiting the fish market, drive to Nakhal.
Arrive at Nakhal and visit the Nakhal Fort. This fort once served the Imams of Bani Kharous and the Yaarubah dynasty. After recent restoration work carried out, it is refurbished with the traditional furniture, handicrafts and historic relics. The ceilings, the doors and the windows are decorated with beautiful carvings. The view from the roof-top is very impressive and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The old village of Nakhal, which nestles below the fort, gradually leads to the famous warm springs of Nakhal situated at the end of an attractive Oasis. Relax by the side of the shallow waters of the springs surrounded by lush green date plantations and steep mountain peaks. From there drive to Wadi Bani Awf and reach Bilad Sayt. Arrive at Bilad Sayt, the most idyllic village with a wealth of verdant terraces. The graded track through the mountains is stunning. It is one of the most interesting off road drive in Oman and most of the time, this Wadi has water making it a unique place for bashing. Make a short stop at Bilad Sayt and continue driving to Nizwa. Check in at Hotel in Nizwa. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at either Hotel Falaj Daris or Golden Tulip Nizwa.

Day 2

NIZWA –JABAL SHAMS - NIZWA
After breakfast at 0800 hrs you will drive to the Oasis city of Nizwa and then continue on a tour of the Nizwa fort with its enormous round tower built in the 17th century built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Yaaruba to defend the route to the interior. The fort dominates the entire area with the town having grown around the edifice. Access to the top is possible only by means of a narrow, twisting staircase barred by heavy wooden doors, studded with metal. From the top of the tower one can get a bird&s eye view of the Nizwa city. From here you will proceed to the Nizwa Souq which is renowned for its intricately hand-carved Khanjar and ornately designed silver Jewelry. Here on a Friday a unique goat and cattle auction is held. The atmosphere here is electric. Continue your drive to Al Hamra. Make a stop at Al Hamra by the old houses. After the stop, continue driving to Jabal Shams. Jabal Shams, the highest peak in Oman with a height of 3,009 meters. Jabal Shams means “Mountain of the Sun” and its old name is JABEL AL QANAH. The area is home to weavers of heavy woolen rugs in distinctive colours. Take a walk to see the Grand Canyon before driving back to your Hotel in Nizwa. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at either Hotel Falaj Daris or Golden Tulip Nizwa.

Day 3

NIZWA/SINAW/WAHIBA/WADI BANI KHALID/RAS AL HAD
After breakfast you will check-out and proceed Wahiba. En Route stopping in Sinaw to visit Old Bedouin Market. After visiting sinew, continue to Wahiba Sands, the great desert of Oman known as “Rumlat Al Wahiba” where our expert driver will give you the thrill of driving over the undulating dunes. After enjoying the dune driving, you will bid goodbye to the inhabitants of the desert to proceed to towards Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the beautiful Wadis in the country. You will drive through small villages and towns before arriving at Wadi Bani Khalid. This drive through the mountain offers a panoramic view of the beautiful landscape below. You will pass many pretty villages embedded in the mountains. Here the road winds down to the wadi along side a large, shallow pool fringed with vegetation and ends at a village. We park our vehicles at this point and continue on a short trek to the deep blue pools of the wadi. If you wish you may enjoy a swim in this glorious grace of nature. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes for this trip. You can also enjoy some juices and fast food at the coffee shop situated by the poolside (at own expenses). Spend some time there and continue driving to Ras Al Haad. Check in and time at leisure. Enjoy early dinner at the Hotel and then proceed to Ras Al Jinz to see turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. After the tour, drive back to your Hotel.
Overnight stay at either Hotel Ras Al Hadd Beach or Turtle Beach Resort.

Day 4

RAS AL HADD/WADI SHAAB/QURIYAT/MUSCAT
Breakfast at the hotel.
At around 0800 hrs you will be met by your guide in the lobby, embark your jeep and start driving to Muscat. This tour along the coast line to Muscat offers breath taking glimpses of the blue waters of the Gulf of Oman offset pristine beaches. Short visit of Sur town and Dhow Building Yard. Thereafter proceed to Wadi Shaab. Shaab in Arabic literally means “Ravine between Cliffs” shallow green pools and abundant shade give wadi Shaab a perfect setting for a picnic. Continue on the bumpy track, sometimes touching the sea following a creek or overlooking superb white beaches hundreds of metres long. Arrive at Fins beach (White beach) stop. After spending some time proceed for Muscat. En-route visiting Quriyat, a very large fishing village between the lagoon and the sea. The port of Quriyat is still guarded by a watchtower. Reach Muscat by evening.